Walk down any street in Thamel and you will pass dozens of shops stacked to the ceiling with down jackets, sleeping bags, trekking poles, boots and backpacks. Many trekkers arrive in Nepal wondering whether they should have brought less from home. The honest answer: bring the things that need to fit you perfectly, and rent or buy the bulky items here.
Quick answer: bring your boots (broken in), base layers, socks and personal items from home. Rent a down jacket and a sleeping bag in Thamel or Pokhara for a few dollars a day, or use ours. Buy cheap extras like trekking poles, gloves, hats, buffs and water bottles in Kathmandu. Much of the "branded" gear in Thamel is copied or locally made; it is fine for a trek if you check quality, but real brand-name gear is sold in official stores at international prices.
Bring, rent or buy?
| Item | Our advice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Trekking boots | Bring | Must be broken in to avoid blisters |
| Socks and base layers | Bring | Comfort and fit matter |
| Rain jacket | Bring or buy | Local versions are less waterproof |
| Down jacket | Rent (or borrow from us) | Bulky; only needed at altitude |
| Sleeping bag | Rent (or borrow from us) | Bulky; warm bags are expensive |
| Trekking poles | Buy or rent | Cheap locally |
| Hat, gloves, buff | Buy | Cheap and good enough |
| Duffel bag for porter | Buy or borrow from us | Cheap locally |
| Headlamp, power bank | Bring | Local electronics vary in quality |
| Microspikes | Rent or buy if needed | Only for some treks and seasons |
Renting gear
Renting is easy in Thamel and Lakeside in Pokhara. Shops rent down jackets, sleeping bags, trekking poles and sometimes microspikes and crampons by the day, usually for a modest daily fee, and ask for a cash deposit or your passport details. Before you rent:
- Check the sleeping bag's rating and loft: a good −10°C to −15°C bag is needed for Everest and high passes.
- Look and smell: it should be clean and dry. Ask for a liner, or bring your own, for hygiene and extra warmth.
- Check zips and seams.
- Agree the return date and get a receipt.
When you trek with us, we lend you a down jacket and sleeping bag free or for a small fee, and a duffel bag for your porter, so you don't need to rent separately.
Buying gear in Thamel
Thamel shops sell three kinds of gear:
- Locally made gear, often good value and perfectly adequate for a teahouse trek.
- Copies of international brands, sold with famous logos at a fraction of the real price. Quality varies from decent to poor.
- Genuine brand-name gear, sold in official brand stores in Thamel and elsewhere in Kathmandu, at prices similar to Europe or North America.
Copied gear is fine for a hat, gloves or a fleece, but be careful with items your safety depends on, such as rain jackets, boots and crampons. Check stitching, zips, seams and the feel of the fabric, and bargain politely.
Pokhara
Lakeside in Pokhara has many gear shops too, with a slightly smaller choice than Thamel. It is convenient for Annapurna treks: rent the night before you start and return the gear when you get back.
What to check before your trek
- Do a full gear check with your guide before you set off; we do this at your trek briefing.
- Pack your porter bag to around 10–12 kg; Lukla flights allow about 15 kg in total.
- Leave city clothes and extra luggage at your hotel; most hotels store bags for free.
Our full packing list covers everything, and our shopping guide covers souvenirs.
Summary
Bring boots, layers and personal essentials; rent bulky down gear; buy cheap extras in Thamel; and invest in genuine gear only where safety depends on it. If you trek with us, we provide the big items for you. Contact us with any gear questions.