Alpine tours: what to wear

Ein Mann und eine Frau auf einer Hochtour, sie bilden eine Seilschaft. Beide tragen Handschuhe und eine Hardshelljacke, er trägt eine Mütze, sie ein Stirnband.

Sales Consultant, Transa store Europaallee Zurich

Published on: 27.11.2023Updated on: 03.07.2024

You may well be hiking in the sunshine, but you’re also going to be traversing a glacier and there’s a chill wind up at the summit. On Alpine tours, you need to be ready to deal with any temperature. In the video, sales advisor Samuel explains what clothing you need.

You hike uphill, take a break, cross a glacier, climb for a bit and then enjoy the view from the summit. Even though you’re being buffeted by the wind, you enjoy a brief rest before heading down. This is what your Alpine tour could look like. You’ll be moving at different speeds and exposed to different temperatures – so, to stay warm, you need to wear the right clothing. Ideally, you’d combine different layers. In the video, sales advisor Samuel explains how to do this and why you should always take gloves on your Alpine tour.

We worked with our colleagues from Höhenfieber mountaineering school to make this video. Our tour started at the Sustenpass pass, then proceeded to the Tierberglihütte hut and continued onto the front face of the Tierberg.

What to wear on your Alpine tour

Wear multiple layers on your top half and legs – and don’t neglect your socks! While regular hiking socks are fine, make sure they’re not too big and don’t bunch up. On an Alpine tour, this will quickly lead to pressure points and rubbing. Ideally, try out your socks with your shoes before you set off so you can tell if everything works okay. And, speaking of shoes, this is a topic in its own right. Fully or partially crampon-compliant, high shafts and soles: sales advisor and mountaineer Samuel shares his tips.

You’ll often be wearing a climbing harness on an Alpine tour, so it’s handy if your jacket’s pockets are positioned slightly higher up – then, you can access them and grab a tissue or your lip balm without your harness getting in the way.

Even small things like opening a vent or a wearing headband can make a major difference.
Photo © Severin Karrer
Don’t forget your gloves, especially if your Alpine tour takes you over a glacier.
Photo © Severin Karrer
On an Alpine tour, you’ll be moving at different speeds and taking breaks from time to time. You need the right clothing to avoid getting too chilly.
Photo © Severin Karrer

Another thing to think about in terms of your jacket: does your helmet fit under the hood so it can quickly protect you from wind and bad weather? And, of course, a pair of sunglasses should be on your packing list for Alpine tours. If your tour’s taking you across a glacier, your glasses need to be rated with protection factor three or above.

And when you’re packing for your Alpine tour, don’t forget to only take what you actually need. Your backpack should be as light as possible: if you’re carrying a weighty load, you’ll be slower. Take this into account when planning your tour. As a rule of thumb, a 35-litre backpack is normally sufficient for a two-day Alpine tour.