![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Hiking-Gear-Mount-Fuji-Fjallraven-Set-Large.jpg\")
Gearing Up Before a Long Hike<\/h2>\n
You might be asking yourself: Do I really need a lot of fancy gear to climb Mount Fuji? That’s the wrong question. Instead ask yourself: How comfortable do I want to be when I climb Mount Fuji?<\/p>\n
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- What gear do I need to be happy walking for 10 hours in the pouring rain?\u00a0<\/strong>
60% of climbers experience heavy rain.<\/span><\/li>\n- What gear do I need to be comfortable in temperatures below freezing?<\/strong>
Temperatures of 27\u00baF (-3\u00baC) are common.<\/span><\/li>\n- What gear do I need to be comfortable in wind speeds up to\u00a060 mph (100 km\/h)?<\/strong>
203 mph (328 km\/h) is the record.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nPacking list for Mount Fuji:<\/em><\/u><\/span>
Check out the big fat Mount Fuji guide<\/a> (opens in a new tab.)<\/em>
Check out Recommended Equipment<\/a>\u00a0(opens in a new tab.)<\/em>
Check out the list of stuff<\/a> you don’t even know you need (opens in a new tab.)<\/em><\/p>\nHiking Gear (Clothing)<\/h2>\n
I’ll only recommend gear I’ve personally tested and that works well for me<\/strong>. Since I (mostly!) wear men’s clothing that’s what I’ll be recommending. But if there’s a similar product designed for women I’ll be linking that as well. But keep in mind I’ve not tested the women’s products myself! And by the way, I love a good deal<\/strong> so 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.<\/p>\n
There are different clothing strategies. I like to be flexible with a good range of movement when I’m climbing. I also have a layered approach, so it’s easy to adjust between warm and cold weather. I’ll start from the bottom and work my way up.<\/p>\n
If you don’t want to read all my yapping, you can scroll down to the condensed list at the bottom of the page.<\/p>\n
Feet<\/span><\/h2>\n
Your feet are what’s going to carry you all the way to the summit, so they are the most important thing to get right.<\/p>\n
Hiking Boots<\/span><\/h3>\n
I’ve seen people wear converse shoes and fail miserably. Walk an hour in the pouring rain with converse, and you’ll quickly see they’re not cut out for mountain climbing. You need sturdy\u00a0hiking boots suited for this kind of terrain. Look for boots with:<\/p>\n
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- Anti-slip soles<\/li>\n
- Good ankle support (it’s easy to twist an ankle on the lava rocks)<\/li>\n
- Waterproof<\/li>\n
- Lightweight or midweight<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
There are many good hiking boots an the marked. I currently use Meindl Kansas GTX. And the next pair I buy will be\u00a0Meindl Kansas GTX.\u00a0 They’re not too expensive, and they check off all the important things like anti-slip, easy to clean, waterproof (Gore-Tex), extremely solid and very good ankle support. It’s also got a system to circulate the air, so your feet don’t overheat. Check prices on Amazon<\/a>. There’s also a women’s version<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Socks<\/h3>\n
Hiking socks may seem expensive if you compare them to cotton socks where you pay $15 for a dozen. But remember proper hiking socks are made from costly and technical materials to ensure high performance. From all the hiking socks I’ve used Darn Tough Men’s Merino Wool Hiker Boot Sock<\/strong> is my favorite. It’s lightweight, fits well; it’s made from a merino wool blend which is a\u00a0breathable material that keeps your feet fairly dry. And it’s reasonably priced<\/a>. I’ve also used Dexshell Trekking Sock<\/a>, but they are high-end and cost more so go for the Darn Tough socks if you want to save some money. They also have a women’s edition<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Lower Body<\/h2>\n
This is the way I usually dress for long hikes. I do it this way for maximum comfort and utility.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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- Baselayer tights\u00a0\/\u00a0long johns \/ thermal underwear – this is pretty much\u00a0mandatory<\/li>\n
- Hiking pants – should be windproof and water resistant<\/em><\/li>\n
- (Waterproof over pants – you don’t wear these if it’s not raining)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Some people like to wear clammy rainwear even if it’s not raining. I hate it because it doesn’t breathe and it makes you crazy wet and warm (before you get cold).<\/p>\n
Inner Layer (Lower Body)<\/h3>\n
Pay extra attention to what you wear closest to your skin. You need fabric that let’s sweat evaporate through the material. This helps you stay warm and dry. I like the Long Johns<\/a> from Ridge Merino. It’s super lightweight and made 100% from merino wool, so it keeps you dry and warm. I enjoy the snug feeling. The women’s version<\/a> is crazy colorful!<\/p>\n
Take a look at this budget pick<\/a> from Tesla. I haven’t tried it myself, but the ratings are good, and the price is even better. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
Pro tip:<\/strong> Bring a spare baselayer (for lower and upper body). There’s nothing like changing into dry and clean clothes when everybody is\u00a0freezing and stinking up the place.<\/p>\n
