Tour du Mont Blanc Gear List

Travel Insurance: Do not travel without it. It is unlikely that your health insurance covers you internationally. The Alpine Adventures does not assume responsibility for trip cancellation, trip interruption, late or early arrival, medical emergencies, or injuries you sustain on the trail. Travel Insurance is an affordable option that can protect you in an unforeseen event, and at the very least give you peace of mind. Hiking carries inherent risks. While it is unlikely, suffering an injury on the trail can be very expensive. Check out options with World Nomads to see which plan is best for you.

Gear

Keep your pack as light as possible. Your total pack weight should be around 25 pounds. Between 15 and 20 pounds is ideal. Overpacking can tire you out quickly and as little as a 2 pound reduction in weight makes a huge difference. Avoid bringing anything that is not absolutely essential.

• Hiking Backpack: You will need a lightweight hiking backpack to carry your things. Most people complete the TMB with a 34L to 40L pack. Make sure your pack has a waist strap, as this takes pressure off your shoulders and back. Here is a list of our favorites: 
• Men's Osprey Stratos 34L (includes rain cover)
• Men's Osprey Stratos 44L  (includes rain cover)
• Women's Osprey Sirrus 34L  (includes rain cover)
• Women's Osprey Sirrus 44L  (includes rain cover)

• Hiking Boots: Quality hiking boots that fit well can make all the difference on the trail. We recommend waterproof boots with excellent grip to prevent slips.
• Men's Merrell Moab 3
• Women's Merrell Moab 3

• Trekking Poles: Trekking poles are especially useful for maintaining balance and taking pressure off your legs. These Trail Buddy Trekking Poles are adjustable to your height, lightweight, and can be customized in 8 colors.

• Headlamp: Navigate dark mountain huts at night or go out for a nighttime stroll. The Black Diamond Storm 400 is battery powered (AAA), waterproof, and lightweight. This is an excellent tool to have in case of an emergency.

• Backpack Raincover: Keep all your things dry with a raincover.

• Water Filtration System: Hiking essential. This Playtups Quickdraw water filtration system includes a light weight water filter and a dirty water bag. Filter your water from a naturally occurring source into a 1-Liter Platypus Softbottle to carry with you on the trail.

• Lightweight Water Bottle

• Osprey Ultralight Wallet: Keep your things organized with this lightweight option.

• First Aid Kit: Bring a first aid kit with band-aids, anti-bacterial gel, and other items you may need to treat minor injuries for yourself or others. 

• Moleskin Blister Dressing

• Microspikes: Not to be confused with crampons, microspikes attach to the bottom of your boots to provide traction on snowy or muddy trails. 

• Lightweight Power Bank

Clothing

Carrying a change of clothes for every day of your trek is not feasible. Carry little clothing and about 3oz of laundry detergent or body wash and wash your clothes by hand when you arrive at a hut with running water. 

• T-shirts: We recommend carrying 2 lightweight and breathable T-shirts.
• Men's hiking T-shirts
• Women's hiking t-shirts

• Long Sleeve T-shirts:  We recommend carrying 1 or 2  lightweight and breathable long sleeve shirts to protect from the sun and for extra warmth in the early morning.
• Men's long sleeve hiking T-shirt
• Women's long sleeve hiking T-shirt

• Merino Wool Hoodie: Merino wool is temperature-regulating and breathable. We recommend carrying 1 merino wool hoodie.

• Hiking Pants/Shorts: Bring 2 or 3 pairs of hiking pants/shorts.
• Men's hiking pants 
• Women's hiking pants
• Men's hiking shorts
• Women's hiking shorts

• Rain Jacket and Pants: Check your local outdoors outfitter for lightweight options.

• Merino Wool Socks: Bring 3 - 4 pairs. Merino wool is temperature-regulating, lightweight, and breathable. 

• Hiking Jacket: Leave the winter jacket at home.  Check your local outdoors outfitter for a lightweight hiking jacket.

• Sunglasses: Leave your nice pair of sunglasses at home. Sunglasses can easily be lost or crushed under other gear. Grab a pair you can afford to lose.

• Underwear: Bring 3 - 4 pairs.

• Casual Shoes: Huts will require you to take off your boots before entering.
• Men's lightweight trailrunners
• Women's lightweight trailrunners

• Hat: Bring a hat to protect yourself from the sun.

Personal Items

You probably already own these items. Always remember to keep it light. You do not need to bring the entire bottle of body wash and laundry detergent. 3oz travel bottles are perfect for the TMB.

• Cash, Credit cards, Passport: Budget 50 Euros or Swiss Francs in cash per person per day. Some mountain huts do not accept cards.

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and a toothbrush holder.

• TSA Approved Travel Bottles: You will not need the entire bottle of sunscreen, skin lotion, body wash, and shampoo. Use these small bottles to keep things lightweight.

• Body Wash: Use it to clean yourself and hand wash your clothes.

• Skin Moisturizer

• Small pack of tissues

• Shampoo

• Lip Balm

• Hand sanitizer

• Deodorant

• Nail Clipper

• Toilet Paper - Half Roll: Huts have toilet paper, but you never know! Bring half a roll and use as tissues if needed.

• Phone Charger