Torres del Paine Trekking Equipment List for the W and O Circuit

As one of Chilean Patagonia’s top adventure travel destinations, Torres del Paine National Park attracts thousands of hikers each year. But despite its burgeoning popularity, it can be difficult to find all the information you need about what to pack for your trip.

It’s for this reason that I’ve compiled this Torres del Paine trekking equipment list to help you in your preparations for hiking the W (the park’s most popular multi-day hike) or the O Circuit, Patagonia’s most adventurous multi-day walking route.

Find a complete guide to the W trek here, an essential guide to the O Circuit here or read up on the 14 essential things to know before embarking on the O Circuit.

Torres del Paine trekking equipment list

As I’ve written previously in my packing list for adventure travel in Patagonia, the quality of your camping equipment for Torres del Paine can mean the difference between a rucksack that weighs 16kg and one that’s well over 20kg.

A bag as heavy as the latter is guaranteed to give you sore shoulders and make the whole experience of hiking in the stunning Torres del Paine National Park one you’ll remember for all the wrong reasons.

When we hiked the Circuit in March 2017, we planned carefully exactly what equipment we needed in terms of camping, clothing and food. This is a list of exactly what we carried in our rucksacks (with a handful of this I wish we’d thrown in).

Want a free pdf download of the full gear list for trekking in Torres del Paine National Park? Scroll to the bottom to get access to the link!

Packing list one: Clothing and footwear for hiking the W or O Circuit

We aimed to keep our clothing to a minimum for this Torres del Paine hike, while also making sure we stayed warm and dry.

When we were there in March, temperatures reached as low as 5˚C (41˚F) and we just about avoided some of the worst rainstorms they’ve had in the park for the past 20 years! (Read more about the weather with this handy guide).

Salomon Quest hiking boots

I have been using Saloman hiking boots for the past four years (I have these Salomon Quest hiking boots; they are seriously comfortable, provide excellent ankle support and survived 2+ years of heavy wear. They finally gave up as we were finishing the hike – and I’ve since replaced them.

The hike back down the John Gardner Pass is very very steep and can be horribly slippery with mud so I strongly recommend investing in good-quality hiking boots. Once you’ve bought a pair that fits well (and has a little bit of room at the end of your toes to stop them getting squashed), break them in by first wearing them around the house and then taking them on a couple of short day hikes.

This will teach you how many pairs of socks you need (I personally always use two: a thin pair as a base layer and a thicker pair as an outer layer) to stop them rubbing and whether you need to break them in further – along with some Compeed on your heels.

For Torres del Paine, if you only wear one pair of socks, three in total should be sufficient – just remember to give them a wash every few days!

Most shoes rub when I first wear them and my second set of Salomons did this (the first fitted perfectly!), so I’ve got in the habit of just putting Compeed on my heels before I start hiking as a preventative measure.

You can find Salomon hiking boots on REI|Backcountry|Amazon.

Trekking poles

Given the steepness of the descent from both the Mirador Las Torres and John Gardner Pass (O Circuit), hiking poles are an excellent investment for the walk as they’ll give you a little more support – something really useful in muddy conditions. They can also stop you getting injured and be helpful if you do manage to twist an ankle.

Again, you can hire these in Puerto Natales, or you can get some inexpensive ones on the internet. I recommend some from Black Diamond (REI|Backcountry|Amazon).

Other shoes

I’ve invested in Teva sandals and found that, unlike my flip flops, they didn’t try and slip off my feet when fording a river in Torres del Paine National Park on the O Circuit.

If you’re hiking the W, it’s highly unlikely you’ll face this issue, as the rivers along the W all have bridges.

If you’re hiking the O Circuit, it’s worth considering. The river was swollen because of torrential rain – so you may or may not face these conditions (yey to unpredictable Patagonian weather!).

However, they were also far more comfortable to wear with socks at night when you just wanted to have your feet out of your walking boots!

General clothes

The trick with packing for Torres del Paine is to avoid overpacking. I kept my clothing to a minimum and had the following:

• Mix of short-sleeved and long-sleeved hiking tops

Because the weather is extremely changeable in Patagonia, you want plenty of layers that you can put on or strip off in response to the weather. Bring a long-sleeved shirt (merino wool if you can).

