Kilimanjaro Gloves and Walking Poles

If your preparing to hike the highest mountain in Africa, you need to be sure you have suitable Kilimanjaro gloves. Forgetting to pack this key piece of kit will make for a very uncomfortable hike and, very likely, a few frozen fingers.

Here I provide some tips on choosing the right gloves for Kilimanjaro. I'll also  look at some good options for trekking poles (another important bit of kit).

Once you've read this article make sure to download our Kilimanjaro packing list.

What Gloves Do I Need For Kilimanjaro?

There are two types of gloves you should take on your Kilimanjaro trek – inner and outer gloves.

Like base layer clothing, inner gloves provide the next-to-skin insulation that is critical when trekking in cold temperatures (and it will get really cold on the upper reaches of Mount Kilimanjaro). See my guide on Kilimanjaro temperatures and weather.

Outer gloves are thicker, waterproof and provide the shell protection needed to prevent freezing hands.

Inner gloves come in handy during the chilly mornings and evenings on most days of your hike. Most people find they only need to use their thick outer gloves on summit night when you are faced with freezing temperatures and usually also getting battered by icy winds.

Both pairs of gloves should be able to be worn together. They also need to allow enough mobility and grip to hold your trekking poles, adjust your headlight or grab something out your bag.

Kilimanjaro Gloves

Inner Gloves

Outer Gloves/Mitts

Trekking Poles For Kilimanjaro

Trekking is one exercise that puts serious strain on your major leg joints and knees. This is particularly true on Kilimanjaro where the average trek length is 7 days, with 5-8 hours of hiking each day. Add in the rough terrain that undulates frequently and you can see why most people complain of sore legs.

The best way to reduce the impact of long-distance trekking on your knees and joints is by using trekking poles. In fact good trekking poles can reduce the impact on your knees by up to 25% – as assessed in a 1999 study by The Journal of Sports Medicine.

I recommend using trekking poles as a mandatory hiking accessory on Mount Kilimanjaro, as they offer better balance on trails and reduce stress on joints during ascents and descents

Key characteristics to look for in a pair of Kilimanjaro hiking poles are:

• Weight: Medium-weight poles (~350 grams) tend to be better at enduring long and sustained treks across rough terrain as they are often more durable.
• Adjustability: Good trekking poles should be fully adjustable. There are two main adjustable systems – lever-locking or twist-locking. I recommend lever-locking systems as they are easier to use, and more durable (despite being slightly heavier)
• Grip: Pole grips are usually made from cork, rubber or foam. Cork is a good grip material and super durable, but not as good as rubber in terms of insulating warmth (which is a factor on Mount Kilimanjaro). Foam is the least durable type of grip but the best at wicking moisture away from the grip and hands. If I were pushed to recommend a grip type for Mount Kilimanjaro I would say rubber or form, for their warmth / wicking properties, but cork is still my overall favourite for its durability and lower susceptibility to chaffing the hands and causing blisters.
• Material: The Pole itself is usually constructed from lightweight aluminium or carbon fibre (which is lighter than aluminium). I don’t have too much of a preference here, as long as the structure is sturdy and mid-weight.

Recommended Kilimanjaro Trekking Poles

See my complete guide to hiking Mt Kilimanjaro. Looking for more equipment guides? See below.

• Kilimanjaro sleeping gear
• Kilimanjaro boots and footwear
• Kilimanjaro backpacks and duffels
• Kilimanjaro headgear
• Clothing for Mt Kilimanjaro
• Kilimanjaro accessories