Read the corresponding blog article here: The Complete Denali Equipment List

We receive a small commission on any puchases made through these links. These small commissions keep our business running. We appreciate all and any support. 🙏🏼

Clothing and Apparel

Layering is key to staying warm and comfortable in the ever-changing Denali climate.

Required Item	Description	Top three products (US)
Base Layers	Moisture-wicking, quick-drying base layers are essential for comfort and temperature regulation	Icebreaker 200 Oasis Smartwool Merino 250 Patagonia Capilene Midweight
Light Down Jacket	For colder weather, ideal for colder days or even a mid-layer	The North Face Summit L3 Arc'teryx Atom LT Rab Microlight Alpine
Hardshell Jacket	For severe weather, a waterproof and windproof hardshell is a must	Outdoor Research Hemispheres Black Diamond Helio Active Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 GORE-TEX
Extreme Down Jacket	Vital for extreme cold, these jackets provide excellent warmth-to-weight ratio	Patagonia Grade VII Arc'teryx Alpha Parka Montane Alpine 850
Softshell Pants	Lightweight and breathable pants for the trekking portion of the climb	Mammut Runbold, Outdoor Research Ferrosi Arc'teryx Sentinel LT Bib
Hardshell Pants	These pants are waterproof and windproof for severe weather	Arc'teryx Beta AR Black Diamond Boundary Line Shell Pant Patagonia Men's Torrentshell 3L Pants

Footwear

Keeping your feet dry and supported is essential to maintaining your mobility and comfort during the climb.

Required Item

Description

Top three product recommendations

Mountaineering Boots

These are essential for high-altitude and extreme cold conditions. There can be two lines of thought here. One is big 8000m boots with everything included or the second is lighter boots for 6000m peaks or even plastic boots with an insulated overboot. There are pros and cons to each. For simplicity we have selected single higher altitude boots here.

La Sportiva Olympus Mons

Scarpa Phantom 6000

Lowa Expedition 8000 EVO RD

Gaiters

Gaiters keep snow and debris out of your boots

Outdoor Research Crocodile

Black Diamond Apex

Rab Latok Extreme

Headgear and Eyewear

Protecting your head and eyes from harsh weather conditions is crucial on Denali.

Required Item	Description	Top three product recommendations
Climbing Helmet	Protective headgear designed to shield a climber from falling debris, impact forces, and sharp objects.	Petzl Sirocco Black Diamond Vision MIPS Mammut Wall Rider
Balaclava	Provides full-face coverage in extreme conditions	Outdoor Research Ninjaclava Outdoor Research Tundra Aerogel Gore-Tex Infinium Balaclava Outdoor Research Option Balaclava
Goggles	Specialized eyewear designed to protect a climber's eyes from intense UV rays, glare, wind, and snow at high altitudes. Most ski or snowboarding googles with Medium-dark double lens to prevent fogging will suffice	Smith 4D Mag Goggle ChromaPop Smith I/O Mag Oakley Flight Deck
Glacier Glasses	Sunglasses specifically designed to protect the eyes from intense UV radiation, glare, and wind in high-altitude and glaciated environments	Julbo Vermont Classic Julbo Cham Oakley Clifden

Climbing Essentials

The right tools and gear are crucial for safe and efficient climbing.

Required Item	Description	Top three product recommendations
Ice Axe	Essential for certain sections of the climb, especially the steeper gradients.	Black Diamond Raven Pro Petzl Summit Evo Grivel Air Tech Evolution
Crampons	For better traction on ice and hard-packed snow	Petzl Vasak Black Diamond Sabretooth Pro Grivel G12
Harness	A lightweight alpine harness is necessary for roped sections	Arc'teryx AR-395a Black Diamond Solution Harness Alex Honnold Edition Petzl Sitta
Carabiners	Locking carabiners are essential for roped sections and securing gear	Black Diamond Positron Petzl Spirit Straight Grey DMM Alpha Light
Climbing Rope	Usually provided by the guiding service, but good to know for knowledge's sake.	Mammut Genesis Sterling Fusion Nano IX Beal Opera

Sleeping Gear

Rest and recovery are essential for a successful summit push

Required Item

Description

Top three product recommendations

Sleeping Bag

Should be a high-quality, down-insulated bag rated for extreme cold temperatures, as low as -40°F (-40°C), to provide maximum warmth and comfort in the harsh, sub-zero conditions of North America's highest peak

Marmot Col Membrane

Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0

Western Mountaineering Kodiak MF

Sleeping Pad

An insulating cushion between you and the ground, designed to offer comfort and thermal insulation during overnight outdoor activities

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm

Exped DownMat XP 9

NEMO Tensor Insulated

Compression Sack

Specialized stuff sack designed to reduce the volume of compressible items like sleeping bags or down jackets, making it easier to pack them in a backpack.

