The Perfect Patagonia Packing List

Trying to plan what to pack for Patagonia? This Patagonia packing list has everything you need to take with you if you intend to hike in Patagonia.

I first visited Patagonia in February 2012, and although it was the peak of the summer, sudden weather changes were a regular occurrence, and snow happened a few times, catching me by surprise.

Fast-forward a few years, and having learned my lesson, I knew what to pack on my second and third trips—and what to leave behind. Indeed, when planning a hiking trip to Patagonia, certain items shouldn’t be missing from your backpack, and others can probably be done without.

My packing list Patagonia highlights all the essential gear for a hiking trip. However, it is meant for accommodated trips where you have the option to sleep at hostels or hotels. I do not offer advice on camping gear. This list is suitable for all seasons, taking into consideration that the weather in Patagonia is often unpredictable!

Make sure to also read my post, What You Must Know Before Visiting Argentina. Your packing list is important, but there’s a lot of other important information to know about Argentina before your travels.

The Best Patagonia Packing List

Hiking Essentials And Trekking Gear

Main Backpack

Choosing the right backpack is essential for a trip to Patagonia and will determine the success of your trip; its size and fit will also influence the rest of what you carry.

No matter how long you are traveling, I recommend packing as lightly as possible. For women, you shouldn’t carry a backpack that packs more than 40 liters or 50 for men. It has to be lightweight but also sturdy and either waterproof or with a good cover that you can quickly put on if it starts raining.

The best backpacks have various compartments and are open from both the top and the bottom. They also come with side pockets where you can place items you want to access easily, such as your water bottle.

I have used various backpacks throughout my traveling career of various brands. My favorite are, by far, the Osprey packs. Other brands, such as The Real Berghaus, are also very good. The following are the best 40 and 50 liters backpacks:

• Osprey Tempest—for women: a great 40-liter backpack.
• Osprey Stratos—for men: a good 50-liter option.
• Osprey Aura 50—for women: It’s a bit bigger than what I would normally recommend, but the weight can be spread easily, so it’s comfortable.
• Osprey Talon 44—a perfect in-between option.
• Berghaus 65L Rucksack Pack—a good choice for heavy loads while maintaining comfort.

Daypack

Unless you are planning to hike long distances, make sure to have a daypack too. It should be small enough so that you can carry it around easily and at the same time fit an extra layer of clothes, enough food and water for the day, a basic first aid kit, your camera, smartphone, and a power bank. I have tried several daypacks, and these are my favorites:

• Osprey Daylite—it carries just about enough for a day out. The two side pockets are perfect for a bottle of water, and the small front pocket allows you to keep small items such as a phone or tissues.
• Lowe Alpine Edge 22L—it nicely fits a camera, has an adjustable waist strap, a waterproof rain cover, and lots of small pockets to fit items such as tissues, keys, lip balm, and your smartphone.

Dry bag(s)

Another essential item you should include in your Patagonia packing list is a dry bag (in fact, you could bring a couple).

This bag is essential to ensure that your precious belongings are safe and dry even if it’s pouring outside. Use it for things such as your camera gear, your phone, and even your passport.

Hiking Clothes

When it comes to what to wear in Patagonia, it all comes down to the hikes you’re planning. Your Patagonia packing list should include the following clothes:

• 2 pairs of loose-fitting, rain-proof Hiking Pants. Loose-fitting pants are necessary so you can wear a base layer underneath on the coldest days. I swear by my Kuhl Kontour Straight.
• Leggings or thermal underwear to wear under your hiking pants on the colder days. I love Kuhl Kaskade.
• 2 tank tops that you can wear as the underlayer. I am a fan of Juniper tank top.
• 2 long and 2 short sleeves t-shirts. I usually pack my Kuhl Athena pullover and the Kuhl Svenna shirt, both of which have long sleeves.
• A thermal or technical shirt to wear on colder days. I have a W’S Wildkard Hybrid Jacket
• A comfortable cotton T-shirt—I like Kuhl’s Inspira because it’s comfortable, lightweight, and suitable for either going out or sleeping in.
• A good fleece—I like W’s Aero Fleece Hoody. Take an extra one in case it gets extra cold. You may want to invest in a micro-fleece, which will keep you warm despite being super lightweight.
• A good Gore-Tex waterproof jacket. I am a fan of the Black Diamond’s Highline Stretch Shell. It will keep you dry even in the worst rain.
• If it snows, the best option is Kuhl Spyfire Hoody.
• 3 pairs of underwear and the same amount of hiking socks that will prevent you from getting blisters.
• 2 comfortable and quick dry sports bras for the ladies.
• A hat to protect against the sun and a beanie to keep you warm on cold days. Throw in a scarf, too!
• Gloves – it can get really cold in the morning.

