Here are a clothing and equipment list and some brands for your camping trek.
The following information will help you select the best type of clothing and equipment for your trip. See our Helpful Links page for details of specialist retailers offering further advice and assistance with purchasing new clothing or equipment.
Footwear
Footwear is one of the most important considerations, as blisters and sore feet spoil your trek. We recommend that you take a pair of lightweight hiking/trekking boots suitable for walking over rough terrain, offering excellent ankle support and comfortable over long distances. Right quality fabric or leather boots are recommended. If you are considering a trek where you are likely to encounter a couple of days of snow-covered trails, you should opt for a waterproof trekking boot – either a Gore-Tex-lined fabric boot or a leather boot. If you prefer to walk in a more substantial pair of leather boots, that’s OK, but make sure that they are well worn in before the trek. Choosing a pair of trekking boots is a very individual process, and your experience and preferences should govern you. An excellent outdoor equipment store such as REI in North America or Camper’s Corner in Asia will be able to advise you as to the fitting of your boots. We recommend sneakers or sandals that allow you to wear socks underneath for wearing about camp and walking the more manageable sections of the trail.
Mountaineering Footwear:
Despite the increased popularity of a new generation of leather boots for technical alpine mountaineering, plastic boots are still standard equipment for cold conditions. They are lighter in weight, warmer, and more waterproof than leather mountain boots. Also, you can sleep in the removable inner boots to ensure warm toes in the morning! When climbing and trekking at altitudes of up to 6000 meters (20000 feet), the temperatures can be frigid (as low as minus 25°C/15°F), and leather boots are not suitable for these cold conditions. Plastic boots are also designed to quickly and efficiently take step-in crampons. This combination of plastic boots and step-in crampons is the most sensible option when considering a trekking peak climb. Asolo, Koflach, Scarpa, and Lowa are examples of excellent plastic boot manufacturers.
Gaiters:
Gaiters are an essential piece of equipment that will help keep your feet warm and dry in wet and snowy conditions. The gaiter’s simple “alpine” style, which hooks onto the boot laces and is held under the instep by a strap or lace, is refined for most trekking applications. These “alpine” gaiters are widely available. More expensive gaiters cover the whole of the boot uppers, providing additional warmth and protection. These are sensible options for those trips that involve negotiating several days on the snow-covered glacier.
Socks:
If you prefer to wear two pairs of socks, your inner socks or liners should be cotton or wool-based or a mixture. A good investment would be in Merino wool socks. Bring four pairs. Suppose you prefer to wear a single pair of thicker socks (and some sock manufacturers produce excellent socks which are designed to be used without a liner or inner socks). In that case, these should also be mainly made of natural materials and loop stitch construction for maximum warmth and comfort. Take four pairs. Thor-Lo is an example of a sock manufacturer that markets a wide range of technically advanced trekking/walking socks.
Clothing
Your clothing must be adaptable to suit a wide range of conditions, including all extremes of weather and varying levels of physical activity. Modern thinking supports adopting the principle of “layering,” which involves using several thin layers of thermally efficient clothing, which can be worn in some combinations according to the prevailing circumstances. Where it is warm enough, you can trek in either shorts or lightweight trekking pants (a long skirt is an option for women) and a long sleeve cotton shirt, WindStopper T-shirt, or the new Capilene T-shirts. For colder conditions, you can add layers of thermal clothing. For example, Patagonia Capilene thermal clothing is exquisite and comes in lightweight, midweight, and expedition weight. On top of these thermals, you should add layers of fleece. Patagonia, Marmot, The North Face, Mountain Hardware, Sherpa Adventure Gear, and many other manufacturers make a wide range of fleece garments, jackets, pullovers, pants, and vests. These are made from Polartec fabric (in various weights – including Polartec 100 and 200), warm, light, and quick drying. Warmer still are windproof fleece garments common Windstopper. Finally, if it starts to rain or make a high, cold climb or pass crossing, you will have your waterproof outerwear, jacket, and pants or bibs, to fall back on. Shell pants and bibs with full-length zips are a good idea if you choose a trip that involves the use of plastic boots and crampons.
