Hiking gear hire in Nanyuki
Hiking gear hire: you do not need to buy kit for one trek
Our hiking gear hire service covers every Mount Kenya route. We hire out the gear that makes the difference higher up. Collect it in Nanyuki the evening before you walk, hand it back at the end of the trek.
Included, no charge
With every trek
- Sleeping bag
- Walking sticks
- Tents and camping equipment
- Drinking water on the mountain
Available to hire
USD 5 per item, per day
- Down jacket
- Insulated trousers
- Fleece or mid-layer
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm hat and gloves
- Gaiters
- 50 to 60 litre backpack
- Sleeping mat
- Head torch
Hiring several items, or kitting out a group? Tell us your dates and what you need and we will agree a package rate rather than charging item by item.
How hiking gear hire works on a Mount Kenya trek
Most people who climb Mount Kenya come for a single trek and do not want to buy a down jacket, insulated trousers and a large backpack they may never use again. Hiking gear hire solves that. You bring good boots and your own warm base layers, and we cover the heavier cold-weather kit that matters above 4,000 metres, where night temperatures regularly fall below freezing.
When you book, tell us your height, build and usual jacket size. We set the kit aside, you collect it at our Nanyuki office the evening before you start walking, and you try everything on there. Anything that does not fit is swapped on the spot. At the end of the trek you hand it back to your guide, and we clean, dry and check every item before it goes out again.
Sleeping bags, walking sticks, tents and camping equipment are already included with every trek, so most climbers only hire two or three items: usually a down jacket, a waterproof shell and a 50 to 60 litre backpack. If you are unsure what you need, read our Mount Kenya gear guide first, then check which route suits you on the Sirimon, Chogoria or Naro Moru pages.
Groups and families can hire a full set of kit at an agreed package rate instead of paying per item. Common questions about gear, cold and packing are answered on our FAQ page, or you can contact us with your dates and we will confirm availability.
What to bring yourself, and what to hire
Some things are better brought from home. Broken-in hiking boots are the most important: new or hired boots are the most common cause of blisters on the long descent. Bring your own socks, thermal base layers, sunglasses, sunscreen and any personal medication. A small daypack for water and snacks is also useful, because porters carry the main bags ahead of the group.
The items worth hiring are the bulky, expensive pieces you only need high on the mountain. A good down jacket and insulated trousers make the summit morning on Point Lenana far more comfortable, as the push usually starts around 2 or 3 am in sub-zero wind. Gaiters help on the scree and in wet season mud, and a head torch is essential for that early start. If you are flying in on a tight luggage allowance, hiring these in Nanyuki also saves you carrying several kilos of cold-weather kit across the world.
Hiking gear hire is charged per item, per day, for the days of your trek only, and it is added to your trek quote so there is a single payment.
Sizes and condition
Send us your height, build and jacket size when you book so we set aside kit that actually fits. Everything is checked, cleaned and dried between treks. If an item is not right when you collect it, say so and we will swap it before you leave Nanyuki, not at 4,200 metres.
How to book gear
Message us at least a week before your trek. Down jackets and large packs go quickly in the busy months, so the earlier you ask, the better we can guarantee your size. Collect the evening before departure in Nanyuki and return everything at the end of the trek.