How do I keep warm while climbing Kilimanjaro?

At higher elevations, Mount Kilimanjaro can be brutally cold. You’ll need a quality down jacket, also known as an insulated jacket, a puffer jacket and puffy jacket, to keep you warm.

A down jacket is an insulating layer used for chilly to extremely cold weather. They are usually worn at camp in the evenings, during the night time summit assault, or for short periods of time while taking a break on the trail. One of the most common gear mistakes people make is bringing a down jacket that is not appropriate for the weather conditions.

In this video, we discuss what things to look for in a down jacket for climbing Kilimanjaro.

Here are our recommendations when it comes to choosing a down jacket for Kilimanjaro:

*Your down jacket should have a fill power of 650 or more. The higher the fill power, the warmer the insulation. My personal down jackets all have 800 fill power.
*Your down jacket should have a fill weight of 200-300 grams. That translates to 7- 10 ounces. Keep in mind, this is the recommended weight of the down only, not the weight of the entire jacket. So called down “sweaters” or “ultralight” down jackets are not warm enough for the mountain.
*Get a jacket with a hood. Being able to shield your head from wind will keep you significantly warmer than one without. Any serious down jacket will have an insulated hood.
*Look for a jacket that has not only hand pockets, but a chest pocket and inside pockets. These pockets come in handy to carry gloves, phones, batteries, snacks, lip balm, and other knick knacks.
*Find a jacket that can be stuffed and packed into its own zippered pocket for convenience and portability.
*Your heavy down jacket is meant to fit OVER your other layers, including the hard shell. It is the last layer you will put on.

Of course, each individual has varying degrees of cold tolerance. While a certain jacket might be suitable for one person, it might not be enough for another in the same weather conditions. A particular jacket might be perfect in mild 30 degree weather, but completely inadequate in a blizzard. So take other people’s advice with a grain of salt.

When it comes to selecting your puffy jacket, you want to prepare for the worst possible scenario. That means erring on the side of warmth. Because the climb is fully supported, the weight of a thicker down jacket, which amounts to just a few extra ounces in most cases, shouldn’t be a concern.

While many people have been exposed to very cold temperatures at some point in their lifetime, not many people have had to withstand the cold for so many hours straight. So, the question you should ask yourself when picking a down jacket is, would I be able to tolerate -20 degree temperatures for a period of 8 hours wearing this and your other layers. If you can confidently answer yes, then you have yourself a good down jacket.

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VIDEO CONTENTS
0:00 - Intro
0:46 - Natural Down
1:21 - Fill Power & Fill Weight
2:42 - Synthetic Down
4:19 - Selecting a Down Jacket
5:46 - Evaluating My Synthetic Down Jackets
6:23 - Evaluating My Natural Down Jackets
7:34 - Cold Tolerance & Weather Conditions
8:20 - Final Thoughts

ABOUT ULTIMATE KILIMANJARO

Ultimate Kilimanjaro® is, quite simply, the #1 guide service on Mount Kilimanjaro.

With more than 15 years of experience, Ultimate Kilimanjaro® has a proven expertise on Mount Kilimanjaro. We lead over 150 climbs per year, with more than 1,000 adventurers climbing with us annually. Literally thousands of climbers have stood on the top of Kilimanjaro with us. Our clients have included celebrities, film makers, senators, ambassadors, authors, journalists, and even the world record holder for the oldest person to summit.

All agree, you won’t find a better Kilimanjaro outfitter.

Our expert guides, high quality standards, and focus on safety have made us the top choice for thousands of customers from all over the world. In short, we know what it takes to get you to the summit – in an safe, fun, and affordable way.

Thousands of people have stood on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with us.

Won’t you join us on the Roof of Africa?

Email us at: info@ultimatekilimanjaro.com
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