Best Trekking Gear: Trekking is one of the most popular activities in the world. It is the best way to converse with nature and enjoy its beauty. Trekking is healthy both physically and mentally.
Home to the highest mountain in the world, Nepal is the prime destination for trekkers. However, trekking in Nepal is not only a wilderness but also a cultural experience. Trekking in Nepal is a rite of passage, off the beaten track, into another world and time, and you’d need to be uber-fit to tackle it.
Mountains in Nepal
As Nepal has numerous trekking trails, it attracts thousands of visitors every year. The major attraction for trekkers is that Nepal has 14 peaks that are over 8000 meters. Moreover, eight of them are the top 10 highest mountain peaks. Likewise, you can find trekking options for all kinds of travelers, whether they are solo, with friends, or with families. If you think money is the problem, stay clear of the luxury options, then you can go for the best trek of your life for under $300.
The country also has trekking trails with a variety of difficulties. Some trails can be completed by a complete novice, while some require high experience. And, to challenge the trails of Nepal, one needs to have the Best Trekking Gear.
You mustn’t waste your money on trekking gear. That’s no good. You have to get gears that will last you for hundreds of miles and handle stress pretty well. Most of the trekking trails in Nepal have tea houses where you can sleep and dine. However, there are also trails where you will need to camp out. So, you might need the necessary equipment if you have to camp. Your backpack size should primarily depend upon whether you are going to hire a porter or not.
List of Trekking Gear
Overland Treks have made a list of the Best Trekking Gear that you will need for your trek. However, the items might differ according to your travel span, type, and destination. So, read and choose what items you might require.
Best Trekking Gear
Sleeping
- Tent (necessary for treks with camping)
- Sleeping bag (–15° bag will suffice on most treks)*
- Sleeping pad
- Silk liner
In lower elevations, the temperature will be hot most of the time. However, there is also a chance of very cold nights at high elevations; you should carry a cold-weather bag. Also, you can sleep just in a silk liner in lower elevations. However, you will require a sleeping bag in higher elevations.
Trekking
- Backpack (size depends on whether or not you have porters)
- Hiking boots* (break them in beforehand)
- Lightweight trekking pants
- Camp shoes (your reward after a long day)
- Wool socks (bring a few pairs with a variety of thicknesses)
- Trekking shorts
- Underwear
- T-Shirts (lightweight wool is great)
You will be hiking through various terrain. You might have to walk on muddy trails for a while then on snowy trails afterward. The trail is sure to be rocky. So, you need to get good footgear or complete hiking boots. The boot will offer good support and protection from the elements. So, the safest bet is to get a hiking boot and a pair of trail shoes. You can use hiking boots while traveling through snowy and high-pass areas. And, use trail shows while camping so that you let your feet rest.
Cold Weather
- Sweater
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- Fleece
- Long underwear/Wool thermals
- Heavyweight pants for high elevations (also good for camp)
- Winter hat
- Heavy down jacket (can be rented in Kathmandu)
- Winter gloves
Accessories
- Water bottles (at least 3 liters total capacity)
- Water purification (pump, tablets, or SteriPen; bring from home)
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Baseball cap (the sun is strong at all elevations)
- Sunglasses (essential when you cross the snow line)
- Hiking poles (lessen the impact on your joints)
- Reading materials (Kindle may be best)
- Camera with extra batteries
- Gators (many people wear them, but they are not mandatory)
- Daypack (for your rain jacket, snacks, camera, etc.)
- Journal and pens
- Heavy-duty duffle bag (preferred by porters)
Personal Supplies
- Hand sanitizer
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, floss, etc.)
- Sunscreen
- Biodegradable washing liquid
- Biodegradable bar soap
- Face/body wipes
- Medications (Ibuprofen, others if necessary)
- Throat lozenges, lip balm
Extras
- Duct tape (fixes just about everything, at least temporarily. To avoid carrying an entire roll, wrap the desired amount around a pencil)
- First aid kit (with moleskin for blisters)
- Extra passport photos and photocopies of your passport
Where to Buy Trekking Gears in Nepal
The most popular place to buy trekking gear in Kathmandu is Thamel. It is the popular commercial hub in Kathmandu. Thamel is a bustling alley that has a wide range of trekking gear shops. However, if you couldn’t put gears in Thamel, you don’t have to worry about it. You can also get proper trekking gear in Pokhara. It has a broader market, and this is also the juncture from where the trek to some of the famous destinations starts.
Are all trekking gears available in Nepal?
Yes, you can get every kind of trekking gear in Nepal. You can get original branded gear or also the first copy made in Nepal gears. The gears might differ hugely in terms of quality and price. So, make sure you can check the quality of the gear or just choose branded ones.
Can I depend on the quality/durability of gear bought in Nepal?
There are hundreds of trekking gear shops in Thamel. They offer various gear ranging from Rs 1000 to tens of thousands for just a pair of shoes. If you are going for a short trek, even the low-range shoes in Thamel can handle it. However, if you plan to go above 4000 meters, we recommend you get branded shoes or one with a good reputation.
Can I trust the brands available in Nepal?
Yes, there are plenty of genuine brand outlets in Thamel. Some of them are “Sonam Gears,” “The North Face Nepal,” “Columbia,” ” Mammut,” and “Black Yak Nepal.”
Are tourists offered higher prices than the locals?
Bargaining skills matter the most when buying anything in Nepal. Although shops in Thamel offer standard prices, it’s better to know what you are paying for.
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