Active:
Active outdoor pursuits such as trekking and climbing require protection from the wind’s chill more often than rain protection, especially in mountain ranges such as the Himalayas. Shell garments made from breathable fabrics (Gore-Tex or equivalent) are preferred for the following reason. Thermal underwear or base layers work on a ‘wick-dry’ principle, wicking the sweat away from the skin to where it can evaporate without cooling the body. A non-breathable shell garment prevents this drying process from being effective by trapping the moisture as condensation inside the shell material. As a result, the enclosed thermal layers remain wet, and their insulating properties are reduced. As a result, there is an enormous range of waterproof and breathable outerwear on the market. This includes technical mountaineering shells and more straightforward (and less expensive) garments, which are ideal for general outdoor use and, at the same time, ideal for trekking trips and easy trekking peak climbing.
Extremities:
It is essential to keep your extremities warm, and you must not neglect your head and hands when selecting the equipment for your trip. Gloves and a hat or balaclava made from stretchy thermal material make a functional base layer for your head and hands. On top of this, you should consider a warm fleece hat and a pair of warmer gloves or mittens. Waterproof mitts are essential for climbing a trekking peak.
A down jacket is a welcome luxury for evening wear on most treks and becomes an essential gear for our December and January departures and trips with camps above 5000 meters (16000 feet.) However, these are expensive items, and if you think you will need a down jacket and do not possess one, consider borrowing or hiring one in Kathmandu. Undoubtedly, the best insulator regarding warmth for weight is pure down – it is at least 100% more efficient than the best synthetics when dry. (Its performance when wet is not so good, so if you have a down sleeping bag or jacket, keep it dry!).
Sleeping bag and camping mat
A good quality sleeping bag is essential for all trips involving camping. The full-length side zip is required to facilitate ventilation on warmer nights. A cotton or fleece liner adds to the warmth and comfort and prevents it from becoming excessively soiled. A camping mattress is needed primarily to insulate you from the cold ground. It would be best to take a good quality closed-cell foam mat or consider the more expensive self-inflating Thermarest. We advise all clients to bring a cotton or fleece sleeping bag liner with their primary bag. (We rent out suitable sleeping bags and Thermarest mattresses).
Sun protection
Sun protection should, of course, always be taken seriously. A wide-brimmed sunhat or headscarf should be used to keep the sun off your head. The sun’s rays are powerful at altitude, and sunglasses with 100% ultraviolet and infrared filtration are recommended, such as Vuarnet PX5000, Cebe 2000/3000, andBolleIrex 100. These glasses are available with detachable leather or plastic side pieces, which give increased protection, especially from reflected glare. It would be best if you seriously considered such “glacier glasses” for any trek, including walking or climbing on snow. In addition, you should bring a plentiful sun cream supply – a couple of large tubes of factor 6-10 for lower down and some total block (factor 20-30) for above the snowline. A lip salve of a suitable filter factor is also necessary.
Daypacks
For trekking:
A 35-40 litre (2200-2800 cubic inch) day pack should be large enough to carry the following items on a trek.
a) Waterproof shell gear
b) Fleece jacket, an extra pair of socks or sandals
c) Water bottles (2), with at least 2 litres total capacity.
Equipment Rental
We have a special arrangement with a local manufacturer – Raeko. Their equipment has been used on Everest, and other 8000-meter peak climbs by Nepalese and foreign mountaineers. The owner himself wore his climbing down jacket up to The Balcony on Everest at 8400 meters in May 2020. But, unfortunately, he had to return as his climbing guide felt under the weather.
We have an exclusive contract with this brand to provide you with new sleeping bags and down jackets for rent at US$10 per item per day. So you can even buy these high-quality gear at a fraction of the cost of international brands.