I carried a 26-litre backpack for the entire seven-day Tour du Mont Blanc. My pack weight was just under 5kg without water and closer to 7.5kg with two litres of water and a packed lunch. Nothing felt missing.
That last part matters. Most Tour du Mont Blanc packing lists either go too heavy — “just in case” items that add weight without adding much value — or too sparse, the kind of ultralight list that works in theory and quietly miserable in practice. This list sits in between: genuinely minimal, but without cutting anything you’ll actually want out there.
Everything I packed served a purpose. Nothing I left behind was missed. Packing light made the trek significantly more comfortable. Every kilogram matters when you’re hiking uphill for many hours per day. A lighter load greatly reduced fatigue.
This guide covers exactly what I brought, what worked well, and the often-overlooked items that made a real difference.
Table of Contents
What I Wore While Hiking
I went in late July. Here’s what I wore every day:
- Merino wool short-sleeve t-shirt
- Bike shorts (or running shorts—something with minimal seams)
- Merino wool socks
- Trail runners
For July-August conditions: Short sleeves and shorts work well, provided you’re carrying extra layers for warmth at higher altitudes and weather changes.
Trail Runners vs. Hiking Boots
I wore trail runners, not hiking boots. For this trek, I found trail runners worked better. With a light backpack (not a heavy camping load), breathable trail runners were more comfortable than boots. My feet stayed cooler, and the reduced weight made a difference over long distances.
When boots might make sense: If you have ankle stability concerns or if your pack is heavy, they’re still a valid choice. But for most people carrying a light pack, trail runners work well.
The Backpack
I used a 26-litre pack from Osprey with back suspension for better ventilation. For TMB hut-to-hut hiking, 26–30 litres is the right volume, as it is enough to carry everything you need, not so much that you’re tempted to overpack.
Three things matter most when choosing a pack:
Fit — Shoulder straps, hip belt, and back panel length vary significantly between brands. Try before you buy, or at minimum read reviews from people with a similar build.
Ventilation — A suspended mesh back panel holds the pack slightly away from your body, which reduces (though doesn’t eliminate) sweat. On long uphill sections in summer heat, this matters.
Weight — The pack itself contributes to your total load. All else being equal, lighter the better.
The Bare Minimum (The Essential for Everyone)
Clothing
One extra set of clothing (beyond what you’re wearing):
- 1 top
- 1 bottom
- 1 set of underwear
- 1 pair of socks
My system: Arrive at refuge → shower (if available) or wipe down → change into clean hut clothes → hang hiking clothes overnight to air out → reuse hiking clothes the next day
Invest in high-quality merino wool. Natural fiber is antibacterial, as in your clothes won’t smell bad as long as you air them out overnight. Synthetic fabrics can start smelling after one or two days. Merino wool stays fresh for a lot longer.
Laundry: Careful planning certainly helped to reduce laundry stress. In my 7-day itinerary, on Day 3, I did a full laundry in Courmayeur (proper town with washing machines). Everything refreshed. Then my hiking clothes survived another 3 days. On Day 7 (final day), I wore my “clean” hut clothes as my hiking clothes.
The above is what I believe the absolute bare minimum for any sane person. I brought one extra pair of underwear (2 total in my pack) and hand-washed the worn pair most nights. This worked well because I stayed in private rooms several nights, which made it easier to hang things discreetly.
Extra layers
Waterproof jacket (high waterproof rating, not just water-resistant):
Mountain weather changes fast. You’ll be exposed to the elements for hours at a time. I brought my trustworthy Arc’teryx jacket (I have had it for more than 7 years, still going strong).
Waterproof pants:
I bought packable waterproof pants specifically for this trip. They are worth the investment because they are so much lighter than proper waterproof pants. Even if you only need them once, being caught in heavy rain at altitude without them is beyond miserable.
Down jacket:
Even in summer, temperatures can drop dramatically at higher altitudes. Combined with wind and precipitation, you’ll get cold fast. Don’t underestimate this.
Sleep & Hygiene
Sleeping bag liner:
Required by most refuges for hygiene purposes. I recommend a silk liner over cotton or synthetic. It is lighter, smaller packed size, and more comfortable. I used the Decathlon silk liner, but there are plenty of options out there.
Quick-dry towel:
I opted for a slightly plushier towel instead of an ultra-minimalist one. Though ultralight towels claim to be “highly absorbent,” but that’s only relative to their weight. In practice, a small and thin towel cannot fully dry your body and can feel plasticky. A slightly larger and thicker quick-dry towel (that is still lightweight) makes showers vastly more pleasant.
Basic toiletries:
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Liquid castile soap (I used it for both body and laundry)
- Shampoo (travel-sized)
- Makeup remover (to remove sunscreen)
- Face cream
This is what worked for me. Adjust based on your own needs, but keep items small and multipurpose where possible.
First Aid & Sun Protection
Small first aid kit (this is what I had but customize it to your needs):
- Band-aids
- Compeed blister pads
- Small tube of antiseptic cream
- Painkiller (ibuprofen)
- Antihistamine
You don’t need a full medicine cabinet. Bring a small amount of essentials, and you can restock in Courmayeur or Champex-Lac if needed.
Sun protection:
- High SPF sunscreen (face, body, lips)
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
High-altitude sun is brutal. You’re exposed for 5-7 hours per day. If you’re wearing shorts and short sleeves, don’t forget arms and legs.