Pants<\/h3>\n
There are a few schools when it comes to hiking pants! I like mine pretty windproof and water\u00a0resistant.\u00a0<\/em>If you have waterproof\u00a0<\/em>they hardly breathe, and it makes you clammy, and I hate that feeling. I use three different types of hiking pants, all with their pros and cons.<\/p>\n
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- Fjallraven’s Keb Gaiter Trousers<\/a> are nice because you can zip off the legs and convert it into a shorts. However, if it gets colder, it’s fast and easy to turn your shorts to pants again. They have plenty of room for a base layer. Very durable, water resistant and good against the wind. I also like the flexibility and the fit. If you want it even more water resistant, you can use Greenland Wax<\/a> on it. It’s a really cool\u00a0environmentally friendly wax impregnation you can use on Fjallraven’s\u00a0G-1000 fabric. I use it for both pants and jacket.\u00a0You can see me wearing those pants in the picture at the top of the page.\u00a0<\/strong>There’s also a women’s version<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- If you don’t own hiking pants and you’re going to buy a pair only for this climb, I would recommend\u00a0Singbring Outdoor Lightweight Waterproof Hiking Mountain Pants. They’re probably not as good as\u00a0Fjallraven’s Keb Gaiter Trousers<\/a>, but they’re about 1\/5 of the price! This is a reasonable budget pick.\u00a0Check out the price on Amazon<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Fjallraven-Keb-Gaiter-Trousers-large.jpg\")
Me hiking and wearing Fjallraven’s Keb Gaiter Trousers<\/a>\u00a0both as shorts and pants. Love the zip-off function.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Rainwear<\/h3>\n
And finally the rainwear! Probably the most important piece of clothing you’ll be bringing. A complete rainwear set can cost anywhere from $40 to $400. I like rainwear you use over your normal gear, so I usually go for some cheap stuff. In my eyes, the rainwear’s first and foremost job is to keep you dry. Well, this cheap set keeps jo dry.<\/p>\n
I have the\u00a0SWISSWELL Rain Suit<\/a>. It’s called a rain suit for men, but I think it’s pretty much unisex. It’s inexpensive (for its quality) just the way I like it. I bet there are quite a few inexpensive rainwear sets that will do the job, but I can testify to that the one from SWISSWELL does its job. Remember, you are using this over your hiking pants! Take that into consideration when you order.<\/p>\n
Upper Body<\/h2>\n
I follow the same strategy for the upper body as the lower body.<\/p>\n
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- Baselayer long sleeve top – this is\u00a0mandatory<\/li>\n
- Windproof jacket with a nice hood<\/li>\n
- (Waterproof over jacket – you don’t wear this if it’s not raining)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Inner Layer (Upper Body)<\/h3>\n
Again, pay attention to the fabric of your inner layer. I like\u00a0merino wool because it keeps you dry and warm. I have more than ten long sleeve shirts, and the one from SmartWool<\/a> is my absolute favorite. 100% merino wool, it doesn’t itch, it keeps me warm, and it’s got a zipper I can open when it’s hot. It also looks goods \ud83d\ude42 Speaking of looking good, check out the women’s edition<\/a>!<\/p>\n
Jacket<\/h3>\n
The windproof jacket is probably the most expensive item, but the good thing is that you’ll be using it for many years to come. Since it’s an expensive item, I would go for something that looks good enough to wear in everyday life. For example, I never buy bright yellow or orange jackets. One thing I urge you to pay special attention to is the hood. A good hood really makes a big difference if it’s very windy.<\/p>\n
In the photo at the top of the page, I wear a\u00a0Fjallraven Keb Jacket<\/a>. There’s an equally good woman’s version<\/a> of it. It’s brilliant! I love it because<\/strong>:<\/p>\n
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- Holy sh*t, did you click the link and did you see that hood? It’s got string wire in it, and it’s like a protective cylinder for your head when the wind is strong.<\/li>\n
- It’s water resistant and\u00a0windproof<\/li>\n
- It breathes very well<\/li>\n
- Heck, you can even open it up on the sides to make it breathe even more<\/li>\n
- The front pockets are great easy access<\/li>\n
- It’s neutral looking. I can use it in everyday life even though it’s a high-end hiking jacket. If you buy a jacket and use it once a year, it’s indeed expensive. If you buy a jacket and use it 50 times a year, and on your long hikes for the next 10 years, it’s very cheap!<\/li>\n
- Like with all of Fjallraven’s products with G-1000 fabric you can use\u00a0Greenland Wax<\/a>\u00a0for better wax\u00a0impregnation. I add some extra protection on my shoulders and hood before long hikes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Sorry for the crappy PaintShop skills. My point is it’s very cozy inside that hood!<\/p>\n
![\"Collage](\"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Fjallraven-Keb-Jacket-Hood-Large.jpg\")
Me in my Fjallraven Men’s Keb Jacket<\/a>. I love this hood!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
Hands<\/h2>\n
