How to Prepare for Trekking in Georgia: A Gear Checklist for the Caucasus
You know what people most often say when they come to Georgia for the first time and plan to go to the mountains? "I thought it would be easier." And it's not about physical fitness—it's about the equipment. One wrong jacket can ruin a hike you've been looking forward to for six months. One wrong backpack, and on the second day you'll want to lie down and die.
We at PVD Club have been guiding in Georgia for over five years. Svaneti, Tusheti, Kazbek, Racha—we've been through them all more than once. Over the years, we've accumulated a list of essential items that really work in the local mountains, as well as a list of things to leave in your suitcase in Tbilisi.
Let's take things one step at a time. There won't be any ads for brands that require you to sell your kidney for. There will be honest options for any budget.
Shoes: What You Shouldn't Skimp On
The most common question we get is, "Can I wear sneakers?" Yes, you can. Just once. Then you'll be buying shoes at the nearest store in Tbilisi and putting plasters on every blister. Don't make that mistake again.
For day hikes on decent trails, trail shoes are ideal—they have tread, are lightweight, and dry quickly. Salomon X Ultra 4, Merrell Moab, or even Decathlon MH100 are all good options. Price: $60-$150.
For multi-day hikes with a backpack weighing at least 10 kg, consider high boots. They provide ankle support, which will save your feet on scree. Meindl Island, Lowa Renegade, Scarpa Zodiac are expensive ($200-$350), but they last for five to seven seasons. Per hike, they're cheaper than cheap sneakers.
For Kazbek and other five-thousanders, semi-mountaineering boots compatible with crampons are recommended. We have a separate guide about this. ascent of Kazbek and altitude sickness.
Our advice: buy boots two weeks before your trip. Wear them at home for 30 minutes at a time in the evenings. It sounds silly, but the difference between broken-in boots and new ones on the trail is the difference between a day of pain-free walking and a week of suffering.
Backpack: How to Avoid Killing Your Back
The golden rule: 80 percent of the pack's weight should be on your hips, not your shoulders. If your shoulders ache an hour after the start, the pack isn't adjusted correctly or simply doesn't fit.
For one day, 20-30 liters is enough. For 2-3 days, 40-50 liters. For 5+ days, 60-70 liters. Osprey, Deuter, and Gregory are all good brands. But if you're on a budget, the Decathlon MH500 for $40 will also get the job done.
A rain cover for your backpack is essential. In Georgia, a downpour can start in five minutes. A dry sleeping bag on the third night is the difference between "having a good rest" and "giving up and going home."
Clothing: a three-layer system and nothing else
The Caucasus is a place where, in a single day, it can be +5 in the morning, +28 at midday, and a downpour with hail by evening. A joke? No, it's true. The only way to avoid freezing and boiling is three layers.
First layer: Thermal underwear. Merino or synthetic. Throw away cotton. Cotton gets wet from sweat and doesn't dry, so you'll freeze at the first stop. Icebreaker, Patagonia Capilene, Decathlon MH100—bring two sets.
Second layer: Fleece or down jacket. For summer, use regular fleece. For high altitude or cool weather, use a down jacket (light and warm) or synthetic insulation (keeps you warm even when wet).
Third layer: A membrane jacket. Gore-Tex or similar. It keeps out wind and rain, but allows body moisture to escape. The hood should be worn over a helmet or cap.
Don't forget: a sun cap (ultraviolet rays are harsh at altitude), a buff (a universal item - from the wind, from the sun, like a mask), fleece gloves (even in August on the passes it can be around zero).
Water and food: what really works
In the mountains, you should drink at least one and a half to two liters of water per day. Drink more if it's hot or you're hiking with a backpack. You can drink water from streams, but be careful: it's best to use disinfectant tablets (Aquatabs, Micropur) or a compact filter (Sawyer Mini, Katadyn BeFree).
For food, eat anything that doesn't lose weight. Nuts, dried fruit, bars, chocolate. For hot dishes, try freeze-dried foods (Mountain House, Gala-Gala). They cook in five minutes and weigh a third of regular food. Avoid canned goods—they'll add extra pounds to your lugging, and then empty cans to your lugging.
Buy a gas burner on the spot—you can find one at any tourist store in Tbilisi. Gas cylinders aren't allowed on the plane.