For the O Circuit, I carried two of each. For the W, I would suggest two or three in total, depending on how sweaty you get hiking!

• Fleece jumper and down jacket

Again, keep the chill out (it gets cold at night, particularly around the back of the Circuit near all of the glaciers) by layering up with a warm fleecy jumper and a down jacket for when it gets extra chilly.

• Hiking trousers, zip off at the knee

I almost hate to admit this, but I love my zip off hiking trousers! They are much more versatile than carrying a pair of shorts and trousers. You can also find those that don’t zip-off; prAna does a great line in women’s hiking trousers.

Alternatively, you can bring a pair of shorts but don’t bring only shorts. It can be very, very cold on the trail even in the height of the day and the height of summer. You will be cold and miserable if you don’t bring a pair of hiking pants.

You’ll need more than one pair of pants for both treks: you’ll want a dry pair to wear in the evenings because you will likely get wet during the day.

• Thermal underwear

I feel the cold, so thermal underwear was essential for me at nighttime when temperatures can drop close to zero degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit). You’ll likely want both a thermal top and bottoms.

• Leggings

Again, leggings are excellent for layering purposes and are good for sleeping in too.

• Gore-Tex waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers

A high-quality waterproof shell is essential. I have a Patagonia Storm10 Jacket, which is ultralight, extremely easy to pack and impressively windproof and waterproof given how lightweight it is. It’s also very breathable – which is important as you don’t want to get too warm when you’re hiking.

For cheaper budgets, North Face is always a good choice, too. Their Alta Vista jacket is a breathable, lightweight option at an affordable price point.

I almost didn’t take waterproof trousers, but they were an excellent decision! You can find inexpensive ones in hiking gear shops, but be aware that the more plastic-feeling they are, the less breathable they will be – and the hotter they’ll make you when hiking. These Marmot rain pants are great.

• Warm hat, gloves, and scarf or a Buff

Keep your head, neck and hands warm and protected from the wind. Buffs are great because of how versatile they are; they can be used as headbands, sweat bands, and scarfs.

Summary of clothing essentials for Torres del Paine:

• Hiking boots; You want some that are comfortable and that you’ve broken in so that they don’t give you blisters! Check out my Salomon hiking boots on REI|Backcountry|Amazon or the men’s version on REI|Backcountry|Amazon.
• Base layer hiking socks (2-3 pairs): Get them on REI|Darn Tough|Amazon
• Outer layer hiking sock (1-2 pairs); Get them on REI|Darn Tough|Amazon
• Gore-Tex waterproof jacket; For her: I love the Patagonia Storm10 Jacket as it’s an ultralight, easy to pack but fully waterproof jacket (Patagonia); the North Face Alta Vista Jacket (Amazon|REI) is significantly cheaper but offers good weather protection. For him: check out the men’s version of the Patagonia Storm10 Jacket on REI|Backcountry|Patagonia, the more affordable North Face Alta Vista (Amazon|REI) or the industry-leading Arc’teryx (REI|Amazon)
• Cut off trekking trousers (at least two) or trousers plus shorts; The prAna hiking pants (REI|Backcountry|Amazon) are great for women; for men, the Columbia Silver Ridge is a good option (REI|Backcountry|Amazon)
• Trekking poles; You don’t need to spend loads on them but you do want some that pack down small so they can fit in your suitcase on the plane over to Patagonia and ones that are sturdy. Check them from Black Diamond (REI|Backcountry|Amazon)
• Sandals; They don’t look very stylish but they serve a purpose! I’m a convert of Teva sandals. Find them for women on REI|Backcountry|Amazon and for men on REI|Backcountry|Amazon
• Short-sleeved hiking top (1-2)
• Long-sleeved hiking top (1-2); Opt for merino wool if you can.
• Fleece jumper and down jacket; Check fleece jackets out for women: REI|Backcountry|Amazon; for men: on REI|Backcountry|Amazon. I also love my new Jack Wolfskin down jacket (Amazon), as it’s extremely warm and lightweight
• Insulated down jacket; I’m no expert on down jackets but REI have a great selection and a helpful guide to choosing one. Find them here: REI|Backcountry|Amazon
• Waterproof and windproof trousers; Find them on REI|Amazon. For men, check these out on REI|Amazon.
• Thermal underwear; For women: Top (Under Amour) and bottoms (Under Amour|Amazon) and for men: Tops (REI|Amazon) and bottoms (REI|Amazon)
• Leggings; For women: REI|Amazon
• Warm hat, gloves and scarf or a Buff; Get a buff from REI|Amazon

Top Tip: If hiking earlier or later in the season like we did (October/November or March/April), it is colder than you think in Torres del Paine. Pack more clothing than you’d planned so as to avoid being caught out. We found that at night it got very chilly and I was struggling to find enough layers to wear!

