A beginner guide: ultimate gear list for O-trek self-support

If you are reading this blog, you probably have taken a big step or will soon book your trip to Patagonia. I’m so excited for you because it will be an unforgettable experience! Follow me along in this blog to plan your gear selection if you decide to go full self support like me.

When it comes to gear selection, the first question I would ask myself is, what is my main priorities for this trekking experience? I have seem people bring all different gears and loads on the trek, and the right gears always work for their goals.

In March 2025, I did O trek solo with 7 nights 8 days in Chile Patagonia. When I first decided to go hike the famous Torres Del Paine, I didn’t have any real backpacking experiences. As an experienced day hiker, I have accumulated the necessary hiking clothes and boots I’m comfortable with. However, when it came to backpacking, it was challenging for me to choose the right gears.

As a first timer of multiple-day backpacking, my goal was to complete the trek, with as light weight gears as possible while enduring the windy, cold and rainy weather in Patagonia. This led me to choose ultra light gears and skip other equipments such as cameras or complicated cooking system.

In this blog, I will share my gear lists and experiences and hope to provide some insights for you to choose your gears.

My gear list

Sleeping system

All my sleeping system setups are new and ultralight and they performed very well in this trip. The only thing I would change is to have the sleeping pad in size wide instead of regular.

• Tent. Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Tent
• Tent Footprint. Big AgnesTiger Wall UL2 Footprint
• Sleeping pad.NEMO Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad
• Sleeping bag. REI Co-op  Magma 15 Sleeping Bag

• MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove Kit
• Spork
• Fuel (8.1oz). You can buy fuel easy in Puerto Natales.

Clothes

95% of my clothes for this trip are owned and tested by me for 3~5 years. They are definitely my favorite hiking/running clothing of all time and I have added my genuine review for each of them.

• Insulated Jacket. FJALLRAVEN EXPEDITION PACK DOWN HOODIE W. I have this for 5 years. It is good for both hiking and staying in the city because it’s super cute and functional.
• Rain/Wind Jacket x 1. FJALLRAVEN KEB ECO-SHELL JACKET W. Having it for 5 years. I love it has bigger pockets on the front chest. It’s extra good with strong wind.
• Rain/Wind Pant x 1. REI Co-op Trailmade Pull-On Pants – Women’s. This one is new but I’m so happy with its performance. It’s ultra light, not rigid and endured the rain and wind in Patagonia. I wore it everyday as a layer on top of the leggings.
• Sun hoodies x 2.
  • Patagonia Women’s Tropic Comfort Natural Hoody
  • Tracksmith Twilight Long Sleeve.
• Hiking Tights x 2
  • FJALLRAVEN ABISKO TRAIL TIGHTS W. My favorite hiking tights. It has the extra protection material on the hip and knees so you can comfortably sit or climb without scratching your leggings. Two pockets on the legs and 1 pocket on the waist.
  • Tracksmith Turnover Tights. My winter run tights. Tracksmith has some best running clothing and it also works well for hiking. Italian wool provides extra warmth.
• Sports bra x 2. They are ultra light and not bulky to save space in my bag.
  • Tracksmith Allston Bra
  • Lululemon Like a Cloud Longline Bra Light Support, B/C Cup
• Socks x 3. Wools socks are the go for long distance hiking.
  • Smartwool Crew Socks. I bought the pair many years ago at REI and they are definitely best with extra thickness at the bottom of the foot.
  • Patagonia Calcetines de Lana Wool Crew Socks. I took this one because it has Patagonia on it and very comfortable.
  • Vuori V1 Crew Sock. I use this sock for sleeping. It’s my favorite sock for warmth and anti odor. When I’m not camping, it’s my go to sock for working from home in winter.
• Boots. Quest 4 GORE-TEX Hiking Boots – Women’s. I have this boots for 5 years. They are a bit heavy but very good on waterproof, ankle protection and grips. I decided to go with hiking boots vs. trail runners to protect my ankles in the long distance and heavy backpack hiking.
• Sun Cap. RNNR Distant Hat. My go to running and hiking hat. RNNR hats are ultra light (2.1oz) and breathable and dry fast. Best ultra light option.
• Sunglasses. Smith Parallel 2 Polarized Sunglasses. They are ultra light. My running, cycling and hiking glasses all in one. Very stylish too. Come with interchangeable pair of glasses.
• Warm Wool Hat. FJALLRAVEN BYRON HAT.
• Sandals. Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV Sandals – Women’s. They are the new purchase for this trip. Comfortable, ultra light and not bulky at all to put in the bag.

Camera and tech sets

I did not bring my cameras for this trek to reduce weights. But the reality is I wish I had them because after this trip I know I can walk with more weights and photography is very important to me. I’m a beginner on landscape photography but I want to practice as much as I could. Below is my setup I’m going to test in El Chalten for other hikes.

• Sony A7 IV
• Sony FE1.8/20G
• Peak design Camera Clip
• Iphone 13 pro
• Garmin Fenix 7
• Power bank. Don’t know the brand since it was old.
• EPICKA Universal Travel Power Adapter

Toilettes

This will depend on your own choices and take the self care product you like to use. My only reminder is to bring good lip balms and moisturizers (heavy creams) due to the wind and cold. My skin got really dried and upset. I would bring sheet face masks to use before sleep.

Things I’m glad I prepared for the O or would add?

• Kindle. I finished one book and started the other in this trek. I’m so happy taking my kindle with a lot of time to read without social media distraction. When I felt lonely on the trek, I just went to my book as my friend. Full exposure – I read the ACOTAR and am fully hooked.

• A medium size plastic water bottle + an insulated water bottle. I did not bring an insulate water bottle and it was a mistake. Now I know it’s so important to have some hot water to drink in the tent while reading or relaxing since it was so cold outside. A plastic water bottle can be used as a heater – just add hot water and put it in the sleeping bag. Both bottles can be used when hiking. Perhaps take a hot coffee or cocoa with you while having lunch or enjoy glacier Grey.

• Camera. Again I wish I brought it. I met some people even bring bigger camera gears to capture the beauty of the O.

Things I would not bring again on the O trek? 

• Short sleeve shirts and shorts. I took them with me but wouldn’t take again. Long sleeves are the go for the march weather and it protects you from UV.
• Water bladder. My water bladder got broken and I realize it’s not that convenient to out it in big backpack. A water bottle will do just fine. I will only use water bladder when trail running in the future.

At the last, I want to say no matter what gears you choose to take with you, trust your system and go enjoy the trek. You will learn from experiences just like I did. Don’t be too worried about A or B or too many choices, because ultimately it’s YOU who will do the hike. There are always people on the way who would love to help if you need anything. Of course, offer the help when others are in need:)