THE ULTIMATE
PATAGONIA
PACKING LIST
Use our ultimate Patagonia Packing List as a guide for what to bring along while you’re exploring Torres Del Paine! We’ve packed this Patagonia Packing List with our trail tested favorites and recommendations, plus lots of useful info on the best gear for adventuring in all of the region’s conditions.
Our biggest piece of advice is to pack light (remember, you’ll be carrying all your own gear!) and smart, and bring durable, multi use items that you can layer as temperatures and weather changes (because they will)! Test and break in all your gear beforehand and use common sense and your own best judgement and discretion when choosing exactly what you pack. After all, no one knows you better than you! If you tend to run cold, pack an extra layer or two. If you have a finicky stomach, bring extras of your go-to snacks.
We’re firm believers that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate gear! Stocking up on quality gear from brands who are doing it right will make all the difference for enjoying all your adventures in the great outdoors!
THE ULTIMATE
PATAGONIA
PACKING LIST
UP TOP
2 HATS
Bring something light with a brim for sunny days, and a warm beanie that will cover your ears for colder nights. Both are great for covering dirty hair too!
3 MOISTURE WICKING TOPS
Bring a few lightweight tops, so you can layer and re-wear them. Pack a mixture of tanks, short, and long sleeve options. One of these shirts should only be worn at night or around camp, so you always have 1 dry shirt (just in case it rains). Pro tip: look for wool and/or synthetic garments that, unlike cotton, wick away moisture.
1-2 MEDIUM LAYERS
These will provide insulation, and include, but are not limited to, fleeces, down jackets, and vests that you can easily stuff in your daypack and layer on and off as your temperature and the conditions change.
OUTER LAYER JACKET
A breathable, water and windproof jacket with a hood that you can wear comfortably over all your layers is a must-have when it’s windy and rainy. We love this one from Outdoor Research!
DOWN LOW
1 PAIR HIKING BOOTS
The most important thing you’ll bring! Make sure they are Gore-Tex, have ankle support (for glacier trekking especially), and that you’ve broken them in well. Brands we love: LOWA, Salomon, Merrell, Asolo.
Note: Due to the potential for snowy conditions on high passes, it’s mandatory to have hiking boots as trail runners will not suffice.
Gaiters (optional)
The terrain in Patagonia is rocks, literally! If you’re prone to getting rocks in your boots a pair of gaiters might help. Check out Dirty Girl Gaiters, a small women-owned company that makes fun, colorful gaiters.
1 PAIR SHOWER SHOES
We love Crocs - they’re lightweight, quick-dry, and durable.
3 PAIRS HIKING bottoms
You’ll want a few pairs of pants or leggings to last you the entire trek. Make sure one is a pair of thermal leggings or other comfortable pants to sleep in. These should never be worn while hiking, only for sleeping/hanging out at camp. Check out these fleece tights from Smartwool. (and our Move Mountains ones too)!
WIND + WATERPROOF PANT
A non-insulated, outer layer pant is a must-have to layer on over your base layers when it’s rainy or windy. REI makes an affordable and high-quality pair.
ALL ABOUT THAT BASE
3-4 PAIRS WARM HIKING SOCKS
Bring durable wool socks in a few different weights - lighter for the hotter days, and seriously heavy ones the nights and colder days. We love Darn Tough’s Hiker Boot Sock in Full Cushion. A couple pairs of sock liners are great for sweaty feet and preventing blisters. We recommend Injini toe sock liners if you tend to get blisters between your toes.
SPORTS BRAS + UNDERWEAR
Bring as many pairs as you know you’ll want (But remember you have to carry them)! Check out REI’s Merino Hipster Underwear which are comfy and great for adventuring!
GET YOUR ARSE IN GEAR
45 - 55 L PACK
You’ll need a lightweight hiking backpack to wear every day to carry your water, snacks, and all your belongings for the trek (sleeping bags & pads are provided at the campsites, so you don’t have to carry these). We recommend getting a pack with a hip belt that is compatible with a water bladder/hose. Make sure you try it out, and that the padding, fit, suspension, and ventilation suit you and will be comfortable for a multi-day trek. Osprey and Gregory make great ones! Pro Tip: Bring a fanny pack to keep snacks, your phone, and sunscreen in for easy access.
WATER BLADDER
Staying hydrated is so important while hiking at high altitudes! We highly recommend getting a 3 L water bladder. It’s the easiest way to carry and drink water while trekking.
