Complete W-Trek & O-Circuit packing list: what to pack for Patagonia’s best multi-day trek

26 April 2025

Famous for its jagged spires, relentless winds, and show-stopping views, Torres del Paine National Park is Patagonia at its most iconic. Whether you’re hiking the 5-day W-Trek or committing to the full 8-day O-Circuit, you’ll need gear that can handle everything from sideways rain to blazing sun to 80km/hr winds.

I first hiked the W-Trek in December 2014 and have been back TWICE to repeat the W-Trek and the full O-Circuit in March and April 2023, always opting to camp for the most wild experience in Chilean Patagonia. This post outlines my exact packing list for both trails, plus a few strategic swaps I’d recommend depending on the season.

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W-Trek & O-Circuit packing list

Weather in Torres del Paine is famously unpredictable and WILD— gale-force winds, freezing rain, blazing sun, and snow flurries can all hit in a single day. The main trekking season runs from November through March, which corresponds to the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, and I’ve personally done this trail in December, March, and April with a variety of conditions.

December to February are the most popular months, offering the longest days and generally stable daytime temps (12–18°C), but this is also the windiest period, with Patagonian gusts regularly exceeding 100kph (60+ mph)— shell layers are particularly vital here. November and March are shoulder months with slightly cooler temps, fewer crowds, and a higher chance of rain or early/late snow, especially on the O-Circuit’s higher passes. I’ll cover some recommended additions to deal with seasonal weather below!

This packing list is written for the true backpacker— those carrying their own tent, stove, and all meals for the full route. If you’re staying in refugios or pre-erected tents, you can adapt this list by skipping camp gear; if you’re planning to purchase dinner or breakfast at the huts, you can also reduce your food shopping accordingly. Whether you’re hiking the 5-day W-Trek or the 8-day O-Circuit, you’ll want gear that can handle strong wind, soaking rain, and temperature swings, and this list will get you there!

🏔️ Check out my W-Trek Guide (the 5-day trek) or O-Circuit Guide (the full 8-day version) for detailed daily route descriptions, trip logistics & real-world tips on tackling Patagonia’s best multi-day hikes!

The iconic Torres del Paine in March, 2023

Trail essentials: backpack, boots & poles

Whether you’re hiking the classic W or tackling the full O-Circuit, the terrain in Torres del Paine is windy, rugged, and constantly changing. You’ll be carrying everything you need for 5 or 8 days, so your backpack, boots, and trekking poles need to be comfortable, weatherproof, and ready for Patagonia’s unpredictable conditions.

backpack (50-75L): Osprey Aura AG 50 (women’s) / Atmos AG 65 (men’s)

The first time I hiked the W back in 2014, I carried a 35L daypack and had camping gear strapped all over the outside— it was absolutely miserable and, immediately after this trip, I upgraded to the Osprey Aura AG 50 that I’ve used for every single backpacking and mountaineering trip since, including returning twice to Patagonia to repeat the W and the O-Circuit.

This is my absolute favourite backpack and I recommend it to everyone— 50L is great for the W, but some people may be more comfortable with the 65L version on the full O-Circuit (though I used 50L for both!).

👉🏼 Need more advice on choosing a backpack? Check out this post: How to choose the best hiking backpack for every outdoor adventure

raincover: REI Co-op Duck’s Back Pack Rain Cover

Protects your gear from sudden downpours— some packs come with one built-in, but if not, make sure to pack a lightweight rain cover that fits over your bag (REI’s size medium or large should work best, depending on your pack capacity).

summit pack: REI Co-op Flash 18

For the out-and-back sunrise hike to the Base of the Towers or exploring the glacier viewpoints near Refugio Grey, a small summit pack is absolutely perfect! Lightweight and compact enough to pack into your larger pack, able to fit water, snacks, an extra layer, and your camera.

hiking boots: adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX (women’s) / (men’s)

I’ve used a wide range of boots on these trails over the years, including the Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots (comfortable, robust backpacking boots) and my La Sportiva Trango Tech (overkill mountaineering boots because it’s what I had with me at the time). If I were to repeat the W or O again tomorrow, I’d try out my current favourite trail boots, the adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX (lightweight, comfortable, and supportive for on-trail hiking).