Hiking Boots

Good hiking boots will keep your feet warm and dry even when the terrain is wet and muddy or if it snows or rains. You also want to make sure that you have proper ankle support and a good grip when the terrain is uneven, rocky, or slippery.

These are some excellent hiking boots:

• Merrel Mohab—in a waterproof version.
• Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX—thought to be the best overall hiking boot.
• Lowa Renegade GTX Mid—for both men and women.
• Nucleo High GTX Hiking Boots—another good option if hiking on rough terrain. This is what I used on my last trip to Patagonia and it proved perfect!

Make sure also to add a pair of flip-flops or light sandals. They are essential to give your feet a break after a long day of hiking. You may also want to take a pair of good walking shoes that are fit for very light hiking.

Camera gear and electronics

Camera Gear

The incredible landscape of Patagonia calls for photography, and it would be a pity not to take pictures. Make sure to bring a good camera and lenses, and if you are not a photography geek, go for a good smartphone with a great camera.

My camera gear typically consists of the following:

• A good DSLR camera.
• A couple of good lenses. I generally carry an 18-105 millimeters, good for landscape photography, and a 70-300 millimeters one for wildlife photography (the guanacos and red foxes in Patagonia are perfect models).

Alternatively, you can also use:

• A go pro—good for hiking, mountain biking, and even for rafting.
• A compact camera—there are some great ones that are nice and easy to use and pack very light. But honestly, if your smartphone has a good camera, just stick to that!

Electronics

In a place like Patagonia, your camera gear might be the most important thing for your Patagonia travel. But here are a few other recommendations for other useful electronics to bring along:

• A smartphone with a good camera. The newer iPhones are great.
• A power bank—to charge your phone on the go.
• A Kindle—You can also bring a book, but a Kindle is a bit more lightweight and easier to carry around with you.
• A GPS device—If you’re visiting Patagonia, you’re likely planning some epic hikes and adventures. This device can really come in handy because you really don’t want to get lost. Also, make sure to download Google Maps for offline use.
• A universal adaptor plug—I never leave the country without one of these. Afterall, what use are all these electronics if you can’t properly charge them in another country?

A note on keeping your electronics dry: I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth bringing up again. Some people put electronics in little plastic bags to help protect them in case of rain or snow. I strongly recommend packing one or two dry bags. You can place electronics in this, and it’ll keep them nice and safe in bad weather!

Personal care, first aid, and miscellanea

Beauty And Personal Care Items

If you are traveling carry-on only, make sure to pack the travel-size version. You may even want to consider solid shampoo and conditioner since they pack super light and obviate the issue of liquid restrictions.

Other than the obvious, this is what you should add to your Patagonia packing list:

• Sunscreen—best if high SPF – the sun can be very strong in Patagonia.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Very hydrating lip balm.
• All-purpose biodegradable soap bar—you can use it as a laundry soap and even to shower or wash your hair.
• Tea tree oil—you can use it to medicate minor cuts and apply it to insect bites to ease the itch.
• Toilet paper or tissues.

First Aid Kit

A good Patagonia packing list must include a first aid kit and a few medications. Here are some essentials:

• basic pain relief medicines such as paracetamol.
• Imodium or any other diarrhea medication.
• bandaids and other bandages.
• antiseptic wipes and cream.
• cortisone cream.

