Trek Guide
Which gear should you buy before Nepal and what can you rent cheaply in Kathmandu? Honest cost comparison from guides who see what trekkers actually…
By Travel Himalaya Nepal · Jun 5, 2026
Buy boots, wool socks, a Gore-Tex shell, headlamp and base layers at home — fit, break-in and reliability matter too much to rent. Rent in Nepal the bulky, expensive items: a -10°C sleeping bag ( ~$1–2/day ), down jacket ( ~$1–1.50/day ), trekking poles and…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Nepal has one of the world's most developed trekking gear rental ecosystems . Thamel in Kathmandu and Lakeside in Pokhara have hundreds of shops offering everything from sleeping bags to full crampon kits. For most trekkers who visit Nepal once or twice, a…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Best overall
Black Diamond Pursuit Adjustable Trekking Poles
Aluminium bends where carbon shatters, and a bent pole still walks you down; you carry about 100 g more per pair than carbon for that insurance, and cork grips beat foam once your hands…
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Aluminium bends where carbon shatters, and a bent pole still walks you down; you carry about 100 g more per pair than carbon for that insurance, and cork grips beat foam once your hands sweat.
Not for: Gram-counters. Take carbon and accept that a fall on rock can end the pole.
Check price on Amazon Read the full reviewIf you buy through that link we earn a commission. It costs you nothing and it does not change what we recommend — the rental and advice-only entries in our gear guide earn us nothing at all.
You cannot break in rentals — ill-fitting boots cause blisters that ruin treks. $80–250 at home. No rental market exists. 4–5 quality pairs ($10–20 each) cover a 14-day trek. $15–25 for a Black Diamond Spot or Petzl Tikka — rental units are often depleted. UV…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Rental boots are a false economy. You cannot break them in, and ill-fitting boots create blisters that ruin treks. Buy your boots at home, wear them on 3–4 day hikes before Nepal, and they will serve you for 5–10 treks. Budget brand boots (Salomon, Merrell…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
At $10–20/pair for quality Smartwool or Darn Tough socks, these are a purchase worth making. Rental socks do not exist. 4–5 pairs sees you through a 14-day trek.
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
$15–25 for a reliable Black Diamond Spot or Petzl Tikka. Essential for pre-dawn summit starts and teahouse bathroom runs at night. Rental headlamps are often depleted.
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
UV radiation at altitude is intense and sunscreen is expensive in Nepal. Buy a good supply before you arrive.
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
A good sleeping bag costs $80–300 to buy. Rental in Nepal: NPR 150–250/day (~$1–2). For a 14-day trek, that's $14–28 total rental vs $100+ to buy. Unless you trek frequently, rent. Sleeping bag liners ($15–20 to buy, $0.50–1/day to rent) add warmth and keep…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Same logic: NPR 150–200/day ($1–1.50). For 14 days, $14–21 total. Quality down jackets cost $80–200 to buy. Rent unless you already own one or trek regularly.
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
NPR 100–150/day ($0.75–$1.10). For a 10-day trek: $7.50–11 rental vs $40–120 to buy. Rent unless you already own them.
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Only needed for high-altitude pass crossings (Thorong La in winter, Cho La). Rental: NPR 200–300/day. Don't buy unless you plan regular alpine trekking. A silk or cotton sleeping-bag liner ($15–20 to buy) adds a few degrees of warmth and keeps rented bags…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Best overall
Salomon Quest 4 GTX
Stiff enough to carry weight over a pass and still comfortable on day fourteen — you pay for that in weight and in a break-in period you cannot skip.
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Stiff enough to carry weight over a pass and still comfortable on day fourteen — you pay for that in weight and in a break-in period you cannot skip.
Not for: You are doing Poon Hill or a short lodge trek under 3,500 m with a porter carrying the load. This is more boot than that walk needs.
Check price on Amazon Read the full reviewIf you buy through that link we earn a commission. It costs you nothing and it does not change what we recommend — the rental and advice-only entries in our gear guide earn us nothing at all.
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