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Gearing Up Before a Long Hike
Get these items right and you’ll have a nicer hike. I will not necessarily be recommending all the highest-end items. If it’s cheap, it works and I like it I will recommend that product. I love a good deal and hate paying more than I need to for the same functionality.
Packing list for Mount Fuji:
Check out the big fat Mount Fuji guide (opens in a new tab.)
Check out Hiking Gear – Clothing (opens in a new tab.)
Check out the list of stuff you don’t even know you need (opens in a new tab.)
Hiking Equipment
Some of this stuff can really make a difference. As an example, I can tell you there’s one product here I can’t go hiking without. It turns out I’m unable to drink from bottles (when hiking) after I got used to sucking away on this puppy. Yep, strange I know.
Backpack
When you’re climbing Mount Fuji, you’ll need a backpack with a good hip belt. It’s important to keep the weight on your back stable when you climb. For a relatively short hike (no tent, sleeping bag, camping stove, etc.) like this, you only need a backpack with small to average capacity. I think 25L – 50L is the sweet spot. I have Fjallraven – Abisko Hike 35 and Osprey Aether AG 70. For this hike, I would use Fjallraven. It’s lightweight, compatible with your hydration system and has great padding for the back and shoulders. It also comes with a rain cover, which is a MUST HAVE on Mount Fuji. If you already have a backpack but no rain cover, it’s easy to buy it separately. Just be sure to buy the right size!
If you want to save some money and get a backpack, you can use for short and long hikes (1+ days) I HIGHLY recommend Osprey Aether AG 70 (for women: Osprey Ariel AG 65). It’s an awesome backpack with all the features you can imagine. It’s even got an Anti-Gravity system! I look for excuses to use this backpack since I love it so much. It’s a backpack for life. I could ramble on forever about, but I think it’s better if you just watch this video review. 🙂
Hydration System
There are two main types of hydration packs. One that will fit in your backpack and one you carry like a backpack. What you want for this hike is a system you put in your backpack. I have this CamelBak 100 oz (3 L). I like it because it doesn’t drip, it’s simple to fill up and easy to drink from. Not to mention it doesn’t leak! I’ve had a hydration system that sprung a leak, and it sucks when it’s in your backpack with all your dry clothes.
There are cheaper options than the CamelBak out there. I’ve got a friend who just bought this one (cheap!) and so far so good. No leakage! I haven’t used iut myself but it seems like a good option if you want to save some money.
Headlamp
If you’re climbing Mount Fuji when it’s dark, you’ll need a headlamp. If you’ve never used a headlamp, it’s difficult to know what to look for. These are the things to look for:
- Lumen (maximum light output)
- Weight
- Max Beam
- Comfort
- Controls
- Batteries (rechargeable or not)
If you just need a headlamp for the Mount Fuji climb, I wouldn’t pay too much attention to lumen and max beam, because you really don’t need it. And if you still want high output and a long beam, it will cost you considerably more. Headlamps can be very expensive! The strongest and most advanced ones (SWAT level sh*t) can cost you hundreds of dollars. Unless you’re going to use it A LOT and really know what you’re doing, I would stay clear of those! I would look for something in the $30 – $50 range.
My headlamp from Silva is cheap, easy to use, water resistant and comfortable. It was so cheap I actually bought two! My model is old. This is a newer one.
Face Mask
No, it’s not for robbing a bank! It’s for people who don’t love breathing in dust and dirt. Mount Fuji can be surprisingly dusty if the rain lets up for a day or two. So you actually want a dusty mountain because that means you dodged the rain!
But is it so bad that you need a face mask? Yes and not. I suppose it depends on your tolerance levels. I have no allergies and rarely any problems with dust but in some parts of Mount Fuji, I had to cover up my nose and mouth. When enough people are walking in dry gravel it will get dusty and when you’re already tired and gasping for air it’s not a pleasant feeling to inhale gravel dust.
There are professional masks with filters (that look really cool!) but I didn’t have a professional mask when I climbed Mount Fuji. So I just used my buff as a mask. It’s cheaper and it’s one item less to carry. It doesn’t like as cool, but it will get the work done.
When it comes to professional face masks I’m also worried it will be harder to breathe through them. Remember, the air is already thin so you don’t need something that makes it even harder to breathe. I’m no face mask expert, but you should at least consider it before you make your purchase.
Gaiters
This is a luxury item. It will not be easier to climb Mount Fuji with them, but it will protect your pants from being completely covered with ash and dust. I didn’t bring my gaiters (I didn’t think I needed them) but I would definitely bring them if I were to climb Mount Fuji again.
If you’re going to buy gaiters you want something like Men’s Rocky Mountain High Gaiters from Outdoor Research. They are made from durable nylon and are big enough to cover your leg all the way up to the knee. Check out the pricing on Amazon.
Condensed List of Recommended and Tested Equipment
- Backpack
- Fjallraven – Abisko Hike 35 (Unisex)
- Osprey Aether AG 70 (men)
- Osprey Ariel AG 65
- Hydration system
- Headlamp
- Face Mask
- Gaiters
Check out Hiking Gear (clothing) here.
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments down below.
Why not pin it for later? You can also follow the The Tokyo Tourist on Pinterest. 🙂