More useful essentials for your Patagonia packing list

Other things to include in your Patagonia packing list are:

• Sunglasses – they protect from the sun and from the strong wind and dust of Patagonia.
• A compass: it will help you navigate the trails, especially if all else fails.
• A water bottle that you can refill – the rivers in Patagonia are pristine, and you can easily refill.
• A water filter – if you want to be extra safe.
• A Swiss Army penknife.
• A padlock.
• A headlamp or a torch—chances are you won’t need it if you travel to Patagonia in the summer, as the days are very long, but you never know!
• Snacks—to give you a quick energy boost till you make it to dinner.
• A pair of jeans, a shirt, and an extra sweater to wear when you are not hiking.
• A swimsuit in case you get to a pool or to hot springs.
• A quick-dry travel towel.

You could also consider compression sacks, so that you can pack down your bulkier clothes super small!

Travel Insurance

Don’t forget to get a good travel insurance for your trip to Patagonia. I recommend HeyMondo. You can easily get a free quote and compare the various travel policies.

5 Things To Consider When Packing For Patagonia

Pack light

You are better off packing light and keeping to the bare essentials. There are occasions when you may have to carry your backpack for longer than you may wish, and in any case, the chances of you having to dress up in Patagonia are virtually non-existent: people walk into bars and pubs right after hiking, covered in mud and dirt!

If you struggle to pack light, make sure to read my article, The Art of Packing Light: Useful Tips To Travel Light. I give some really handy packing tips, which just might help you prepare for Patagonia packing!

Be prepared for rain, wind, and snow – any time of the year

The weather tends to be unpredictable in Patagonia, and you have to be prepared for it. Definitely keep this in mind while deciding what to pack for Patagonia.

You may enjoy sunny, warm days, as I did when I hiked to Laguna Torre and Laguna de Los Tres, or be caught up in heavy rain and snow like I was in Ushuaia (yes, it was the middle of summer!).

This means that your packing list for Patagonia should factor in rain gear and warm, technical gear for even colder conditions.

Wear layers

This is true for any hiking trip, not just for packing for Patagonia. But it is even more true in Patagonia, whatever the season. Start with a technical tank top as the underlayer and then a thermal (in winter) or quick-dry shirt as a base layer.

Add a good fleece and wear a wind and rainproof jacket as a top layer. You will likely get warm and sweat a bit on a sunny day, and if you walk uphill, you will have to take layers off. But as the weather changes rapidly, the temperatures may drop again, and you may need to layer up again.

Opt for quick dry clothes

You really want items that dry quickly, that you can easily wash at night in the sink of your hotel room, and that will be dry by the morning when you hit the trails again.

Consider your accommodation options

Another thing to consider when preparing your packing list for Patagonia is whether you intend to camp or sleep in hostels or hotels during your trip. If you are thinking of camping, you’ll inevitably have to bring a tent, a heavy-duty sleeping bag, and a camping mattress with you, and the rest of the list should be kept to the bare essentials.

This packing list for Patagonia is meant to be for travelers staying at hostels and hotels, who will have a bed to sleep in and a bathroom to shower and wash their clothes.

Final Notes

A trip to Patagonia is all about enjoying nature and the incredible views and challenging yourself to hike some more. Don’t worry about looking pretty; just make sure to be comfortable, stay hydrated and healthy, and eat earthy food (carbs, vegetables, and proteins) to give you lots of energy to hike.

Hopefully, this guide has helped you plan exactly what to pack for Patagonia (and what not to pack)!

Further Readings

Make sure to read my other posts about Patagonia:

• A Guide To Hiking Around Fitz Roy, In El Chalten
• A Complete Guide To Perito Moreno Glacier
• A Complete Guide To Hiking Laguna Esmeralda
• 30 Things You Should Consider Before Traveling To Patagonia
• 15 Amazing National Parks In Argentina
• The Best Argentine Movies
• A Complete Guide To El Calafate, Argentina
• An Excellent Guide To El Chalten
• Everything You Need To Know About Ushuaia, Patagonia
• A Complete Guide To Puerto Madryn, Argentina

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