I like to bring two pairs of gloves because it sucks when your hands are cold! And when you have two pairs of gloves with you, you can combine them into three different options. A, B or A+B.<\/p>\n
For it to be possible to wear two pairs of gloves at the same time one of the pairs needs to be really thin.\u00a0Under Armour’s liner gloves<\/a> are perfect! Super-thin, super-light, tight-fitting and amazingly warm to be so thin. And, lest not forget, you can use your touch screens with these gloves because of the awesome Tech Touch technology. This is typically the gloves you put on when it’s a bit nippy. They’re durable and very comfortable. I have the black ones. It makes me look like an agent. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
And when it starts raining (and it probably will), you just pop on these<\/a> (cheaper for women<\/a>) puppies from reputable Mountain Hardwear. Windproof, water resistant, warm and durable. Perfect for climbing Mount Fuji, and perfect for a cold day back home.<\/p>\n
Head<\/h2>\n
Got to protect that brain box from the elements. Or do you wear hats so your ears won’t fall off? I’m not sure! Anyway, it sucks not to have a hat when you walk for hours on hours in icy winds. For me, my ears tend to get cold before my head, so I like to wear a buff<\/a> as a headband. When it gets colder just pull your buff down and use it as a scarf and then your warm hat<\/a> on. This one is inexpensive, but it does the job in conjunction with the hood from the jacket Fjallraven Keb Jacket<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Now you got all your clothes for the hike. Check out the equipment you need<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Condensed\u00a0List of Recommended and Tested Gear<\/h2>\n
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- Head\n
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- Buff Original Multifunctional Headwear<\/a><\/li>\n
- Connectyle Classic Men’s Warm Winter Hat<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Upper Body – Inner Layer\n
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- SmartWool Men’s NTS Mid 250 Zip T<\/a> (men)<\/li>\n
- SmartWool Women’s Merino 250 Zip T<\/a>\u00a0(women)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Upper Body – Jacket\n
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- Fjallraven Men’s Keb Jacket<\/a> (men)<\/li>\n
- Fjallraven Women’s Keb Jacket<\/a> (women)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- \u00a0Gloves\n
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- Under Armour Men’s No Breaks Armour Liner Gloves<\/a> (men)<\/li>\n
- Mountain Hardwear Torsion Insulated Glove<\/a> (men)<\/li>\n
- Mountain Hardwear Torsion Insulated Glove<\/a> (women)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Lower Body – Inner Layer\n
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- Ridge Merino Wool Men’s Inversion Midweight Bottom<\/a>\u00a0(men)<\/li>\n
- Ridge Merino Wool Women’s Inversion Midweight Bottom<\/a> (women)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Lower Body – Pants\n
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- Fjallraven Men’s Keb Gaiter Trousers<\/a> (men)<\/li>\n
- Fjallraven Women’s Keb Trousers<\/a> (women)<\/li>\n
- Budget pick:\u00a0Singbring Outdoor Lightweight Waterproof Hiking Mountain Pants<\/a> (men\/women)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Rainwear\n
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- SWISSWELL Rain Suit<\/a> (men\/women) Remember to buy a size large enough to use over your normal hiking gear<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Hiking Boots\n
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- Meindl Kansas GTX Men’ Walking Boots<\/a> (men)<\/li>\n
- Meindl Kansas GTX Women’ Walking Boots<\/a> (women)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Socks\n
- Meindl Kansas GTX Women’ Walking Boots<\/a> (women)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Hiking Boots\n
- Fjallraven Women’s Keb Trousers<\/a> (women)<\/li>\n
- Ridge Merino Wool Women’s Inversion Midweight Bottom<\/a> (women)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Mountain Hardwear Torsion Insulated Glove<\/a> (men)<\/li>\n
- Fjallraven Women’s Keb Jacket<\/a> (women)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- SmartWool Women’s Merino 250 Zip T<\/a>\u00a0(women)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Connectyle Classic Men’s Warm Winter Hat<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Buff Original Multifunctional Headwear<\/a><\/li>\n
- Head\n
- If you don’t own hiking pants and you’re going to buy a pair only for this climb, I would recommend\u00a0Singbring Outdoor Lightweight Waterproof Hiking Mountain Pants. They’re probably not as good as\u00a0Fjallraven’s Keb Gaiter Trousers<\/a>, but they’re about 1\/5 of the price! This is a reasonable budget pick.\u00a0Check out the price on Amazon<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- (Waterproof over pants – you don’t wear these if it’s not raining)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- What gear do I need to be comfortable in temperatures below freezing?<\/strong>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Mount-Fuji-Gear-Pinterest-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Mount-Fuji-Gear-Pinterest-2-683x1024.jpg\")
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