Your Nepal Gear Guide

For our trail running camps in Annapurna, Mardi, Manaslu, Khopra and the Pokhara region. Pack light, run free — but never cut corners on warmth and safety at altitude.

Trail Running Shoes

The single most important piece of gear. Look for aggressive lugs of 4 to 5 millimetres, a stable platform, and a fit that locks the heel without crushing the toes. Trail-specific is non-negotiable — road shoes won't grip on wet Nepali rock, roots or scree. Arrive with at least 100 kilometres already on them.

Hydration Vest

A vest of 5 to 15 litres with stretchy front pockets for soft flasks and a rear compartment for layers, food and your safety kit. Try it on loaded at home before you fly — the fit across the chest and shoulders matters far more than the brand on the label.

Soft Flasks (2×500ml)

Two 500ml soft flasks sit in the front pockets of your vest, giving you easy sips without stopping. They squeeze flat as they empty, keeping the vest balanced throughout the day. A bite valve top is more convenient than a screw cap on technical terrain.

Foldable Trail Poles

Carbon, foldable, 200 to 300 grams per pair. On Nepali climbs that gain 1000 metres or more in a single push, poles save your legs and your lungs. Foldable models slip into the rear pocket of your vest when the terrain flattens out. If you have never run with poles before, practise the technique at home — it makes a real difference.

Technical Running Tee

Breathable, fast-drying technical fabric. Absolutely no cotton — it stays damp against your skin and makes temperature management difficult at altitude. Two sets are plenty for most camps: wear one, wash one. Your guesthouse host can usually turn a kit around overnight.

Waterproof Jacket

A lightweight shell with a proper hood, taped seams and ideally pit zips for venting. Even in the dry seasons, an afternoon shower at altitude can turn cold fast. Bring the lightest running-specific shell you own — around 150 to 250 grams is perfect.

Insulated Jacket

A compressible down or synthetic puffy. You will reach for this at every lunch break above 3500 metres, at every tea house stop, and any time you stop moving for more than a few minutes. Synthetic insulation is more forgiving if it gets damp; down packs smaller and lighter for the same warmth.

Cap & Sunglasses

A breathable running cap or visor to protect your face, and sport sunglasses rated category 3 or 4 against strong high-altitude UV. Photochromic lenses are useful when you alternate shaded forest sections with open ridges.

Trail Socks — Thin & Thick

Bring two types: a thin, low-cut pair for warm low-altitude days where breathability is the priority, and a slightly thicker pair for cold morning starts and technical rocky ground. Merino blends work best for odour resistance over multiple days.

Camp Sandals

Light camp sandals or flip-flops for the evening at the guesthouse or camp. After six to eight hours in trail shoes your feet need to breathe. The lightest pair you own is the right choice — these are pure comfort, not performance.

Hat, Gloves & Buff

Lightweight versions specifically for trail running. A thin buff or neck gaiter for wind and dust, a pair of thin liner gloves for cold morning starts, and a packable warm hat for summit stops. All three should fit in one hand.

Headlamp

A compact headlamp of 200 to 300 lumens for early starts and the occasional long day that pushes into dusk. USB-rechargeable models are fine for short trips, but carry a spare set of batteries if your camp lasts more than five days — charging access is not always reliable.

GPS Watch

Optional but very useful in Nepal. A GPS watch lets you record your route, pace yourself by heart rate at altitude — critical for acclimatisation — and follow our preloaded GPX tracks when running independently. Battery life in GPS mode is the specification that matters most for multi-day trips.

For our multi-day trekking expeditions in the Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang and Everest regions. Built for comfort, warmth and reliability over many days on the trail.

Trekking Boots

Mid or high-cut boots with ankle support and a stiff enough sole to carry a loaded pack across uneven terrain. Break them in for a minimum of 50 kilometres before you fly. Arriving in brand-new boots is one of the most common and most avoidable mistakes on a Nepal trek.

Backpack 40–50L

A trekking pack of 40 to 50 litres is the sweet spot for our treks. You carry water, snacks, layers, a camera and your personal safety kit in your daypack. Your porter carries the larger duffel bag with everything else. If you prefer to go porter-free, choose 55 to 65 litres and pack ruthlessly.