👉🏼 Need more advice on choosing the right boot? Read my outdoor footwear guide

Alta Via 1 2 4 Packing List- Italian Dolomites

trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles

Patagonia’s wind and steep climbs make trekking poles non-negotiable. The first time I did the W, I used crappy poles I bought in Puerto Natales and one snapped— so trust me when I saw quality trekking poles are worth the investment for Patagonia! I used the Black Diamond Trail Poles, and they were key for staying upright in strong gusts and easing the load on downhill sections.

Camping gear

ADIf you’re camping your way through Torres del Paine, your gear needs to be ultralight, highly packable, and bombproof against wind and rain. Even in summer, the weather can change by the hour— I’ve made a LOT of packing mistakes over the years so you don’t have to! Here’s what I’d recommend after 3 trips to Patagonia.

More camping gear advice:
👉🏼 How to choose the best backpacking tent for your next adventure
👉🏼 How to choose the best outdoor sleep system: sleeping bags, sleeping pads & camp pillows

backpacking tent: Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P (for 2 sharing)

The first two times I did the W, I was not happy with my tent choice— my ultralight backpacking tent collapsed in the night during wild Patagonian wind gusts, but not before filling with several inches of dirt. My most recent trip to Argentinian Patagonia with my new Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P went infinitely better and I was so impressed with how this lightweight free-standing backpacking tent held up! If you’re camping solo, the 2P version would also work great without too much added weight.

sleeping bag: Feathered Friends Murre EX 0 (comfort rated: -18°C) or Sea to Summit Spark 0

Temps can swing wildly, and having a 0°F (-18°C) bag meant I never worried about being underprepared when the wind howled all night.

sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad

My favourite ultra-lightweight pad that’s still comfortable enough for a full 8hr sleep on the trail!

camp pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium

A luxury I’ll never hike without! Lightweight, compact, and so worth the space for better sleep in the mountains.

Camp kitchen, water storage & food

Even though serviced refugios are available every day of both routes, true backpackers carry all their own food and cooking gear on the O-Circuit and W-Trek. You’ll need a lightweight, reliable cook setup that can handle Patagonia’s wind and your own tired appetite at the end of a long day.

camp stove (+ fuel): Jetboil Zip

A compact canister stove is ideal for making simple meals in Patagonia— crazy fast, fuel-efficient, and effective in heavy wind.

A conservative estimate for fuel is one 230g canister per 3 days per person, but I find this is way more than I use. Two people could share 1 canister on the W-Trek or 2 canisters on the O-Circuit comfortably!

mess kit + cutlery: Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible 4-Piece Dinnerware Set

At the very minimum, your mess kit should contain a spoon and cup; at most, it might extend to a bowl and fork.

water filter: Katadyn BeFree 1.oL Water Filter

Water sources in Patagonia are almost exclusively glacier-fed, so you can often get away with drinking right from chilly streams along the trail. For the extra-cautious among us (which I’ve become after getting Giardia), a compact squeeze filter is the easiest way to guarantee clean water from the many streams and lakes you’ll pass on the trail.

2x water bottles: Nalgene Wide Mouth

I personally don’t like bladders on overnight trips since they can be especially challenging to fill when you’re filtering water (and the consequences of leakage can be catastrophic if it soaks your sleeping bag), so instead I pack 1-2 standard Nalgene bottles. As you like it!

electrolytes: Liquid IV

With the altitude, constant sun exposure, and high physical demands of this trail, I’d recommend drinking a minimum of 1 bottle of electrolyte-enriched water per day!

freeze-dried meals + snacks

Pack whatever you need for 5 or 8 days on the trail without any restocks.

👉🏼 Stuck on what to food to bring? Check out this post for a breakdown on how I pack backcountry food for multi-day backpacking trips

Garmin In-Reach communication for soloing Aconcagua — Garmin In-Reach communication & emergency device–essential!!

Safety & navigation

The W and O are well-marked and the route is easy to follow, but you’re still trekking through remote, mountainous terrain with extreme weather. Navigation is usually straightforward, but safety gear like GPS, a PLB, and backup power are non-negotiable essentials, especially when you’re on the wilder northern side of the park (the O).

