One of the best ways to reduce the cost of your Kilimanjaro climb is to rent equipment in Moshi rather than buying everything at home. There are good rental shops near the mountain and the quality of equipment has improved a lot over the years.
But there are some things you should never rent. Here is my honest advice after watching clients make these mistakes for over a decade.
What You CAN Rent in Moshi
These items are available in good condition and renting them makes excellent financial sense:
Sleeping bag
Down jacket
Rain jacket and waterproof trousers
Duffel bag for your porter
Trekking poles
Day pack
For these items, renting locally can save you $500 to $1,000 compared to buying everything new at home. It is a very smart choice.
What You Should NEVER Rent
Hiking boots. This is the most important rule. Your boots must be broken in before you climb. A boot that feels comfortable when you try it on in a shop in Moshi can feel like a torture device after six hours of steep mountain hiking. Blisters, hot spots, and ankle problems caused by new boots have ended many climbs. Bring boots you have already walked in for many miles. Only rent boots in a genuine emergency.
Base layers, socks, and underwear. These are personal items that need to feel comfortable against your skin over many days. You want clothes you trust. Synthetic or merino base layers work best. These are relatively inexpensive to buy and should come from home.
Water bottles or hydration bladders. These are cheap to buy even at home or at a supermarket in Moshi. Bring your own or buy new ones locally. This is not an item worth renting.
A sleeping bag liner. If you are renting a sleeping bag, bring a sleeping bag liner from home. It adds warmth, it adds comfort, and it means you are sleeping in a clean, familiar layer every night. Well worth the small weight in your luggage.
The Simple Rule
Rent anything that goes on the outside of your body or sits in your porter’s bag. Bring anything that goes directly against your skin or your feet.