Packing list two: rucksacks for the W and the O Circuit

If you’re hiring camping equipment or staying in dorms at each campground on the W or O Circuit

I would recommend nothing larger than 40 liters, which should be enough for carrying your clothes and your lunch and water for the day. You want a bag with an adjustable waist strap, which helps to distribute the load better over your back and makes it less uncomfortable when you’re hiking.

Osprey is a great brand. For women, I would suggest the Osprey Sirrus 36, which is packed with pockets, has a waistband and rain cover, and is easy to adjust: REI|Amazon. For men, the Osprey Stratos 34 has similar functionality and is available from REI|Amazon.

If you’re carrying all of your camping equipment and food on the W or O Circuit

You need extra space to carry all of your gear.

Berghaus Trailhead 60 litre rucksack

I found 60 litres was perfectly big enough for hiking the O Circuit – any bigger and you can start to overpack to fill the space.

I highly recommend Berghaus, a brand that I’ve personally been using for the past five years. Their bags have fully adjustable back systems and are available on Amazon.

Unfortunately, they’re a British company so harder to get in the US. Instead, I’ve heard fantastic things about Osprey (and have one of the 40-litre packs myself), so these are a great alternative. They have rucksacks for women on REI|Osprey|Amazon and for men on REI|Osprey|Amazon.

Packing list three: essential camping equipment

If you’re planning to carry camping equipment for the W or O Circuit (rather than hiring it at each campground or staying in the dorms in the refugios), this list is for you.

Remember that you can rent all gear from shops in Puerto Natales for around $18,000 CLP ($21 USD) per day for two people (roughly $93,000 CLP ($105 USD) for the W and $158,000 CLP ($168 USD) for the O Circuit) and the equipment is generally reasonable quality – although you’ll want to check it thoroughly before committing.

For us, we wanted lightweight gear that would make the hike more pleasant and we were also planning on camping in other parts of Patagonia during our trip. We also had a lot of this equipment before we went to Patagonia, so don’t feel that you need to buy absolutely everything on this list.

It’s a guide for you if you’re willing to invest in some good quality hiking gear that will making hiking in Torres del Paine a really enjoyable experience and outlast your trip – meaning you can use it on your next vacation.

So, here’s an overview of exactly what we packed.

Tents

Between the four of us, we carried two lightweight tents.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HVUL 2 Tent (1.4kg/3lb 1oz)

I was in this, a two-man tent that we bought specifically for the Torres del Paine hike and it is seriously one of the best quality tents for backpacking on the market.

You can read my full review of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HVUL for more information, but the salient points are that a) it withstood the strong Patagonian winds with barely a flinch, b) it was very waterproof (believe us: it was tested well!), c) it’s super light and packs small and d) it’s very quick and easy to put up and take down.

Wild Country Zephyros 2 (1.81Kg/3lb 16oz)

My dad and brother were in the Terra Nova Superlite Solar 2, which is unfortunately no longer available to buy.

It’s actually the two man tent is the predecessor to my Wild Country Zephyros 2 (1.81Kg/3lb 16oz), a tent I love because it’s both incredibly lightweight, very quick to erect and has kept me dry and warm during all my times camping in South America. The company just makes excellent tents at very affordable prices.

It’s cheapest for readers in the UK, but you can find it on Amazon in the US and other countries, too. If you’re in the US or Canada, I recommend checking out the North Face Stormbreak 2 (buy it on REI|Backcountry|Amazon.

I’ve heard great things about it as a lightweight backpacking tent – although it’s cosy for two people! You can find the North Face Stormbreak 3 (which is roomier for two) on REI.

Sleeping equipment

We had a range of sleeping equipment between the four of us, but these are two that caught my eye:

Rab Ascent Down Sleeping Bag (1kg/2.5lb)

This is a very cozy all-season sleeping bag that can withstand the coldest of temperatures.

It’s down filled (so don’t let it get wet!) and packs down small so that it fits into the bottom of your rucksack and only weighs 1kg (2.5lbs), which is really light for a down sleeping bag.

The North Face Trail Lite Down 0 Sleeping Bag (1.4kg/3.9lb)

This is another great option, keeping you comfortable down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18°C). It’s also available in Regular and Long sizes, is Down filled, and features a super-soft lining.

Therm-a-rest sleeping mat (510g/18oz)

Therm-a-rest make sleeping pads at a variety of price points.

You can find the Therm-a-Rest ProLite, which comes well recommended (REI|Backcountry|Amazon).

A cheaper option is a more basic foam sleeping pad: you can easily find them on REI|Backcountry|Therm-a-Rest|Amazon.

Cooking equipment

There are covered areas in all of the campgrounds for cooking and also sinks for washing up your equipment.

You can also buy standard gas canisters in some of the campsites along the Circuit (we saw some in Refugio Chileno but don’t count on finding them everywhere) but it’s worth making sure you have enough fuel to keep you going.

I love the MSR PocketRocket 2 (73g/2.6oz). It’s tiny and lightweight, and uses Isobutane-propane fuel, which you can buy very easily from all fuel stations in Patagonia. Make sure the fuel canisters are fitted with a Lindal valve.

We also used the Quechua Camping Pots with Heat Diffuser (382g/13oz) which are regular camping pots but with a twist: they have a heat diffuser underneath which means it allows the contents to heat far quicker than normal pots – while saving you fuel.

This set includes a large pot suitable for boiling water or cooking a meal and a frying pan that doubles as a lid. We also had a smaller pan for cooking pasta and rice. Unfortunately, they’re only available to buy in the UK.

Luckily, you can get pots like this fairly easily in most camping stores, but a good brand is always MSR pots: check them out on Backcountry| Amazon.

My brother had a collapsible bowl (88g/2.8oz) and it was a great choice. It has flexible silicone walls and a thicker nylon base, this bowl packs down flat when not in use and was excellent for saving space in his rucksack. Find them at REI|Backcountry|Amazon.

You also need a camping mug (around 62g/2oz), which are easy to pick up in most supermarkets or camping stores and you should opt for a cheap, plastic or metal, and durable one. Find them on REI|Backcountry|Amazon.

You’ll also want a spork. A titanium spork with a long handle is sturdier than a plastic spork (we actually broke one towards the end of the hike), but you can also use it to stir your food as it cooks. You can find them on REI|Backcountry|Amazon.

Don’t forget a lighter or matches in a sealed plastic bag to stop them getting wet.

Camping and cooking packing essentials:

• A lightweight backpacking tent; I recommend the Big Agnes Copper Spur HVUL 2 Tent (1.4kg/3lb 1oz), which you can find on  REI|Backcountry|Amazon. If you’re after a cheaper option and are in the UK, the Wild Country Zephyros 2 is a great alternative. For those on a budget in the US or Canada, check out the North Face Stormbreak 2 (REI|Backcountry|Amazon) or the North Face Stormbreak 3 (REI).
• A warm, lightweight sleeping bag; I recommend the Rab Ascent Down Sleeping Bag or the North Face Trail Lite Down 0 Sleeping Bag.
• A lightweight sleeping pad; Therm-a-Rest ProLite is good (REI|Backcountry|Amazon) or you find a more inexpensive sleeping pad on REI|Therm-a-Rest|Backcountry|Amazon.
• A camping stove and fuel; I really rate the smaller, cheaper pocket stoves (find the MSR Pocket Rocket on REI|Backcountry|Amazon. You can get fuel for your stove in Puerto Natales, at Grey and Paine Grande.
• Camping pots; Head into your local camping store or buy the MSR pots (REI|Backcountry|Amazon).
• Collapsible bowl; Several companies are now offering these. You can find Sea to Summit bowls on REI|Backcountry|Amazon.
• Camping mug; Go for a durable and lightweight plastic or metal one. Pop into your local supermarket or camping store for a cheap one or buy one on REI|Backcountry|Amazon.
• Spork or similar; Opt for a titanium for more durability such as these ones on REI|Backcountry|Amazon.
• Dehydrated meals and snacks; Dehydrated meals are a great option for dinner, and it’s worth bringing these with you from home. You can then purchase oatmeal for breakfast, and nutritious snacks for lunches (breads, cheese, nuts etc) once in Chile.
• A lighter; Matches run the risk of getting wet