PLB/SOS: Garmin InReach Mini 2

A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is your lifeline in the outdoors and I NEVER go hiking without my Garmin InReach Mini 2, which allows me to send messages, get weather updates, track location, and place an SOS call in an emergency, even without phone service. It does require a subscription (starting at $12/month), but it’s worth every cent and has literally saved both of my parents’ lives in the backcountry!

GPS: CalTopo app on mobile

The absolute best GPS resource is the smartphone you already own, paired with a reliable, low-cost GPS mapping app that allows you to access detailed offline Topo maps and navigate via GPS satellites, even without mobile service.

My go-to is CalTopo, which costs just $20/year and is by far the most feature-rich, affordable, and accurate mapping tool out there.

🗺️ I built a custom W-Trek & O-Circuit GPS map with daily tracks based on my custom adventure itinerary, hundreds of waypoints, and other essential navigational information to help you stay on track. For solo trips, this is essential!

First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Kits Backpacker

All the usual essentials:
• a mix of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
• antihistamines (Claritin for allergies, Benadryl for bites/stings)
• a small selection of stomach meds (like Imodium or Pepto tabs)
• a roll of KT tape (insanely versatile for everything from blisters to rolled ankles)
• alcohol wipes, antiseptic, a few large gauze pads, and blister plasters like Compeed

headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 400-R

A bright, rechargeable headlamp is essential for evenings around camp and light sunrise hike up to the Towers. Lightweight and easy to stash in a top pocket for quick access!

powerbank: VRURC Portable Charger with Built-in Cables, 10000mAh

I used my phone constantly for navigation and photos, plus needed power for my inReach and headlamp. I carried a 10,000mAh powerbank and a solar charger, which was just enough to stay topped up in Torres del Paine.

solar charger: BigBlue 28W Solar Charger

On multi-day trips with no access to power, a lightweight solar charger can be a great alternative to carrying multiple powerbanks. I definitely recommend one on the O-Circuit to top up your phone, inReach, and headlamp during sunny lunch breaks— just enough to stay comfortably powered without the extra weight.

O Circuit Patagonia — John Garner Pass on the O-Circuit

Top + bottom layers

Patagonia’s climate is wild and moody, so a versatile layering system is absolutely essential for comfort and safety across the variable terrain and elevation of the W and O. Here’s what I’d recommend to stay dry, warm, and sun-protected through it all!

👉🏼 Need help building a layering system that actually works? Read my outdoor layering guide for tips on choosing base layers, insulation, and outer shells.

sports bras/shirts + underwear

I’m not going to tell you what undergarments to pack, but just consider you’ll have 5 or 8 days on the trail and it’s very nice to have clean underwear every day!

hiking shirt: Arc’teryx Taema Crew Shirt (women’s) / Cormac Crew Shirt (men’s)

I’d suggest bringing just 1 shirt for the W and maybe 2 for the O, just to keep things light!

wool base layer: Smartwool Classic Thermal Base Layer Top (women’s) / (men’s)

I used this as a camp base-layer (and didn’t wear it for any hiking) in an attempt to keep it as clean as possible. Warm, breathable, and perfect for multi-day wear without smelling awful.

heavyweight fleece mid-layer: Arc’teryx Kyanite Zip Neck Top (women’s) / Rho Heavyweight Zip Neck Top (men’s)

I almost never took this layer off in Patagonia— I wore it over my shirt and layered other jackets over the top as needed. Lightweight, stretchy, and just the right amount of warmth as a daily base layer.

synthetic insulation: Arc’teryx Atom Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

The perfect warmer hiking layer when the fleece alone won’t cut it— which was about 75% of the time. This jacket packs down light and tight, but offers serious warmth and handled sweat well, so it’s perfect for cold-weather exertion.

heavyweight down jacket: Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

At camp, you’ll be so happy to have a thick down jacket that offers warmth throughout camp set-up and dinner. This jacket is crazy warm and so comfortable, my go-to for cold weather backpacking or alpine trips!

shell jacket: Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket (women’s) / (men’s)

You’ll use this as much for wind protection as for actual rain in Patagonia— a shell puts in long hours on the W or the O-Circuit, thanks to the wild fluctuations in weather!

fleece mid-layer bottoms: Arc’teryx Kyanite Base Layer Bottoms (women’s) / (men’s)

The perfect lightweight yet super warm sleep tights— great for hanging out around camp and staying cozy in your sleeping bag!

soft shell pants: Arc’teryx Gamma Pants (women’s) / (men’s)

Wind-resistant, water-repellent, breathable, and stretchy hiking pants perfect for daily use in Patagonia.

