The Ultimate Packing List – Mount Kinabalu 2024

Girl wearing outfit for first day of climbing Mount Kinabalu.

If you’re like me, you might find packing stressful. There are too many little things to think about and you want to make sure you don’t leave any important things behind. I wanted to create this list to make sure that you can start your climb with confidence knowing you’ll have all the essentials. You want to pack as light as possible while optimizing the things you bring to have all your bases covered.

Choosing the Right Backpack

A backpack with a hip belt will significantly lighten the load off your shoulders. It will also keep the bag in place and restrict it from moving around, making for a more comfortable climb. I would suggest a 25L-45L bag for this two day trek with a light frame. Unfortunately, I only had my 60L bag that weighed 2kg empty and it definitely made my climb more difficult. A rain cover is essential as the weather is unpredictable and you don’t want all your belongings to get soaked.

* I also recommend bringing a small bag for the summit. Just big enough to carry some water, snacks and additional layers when it gets cold. I brought a mini foldable backpack and easily made it to the top.

  • 25L-45L bag with rain cover (a separate rain cover can be purchased if it’s not included with your bag)
  • Small daypack (Optional)

Footwear

I recommend wearing waterproof hiking shoes with ankle support. There are a lot of stairs and rocks so it is very easy to roll your ankle. When climbing, the most important thing is to have dry feet otherwise you will be miserable. The climb from Laban Rata Resthouse is up a steep slope so make sure your shoes have good grip. Most of the guides wore rubber sole shoes. I did see some people wearing running shoes but the choice is ultimately up to you.

  • Waterproof hiking shoes with ankle support
  • Flip flops or slippers (for the shower and walking around the hut)

Food and Water

Learn from me when I say I overpacked on food and water. It is recommended to bring 1L of water for every 8km of climbing. I brought 2L just to be safe and a small water bottle which was included with my lunch. Water is heavy so only bring what you need for the ascent. 2.5L was far too much, I think 1.5L is more than enough. You can refill your water bottle at the Resthouse as many times as you’d like.

  • 1.5L-2L of water
  • Reusable water bottle or Hydrapak
  • Snacks (energy bars, trail mix etc…)

Lots of food is provided during the hike so you only really need enough snacks for the ascent and descent. The first day, a packed lunch and buffet style dinner was included. You will need to carry your lunch and small water bottle up the mountain so make sure you leave some space in your bag. The second day, you will be provided supper at 2am, breakfast after you summit, and a buffet style lunch after you complete the climb. You can read more about my climbing experience here.

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Wet wipes (especially important if you don’t want to shower)
  • Deodorant
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Tissues
  • Tweezers
  • Nail clippers

Medication

Medication is one of those that you don’t think you’ll need until you actually need it. It’s always better to be over prepared than underprepared. When travelling to a new country and eating different foods, getting an upset stomach is almost guaranteed at some point during the journey. That’s why I always carry Imodium or Pepto Bismol. Personally, I like the chewable tablets because they’re light and you can take them without water. They have saved me numerous times while travelling.

  • First aid kit (bandages, antibiotic ointment)
  • Medication for altitude sickness (I wish I had brought this)
  • Imodium or Pepto Bismol (for upset stomach)
  • Painkillers

Clothing

The first day of the hike I wore leggings and a t-shirt for most of the day. I only needed a light jacket when we stopped for lunch because the body cools down when it is not active. Once at the Laban Rata Resthouse, I put on a long sleeve sweatshirt and thicker socks. Many people climbed up in shorts but I preferred to have my legs covered.

  • Pants or leggings
  • Moisture wicking t-shirts x2 (1 for each day)
  • Baseball Hat
  • Rain jacket
  • Rain pants (optional)
  • Undergarments
  • Pyjamas (optional, I slept in my clothes for the next day)

For the summit you need to dress a bit warmer because the temperature decreases and it can be windy. I wore my leggings, t-shirt, sweatshirt, down puffer jacket, and rain jacket on top. My legs were cold because my leggings were too thin and my hands were frozen because my gloves were not warm enough. I also recommend using a scarf or bandana to cover your face because the wind hits hard!

Girl wearing outfit for summit of Mount Kinabalu.
Outfit for the summit.
  • Scarf
  • Gloves
  • Warm hat
  • Warm Jacket (I used a down packable jacket)
  • Thick socks

I can’t stress enough how cold and windy it is at the top. Of course the weather varies but it’s important to be prepared. The time you have between reaching the summit and waiting for the sun to rise feels like an eternity in the cold. A heat pack or blanket definitely would have come in handy.

Additional Items

  • Hiking Poles (optional)
  • Heat pack
  • Headlight
  • Emergency blanket
  • Chargers
  • Portable charger (optional)
  • Camera
  • Dry Bags
  • Money (to tip your guide)
  • Passport (they asked us to bring our passport for registration but no one checked it)

* I like to store all my clothes in dry bags in case water leaks into my bag.