WATER BOTTLE
Bring a 1 L wide mouth BPA free Nalgene.
TREKKING POLES
These are MANDATORY, and a life (and knee) saver on tricky terrain. Make sure they are collapsible, for easy stashing, and simple to adjust for up and downhill. Check out our favs at Leki.
BONUS: You get 15% off Leki poles for being a part of the WHOA family! Just use this special link to see our fav poles and save!
SLEEPING BAG LINER
This will add an extra layer of warmth at night and is a must have with borrowed sleeping bags. We recommend this one from SeaToSummit!
BUFF OR BANDANA
An all around great item to always have with you. You can use it as a neck gaiter, head band, sweat rag, etc. Plus, there are so many different fun designs to choose from!
HEADLAMP + EXTRA BATTERIES
This is important for wandering around camp after the sun sets. Be sure to start the trek with fresh batteries, and bring a spare set just in case. We love Black Diamond for headlamps.
POLARIZED SUNGLASSES
You have to protect your eyes from the fierce mountain sun and are MANDATORY during our ice hike! Make sure they are UV-blocking and polarized. Goodr makes some that are great (and cute) for hiking.
CAMERA + EXTRA BATTERIES
There are so many amazing photo ops! We highly recommend bringing a camera that is compact and durable. These days most smartphones have great cameras, and we’ve found DSLRs can be cumbersome while trekking, so think twice before bringing anything too fancy. Remember to always pack your electronics in waterproof bags or cases.
portable battery charger
Whatever electronics you choose to bring, make sure you have a way to recharge your batteries. We always have a portable battery charger on hand so our camera is charged and ready to catch any spontaneous dance parties that may break out!
ALL THE SMALL THINGS
PASSPORT
Make sure it’s valid for at least 6 months after your adventure dates. Bring a waterproof bag to keep it dry while you’re trekking, and it’s always a good idea to travel with an extra photocopy of it.
Travel Insurance
Travel doesn't always go as planned! That's part of the adventure, and it's also the reason we require all of our adventurers to have a travel insurance plan that includes medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation. We HIGHLY recommend purchasing a travel insurance plan ASAP to cover you financially with any costs that can come up like trip interruption or cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances. The IMG LX plan is one option that offers excellent medical and evacuation coverage, has no altitude restrictions, and offers cancel for any reason but do your research before purchasing a plan to make sure it works for you and your situation!
DRY BAGS
When preparing your gear, pack everything in dry bags (or silicone bags for smaller items), we’ll be in the elements so we want to make sure our gear is always protected! We recommend bringing along different shapes and sizes of these to help organize and separate dirty clothing and gear.
For waterproofing your phone/passport/money, we recommend using a dry pouch.
SHOPPING BAG + PAPER BAGS
Having a stash of brown paper lunch bags, sanitary bags, or any form of biodegradable bag is great for collecting and carrying out trash on the trails and when we’re on the go. You’ll also want to bring a small reusable shopping bag to eliminate the need to use a single-use plastic bag for snacks or souvenir stops. They’re also handy to have in case you need another bag to take on the plane. Just another way to make Mother Earth proud!
FIRST AID + MEDS
We’ll have all this stuff on hand, but make sure you have a compact kit with Neosporin, bug spray, band-aids, moleskin, eye drops, duct tape, antiseptic, pain relievers, antihistamines, antidiarrheals, etc. We like his one because it’s lightweight, waterproof, and has everything you might need. As Patagonia is known for being rocky we also recommend getting a roll of Metolius Climbing Tape. This tape is great for putting over hot spots and blisters.
INSECT REPELLENT
While we rarely have issues with bugs, when there is no wind they come out to play! For those occurrences, we recommend bringing Picaridin from Sawyer Products to apply each day.
Knee Braces
The W Trek is full of lots of ups and downs, many of which are rocky and can be hard on the knees. Even if you don’t have knee problems we recommend you bring knee braces for this trek. Having the extra support if you’re knees start bothering you will help you have a more enjoyable trip and your knees will thank you!
Toilet Kit
Sometimes nature calls when we’re not near a bathroom, so having a toilet kit is necessary! This includes a Kula cloth, a small amount of toilet paper, and compostable dog poop bags to pack out your toilet paper. You should keep this all in your daypack inside a small dry bag.
SUNSCREEN + LIPSCREEN
This is a must have for being in the strong mountain sun all day! Bring a new, full tube with an SPF rating of 30+. We love Raw Elements Natural Sunscreen because it works great, is reef friendly, and plastic free!