Navigation: You can't go anywhere without offline maps
Cell phone coverage in the Georgian mountains is the exception rather than the rule. In Svaneti, Tusheti, and the Truso and Keldi gorges, there's no coverage. None at all. So offline maps aren't a convenience, but a safety feature.
Download Maps.me, Organic Maps, or Guru Maps to your phone. Download the Georgia region in advance while there's Wi-Fi in Tbilisi. A 10000-20000 mAh power bank is essential: the battery drains twice as fast in the cold.
For longer trips (longer than three days), it's worth taking a GPS tracker—Garmin inReach or similar. It works via satellite, even without a phone. And a 1:50000 paper map of the Caucasus, just in case—it's sold at the Pegasus bookstore in Tbilisi.
Medicine chest
In the mountains, a pharmacy can be two days' walk away. A basic kit includes: Compeed blister patches, bandages, adhesive tape, painkillers, antihistamines, No-Spa, Imodium, Regidron (the most common problem in the mountains is dehydration), SPF 50+ sunscreen, and chapstick.
Read more about altitude sickness and acclimatization in our A guide to altitude sickness on Kazbek.
What to add for the Caucasus
Trekking poles. Seriously. They take 30 percent of the load off your knees. On scree slopes, it's the difference between "I'm tired, but I'm still going" and "my knees hurt so much I'm going to sit down and cry."
Crampons or microspikes. On passes above 3000 meters, snow can remain until mid-June. Even in July, some routes still have snowfields.
If you're going to Tusheti or high-mountain Svaneti, be prepared for shepherd dogs. They guard the flocks and can be aggressive. Don't panic, don't run, don't make eye contact. Just walk by calmly.
How much is it
Budget option (Decathlon, Chinese brands): $250-400 for all equipment from scratch.
Good option (Meindl, Osprey, Patagonia, Jetboil): $700-1500, but things last 5-10 years.
Alternative: rent in Tbilisi. PVD Club equipment rental — from $5 to $15 per item for a week. Boots, backpack, tent, sleeping bag—everything is included. And if you're going on a tour with us, you get a 30% discount on rentals.
Checklist before going out
Boots (broken in). Thermal underwear (two sets). Fleece or down jacket. Membrane jacket. Hiking pants. Socks (three pairs, trekking). Cap and buff. Raincover for backpack. Backpack. Hiking poles. Thermos or 1.5 liter bottle. Gas stove. Food for the route. First aid kit. Power bank. Offline maps on your phone. Headlamp. Blister plasters.
Check everything before closing your backpack. There's no "add to cart" button in the mountains.
F.A.Q.
Do you need special boots or will regular sneakers do?
For a one-day hike on an easy trail, trail running shoes are fine. For anything else, high boots are essential. Svaneti is full of scree, and without ankle support, you risk spraining your ankle on the very first day.
What should I do if my backpack is rubbing my shoulders?
Adjust the waist strap. The weight should rest on your hips, with your shoulders just supporting the backpack from above. If it still hurts after adjusting, the backpack simply doesn't fit.
Where can I get equipment if I don’t have my own?
It works in Tbilisi PVD Club rental — near the Didube metro station. Boots, backpack, tent, sleeping bag, stove—everything can be rented for any length of time.
Is it safe to drink water from streams?
Yes, but you should use disinfectant tablets or a filter. Cattle graze in the mountains, and the water may contain bacteria. Boiling also works, but it wastes gas.
Which sleeping bag should I take?
For summer, it's comfortable up to +5°C. For altitudes above 3000 meters, it's comfortable down to -5°C. If you're renting, please check with the rental company for the comfort temperature.
Do you have to take a burner or can you use a fire?
In most parts of Georgia, campfires are prohibited or considered unsafe. A stove is mandatory. A light one costs $30-50, while a canister costs $5-10.
Сonclusion
Trekking in Georgia is among the most accessible in the world. You don't need expensive gear or years of preparation. All you need is decent boots, an understanding of the weather, and a realistic assessment of your own abilities.
If you are unsure about your choice or don’t want to bother with planning, take a look at our trekking tours in GeorgiaWe provide group equipment, plan a route based on the weather, and guide you in such a way that you only think about the views, not where to get water.
