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Packing for such a trek can be a daunting task. You want to be prepared for different situations but don’t to overpack resulting in too much weight. With our experience of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, we learned to fine-tune our gear and bring only the essentials. Most of our gear, we brought with us from home. It is possible to purchase or rent gear when you are in Kathmandu in the district of Thamel. Thamel caters towards tourists and has stores lining the streets with gear for trekking. Note that most of this gear sold there is a knockoff and won’t stand up over time. On a positive note, it is really cheap!  Below is a packing list of the gear that we brought with us on our journey. Hopefully, this article will help relieve some of the stress involved deciding which gear to bring and what to leave home.

Gator geared up on the Annapurna Circuit

ESSENTIALS

Backpack

The type of backpack you need depends on if you plan on having a guide and porter. We hiked the Annapurna Circuit with our dog Merci and carried heavy camera equipment. Due to the extra weight, we chose to use a guide and porter. A porter should never carry more than 10kg per person. It’s important to make sure that the weight of your gear is reasonable and not too heavy. If you choose to use porter, you may want a smaller backpack around 20-30L capacity to carry your essentials for day hiking such as water, down jacket, rain gear, etc. If you are not planning on having a porter, a 50-60L capacity backpack would be sufficient to carry your gear. Our favorite brand of backpacks is Osprey. They are extremely comfortable and durable.

 The Osprey Aura 50L is my go backpack for trekking. I have over 3,000 miles on this backpack and it is highly durable. It’s a bit heavier of a pack, at 4lbs (1.8kg), but is extremely comfortable with weight since in Nepal we were traveling with heavy camera equipment. The Anti-Gravity Suspension is one of my favorite features. It is a mesh back panel that keeps the backpack directly off of your back allowing for airflow which prevents a buildup of sweat. This backpack is also great for organizing gear. It has a separate zipper to access the bottom of the bag for storage and a top compartment for gear that you need access to quickly. The backpack also has a sturdy hip belt to help get the perfect fit.

Gator’s Pick: Osprey Atmos 65L

Water Filtration

Water is available from safe drinking water stations placed in towns throughout the trek. There is no need to filter the water from these stations. Water from any other source that has not been boiled should definitely be treated. We used a SteriPEN. It destroys over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa using a UV light. It is USB rechargeable, and one charge is good for an estimated 50 liters. Note that as you get into higher elevations, there will be fewer outlets available and cool weather also has negative affects the battery. Some tea houses charge a fee to recharge. Another good option for water purification is using chlorine tablets. They are lightweight and can be bought in Thamel or along the trail. We brought both just to be safe.

Sleeping bag  

It is important to have a warm sleeping bag when trekking in Nepal. At lower elevations, the sleeping bags can be used with the zipper open, and at higher elevations, you will be grateful for the extra warmth. When choosing a sleeping bag, temperature rating is one of the most important considerations. I recommend a 3-season down sleeping bag with a temperature rating from 15°to 30°F (-10°to 0°C). Quality down has the highest warmth to weight ratio of anything on the market. We rented sleeping bags from our trekking company to minimize our luggage for the flight. The ones below excellent quality and are the brands we use on all of our other treks. The Alpinlite is the warmest and the Hummingbird is the lightest. 

Gator’s Pick: Western Mountaineering Alpinlite Sleeping Bag

Nuthin’s Pick: Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 20 Sleeping Bag

 Trekking Poles

I like to hike with trekking poles, particularly Leki Makalu Lite Cor-Tec Trekking Poles. I like these poles because they are sturdy, easy to adjust the height for terrain, and portable. When traveling on a plane, they easily fit inside my carry-on backpack. When I first started using trekking poles on the PCT, I had ultra-light carbon fiber trekking poles which were not sturdy enough for my style of hiking. In my case, the Lekis are worth a tiny bit of extra weight.

 Stuff Sacks

 I use a few varying sized stuff sacks to organize my backpack. I have separate stuff sacks for clothes, toiletries, and electronics. The stuff sacks are also waterproof to help keep things dry in case of rain. I use a waterproof compression sack for my sleeping bag which helps to reduce the space the sleeping bag takes up in my pack.

