BootsnAll Travel Community

Since i'm not a very experienced camper/trekker I thought it might be useful to start a thread dedicated to the equipment and gear that people will be bringing along for the trip. I know it is several months away but a lot of us are probably budgeting now and trying to pick up things along the way. I already have a regular big pack but am in need of

most importantly:

a day pack
trekking poles
boots
sleeping bag


Anyone have suggestions on other items to look for? I'm sure i'm not the only one that feels like they have a lot of research to do.

My next purchase will probably be a sleeping bag since I can start camping more often before the trip.

this thread didn't get much attention.. hopefully this new one will.

donovan, any advice?

Thanks for reminding me. I have a check list that I will post in the next few days.

Here is a more basic Gear List

Joey - You need to get your boots as soon as possible and start breaking them. You should put many miles on them so your feet grow comfortable with them. If you just show up with new boots, and then walk 50 miles, you will get loads of blisters and might have difficulty making it to the top.

Donovan

I have a pair of boots that are worn in but i'm not 100% sure they are sufficient enough to make the climb.

I'll have to find out exactly what they are when I get home and maybe post some pictures. The guy at the local adventure store said they are good for hiking but not climbing but I still want a 2nd opinion.

Off the top of my head...

headlamp or flashlight
toilet paper
water purification tabs or system??
sleeping pad
poncho
personal first aid kit (I always travel with one)
knee braces (personal choice, I have bad knees)
gloves
alpaca, fleece-lined beanie
hiking socks and liner socks
sunblock
sunglasses
...

Lets talk boots.

What kind of price range should I be looking at? Are boots something that I could pick up at a non-travel store? Can I find something good enough for Kili at a discount shoe store or a spot at the mall? Would my best bet be ordering off the internet?

Stupid questions maybe but i'm clueless and like Donovan said I need to start wearing them in.

If you are looking for a really good gear list, email me and I can send you an EXCEL document I have that covers everything.

Donovan

Could you post a link to the file here?

do you guys think these boots will be fine? i bought them a while ago so they're somewhat broken in. the part that concerns me though, is that the guy said it should be ok for most climbs, but that some mt rainier programs wouldn't allow it since it isn't 'enough of a boot.'

xoom, those boots look fine for a multiday hike.

Things I personally look for are weight, durability, waterproof or ability to be waterproofed (integrated tongue), amongst other things.

I love the vibram soles on my shoes now.

mine are *too* broken in now, so I´ll have to get new ones for the trip...

I'll have to hire pretty much all my gear right before the climb. I'm flying into Cape Town in October and travelling overland.

I'll be wearing these and I don't think they'll work!

"Hiring" gear in Tanzania is not always easy and is never reliable. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag, otherwise, you might use one that has been used hundreds of times. And there are no guarantees.

All the other major equipment is supplied by us.

Okay everyone, listen up, I updated the Gear List on mtkilimanjaro.org to include everything you will need on the mountain. Check it out.

Gear List

First Aid

Donovan

Holy crap that's a long list. I knew there were a lot of things I still needed to get but I didn't realize just how many. Guess I'm gonna have to start hitting ebay and clearance sales at all the sporting good stores.

I know it's a long list, but it covers everything. Of course, there are a few things you don't need to bring, but overall, you get the idea. The great thing is, trying to get all of this into one bag (for the mountain). You should also have a seperate bag for safari.

Donovan

I have my 75L Northface pack I planned on bringing along with a daypack for both the mountain and the safari. Are you saying this might not be enough?

If you can get everything into one bag, go for it. Unfortunatley, while treking on the moutain, and then going on safari, requires two totally different kits that rarely have I seen consolidated in one backpack.

Donovan

FYI
We are pulling together airline options during the second week of August. Be prepared to get some details pretty soon. Right now most tickets I have seen are around $1700 and up.

Donovan

I'm gonna get boots next week. Is it a really bad idea to order off the internet with out trying them on first? I have no hiking/mountaineering type stores around here so I have limited options. What brands tend to be the best at a reasonable price. I'm willing to spend $100-200.