Water, Organization, Electronics and Cash
Water bottle or hydration bladder (2-liter minimum capacity):
Most days, you’ll encounter water fountains every 1.5-2 hours, therefore 1-1.5 liters is usually sufficient. However, some sections are drier with limited potable water sources (Day 6 especially). You need at least 2-liter capacity for those days. I carried 2.5 liters on Day 6 (for crossing Fenetre d’Arpette) and was glad I did.
Packing cubes (I used 3):
Many refuges don’t allow backpacks in sleeping rooms. You’ll leave your backpack in a mudroom and carry your belongings in a tray. Packing cubes help keep everything organized. Bonus if your packing cubes are waterproof.
My system:
- Clothes cube
- Toiletries cube
- First aid, meds, electronics cube
Charger & adapter:
Bring a charger for your phone and a universal adapter if your devices aren’t European plugs.
Passport, card & cash:
Bring your passport (keep your passport in a ziploc bag so it never gets wet) and credit card with you at all times. There are some refuges en route that only accepted cash or had issues with their networking connection. So I suggest to bring at least €20 per person per day as pocket money for food and drinks. Don’t worry about exchanging Swiss Francs. Most establishments still accept Euros albeit at a less favorable rate, but you are really in Switzerland for only 2 days, therefore you are not losing much.
My Non-Negotiables (They are often overlooked)
These items aren’t on most Tour du Mont Blanc packing lists, but they significantly improved my trek.
1. Laundry soap
Since I packed light, I washed clothes almost every night. I had a liquid castile soap that doubles up as body soap, or you can opt for small packets detergent. Doing at least some form of light laundry lets you pack minimal clothes for 7 days. Reduces pack weight dramatically.
2. Clothesline pegs
For hanging wet (from sweat or from laundry) clothes overnight. If they don’t dry completely, clip them to your backpack while hiking the next day. With pegs, everything dries more efficiently.
3. Refuge slippers
I don’t go barefoot or use communal slippers (because they feel unhygienic). I brought lightweight Birkenstock EVA sandals. Refuges require you to remove hiking shoes indoors. You’ll be walking around in slippers all evening. Comfortable slippers equal happy feet after a long day.
4. Earplugs & eye mask
Soundproofing isn’t great even in private rooms. You need sleep to recover. Earplugs block out snoring, early risers, and refuge noise. Eye mask blocks early sunrise (especially in summer when the sun rises very early).
5. Ziploc bags
Pack out your trash. Some refuges have limited disposal options. Also useful for keeping electronics dry, organizing small items, and separating dirty/wet clothes from clean ones.
6. Hand sanitizer
I always clean my hands before eating. You’re touching hiking poles, rocky trails, refuge door handles all day. Hand sanitizer before meals prevents getting sick.
Good to Have (They are worth the weight)
These items aren’t essential, but I was glad I brought them.
1. Lightweight sun umbrella (under 160g)
The heat gets intense on exposed sections. I only used my umbrella on 3 out of 7 days, but when you need it, you really need it. Walking uphill in full sun for 2-3 hours can be very draining. The umbrella made those sections vastly more comfortable.
2. Waterproof cover for backpack
My backpack came with a rain cover. I also used waterproof packing cubes inside, so I had two layers of waterproofing in case one fails. Getting caught in heavy rain without proper waterproofing could mean wet clothes, wet sleeping bag liner, and wet electronics.
3. Trekking poles
I do think that this is a personal preference. Many people manage without poles, but they were helpful at times. Poles reduce strain on knees during steep descents (especially Day 6).
4. Buff
Having a buff is quite handy to protect your neck from the sun, or wear it as a mask to keep your face warm when it is windy, or use it as a headband to keep sweat away from your eyes, it functions are endless.
What I Left Home
Cotton clothing — Cotton absorbs moisture and stays wet. Merino wool or synthetic fabrics dry much faster.
Full-sized toiletries — Travel-sized bottles save significant weight.
Headlamp — There was plenty of daylight and at no point I had to start in the dark or finish after sunset.
Guidebook or printed maps — GPS map apps with offline maps function does the job perfectly.
Snacks — There are plenty of refuges en route to refuel, or you can get snacks at larger towns such as Les Contamines, Courmayeur and Champex-lac.
“Just in case” items — If you haven’t used something on previous hikes, you probably won’t need it on TMB. But everyone’s different—pack what gives you peace of mind.
Gears You Can Rent in Chamonix
If you don’t own certain gear, you can rent in Chamonix before starting:
- Trekking poles — ~€5-10/day
- Microspikes — Only needed if you’re hiking in June/early season with residual snow
Plenty of outdoor shops in Chamonix offer rentals. Ask your hotel for recommendations.
Final Thoughts
I came off the TMB feeling like I’d packed exactly right — which, after seven days and every kind of mountain weather, is not something I take for granted.
The philosophy behind this list is simple: bring what you’ll use, leave everything else. Before adding anything to your pack, ask yourself: when exactly will I use this, or does it just feel like I should bring it? That question alone cut several items from my original list.
The result was a pack that stayed under 8kg fully loaded, and a trek where I had enough energy at the end of each day to actually appreciate where I was. Packing light isn’t about suffering through without things you need. It’s about not carrying things you don’t need.
This list worked for me as a minimalist who wanted comfort without bulk. Adjust it to your own needs, but be honest with yourself about what those needs actually are.
Planning the full route? My 7-day TMB itinerary covers stages, accommodation, transport shortcuts, and everything else you need to plan the trek.
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