Head, hands & feet

Wind, sun, rain, and rapidly changing temps mean your extremities need full protection on any given day in Torres del Paine. A few smart, lightweight pieces made all the difference for me, whether it was blocking brutal sun or shielding against fierce glacier winds.

sunglasses: Julbo Vermont

From glacier travel to rocky scrambles, these are my favourite outdoor sunglasses.

neck gaiter: Buff Original

Lightweight and versatile, a Buff is essential for protecting against daily sun, sweat, dust, and wind.

beanie: Arc’teryx Mallow Toque

A small beanie is an easy add to your camp outfit to stay warm as nighttime temps approach freezing.

lightweight hiking gloves: Outdoor Research Trail Mix Gloves (women’s) / (men’s)

Nice to have for daily use in windy Torres del Paine. These are light, comfortable, and just warm enough to protect your hands from freezing wind without overheating too much.

waterproof shell mittens: Black Diamond Waterproof Overmitts

There’s always a chance of rain or snow flurries in Patagonia (especially later in the season), so bring a lightweight pair of waterproof shell mittens to layer over your fleece gloves for extra warmth and full weather protection.

3x liner socks: Injinji Liner Crew + REI Co-op Silk Liner Crew Socks

I wore my favourite toe-sock liners under my boot socks to reduce friction and prevent blisters throughout the trail.

3x boot socks: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks (women’s) / (men’s)

My go-to socks for backpacking— durable, padded, and still comfy after multiple days of trail grime. I’d recommend 2 pairs of socks for the W and 3 pairs for the O.

How I rotate my socks to maximise cleanliness:
* days 1-3: hike in 1st pair, sleep in 2nd pair
* days 4-6: hike in 2nd pair, sleep in 3rd pair
* days 7-8: hike and sleep in 3rd pair

camp shoes: Teva Original

Easy to slip on after hiking boots, great for giving feet a breather, and worked well for setting up camp and short bathroom walks.

Personal items

When you’re camping your way around Torres del Paine, and few personal items can make or break your daily comfort— especially when you’re dirty, tired, and battling Patagonia’s mood swings.

toiletries + bathroom bits

Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant, medications, contact solution… whatever you need to stay clean and comfortable for multiple days on the trail!

All the huts have toilet facilities, but for the wilderness bathroom along the trail, pack toilet paper, hand sanitiser, and a ziplock bag to pack out used items if needed.

Kula Cloth (for women)

This reusable antimicrobial pee cloth is designed specifically for backcountry female hygiene— it’s absorbent on one side, waterproof on the other, and treated with silver ions to resist bacteria growth and odour.

It’s easy to wash, dries fast, snaps shut for discretion, and clips onto the outside of your pack so it’s always accessible. Not only is it way more hygienic than carrying used toilet paper in a ziplock, but it also seriously reduces your trail waste, making it a no-brainer for sustainable hiking and women’s health on the go.

Sun safety

Sun exposure builds quickly when you’re spending hours outside every day, even in cold, cloudy weather. Pack SPF 50+ sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and whatever else you need to stay sun-safe on the trail!

Camera: Fujifilm x100vi

👉🏼 For a complete run-down of ALL the camera gear we are currently using & loving, check out this post: Camera gear for travel photography: what we use as full-time travellers

Patagonia can be wild, wet, and downright unpredictable—but with the right gear, you’ll be ready for whatever weather rolls through, whether you’re camping your way around the O or walking into the wind on the W. I hope this packing list helps you feel prepared, self-sufficient, and excited to take on one of the world’s most iconic trekking routes.

⛰️ Still planning your hike? Don’t miss my W-Trek Guide (the 5-day trek) or O-Circuit Guide (the full 8-day version) for detailed daily route descriptions, trip logistics & real-world tips on tackling Patagonia’s best multi-day hikes. And if you have any questions about gear, drop them in the comments, I’m always happy to help!

brooke beyond

Hey, I'm Brooke and I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (joined by my life/climbing partner, James). Whether it’s road-tripping through Mexico, climbing alpine peaks in the Andes, scuba diving in the Red Sea, or tackling epic via ferrata in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb