Our equipment recommendations for trekking in Morocco
Basic Equipment
Waterproof duffle bag:
To carry your main gear we recommend using a 80-90L duffle bag.
Daypack:
Your main gear will be carried by a mule (up to 15kg) .You will need to carry your own daypack. 30-40L is sufficient. We recommend Osprey daypacks.
Sleeping bag:
You will need a -20 Deg C sleeping bag for winter and 5 Deg C sleeping bag for summer with a compression sack. We recommend Mountain Hardwear or The North Face sleeping bags.
Trekking poles:
Trekking poles can reduce the impact on your joints by up to 20%. They are great for going down the steep High Atlas passes! We recommend adjustable Black Diamond or Alpkit trekking poles.
Water bottles:
Capacity to carry at least 2 litres of water. Wide-mouthed Nalgene bottles are required as they are less likely to freeze than bladders. A neoprene cover is advisable to help insulate the bottle at higher elevations.
Head
Sun hat:
Preferably wide-brimmed for protection, and with a neck cover if you aren't going to be using a neck gaiter.
Warm beanie style hat:
Go for a version of beanie that is either knitted or fleeced for extra warmth.
Neck gaiter or balaclava:
It can get surprisingly chilly in the evenings and at night. We recommend bringing a neck gaiter or bandana. The most versatile options are made by Buff or Hoo-Rag Headwear.
Sunglasses:
Choose a pair of high UV protection glasses. Julbo are a great mountain sunglass brand but any brand with high UV protection will suffice.
Headlamp:
You will need a headlamp with good light output for any late night toilet journeys or early morning wake up calls. Petzl make market-leading and affordable headlamps.
Hands and Feet
Lightweight gloves:
For daily use we recommend lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric gloves. Berghaus and The North Face make good lightweight gloves.
Socks:
3-4 pairs of outer socks and 2-3 pairs of liner socks. We also recommend bringing a minimum of 1 x thick thermal socks for cold nights. Merino wool is the best material and Bridgedale or Smartwool make good trekking socks.
Training shoes:
To wear around camp after a day's trek we recommend bringing a pair of training shoes or sandals.
Trekking boots:
We recommend using a mid-weight trekking boots with good ankle support. Recommended brands include: Salomon, Scarpa, Hi-Tec and Merrell.
Gaiters:
Help keep your trousers clean in wet, muddy or snowy conditions.
Upper Body
Thermal base layer:
2 x thermal base layer, ideally made from merino wool. No cotton. Recommended brand is Icebreaker.
Long sleeved shirt:
Go for a light or medium weight, moisture wicking long sleeve shirt (x2). Icebreaker, Berghaus and Under Armour make great breathable trekking shirts.
Fleece or Soft shell jacket:
A mid-weight Polartec fleece jacket is ideal. Berghaus, Helly Hansen and The North Face all make great fleeces.
Hard shell outer jacket:
A water/windproof hard shell outer jacket to protect you from the elements. Goretex material is best. Recommended brands include The North Face, Berghaus and Mountain Equipment.
Insulated jacket:
A good quality, warm, down or Primaloft jacket is required for the cold nights. Recommended brands include The North Face, Rab and Mountain Equipment.
Legs
Base layer:
'Lightweight' or 'silk weight' base layer for your legs. Merino wool is preferable. Recommended brand is Icebreaker.
Trekking trousers:
Light or medium weight (x1) trekking trousers. Convertible trousers are an option. Recommended brands include Craghoppers and Columbia.
Hard shell trousers:
To protect yourself from the elements you need a good pair of waterproof / windproof hard shell trousers. Ideally Goretex. Patagonia, The North Face and Rab make good outer trousers.
Odds and Sods
Sun and lip screen:
High SPF sunscreen and lip protection balm. SPF 40 or higher.
Toothbrush and toothpaste:
Ideally travel size.
Wet wipes and hand sanitizer:
Staying clean on any long trek can be challenging. Wet wipes and hand sanitizer are a huge help.
Personal medicines and medical kit:
We recommend bringing Paracetamol and Imodium at a minimum.
Pee bottle (optional):
Useful for late night toilet needs when it is freezing outside.
Ear plugs:
For light sleepers. Snoring can be pretty bad in camp.
Personal snacks:
Boiled sweets, nuts, energy bars and dried fruit are all a good shout.
Dry bag:
Only required if your main duffle bag or rucksack is not waterproof. Sturdy rubble sacks will also help to keep your kit dry.
Camera and spare batteries:
Unless you are a keen photographer we recommend taking a good quality and lightweight point and shoot camera like the Panasonic Lumix.
Plug adapter:
A plug adapter for charging your devices in the hotels before and after the climb. See Morocco Travel Guide for advice on which plug adapter you will need.
Microfibre Towel:
Perfect for washing hands and face each day, especially if you don't want to carry enough wet wipes for the entire trip.
If you don't like the taste of chlorine tablets, a charcoal filter is a great alternative. Brands such as Sawyer make effective, good quality filters with multiple fittings.
Climbing Equipment (for Winter Toubkal only)
Microspikes:
The snowy conditions in the higher areas of the High Atlas may require a little more grip than your trekking boot is able to provide. This is where micro spikes will really come in handy!
B3 climbing Boots:
To climb our peaks in Morocco in winter you will need more than just a trekking boot. B3 mountaineering boots are much more rigid and have crampon attachments making them ideal for routes traversing glaciers or ascending snow slopes. Scarpa or La Sportiva make good quality mountaineering boots.
Heavyweight mittens:
Insulated heavyweight mittens with safety straps that fit over your liner gloves to provide additional warmth and wind protection. They have to be warm and extremely weather-proof.
Crampons:
Crampons are an essential piece of kit when travelling across compact snow and ice. Petzl and Grivel make a range of crampons to fit different boots.
Helmet:
Helmets are quickly evolving and becoming lighter with new technology and materials. It is still important that they will provide you with good protection so we advise getting a helmet with a solid outer shell on the top. Black diamond and Petzl are again the leading companies in manufacturing these products.
Ice Axe:
As all our peaks are trekking peaks, a mountaineering axe will be the most appropriate for use. Black Diamond and Petzl are good companies to buy these from.