In this post we are going to let you in on a secret and we will tell you what we wear during the summits to Kazbek or Elbrus. The list of the equipment required for the expedition seems to be quite clear (the list is available here) however we still receive a lot questions in relation to boots, trousers, jackets and even underwear that one should wear. We hope this post clears away any doubts you might have and will provide you with valuable input.
Below you can find detailed description of clothes that we currently use. We have worn and tested those items many times and we can recommend them without hesitation because we know that they are perfect during Kazbek or Elbrus expeditions. Of course it doesn’t mean that only those trousers/jacket are good. You can treat this post as a guidance that will show you what kind of properties your clothes should have. It doesn’t really matter which company you choose to buy from. What you have to bear in mind is that during the summits to both Kazbek and Elbrus it is going to be very cold. Standard temperature during the summit to Kazbek is about -15 to -20. Elbrus is generally 5 degrees colder. Please remember that the perceived temperature can be even lower. During the summit it often snows and there is always strong cold wind. What is more we don’t know how long the summit is going to take. Therefore you need to be dressed to be comfortable/warm while you are in the high mountains for a long time in bad weather conditions. It’s better to bring more clothes with you than to have to borrow/ask other people. Having additional layer in your backpack doesn’t weight that much and it can make a real difference during the summit.
EWA
KAZBEK:
! Click on the names of the individual items to see what they look like.
- Underwear: knickers ICEBREAKER SIREN BIKINI + bra ICEBREAKER SIREN BRA
- First layer: long sleeve top ICEBREAKER ZONE 260 LONG SLEEVE WOMEN'S + leggings ICEBREAKER ZONE 260 LEGGINGS WOMEN'S
- Second layer that I wear when the weather is bad and it’s very cold: hoodie ICEBREAKER OASIS LONG SLEEVE HALF ZIP WOMEN'S, additionally plain leggings made of polar fleece from unbranded shop
- Second or third layer: hoodie ICEBREAKER MERINOLOFT DESCENDER HYBRID HOODY
- Outer layer GORE-TEX: jacket THE NORTH FACE POINT FIVE + trousers THE NORTH FACE POINT FIVE
- Additional puffer jacket (I carry it in my backpack ready to use in case it’s needed): jacket LADY LIMITED BY MAŁACHOWSKI
- Socks: BRIDGEDALE MERINOFUSION SKI MOUNTAIN LADY or BRIDGEDALE EXPLORER HEAVY MERINO E
- Gloves: ICEBREAKER SIERRA + ICEBREAKER SIERRA MITTENS UNISEX + down feather mittens GUIDE PRO BY MAŁACHOWSKI
- Hat + Buff + Balaclava
- Gaiters: BLACK DIAMOND FRONTPOINT GTX
- Boots: THE NORTH FACE VERTO S4K GTX LADY or ZAMBERLAN EXPERT PRO
- Glacier glasses: JULBO EXPLORER ALTI SPX 6
ELBRUS:
Everything that was already listed for the Kazbek summit plus:
- I always wear a second layer,
- When it’s very cold I wear two pairs of socks: BRIDGEDALE MERINOFUSION SKI MOUNTAIN LADY + BRIDGEDALE MERINOFUSION TREKKER – CHARCOAL
- I wear additional gloves: ICEBREAKER OASIS GLOVE LINER UNISEX
- I wear warmer boots: ZAMBERLAN 6000 KARKA or LA SPORTIVA G2 SM
NIKA
! Click on the names of the individual items to see what they look like
KAZBEK:
- Underwear: normal boxer shorts
- First layer: long sleeve top THE NORTH FACE SUMMIT L1 TOP + leggings THE NORTH FACE SUMMIT L1
- Second layer: softshell ULTIMATE V SO HOODED JACKET MEN
- When it’s very cold I wear one additional layer: hoodie THE NORTH FACE SEASONAL DREW PEAK PULLOVER HOODIE
- Outer layer GORE-TEX: jacket THE NORTH FACE POINT FIVE MEN + trousers THE NORTH FACE POINT FIVE MEN
- Additional puffer jacket (I carry it in my backpack ready to use in case it’s needed ): JACK WOLFSKIN HELIUM
- Socks: ROSSIGNOL
- Gloves: ICEBREAKER SIERRA + down feather mittens GUIDE PRO BY MAŁACHOWSKI
- Hat + Buff + Balaclava
- Gaiters: BLACK DIAMOND FRONTPOINT GTX
- Boots: THE NORTH FACE VERTO S6K GTX MEN or LASPORTIVA G5
- Glacier glasses: JULBO EXPLORER ALTI SPX 6
ELBRUS:
Everything that was already listed for the Kazbek summit plus:
- I always wear a second layer: hoodie THE NORTH FACE SEASONAL DREW PEAK PULLOVER HOODIE
- Additional gloves: ICEBREAKER OASIS GLOVE LINER UNISEX
- I wear warmer boots: ZAMBERLAN 6000 DENALI or LA SPORTIVA G2 SM