Other equipment for trekking the Circuit or ‘O’ in Torres del Paine

Other equipment

These are other essential items that you will need for hiking in Torres del Paine National Park:

• Dry bags; You want to keep your sleeping bag and any electronics nice and dry when it rains. Many people just line their backpacks with a bin bag but these can easily tear. I always travel with dry bags and have never had an issue with valuables getting damp. Check out the Sea to Summit dry bags (REI|Backcountry|Amazon)
• Headlamp; This is easier than a torch for when you’re getting up or going to bed in the dark. Get one from REI|Black Diamond|Amazon
• Pen knife; I don’t go hiking without my Swiss Army penknife; Find them on REI|Amazon
• Pack of cards or even a book; We got to the campsites each day at no later than 4pm and while the camp shelters where you cook are great for meeting other hikers, a pack of cards or something to read would have been a good idea to soak up some of the free time.
• Cable ties; I carry these EVERYWHERE I go when hiking. They can fix anything, including my hiking boots!
• First aid kit; Including plasters (and blister plasters), a bandage for sprains and a gauze dressing for wounds, hydrocortisone cream for insect bites, ibuprofen and paracetamol. You can easily make one of these up by yourself, otherwise find them on REI|Amazon. Blister plasters can be hard to come by in Chile, so make sure you bring a good amount with you!
• Face or body wipes; Some days you may not be able to get a shower
• Toiletries; I’ve found that hard shampoo and conditioner have saved me plenty of weight in my rucksack. I’ve tried those by Lush but I have to admit that I’ve struggled as they seem to make my hair greasy. You can find plenty of different brands now on Amazon so I suggest you trial one before leaving for your trip and see how you get on.
• Microfibre travel towel; These towels are super light and there are showers along both the O Circuit and the W (hurray!) so you’ll definitely want one. Find them on REI|Amazon
• Washing powder; A small plastic bag with washing powder is useful for giving your underwear and socks a good wash every few days (your feet – and friends – will thank you!)
• Washing pegs and a washing line; I used this for hanging up clean socks at campsites overnight.
• Hand sanitizer; There’s not much soap to be found in toilets around the campsites and some of the toilets are grim.
• Toilet paper; We generally found this in most campsite toilets but better safe than sorry.
• Sun glasses, sun cream and insect repellent; When it’s sunny in Torres del Paine, it’s really sunny. During summer, you can also expect to be savaged by insects so bring some spray.
• Steripen or purifier for silt water; On our first night (at Refugio Serón), the water system had broken due to a huge storm that had basically drowned the park in rain. As a result, there was no clean water, except from some very silty stuff that you could take from the stream. We had my steripen, but this wasn’t hugely useful in the situation (although it has been perfectly good for all the other camping experiences I’ve had in South America). I genuinely think this was an unusual situation, and so I still highly recommend the Steripen for your trip – buy it on Amazon or the newer Steripen UV Ultra at REI. You’ll need a wide-mouth water bottle, such as the Nalgene (buy it on REI|Backcountry|Amazon) to go with the Steripen Adventurer, or a narrow-mouth bottle is suitable for the Steripen UV Ultra. If you want to consider bringing a different water filter with you. I’ve used both the Sawyer Water Filter (get it on REI|Amazon) and the Grayl filter (get it on REI|Backcountry|Amazon) and you can read my reviews of travel water filters, too. Remember that you can find clean water at all of the campsites along both the ‘O’ and ‘W’ Torres del Paine hikes so this is really just for emergencies.
• Universal adaptor plug and phone or camera charger; there are now plug sockets in most campsites but you might have to wait your turn to access them. Get a universal adaptor plug from Amazon.
• Power pack; I used a battery pack to keep my phone charged and ready for taking photographs. Check them out on REI|Amazon

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And if you want a guide to what to take on your trip to Chile and Argentina, check out this checklist for packing to travel in Patagonia and get tips on how to have a Patagonian adventure.

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