What to Pack for a Multi-Day Trek (Without Taking Your Entire House)
- Janire
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Tour du Mont Blanc Edition
So, you’ve signed up for an epic long-distance trek like our Tour du Mont Blanc. Cue the excitement, the nerves, and the what-on-earth-do-I-pack panic. Don’t worry—I’ve got your back (and your boots, and your Buff). Packing for a multi-day trek isn’t about cramming your entire wardrobe into a rucksack the size of a small yak. It’s about bringing the essentials that will keep you warm, dry, and just the right amount of smug when someone else forgot their gloves.
Here’s your no-nonsense, slightly cheeky packing guide—straight from the clever folk at the Trekking Mont Blanc team, with a few extra pro tips thrown in for good measure.
🧠 What Do You Need for Your Head?
Your noggin deserves VIP treatment. It’s where your sense of direction, trail snack cravings, and ability to spot ibex live.
1x woolly hat or headband – for chilly starts and high passes.
1x sunhat or cap – because burnt foreheads are nobody’s vibe.
1x Buff or scarf – the Swiss Army knife of accessories. Neck, head, face... even emergency coffee filter if you’re wild like that.
1x pair of sunglasses (category 4) + case – the glare off glaciers is no joke.
Sun cream (SPF 40 or higher) – apply generously unless you want to match your rucksack.
Earplugs – Because even the most beautiful mountain hut can contain one world-class snorer.
🦵 What Do You Need for Your Legs?
Your legs will be doing a solid shift each day, so keep them happy.
1x pair of fleece leggings or thermal base layer – ideal for chilly huts or under trousers on nippy days.
1x pair of zip-off or convertible trousers – practical, breezy, and you’ll look like you know what you’re doing.
1x pair of lightweight waterproof trousers – don’t skip these, even if it’s sunny when you pack.
1x pair of gaiters – a handy extra for wet weather or dusty trails.
🧥 What Do You Need for Your Upper Body?
Pack layers like you’re dressing a mountain-flavoured onion. Lightweight, breathable, and ready for every kind of weather tantrum.
2x short-sleeved breathable T-shirts – synthetic or merino are great.
2x long-sleeved breathable tops – for layering or when the sun’s a bit too keen.
1x lightweight fleece or hoodie – your cosy middle layer.
1x fleece or softshell jacket – the trusty warm hug when temps drop.
1x waterproof & windproof jacket (e.g. Gore-Tex) – if you buy one good thing, make it this.
1x down or insulated jacket – mountain mornings can be brisker than your ex’s texts.
✋ What Do You Need for Your Hands?
Cold fingers = grumpy hiker. Happy hands make for happy trekking.
1x pair of lightweight gloves (e.g. fleece) – great for mild chill.
1x pair of warm, waterproof gloves – essential if the weather goes full drama queen.
🦶 What Do You Need for Your Feet?
If your feet aren’t comfy, the hike becomes a hobble. Treat them like royalty.
Lightweight hiking boots – well broken in, unless you like blister-based character development.
2–3x pairs of moisture-wicking socks – bring spares. Your feet deserve a fresh start.
Lightweight camp shoes or sandals – bliss at the end of a long day. Bonus: reduce hut stink.
🎒 What Hiking Equipment Do You Need?
This is your adventure gear—the stuff that keeps everything else together (sometimes literally).
1x 30–45L rucksack – enough space for all your essentials, not enough space to get carried away.
1x survival blanket – tiny, mighty, and potentially life-saving.
1x silk sleeping bag liner – mandatory in most mountain huts and surprisingly lovely (you don't need to bring a sleeping bag!)
1x reusable water bottle or hydration bladder (2L+) – hydration station on the go.
1x penknife – for cheese, gear fixes, or impressing fellow hikers.
Spare boot laces – small but critical.
First aid kit + blister plasters – your future self will love you for this.
Head torch – early starts, late arrivals, midnight loo missions.
Camera or phone – for memories, maps, and smug summit selfies.
Trekking poles – optional but amazing for knees and balance (and pretending you’re in an alpine ski movie).
A few luxury snacks – trail chocolate, jelly babies, or that weird but wonderful energy bar you pretend to hate.
Pro Tip:
I know you won't stick to the recommendations above so lay everything that you've planned on packing out on your bed—then halve it. You really don’t need that fourth fleece or six emergency cereal bars. Trust the mountain minimalist in you.
Final Thoughts
Packing for the Tour du Mont Blanc or any multi-day trek is a fine art of balance: warm but light, prepared but not paranoid. The aim is to feel confident, capable, and maybe a little smug when you pull out exactly what you need at the perfect moment (like a waterproof jacket when it starts to drizzle halfway up a pass).
If you’re organised, layered, and rocking a solid pair of boots, the rest is just adventure waiting to happen. Now go pack, go hike, and go soak up those views—chocolate in one hand, trekking pole in the other.
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