Gear for Rainier
  • Gear for Rainier

  • Gear Guide

Welcome to Rainier!

Climbers know that efficiency is key to enjoying adventures in the mountains. This is true both for movement and for equipment. In addition to all of the training you are doing, part of the preparation for your climb is making sure that you have the proper gear. The right equipment choices provide an added degree of comfort and safety, allowing you to focus on the climb and enjoy the experience.

We know you have many choices when it comes to outdoor products. And because we also know that navigating all the options can be overwhelming, we created this Gear Guide to help simplify the outfitting process. In this post we share our philosophy, tips and advice, and specific functions and features of each equipment item listed for a summit attempt on Rainier. We also identify the products that we believe are the “best in class” and ideal for climbing Rainier.

Our guide was written with input from the RMI guide team, who have been guiding climbers on Mt. Rainier since 1969. As outfitters of RMI for the last few decades, we have a pretty good idea about what works and what doesn’t up on the mountain. All of our gear suggestions can be bought or rented from our store, in person or online.

How This Works:

We've divided our guide into two pages; Gear and Apparel. This is the Gear page.

If you're looking for Apparel please click here.
If you're looking for Guide Pick please click here.

Otherwise, feel free to click on the section you're interested in below, or just start scrolling! 

Backpacks and Bags

Backpacks and Bags

Sleeping System

Your sleep system is dependent on where you plan to sleep. If you are in a hut you will not need a sleeping pad, sleeping in a tent you will. If you're climbing Rainier and staying in a hut, you'll be fine with a closed-cell foam pad, which are provided by RMI Expeditions.

For bags, we recommend a bag rated between 0° to 20° F. Both down and synthetic work well. Use the 0° bag in May, June and September when it colder, and the 20° bag in July and August when it is warmer. 

Sleeping Pads provide cushioning and insulation between your body and the ground. When choosing a pad, consider the terrain and temperatures. The harder or colder the ground, the more cushion and insulation required. If you're climbing Rainier with a guide service and staying at Camp Muir, you'll be fine with a closed-cell foam pad. But if you're planning on staying in a tent, we recommend a combination of an inflatable and a closed cell pad.

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Backpacks & Sleep Systems

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All-season Self-inflating Comfort For journeying into the backcountry with self-inflating support, our ProLite Plus is a camp favorite. The 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) pad boasts a 3.2 R-value for added warm...
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Camp with Lightweight Comfort For lightweight self-inflating support, the ProLite Apex brings packable performance and legendary Therm-a-Rest support. The self-inflating foam measures 2 inches (5...
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Add Warmth and Keep your Sleeping Bag Cleaner The soft and cozy Synergy™ Sleeping Bag Liner adds warmth, comfort and years of life to any sleeping bag. Contributing up to 5F/3C degrees of warmth to...
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Sleep in Comfort Don’t let the minimal pack size fool you. The Air Head Lite provides the same big comfort as our regular Air Head for a fraction of the weight. The air pillow provides the perfect...
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An undisputed Guide Pick™ champion the last few years in a row, the NeoAir series is the go-to for mountaineering sleeping pads. Ultralight and ultra-packable, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT sle...
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Ultralight and warm, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT sleeping pad is highly durable and boasts a 7.3 R value, giving it a warmth-to-weight ratio suited for extremely cold backcountry pursuits. W...
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Soft Foam your Head will Enjoy Designed to pack small and deliver big comfort away from home, the Compressible Pillow Cinch is a must-have for camping, road trips, airplanes and anywhere else you...
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Ultralight Kit for Instant, Self-adhesive Repairs in the Field The Instant Field Repair Kit makes fast, easy and lasting mattress repairs in the field. It includes all the same great self-adhesive...
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You Should Take this on Every Hike With its accordion-style design and closed-cell foam construction, the Z Seat camping seat is an ounce-counter's solution to on-the-spot comfort. It's virtually ...
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A Favorite of the Ultra-lite Elite Always a favorite of the ultralight elite, the Z Lite SOL expands upon the utralight performance of the Original Z Lite by adding our reflective ThermaCapture™ co...
Ice Axes

Ice Axes

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Crampons

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Crampons
Harness

Harness

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Guide Tip

Locking Carabiners

You'll also need a Triple-Action locking carabiner to go along with your harness. 

A triple action carabiner is a locking carabiner that requires three steps to open: 1) lifting the lock, 2) twisting the lock, and 3) pushing the gate open. It then "auto-locks" when the gate is released. The three-step to open and auto-locking to close actions make them safer than standard screw-gate locking carabiners as they are unlikely to inadvertently move to the open position during the climb. For this reason, we require that all climbers use a triple action locking carabiner to tie into the rope on our climbs.

We recommend the William Tri-act Locking Carabiner as our go-to.

Helmets

Helmets

Glacier Glasses

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A pair of dark-lensed sunglasses with side shields or full wrap- type sunglasses. Almost all sunglasses block UV-A, UV-B and infrared rays adequately. Pay attention to the visible light transmission. The darkest lenses (glacier glasses) only allow approx. 6% visible light to get through, while lighter lenses (driving glasses) let in as much a 20+%. A good rule of thumb is that if you can see the wearer’s pupils through the lenses, they are too light for sun protection at altitude.

Glacier glasses remove 100% of UV light, and the lenses let a small fraction of visible light through so that the wearer does not have to squint on bright days. They have a large, wrap- around frames for increased coverage, and a closer fit so that reflected light does not leak in from the sides of the frame.

