Packing for the TMB was my first big challenge. Just to be clear, I don’t have a reputation for travelling light. Quite the opposite. I was in the Brownies, and being prepared is part of who I am. I like to travel with everything I might possibly need, x2. But our plan to fastpack the TMB in 5 nights relied on moving relatively swiftly, so I had to change my mindset and strictly take only the bare essentials. Once I was on board with this alien idea, I quite enjoyed the challenge.
We watched a lot of YouTube videos of other runners & hikers taking on the TMB. My favourite was the (non-intentional comedy) couple who set off with rucksacks that were so towering they could barely lift them. They aborted their TMB mission after the first day. But mostly, we watched people set off with the awe-inspiring tiny bags we aspired to. We’d press pause to study any glimpses of their rucksacks and contents, and as the months passed by, we fine-tuned our own packing lists.
Fast forward to our TMB experience in July 2025 – all the effort and planning were totally worthwhile. Not once did I struggle with the weight on my back. In fact, I was barely aware of it, which let me focus entirely on the incredible views (and the flourishing pain in my quads). I discovered that trotting 100 miles through 3 countries with only a small backpack containing my bare necessities was surprisingly liberating.
The bag
The first big decision was the actual backpack. Following previous experience with other running packs rubbing around my collarbone, I wanted to avoid anything rigid. I love my Salomon Advanced Skin 12 for long trail runs. A slightly larger version would have been perfect, but didn’t exist. Finally, I came across the Inov8 RacePac 20 Hydration Vest. This has a 20-litre capacity, including 2 x 500ml soft flasks and a 2-litre reservoir compartment.
As soon as I tried on my Inov8 pack, I was confident it wouldn’t rub or bounce. I ordered the small, and the fit and style are very similar to the Salmon Advanced Skin. But I was concerned that the actual back compartment didn’t seem that much larger than my 12-litre Salomon.
In the end, my husband saved the day by ordering a slightly larger pack and suggesting that he carry both puffa jackets! His Raidlight Ultralight 24-30 litre race vest pack had a rolltop main compartment, making it perfect for carrying extra volume when needed. It also came with 2 x 600ml flasks and a pocket for a reservoir (which he did use). We also shared several items (eg. toothpaste, multipurpose soap, first aid kit), which helped spread the load. The joint capacity of both bags was perfect.
Clothes
I set off wearing running shorts & t-shirt, cap, sunglasses and trail shoes. In my pack, I carried a second pair of shorts & a t-shirt, which were not strictly essential (according to my husband), but they were super lightweight & took up such minimal space. I would personally carry the same again for the advantage of feeling relatively fresh and clean.
I also had 2 changes of socks/underwear (again, debateably 1 too many…)
In case I needed an extra layer of warmth during the day (I didn’t), I carried a thin, long-sleeved top. This also came in handy to wear at night in the hut along with a pair of leggings (I opted for recovery tights – no idea if they work, but they feel so good!). Plus a lightweight t-shirt, which I also slept in.
Despite it being July, it can still get chilly up high in the mountains, so I also packed running gloves and a hat (I did wear the hat whilst having lunch one day).
A lightweight waterproof jacket & trousers are also essential, even though I was lucky to barely have to wear either. I love my Montane Via Minimus Stretch Ultra jacket, but it’s a slightly older model that’s now hard to find in stock anywhere. More recently, I purchased the Dartmoor Waterproof Trousers from Harrier, which I can highly recommend.
Finally, my Montane Featherlite Down jacket was perfect. It packs down into its small bag, is light, and super cosy. I didn’t need the puffa jacket during the day, but it kept me snug and warm while I sat outside mountain huts in the late afternoon and evening.
Food & drink
Due to our limited capacity, we only carried fuel for in-between meals. We didn’t have room for packed lunches, so we ate all our meals at mountain huts.
I set off with 1 x 90g Precision Fuel Gel, a small pack of Torq jellies, and 3 x Voom Pocket Rockets. We replenished our running snacks at mountain huts and shops along the way.
I carried 2 x 500ml flasks of water, usually supplemented with an electrolyte tablet.
I originally planned to carry my 1-litre reservoir to have extra capacity if needed. At the last minute, I realised it was impossible to fit the reservoir in the fully packed bag. Fortunately, I had a 500ml hard flask to hand, which just so happened to fit in a side pocket. This worked out perfectly as it was much easier to access and refill.
My packing hits
Lifeventure All Purpose Soap – this was a great find! One small bottle for both showering and handwashing clothes. Only a small amount was needed to transform our sweaty clothes back to clean & fresh.
Airlite Towel from Seatosummit – I opted for the large size, 120 x 60cm (67 grams) and was surprised to find it dried me pretty well.
Ultralight 10-litre Dry Bag from Lifeventure – this was perfect for fitting in my pack. It kept my clothes dry, plus charging cables, battery pack, passports, etc.
Silk sleeping liner from Scottish silkworm. This was fairly expensive but only weighed 115g, so about a third of the weight of cheaper cotton alternatives, plus it packs down much smaller.
Massage ball (tennis ball-sized) – we both used this almost every evening, and it really helped our glutes and feet.
My packing misses
Cicerone – The Tour du Mont Blanc guidebook – this book was an invaluable part of our research and planning. We made copious notes and spreadsheets from it and downloaded the GPS routes. In the end, it didn’t make the packing list, but we did take a few photographs of potentially useful pages at the last minute.
Insect repellent – I carried a small travel-sized aerosol can. Usually, I get bitten alive by horseflies in the Alps, but I happily escaped on this occasion and didn’t use it once. I would, however, take it again, just in case.
Packing list
- Complete spare change of clothes (running shorts & t-shirt)
- 2 spare pairs of running socks & underwear
- Waterproof jacket & waterproof trousers
- Long-sleeved top
- Leggings & a lightweight t-shirt to wear in the huts at night
- Hat & gloves
- Puffa jacket
- Sun cream & lip balm
- Insect repellent (didn’t use)
- Tiny pot of vaseline (to try to stop blisters on my toes)
- First aid kit
- Hand sanitiser
- Lifeventure All Purpose Soap
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Small battery pack
- Multi USB travel adaptor (compatible with Euro & Swiss)
- Mobile phone & cable
- Garmin watch & cable
- Cash (Euros & Swiss Francs) – note some huts don’t take cards
- Credit card
- Passports
- Airlite towel
- Silk sleeping bag liner
- Fuel for the first day
- Electrolyte tablets (3 tubes)
- 2 x 500ml soft flasks
- 1 extra 500ml bottle
- Helvellyn Carbon Z-Poles from Harrier
- Eye mask & earplugs
- Massage ball
- 10 litre dry bag
Final packing thoughts
We chose to pay more for ultralight versions of several items in order to keep the weight down. Cheaper but slightly heavier versions were available. Equally, we could have spent much more on top-of-the-range versions to further reduce weight and size.
Many of the linked items above we bought at discounted prices.
Passing through Courmayeur is a good place to stock up on anything that you’ve forgotten.
We’re now fully kitted out and ready to set off spontaneously for future fastpacking adventures. I was totally happy with the size and weight of my pack and wouldn’t change anything if we were to do it again.
For more on our 5-night TMB fastpacking adventure
Click here for details of our full TMB route.
My Switzerland travel memoir
My love affair with the Alps began when I moved to Switzerland to be a holiday rep. You can read about my repping adventures in my travel memoir – It’s a Wunderbar Life. Click here for sample chapters.