Sea to Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack

Outdoor Research Ultralight Compression Sack

Granite Gear eVent

Technical Gear

Essential tools for navigating crevasses, ice, and rocky terrain

Required Item

Description

Top three product recommendations

Prusik Cord

A loop of strong, flexible rope used for creating friction hitches that can slide or lock in place, commonly employed in climbing and rescue situations for tasks like ascending or securing loads

Bluewater 6.5mm Prusik Cord

Sterling 8mm AZ Bound Loop Prusik Black Long

Metolius Prusik Cord Set Assorted

Ascenders

Ascenders are mechanical devices used for ascending a rope, featuring a locking mechanism that grips the rope when weight is applied, and allows easy upward movement while preventing downward sliding

Petzl Ascension

Black Diamond Index

C.A.M.P. Turbohand Pro Ascenders

Personal Items

Items that provide comfort and convenience during the expedition.

Required Item	Description	Top three product recommendations
Headlamp	A headlamp is a light source affixed to a strap or harness, worn on the head, to provide hands-free illumination during various activities like hiking, climbing, or camping. You probably wont use this much on Denali as it is so close to the Artic cirlce and climbing season is usually in spring which means it never really gets dark. But here just in case.	Black Diamond Spot Petzl Actik Fenix HL60R
Multitool	Compact, handheld device that combines various functional tools, such as knives, pliers, and screwdrivers, into a single unit for performing a wide range of tasks	Leatherman Signal Gerber Center-Drive, Victorinox SwissTool
Water Bottles	A durable, often insulated container designed to safely store and provide easy access to drinking water in rugged, high-altitude environments. Wide mouth always recommended, especially in freezing envrionments as it reduces the change for the neck of the bottle and opening to freeze solid. Here we list three bottles for different purposes. 1) Drinking water 2) Hot beverages 3) Pee bottle (necessary)	Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Nalgene Wide Mouth Nalgene Wide Mouth 96 oz. Canteen
Insulated Mug	A thermally insulated container designed to keep hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold for extended periods of time, often featuring a lid for spill prevention	Yeti Rambler 14oz Hydro Flask Insulated Coffee Mug Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug

Communication and Safety

Staying connected and prepared for emergencies is vital.

Required Item

Description

Top three product recommendations

GPS Communicator

GPS messengers are portable devices that use satellite technology to enable two-way text messaging, location tracking, and SOS emergency functions, even in remote or high-altitude environments where traditional cell service is unavailable

Garmin inReach Mini 2

Garmin inReach Explorer+

Spot X 2-Way Satellite Messenger

Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

A small, battery-operated emergency device that uses satellite technology to transmit a distress signal and your location to search and rescue services in case of a life-threatening situation. Usually not required on guided expeditions to Denali but here for your information

Black Diamond Guide BT Avalanche Beacon

SPOT Gen4

Garmin inReach Mini

First Aid Kit

A compact, portable set of medical supplies designed to address common injuries and emergencies encountered during high-altitude and remote expeditions, often including items like bandages, antiseptics, and medications for altitude sickness

Adventure Medical Kit Mountain Series Hiker 2 Day 2 Person

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Custom Medical Kit Bag

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Backpacker First Aid Kit

Conclusion

Equipping yourself with the right gear is a fundamental aspect of a successful guided expedition to Mount Denali. The items mentioned above form the backbone of your gear list, ensuring your safety, comfort, and ability to navigate the challenging terrain. Remember that while some items can be shared among the group, having your own set of personal equipment is crucial for personal hygiene and efficiency.

Prioritize high-quality products that are well-suited to Denali's extreme conditions. Your gear can significantly impact your overall experience and the success of your climb, so invest in reliable equipment that will support you every step of the way.

These are general recommendations, and they may not necessarily represent the latest or most suitable options for every climber. Please consult with your guide company before embarking on your expedition.

We will expand on this list as we learn about the latest and greatest equipment for the outdoors so keep your eyes peeled for updates.

Denali Expedition – West Buttress

Reviews