🎒 Nepal Trekking Gear Guide: What to Pack, What to Rent & What You Really Need

If you Google “Nepal trekking gear,” you'll find endless lists — most too long, too Western, or just plain wrong.

Let’s fix that.

After guiding hundreds of trekkers across the Himalayas, here’s our field-tested, practical guide to trekking gear in Nepal — especially if you're doing it the slow, soulful way.

🧭 Rule #1: Pack Light, Pack Right

Every kilo on your back or your porter’s back matters.

Here’s the golden rule: carry no more than 10–12kg yourself (including water). If you have a porter, their limit is ~20–25kg total.

🧥 Layer Like a Local: Core Clothing Checklist

☁️ Base Layer:

• 2 moisture-wicking T-shirts (merino or synthetic)

• 1–2 pairs of thermal underwear

🔥 Mid Layer:

• 1 fleece or softshell jacket

• 1 insulated down jacket (rentable in Kathmandu)

❄️ Outer Layer:

• 1 waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or similar)

• Rain pants or poncho (if trekking in monsoon season)

👖 Bottoms:

• 2 trekking pants

• 1 pair of fleece pants (for evenings)

🧦 Other Clothing:

• 3–4 pairs of hiking socks

• Gloves (thin + insulated)

• Buff or neck gaiter

• Warm hat

• Sun hat or cap

Pro Tip: Laundry is possible in tea houses — but it might not dry. Pack layers that can be worn multiple days.

👟 Footwear: Keep It Simple & Sturdy

• 1 pair of broken-in hiking boots (ankle support essential)

• 1 pair of sandals or crocs (for tea house evenings/showers)

• Optional: microspikes if trekking in late winter (Feb–Mar)

🎒 Must-Have Gear (Rent or Bring?)

ItemBringRentDown jacketOptional✅ Easily rentableSleeping bag (0°C to -10°C)Optional✅ Highly recommended to rentTrekking polesOptional✅ Rent or buy cheapBackpack (35–50L)✅ Bring❌Duffle bag (for porters)✅ Provided by some guides✅ Optional rentalHeadlamp✅ Bring❌Power bank✅ Bring❌

🧼 Small Essentials That Make a Big Difference

• Refillable water bottle or hydration bladder

• Water purification tablets or filter

• Sunscreen (SPF 30+)

• Lip balm with SPF

• Wet wipes & quick-dry towel

• First aid kit (with altitude meds, blister pads, paracetamol)

• Toilet paper (yes, you’ll need your own)

• Snacks (trail mix, chocolate, ORS)

💡 Weather Tips by Season

• Autumn (Oct–Nov): Best weather, crisp views — warm days, cold nights

• Winter (Dec–Feb): Dry but cold — bring fleece pants + extra thermal layer

• Spring (Mar–May): Warm but can get dusty — sunglasses & buffs essential

• Monsoon (Jun–Aug): Avoid unless doing Mustang/Dolpo — waterproof everything

🤯 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overpacking with “just in case” gear

• Ignoring proper sun protection (UV is intense at altitude)

• Bringing jeans or cotton clothes (don’t!)

• Packing a giant backpack you can’t carry

“The only thing I regretted? My extra ‘maybe clothes’—I never wore them and my porter definitely cursed my name.”
– Dan, 108Escapes trekker (Spring 2024)

🔚 Final Thought: The Right Gear = The Right Experience

Great trekking gear doesn’t need to be expensive — it just needs to work.

Pack with intention. Rent what you can. And focus on the journey, not the gadgets.

📣 Want a Personalized Trekking Gear Checklist?

👉 Download Our PDF Trekking Checklist
👉 Talk to a Gear Advisor in Kathmandu