 Sea to Summit Stuff Ultra-Sil Dry Sack

 Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Dry Sack

Nuthin and Merci with our guide and porter on the Annapurna Circuit

CLOTHING

Choosing the right clothes to bring on your trek can make the difference between an amazing experience and hypothermia. In cold weather, we usually dress in several layers, sometimes up to four. Try to pick clothing that has wicking properties like a polyester/nylon blend which dries quickly and is breathable. These are some of our favorite picks.

Base Layer/Sleeping Clothes

Having a pair of sleeping clothes is nice when you get settled at the teahouses, you can change into something other than your hiking clothes. This keeps your sleeping bag a little bit cleaner. They are super light and comfortable to sleep in.  They are also great for using as a base layer on really cold days.

Gator’s Picks:

Patagonia Capilene Lightweight Long Underwear Crew Top – Men’s

Patagonia Capilene Air Base Layer Bottoms – Men’s

Nuthin’s Picks:

Patagonia Capilene Lightweight Crew Base Layer Top – Women’s

Patagonia Capilene Lightweight Long Underwear Bottoms – Women’s

Mid Layer/Thermal Layer

This layer should provide insulation to help keep you warm. Merino wool is a popular option because it is comfortable and warm. Another benefit is its wicking ability – it is able to still insulate when it is wet. It also has antimicrobial properties to help keep down the smell after several days without washing.  Although we prefer merino wool it is slightly less durable than its synthetic counterparts.

Gator’s Picks:

Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Quarter-Zip Top – Men’s

Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Bottoms – Men’s

Nuthin’s Picks:

Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Quarter-Zip Top – Women’s

Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Bottoms – Women’s

Outer Layer/Jacket

We recommend using a down jacket. Quality down, again, has the highest warmth to weight ratio of anything else on the market. There are two downsides to using down: it is really expensive and it does not insulate when it is wet. Despite the negatives, we still use the hooded Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody. It is an 850-fill jacket and weighs only 10.3 oz (292g). It compacts down small and even zips into its own pocket. This jacket is extremely warm and also wind resistant. When trekking on the APC, I used this jacket every single day. Fleece is another good option as it is cheaper and insulates well when wet. It will also weigh double for the same warmth.

Gator’s Pick: Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody – Men’s

Nuthin’s Pick: Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody – Women’s

Raincoat

A good soft-shell jacket can be used for two purposes blocking the wind and keeping you dry. I always keep my raincoat in the top compartment of my backpack so that it is easily assessable in case of sudden rain. We’ve used the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket on our hike in the PCT, the Haute Route in Switzerland, and Annapurna Circuit now. It holds up well and is lightweight at 6.4oz (181g).

Gator’s Pick: Men’s Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket

Nuthin’s Pick: Women’s Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket

Hiking Shirts

These hiking shirts are lightweight long-sleeved shirts that can be rolled up and secured with button tabs. There is mesh under the arm and a vented upper back to allow for breathability. There are two deep pockets on the chest that you can easily store items. One of my favorite features is that the seams on the shirt are not placed on the tops of the shoulder. This doesn’t seem like anything fancy, but it prevents rubbing underneath the straps of your backpack. Having two shirts allows for alternating between a clean and dirty shirt while trekking, and also a few color options for pictures.

Gator’s Pick: REI Co-op Sahara Solid Long-Sleeve Shirt – Men’s

Nuthin’s Pick:  REI Co-op Sahara Solid Long-Sleeve Shirt – Women’s

Hiking Pants

When picking a pair of hiking pants, you want ones that are durable. Try to look for material that stretches. This allows for ease of movement and comfortability. It also helps if they are water resistant and quick dry. Having two pairs of pants will allow you to alternate between clean and dirty pairs while trekking. We did laundry every few days. Prana is one of my favorite brands for hiking pants. They are very thoughtful in the design and pay attention to details. The seams are double stitched, allowing for more durability. There is also a cinch belt system to allow for fluctuation of weight.

Gator’s Pick: Prana Stretch Zion Convertible Pants

Nuthin’s Pick: Prana Halle Pants

Underwear

Underwear is very particular to the individual. I like Patagonia, their material is soft and wicks away moisture. Gator swears by good ole classic Hanes boxers. There is not too much you can write about underwear.