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The Half Dome Has Long Been a Staple for Climbers Worldwide A well-designed helmet should be put on... and then forgotten. You can be wearing a helmet for 10-12 hours at a time while climbing, so ...
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A "Guide Pick" For A Reason A well-designed helmet should be put on... and then forgotten. You can be wearing a helmet for 10-12 hours at a time while climbing, so comfort is almost as important a...
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Ultra-lightweight Helmet for Climbing and Mountaineering Remarkably lightweight for ambitious climbers and mountaineers. The SIROCCO helmet was designed to give you an exceptional weight-to-prote...
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Guide Pick for a Reason Faster, higher, stronger: High-alpine mountaineering continues to evolve and so does Julbo's flagship model for climbing in alpine environments. The Explorer 2.0 is more erg...
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Another Guide Pick™ classic, the Julbo Shield Glacier Glasses have been loved by climbers for years, with good reason. Shield will open your field of vision and expand your mind in the mountains. ...
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MONTEROSA 2 is the Perfect Ally for Admiring Stunning Landscapes The lines of this now iconic Julbo model have been completely redefined for a more contemporary look showcasing its dynamic sporti...
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Cham is an Alpine Classic New generations of mountain travelers nostalgic for earlier times will find their style with the frame worn by the greatest mountaineers of Chamonix. With this re-release,...
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Julbo Has Combined its High-altitude Technical Expertise with a Modern Look Shield M will open your field of vision and expand your mind in the mountains. The sleek, rectangular shape ensures style...
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High End Glacier Glasses for Getting High (on the Mountain) Glacier travel. High elevation summits. Spring snowfields. Eye protection in the alpine is serious business. Whether you're skiing or mou...
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Our Take Designed for hiking, cycling and mountain adventures, COVER combines ergonomics adapted to children's faces, maximum coverage thanks to protective side shields, and a look inspired by th...
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Powerful, Rechargeable, and Easy-to-use Headlamp with Red Lighting ACTIK® with a rechargeable battery! The ideal rechargeable headlamp to extend your dynamic outdoor activities. Casting 600 lumens,...
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3 Glove System

Gloves & Mittens

Step up

Mountaineering Footwear

Footwear is one of the most important parts of your mountaineering gear. The right boot, sock, and gaiter combination can make or break a summit attempt. For our full guide to Mountain Footwear, click here!

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Mountaineering Footwear

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A Guide Favorite The TX4 EVO is an eco-friendly leather shoe designed to guarantee maximum stability and grip even on the roughest terrain. Ideal for technical approaches and easy climbing routes...
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Step Up your Trail Running Game Featuring an aggressive outsole, burly lugs and an adaptable fit, the Mutant is built for covering serious terrain. Equipped with the stickiest FriXion® XF 2.0 rub...
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The Women's Version of our Guide Pick Approach Shoe The TX4 EVO Women's is an eco-friendly leather shoe designed to guarantee maximum stability and grip even on the roughest terrain. Ideal for te...
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Get Out There with the Mountaineer Max Cushion Tall Crew Socks Get out there with the Mountaineer Max Cushion Tall Crew Socks. Featuring our most advanced Indestructawool technology for enh...
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Maximum Cushioning With full, plush cushioning, the Classic Mountaineer Maximum Cushion Crew sock is just right for your long-distance and backpacking hikes. Its elasticized arch brace ...
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Plush Comfort Our fullest, plushest sock offers maximum cushioning for maximum comfort on long hikes or backpacking trips. Plus, with its stay-put arch brace and comfort-driven toe seam, y...
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Your Feet Will Thank You Sleet, freezing rain, sub-zero wind chills, snow? More please. Our Mountaineering sock never heads for shelter. If you're out there, this sock wants to be with you.
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One of Our Most Popular Socks Our Hike Full Cushion Crew socks, formerly PhD® Outdoor, use cushioning on the entire sock to help maximize warmth and protection. These responsibly sourced, ZQ-certif...
Accessories and Food

All The Rest

All the rest

Accessories

There are several other things recommended for a Rainier climb, such as:

Sunscreen We recommend small tubes of SPF 15 or higher, which can be carried in pockets for easy access and to prevent freezing. 

Lip Balm SPF 15 or higher

Eating Utensils A bowl, spork or fork, and mug for food and hot drinks. 

Garbage Bags These can be used for lining your backpack or sleeping bag stuff sack.

Ziploc Bags To collect your personal trash from lunches and snacks.

Ear Plugs These are nice to have while in the climbers hut to block out some of the noise of others getting up to use the rest rooms.

Toothpaste and Toothbrush A travel size tube such as Crest Travel Size

Baby Wipes A travel pack size

Hand Sanitizer A personal size of Purell Hand Sanitzer.

Toilet Paper For those high-altitude breaks

Wide Mouth Water Bottle We recommend 2-3 Wide Mouth Nalgene Bottles.

Mask In order to comply with Covid-19 Policies. 

Guide Tip

Water Bottles

2 to 3 liters of capacity is recommended. Screw top, hard-sided water bottles are preferable, to resist freezing and leakage. Hydration systems can be useful to Camp Muir, however they have a greater tendency to freeze and leak on the upper mountain. While the durability of hydration systems has increased significantly in recent years, we continue to see issues with them when used higher on the mountain as the temperatures are quite cold and the hydration systems rest directly beneath the backpad of the pack, and climbers sit on their packs at rest breaks. As a result, the hydration system tubes (even insulated ones) tend to freeze during the climb or the bladders begin leaking. If you would like to use a hydration system, please still plan on bringing two water bottles as a backup. 

Thanks for reading

Still have questions?

Feel free to shoot us a message at info@whittakermountaineering.com, give us a call, or visit our store!