Luggage Lock
Always lock your things! Have one to lock the suitcase that will stay at the hotel while you’re trekking.
ADAPTER
Make sure you bring an adapter. Chile has type C and L electrical outlets. It’s important to be prepared with an adapter that can do both types.
TOILETRIES
Don’t forget the travel essentials like travel sized deodorant, sun screen, hair ties, hair brush, tampons, contact solution, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, masks, and ear plugs etc. Remember our pledge to keep single-use plastics out of the places we love, so pack reusable bottles, bar soaps and biodegradable products! Pack it all in this amazing upcycled toiletry bag!
Pro Tip: You’ll be carrying all of your gear, so keep your toiletries to a minimum. Every ounce counts!
QUICK DRY TOWEL + WET WIPES
Bring a quick dry camp towel that packs small and can be used at select camps for showers. This camp towel from Cocoon is great. Also, don't forget about the environment and make sure your wet wipes are biodegradable.
SNACKS
There’s plenty of hearty food provided at meal time, but be sure to bring plenty of extra snacks! The days can be long, you need to keep your energy up, and nothing beats comfort food when you're on the trails! Some of our favorite morale boosters are Cheez-Its, gummy worms, and Pringles.
Packing extra snacks is especially important for those with dietary restrictions. While we can accommodate all dietary restrictions, due to the remote nature of our adventures, there might not be as much variety as you’d find at home, so packing the snacks you know you love is definitely advised. If you have questions about what to expect on your adventure when it comes to food, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
A FEW MORE PATAGONIA PACKING TIPS
Pack weight and distribution
We can’t stress enough that on this WHOA adventure you’ll be carrying all your own gear, therefore it is essential that you pack as light as possible. Before the trek begins your GAL will be conducting a gear check and will be weighing your pack. Packs cannot exceed 20 pounds without water. This is for your comfort during the hike. When training, ensure the pack you wear weighs as close to 20 pounds as possible.
When packing your 45-50 L pack put your heaviest gear and the gear you don’t need during the day in the middle and bottom of your pack. That way you won’t need to move things around when adjusting your layers for wind or rain. Additionally, it will provide you with the most stability while hiking.
Town Clothes
When we leave Puerto Natales for Torres del Paine National Park you may leave a bag at the hotel of items you don’t need on the trek. Make sure you pack comfortable town clothes and have a clean pair of clothes to wear on the plane home. Puerto Natales is very walkable, and strolling around town is a great way to spend the day, so bring comfortable shoes. However, it can get windy so make sure to bring a windproof jacket and wool sweater.
TIPPING
In many restaurants, they will ask if you’d like to add the recommended tip, which is typically 10% for dinner and 5% for breakfast/lunch, and is optional.
ELECTRONICS
Chilean plugs use 220 voltage (the United States use 120 V), so you’ll need an adapter. We recommend getting an adapter like this one with a retractable third circular prong that can also fit indented power sockets.
Electrical sockets have two or three holes and accept round (European) plugs. For a portable charger we recommend Anker.
CURRENCY + ATMS + CASH
The currency in Chile is the Chilean Pesos (CLP). The exchange rate is generally around $1.00 USD = 840 CLP, but fluctuates so be sure to use an online currency converter for the most up to date information. There are several ATMs and banks in Puerto Natales that you can withdraw cash from, however in the National Park Credit/Debit cards are not always accepted. The park entrance fee of 35,000 CLP is covered by WHOA, but we recommend each person having 35,000 to 100,000 CLP in cash, depending on your spending habits, for snacks and tips on the trail.
WATER
Being next to an ice field and hanging glaciers really comes in handy for refilling water bottles! Water from streams and rivers is safe to drink as long as it is in a strong current, but never fill up from a pool of sitting water.
The tap water in Puerto Natales is safe to drink, but if you're concerned we recommend getting a water filter from Epic Water Filters!
When it comes to sustainability at WHOA, we're working hard to eliminate plastic waste and one of the best ways to do that is by using a water filter. With the right water filter, you'll be able to fill your water bottle anywhere, anytime, and be ready for adventure!
If you already have a Nalgene bottle, you can purchase the Nalgene filter attachment and use the bottle you already have. All Outdoor Epic Water Filters have been performance-tested, and can be used on both tap and outdoor water sources to remove common waterborne pathogens, like giardia. Plus, all their filters can be recycled and replaced, so your bottle gets used over and over