Gator’s Pick: Hanes Ultimate Men’s Plaid Boxer

Nuthin’s Pick:  Patagonia Active Hipster Underwear

Socks

Darn Tough Socks can’t be beat. They are made from some of the toughest merino wool but are still incredibly comfortable, wick away moisture, and are breathable. Even better, when your socks wear out and get a hole, Darn Tough are guaranteed for life. Just submit a form online, mail in old socks, and they will replace them for free. We used these socks on the PCT, and they are the only socks that Gator and I now use.  We brought three pairs each to the APC. Pro tip: Use safety pins to pin wet socks on the outside of your pack to dry them.

Gator’s Pick: Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Cushion Socks – Men’s

Nuthin’s Pick: Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Cushion Socks – Women’s

For the Ladies: Sports Bras

A good sports bra should be comfortable and wick away sweat. My favorite style is a racerback which prevents rubbing from backpack straps. I use a bra that has medium support and is seamless. I try to avoid bras that have elastic at the base because it is uncomfortable and when I sweat it stays wet. Patagonia is one of my favorite brands for undergarments.

Nuthin’s Pick: Patagonia Active Mesh Sports Bra 

Warm gloves

We brought a nice pair of Arc’teryx Venta Gloves to wear and they weren’t warm enough. They seemed more like driving gloves and weren’t able to keep our hands warm in the high winds and cold. I wouldn’t bring these gloves in particular. Bring something that can stand below freezing temperatures and simultaneous high winds.

Headlamp

When trekking in Nepal, you will not be doing any night hiking but will want a headlamp for evenings at a teahouse. A headlamp is handy for navigating your way around, as most rooms only have one light and bathrooms are shared. We bought a headlamp in Thamel for about $1.50 in a new package. After I opened it, the headlamp was dirty and I realized it was used and repackaged. It worked well for what I needed it for though, and for the cost, I can’t complain.

Trail Runners (or boots)

Both Gator and I use trail runners instead of boots. They are designed to support and protect the foot on rugged terrain. The sole of the trail runner is stronger than a tennis shoe and has more support at the heel to prevent ankle injuries. There is more aggressive tread on a trail runner to allow for grip on wet rocks and various terrain. A trail runner allows for ample movement of the ankle. The ankle can adapt to the terrain minimizing the impact on other parts of your body. Another benefit of trail runners is they are breathable which allows them to dry quickly. I would discourage opting for footwear with GorTex, which encourages sweating and encourages blisters. If your trail runners get wet, take out the insoles of your shoes to allow them to dry overnight. A shoe is very particular to the individual hiker, so it’s important to find what is most comfortable for you.

Gator’s Pick: La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Runner

Nuthin’s Pick Salomon X-Mission 3 Trail Runner

Nuthin walking out of Chame

TOILETRIES 

When hiking, there is no need to bring extra items. Toiletries is an area where you really won’t need as much as you think you do. Only bring the basics for proper grooming. When hiking on the Annapurna Circuit, it is important to carry toilet paper with you. Most of the teahouses do not have toilet paper in the bathroom, but it is available for purchase along the way if needed.

• Hand Sanitizer
• Toilet Paper
• Safety pins
• Classic Swiss Army Knife
• Chapstick
• Compact Hairbrush/Hair ties
• Toothbrush
• Pack towel
• Travel sized toothpaste
• Travel sized shampoo
• Any other personal needs: contacts, contact solution, etc.

For the ladies:

• Diva Cup

Having your period is inevitable sometimes while hiking. A menstrual cup is an alternative to tampons or pads and one that I find more comfortable to use. I used a Diva Cup while hiking the PCT, and have never stopped. You can wait for a convenient time to empty and clean it. I use wet wipes or water.

FIRST AID KIT

It can be handy to carry a few essentials for situations that can go bad! If you are traveling with a guide and porter, they will usually carry a first aid kit. Diamox is a medicine to help with high altitudes to prevent altitude sickness. For more information about Diamox check out our guide.

• Diamox
• Ibprophen/Tylenol
• Imodium
• Other personal medical needs

MISCELLANEOUS

Your Dog

Everywhere we travel, we bring our dog Merci. She makes a great trail dog. Read our article about the Requirements for Getting Your Dog into Nepal.  For ideas on gear for your canine companion check out Merci’s backpacking packing list. 

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