Trekking equipment
Clothing - the basic principle
The most fundamental principle is the onion layering of clothing. The base layer, middle layer, insulation, and possible ‘shield’. The main advantage is that we can add or remove individual layers, adjusting our thermal regulation, which is slightly different for everyone.
Base layer
The base layer has one main function – to wick moisture away from the body. It should be tight-fitting and elastic. There are basically two options – synthetic materials or wool – merino. Here, I must definitely recommend merino as the material. Not only for its excellent properties (it warms even when wet, and cools in the heat), but primarily because it has one fantastic feature that your trekking buddies will particularly appreciate – it only starts to smell after a long time, which is a huge advantage on a 2-3 week trek with limited items and sometimes sparse hygiene. Be the nice buddy, wear merino!
Mid layer
The mid-layer serves thermal insulation functions. We have several options to choose from. Personally, I like to use a classic mid-weight fleece jacket. It's quite warm while still being breathable. On the trek, the weather is often nice but still chilly – perfect for a mid-layer of this type. It also provides protection against UV radiation, which becomes increasingly dangerous as you gain altitude.
Shell / Shield
As the name suggests, the top insulating jacket with a good membrane, like Gore-Tex or E-vent, should be in every mountaineer's or trekker's backpack. In case of an unexpected shower, but especially in strong winds, it's hard to find a better piece of clothing.
Down
A great item for Himalayan treks is a down jacket. In the mountains, the cold is dry, so the down doesn’t get particularly wet and retains its quality for a long time. I mostly use it for sitting after a hike when I'm not moving, and it gets pretty cold in the shade. Especially at higher altitudes, the temperature drops noticeably within seconds after sunset. It also works well in a sleeping bag during colder nights when crossing high passes, or as a pillow under your head in the sleeping bag, or even for a morning coffee outside on the terrace. Personally, I prefer thicker jackets; they don’t weigh too much, and the thermal comfort is a major advantage.
Socks
This is something you really shouldn't skimp on. Inappropriate socks can cause nasty blisters and turn your dream trek into a real ordeal. Personally, I’ve found socks made from a combination of merino wool and synthetic fibers to work best. They don't make your feet sweat as much, fit well, and are great at wicking moisture away. The best option is a sock with a thicker profile in areas where your foot might rub (instep, heel, toes) and a thinner part for better moisture wicking. Three pairs of socks with different thicknesses are usually more than enough for a trek. Especially at night, it’s nice to keep your feet warm.
Shoes
On a trek in Nepal, you'll experience all sorts of terrains—forest trails, rocks, and even snow is not uncommon. From this perspective, higher hiking boots seem ideal, with not too stiff soles and good water resistance. For material, I’ve had good experiences with leather or E-vent membranes. In general, the fewer seams, the fewer opportunities for the boots to fall apart. Personally, I’ve had the best experiences with the soft Hoka One One boots, especially in terms of walking comfort and saving your joints during a full-day trek across rocks with a backpack. The downside, however, is the durability of these boots, particularly the soles. If you don't mind spending 230 Euros on boots for just one trek, they're a great choice. But if you prefer stiff boots and are used to them, I won't try to convince you otherwise—it’s a very personal preference. For crossing snowfields, chain crampons (also known as microspikes) are very useful, they’re lightweight and do a good job. For more serious expeditions in Nepal, like climbing Mera Peak, you’ll be looking at a different category of boots, but that’s a topic for another time.
Pants
I don't see any rocket science here. Standard, not too thin or unnecessarily thick models will suffice. Hiking pants should ideally be reinforced at the knees and seat, or possibly on the inner side of the ankles, and they should have a higher waist. It’s also good if they have the option to tighten at the bottom—whether with Velcro, a drawstring, or elastic bands. This way, you can prevent wind from getting in and dirt from coming up from the bottom, as some parts of the trek can be quite dusty. For crossing snowfields and ridges, or in rainy conditions, it’s worth considering gaiters. I wouldn’t recommend shorts, especially due to the sun at higher altitudes and also because of the insects.
Headgear, glasses, gloves
A very suitable and even necessary item is headgear. For daytime hikes, it’s definitely important to protect yourself from the sun. It’s up to you whether you choose a little hat or a baseball cap from your favorite polo team. At higher altitudes and for the night in your sleeping bag, a warm winter hat is a good idea. Local 'ushankas' made from yak wool are excellent, they cost just a few coins and also make a nice souvenir. A scarf (buff) will definitely come in handy on the trek as protection from dust or the sun.
A very important part of your gear is quality sunglasses. Again, I wouldn’t recommend skimping on this and would suggest getting glacier glasses with factor 3. Personally, I recommend ones that fit well and don’t let too much light in from the sides. Stylish aviator glasses won’t serve you too well here.
I usually take two pairs of gloves—one light pair for the regular trekking day, and one slightly thicker pair for the possibility of a cold day (e.g., crossing a pass). A useful feature, now quite common, is an active fingertip for using your phone’s camera. Otherwise, there are no special requirements for gloves.
Backpack
First, it’s good to talk about what size backpack is ideal for a trekker. Personally, I think a reasonable weight is around 10-12 kg. I don’t see the point in carrying a huge backpack, but perhaps there are trekkers who like it that way. I only take what’s absolutely necessary—on a trek, you don’t really need that much. So, the optimal size is around 45-50 liters. If you think you really need 20 kg, I would suggest considering a porter to go with us and carry the essential load for you.
Personally, I recommend backpacks from Osprey, which are unbeatable in terms of comfort. A proven classic are backpacks from Deuter. I also like backpacks from the Swedish company Klättermusen, though we’re talking higher price ranges here. Often, how well the backpack fits is more important than the final weight. It’s very helpful to load your backpack in the store and walk around with it for a while to see if it fits and if the back system works for you.
Sleeping bag
Again, this is a very individual matter. Personally, I think a sleeping bag with a comfort rating of around -5°C is sufficient for most people. Sleeping bags that are too warm and bulky tend to be more of a hassle during the trek rather than something you'll fully use. For a single night before crossing a pass, you can manage with a down jacket, or perhaps a bottle of warm water at the feet of your sleeping bag. As for the material, I would stick with down. It’s lighter and has better insulating properties than synthetic materials.
Other accessories
A small first aid kit with basic supplies, plus perhaps medications for diarrhea, activated charcoal, ibuprofen, disinfectant, band-aids (Compeed are great). Also, a power bank, UV sunscreen (SPF 50), lip balm, a headlamp (Petzl Tikka or similar, no need for anything too high-performance), personal hygiene items, wet wipes, a water bottle (Nalgene), and folding trekking poles (any kind).
Shopping in Kathmandu
Kathmandu, and especially its ever-vibrant heart – Thamel – is full of shops selling trekking gear of all prices and qualities, at truly extraordinarily favorable prices. You can buy almost anything here. There are also official stores of well-known brands, where prices are usually around 20% lower than in Europe. For a single trek, however, local imitations can be bought – they’ll last the trek, and you’ll save money!
And finally, perhaps the most important thing – a good mood, a spirit of adventure, and a desire to explore with us! If I’ve forgotten anything important, please let me know 🙂
Mišo Gabriž