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🏔️ Tour du Mont Blanc Gear Guide: Hut to Hut Trek Packing List

32 items

Dana Shintani

Last summer, I completed the 107-mile Tour du Mont Blanc trek through France, Switzerland, and Italy. These are the exact items I packed and relied on during the hut-to-hut hike!

Sections

🥾 Core Gear (Non-Negotiables)

👕 Clothing System

🛖 Hut to Hut Essentials

🧴 Toiletries & Hygiene

🥾 Core Gear (Non-Negotiables)

The right core gear makes or breaks a multi-day trek like the Tour du Mont Blanc. I carried everything myself and prioritized comfort, reliability, and simplicity over trendy ultralight swaps. These were the non-negotiables.

I carried a 55L pack, which gave me enough space for layering and hut essentials without overstuffing. It was structured enough to stay comfortable on long descents but still manageable once I dialed in my base weight.

55L Backpacks | REI Co-op

I wore the Oboz Sapphire Mid boots the entire trek. They offered excellent ankle support on rocky descents and felt stable on loose gravel and wet sections

Oboz Sapphire Mid B-Dry Hiking Shoe

Trekking poles were non-negotiable for me on the TMB. The elevation gain and long downhill stretches add up quickly, and poles significantly reduced the impact on my knees. I especially appreciated them during steep descents and uneven alpine terrain...

Black Diamond Trekking Poles & Hiking Poles

I used standard Smartwater bottles because they’re lightweight, durable, and fit easily into pack side pockets. They’re also compatible with most squeeze filters, which makes refilling along the trail simple and efficient. Sometimes the most basic sy...

Glacéau Smartwater Bottle

I carried the Sawyer Squeeze as a backup filtration option, though there is plenty of potable water available along the Tour du Mont Blanc. Most huts, towns, and many on-trail sources provide drinkable water, but having a lightweight filter gave me f...

Squeeze | Sawyer Products

Afternoon storms are common in the Alps, and keeping my pack dry was essential. This lightweight rain cover packed down small but gave me peace of mind during sudden weather shifts. It’s one of those items you hope not to use — but absolutely want wh...

REI Co-op Duck's Back Pack Rain Cover - Small

👕 Clothing System

For the Tour du Mont Blanc, I focused on versatility over volume. Alpine weather shifts quickly — cold mornings, warm climbs, sudden storms — so I built a simple layering system that could adapt without adding unnecessary weight. Everything here earn...

A proper waterproof shell is non-negotiable on the TMB. Afternoon storms move in quickly, and exposed sections can get cold fast. This shell was lightweight, packable, and reliable in steady rain and wind.

Arcteryx Beta SL Jacket Women's

This was my mid-layer for cooler mornings and higher elevation sections. Light insulation made it easy to throw on at passes or during hut evenings without feeling bulky.

Columbia Women's Sienna Hill Quilted Jacket

I alternated in biker shorts on warmer days. They were comfortable under my pack hip belt and gave me flexibility depending on temperature and terrain.

Lululemon Biker Shorts

The Stryder Short was one of my primary on-trail bottoms. Lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying, it handled long climbs and warm stretches comfortably. I appreciated how well it moved under my pack hip belt without chafing, especially on back-to-...

Mountain Hardwear Women's Stryder Short

I brought lightweight hiking pants for cooler days and added protection against wind or light rain. They were especially useful at higher elevations or early starts.

Women's Stryder™ Jogger

A supportive sports bra that could handle full days of movement was essential. I kept it simple and rotated as needed between hut washes.

Lululemon Sports Bra

The sun hoodie became one of my most worn pieces on the Tour du Mont Blanc. It provided lightweight sun protection at higher elevations while remaining breathable on long climbs. I loved having coverage without needing to constantly reapply sunscreen...

PrAna Sol Searcher Sun Hoodie

The Columbia Silver Ridge Overshirt worked as a lightweight, breathable layer that I could throw on during cool mornings or wear around huts in the evenings. It added a bit of sun protection and coverage without feeling heavy, and packed down easily ...

Columbia Silver Ridge 3.0 Shirt

This was a breathable option for warmer stretches and lower elevation days. Lightweight and quick-drying, it worked well as a base layer.

Columbia Wild Springs Tank

I rotated a few pairs of Darn Tough socks throughout the trek. They held up extremely well over long mileage days and helped prevent blisters on sustained descents. Quality socks matter more than people realize.

Darn Tough Socks

I packed a lightweight Beyond Yoga tank specifically for sleeping. Having a clean, breathable top separate from my hiking layers.

Beyond Yoga Tank

I brought these specifically for sleeping and wearing around huts in the evenings. After full days on trail, having a lightweight, clean pair of shorts to change into made a noticeable difference in comfort and recovery. They packed down small and do...

Lululemon Shake It Out High-Rise Running Short

I packed an oversized prAna tee specifically for sleeping. After long alpine days, changing into something loose and clean made hut nights more comfortable. It doubled as an easy layer for relaxed mornings before heading back on trail.

Everyday Graphic Oversized Tee | Womens Activewear

Camp shoes were a morale booster after long hiking days. Taking off boots and giving feet room to breathe made a noticeable difference in recovery and overall comfort.

TEVA ReEmber Terrain Slip On

🛖 Hut to Hut Essentials

Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc hut-to-hut is very different from camping. You don’t need a tent or cooking setup, but there are a few small items that make shared dorms and long recovery nights much more comfortable. These were the essentials that tru...

Most huts on the Tour du Mont Blanc require a sleeping bag liner for hygiene. I chose a lightweight option that packed down small and added comfort without extra bulk.

Sea to Summit Sleeping Bag Liner

Showers aren’t guaranteed at every hut, but when available, having a quick-dry towel was worth the minimal weight.

Quick Dry Towels

🧴 Toiletries & Hygiene

A minimal toiletry kit made hut-to-hut life easier. I focused on lightweight essentials that kept me comfortable without adding unnecessary weight.

I used the small REI Shower Roll to keep my toiletries organized and compact. It held everything I needed without taking up excess space in my pack, and made it easy to grab what I needed quickly in shared hut bathrooms.

REI Co-op Shower Roll - Small

Showers aren’t guaranteed at every hut on the Tour du Mont Blanc, and even when available, they can be limited. These wipes were an easy way to freshen up after long days on trail. Lightweight and compact, they made a noticeable difference in comfort...

Trek & Travel Wilderness Wipes

A compact travel toothbrush that fit easily into my toiletry kit.

Philips One Electric Sonicare Toothbrush & Travel Case

Individual powder wash packets kept my skincare simple and compact. Easy to use at hut sinks and added almost no weight.

BEAUTY CLEAR POWDER WASH SERIES｜Kanebo Cosmetics Inc.

I packed a small pack of Neutrogena wipes for quick face cleansing at hut sinks or when showers weren’t available.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Ultra-Soft Micellar Cleansing Wipes, 25 Count

I used a Matador soap bag to carry a small bar of soap without leaks or mess. It kept things contained in my toiletry kit and allowed the soap to dry between uses

Matador FlatPak™ Soap Bar Case

Sunscreen is non-negotiable at altitude. This held up well through long, exposed hiking days.

Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+

I packed compact hand soap sheets because sometimes there was no soap available in hut bathrooms.

FOMIN Antibacterial Paper Soap Sheets

A small dry shampoo for non-shower days. Lightweight and useful between longer stretches on trail.

Primally Pure Dry Shampoo | Natural & Non-Toxic

I packed a small body lotion to combat dry alpine air and sun exposure. After long days in the elements, a little moisture went a long way.

Necessaire Body Lotion