Tour du Mont Blanc | EQUIPMENT

Written By Giudi

I advise to carefully plan your equipment list for hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc. A too heavy and bulky backpack would increase your effort while hiking the trail.

Here you can find a list of the equipment I brought with me.

A few additional notes:

  • DON’T TAKE THIS GEAR LIST AS THE ONE AND ONLY WAY TO GO!
    Buy the gear that fits your personal needs, preferences and budget. I am also still inside an endless learning phase regarding equipment. Every experience will teach you something and you’ll realize what’s best for you once you hit the trail.

  • I am not sponsored by any of the below listed companies.

Backpack

ULA Circuit

ULA Backpack Cover

Maximal capacity = 68L

Shoes

Lowa Renegade Boots

For hiking the TMB, I advise to wear mountain boots for a good friction on the rocks and a better ankle support on the alpine terrain. However, I also saw many people wearing trail runners. The choice of shoes therefore depends on what you are comfortable with when hiking in the mountains.

Havaianas Flip Flops

I also advise to bring a pair of shoes to wear in the evening, in order to rest the feet. Clean shoes are also required when staying at the refuges. Some suggestions could be flip flops or Crocs.

Shelter and Sleeping System

Tent: Zpacks Plexamid

Tent Stakes: Zpacks 6.5" Red Tough Titanium Tent Stakes

Trekking poles: Black Diamond Alpine FLZ

Sleeping pad: Thermarest NeoAir XLite

Sleeping Bag: Western Mountaineering Versalite

The trekking poles are essential for me to pitch my non-freestanding tent. However, I strongly recommend to bring them with you on the TMB, as their help will greatly reduce the effort and the weight on your knees on the steeper climbs and descends.

If you are planning to stay at the refuges along the TMB, I recommend to take a sleeping bag liner with you. Most of the refuges provide blankets and pillows, but no bed sheets. Sleeping bag sheets or liners must therefore be used for hygiene reasons.

Cooking System

Cooking pot: Toaks Titanium 750ml Pot

Spork: Snow Peak Titanium Spork

Stove: MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove

Fuel: Optimus Gas 230 g

Water Filter: Sawyer Micro Squeeze Filter

Water Bladder: Cnoc Outdoors Vecto 2L Bladder

I never used the water filter, since there are plenty of clean water sources on the TMB. However, I recommend to always use it in case you choose to collect water from a river or lake along the trail.

Electronics

Power Bank: Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD

Power Port: Anker PowerPort PD 2

Head Lamp: Petzl TIKKA

GPS Device: Garmin Inreach Explorer+

Camera: iPhone

This trekking leads hikers through valleys surrounded by mountains, where cell phone signal is sometimes scarse or not present. For this reason, I recommend to carry a GPS device, such as a Garmin Inreach. This device also has a SOS button, which can be pushed for calling rescue in dangerous situations. Moreover, it allows to share your location with friends and family, so they don’t have to worry all the time.

First Aid and Toiletries

My first aid kit usually comprises bandages, tape, plasters, disinfectant, needles with thread and wadding, which I mainly use to cure blisters. Additionally, I always bring with me ibuprofene pills, a gel for muscle aches, insect repellent and cream for skin rashes or insect bites, along with some general pills for fever, nausea or stomach problems.

In my toiletry bag I usually pack soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, cotton swabs, contact lenses liquid and box, a brush, sunscreen, toilet paper, tissues and wet wipes.

Accessories

Fanny Pack: Waymark Fanny Pack

Trash Bags: Zip Lock Bags

Waterproof Compression Bag for sleeping bag: Ortlieb Dry Bag PS10 Valve 22L

Waterproof Bag for electronics: Zpacks Large Rectangle Dry Bag

Bag for clothes: Eagle Creek Pack-It M

Bag for food: Zpacks Large Food Bag

Towel: PackTowl Towel

I WISH I WOULD HAVE PACKED

Book: Cicerone Guide Book

Luxury Items

Sitting Pad: Thermarest Z Seat

Giudi
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