Trekking Poles

A pair of telescopic or foldable poles with cork or foam grips. Adjustable height matters — shorter on climbs, longer on descents. Carbide tips perform significantly better than worn rubber on Nepali rock, dirt and roots.

Sleeping Bag −10°C

A four-season bag with a comfort rating of around minus 10°C. Tea house rooms at altitude can get genuinely cold even during the clear dry seasons. Down is lighter and packs smaller; synthetic is more forgiving in damp conditions. A silk or cotton liner adds warmth and keeps your bag clean.

Hardshell Jacket

A robust waterproof and windproof shell with a proper helmet-compatible hood, full-length zip and underarm vents. Heavier and more protective than a trail running shell. In a real Himalayan storm above 4000 metres you will be very glad you brought it.

Fleece Mid-Layer

A fleece or merino mid-layer in the weight 100 to 200 range, ideally with a quarter-zip for ventilation control on steep climbs. This is the layer you will reach for most often — early mornings before the sun hits, rest stops, and evenings at the tea house.

Trekking Pants

Quick-drying trekking pants, with zip-off legs if you like the flexibility for warm afternoons. Bring one active pair for the trail and one warm pair — fleece-lined or thermal-backed — for cold evenings at high camp.

Thermal Base Layers

A merino wool top and bottom set. Merino regulates temperature, resists odour after multiple days of wear, and stays warm even when slightly damp — a meaningful advantage in variable mountain conditions. Bring one set for sleeping and a second for active days if your trek runs longer than a week.

Thick Merino Socks

Trekking-specific merino socks with reinforced heel and toe padding. The single best investment for comfortable feet over multiple days. Bring two to three pairs minimum and rotate them, washing when you have the opportunity. Cheap socks are a false economy on a Himalayan trek.

Hat, Gloves & Buff

A warm beanie, a pair of light gloves for breezy morning starts, a pair of warmer insulated gloves for high passes, and a buff or neck gaiter. Fingerless or convertible gloves are convenient for handling trekking poles and a camera without removing them.

Water Bottle & Filter

A one-litre reusable bottle — insulated is useful to prevent freezing at altitude — plus a water filter or purification tablets. Tea houses sell boiled water, but a personal filter saves money over a long trek and significantly reduces single-use plastic waste, which is a real issue on Nepal's busiest routes.

For our peak climbing expeditions — Mera, Island Peak, Chulu West, Pisang Peak and other classic 6000m summits. Bring everything from the trekking list above, plus the technical gear below.

Mountaineering Boots

Crampon-compatible boots with a rigid sole and a solid rand. For 6000-metre peaks on standard routes, single boots (B2 or B3 category) work for most climbers. A double boot adds meaningful warmth on colder summit days. Size them with thick socks and climb in them at home before trusting them on a Himalayan summit day.

Crampons

Twelve-point crampons with semi-automatic or automatic bindings matched to the welt on your boots. Steel for any technical climbing; aluminium only if you are certain the route is pure snow throughout.

Ice Axe

A general-purpose alpine ice axe of around 55 to 65 centimetres, depending on your height. Straight shaft, classic curve, with a leash. For 6000-metre peaks on their standard routes you do not need a technical climbing axe — simplicity and reliability are your friends at altitude.

Climbing Harness

A lightweight mountaineering harness with adjustable leg loops — essential, as you will clip in and out over multiple layers. Try it on with your climbing boots on at the shop before buying; you will do this many times in the field and it needs to be intuitive.

Climbing Helmet

A certified climbing helmet that fits comfortably over a warm beanie. Foam construction is lighter; hardshell is more durable and handles multiple impacts. Either works for our standard peak routes.

Locking Carabiners (×4–5)

Four to five HMS-style locking carabiners with screwgate closure. Simple, light and reliable — screwgates are easier to operate with cold hands at altitude than auto-locking systems. Your guide will brief you on placement.

Belay Device

A tube-style belay device that handles single and twin ropes. A guide-mode plate is a useful upgrade for more technical terrain, though not essential for standard 6000-metre peaks. Your guide will walk through the setup with you on the approach.

Glacier Glasses

Category 4 mountaineering glasses with side shields or a full wraparound frame. At 6000 metres on a snow-covered glacier the reflected UV is extreme and can cause temporary or permanent eye damage within hours. Do not improvise with standard sunglasses. Bring a spare pair if possible.