I am going to base camp in October. I was wondering where to buy the trekking gear? I need to start accumulating slowly.
I dont want to be situation where I bought cheap stuff but when in -20 degree cold, regret not spending few extra dollars. Yet at same time not paying $$$$ unnecessarily for specific brands
What do you guys advice? I literally have nothing at moment.
Trekking Gear - Going to Everest Base Camp in October
yjun355 on 24/02/2016 - 13:03
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^ all the way. Was in a similar situation - when I finally felt that it was miserable and cold, I wish I wouldn't be so hard on my wallet :(
Here is Intrepid's trip note section for Base Camp on what to take. Might be a good starting point.
http://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/nepal/everest-base-camp-946…
I imagine the most important things, which I wouldn't scrimp on, are boots and outer layers. It seems like you can rent stuff in Kathmandu (the place, not the shop) if you find you aren't geared up appropriately.
You can buy Kathmandu giftcards on sale at Woolworths and BigW when they have a promotion on gift cards.
Also if you're in Sydney, the Birkenhead Point clearance store sometimes has really good sales - better than their online/normal shopsUnless it is stuff you need to wear in - like shoes, I would wait and buy it all in one big hit just before you leave and get the GST back with TRS - unless you have another big purchase planned for that trip.
Oh nice, I did this trek in Oct 2014.
Most days were quite warm until you get very close to the top, but nights get very cold. I bought an Outer Limits TrekSmart 3 Season on eBay and it was fine.As sparkles suggested, use the intrepid recommendation as a guide, do a bit of research on features you want from each, and wait for sales at mountain design, kathmandu or other hiking stores.
Yeah really awesome, I'm bloody envious, lol
I did the three high passes trek + EBC and gokyo in October last year!
Sportswear international sell great down jackets, they make them themselves (they sell down jackets that aren't made by them too though), they will keep you incredibly warm but are not made to last years and years and they are a bit bulkier. They are located in thamel. You can haggle prices with SI.
Shonas is another good store in thamel, though they don't budge on prices.
You can buy pretty much everything in thamel. Buy your shoes here in Aus though and break them in, make sure they are good boots!
if you are planning on using the equipment for hikes in Aus then spend a bit more and buy good quality stuff that'll last you. If you only need it for the EBC trek then buy cheap stuff in thamel.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Also I purchased a sleeping bag in thamel and used it only once on the entire trek! I used the blankets provided by the tea houses. Some people would prefer to use the sleeping bag though additionally due to the cold and the fact most blankets smell and have bugs etc
Thanks. Just curious what type of shoes did you get? Im guessing water proof? Did you get them all leather?
They are vasque boots, not all leather but the outer is waterproof gortex material. It works great until you get water inside the boot (which happened a few times to me during river crossings - I was too lazy to take them off and didn't think the water was that deep). My boots were very comfortable and durable but they were incredibly slippery and literally nearly cost me my life across one of the high passes. Find a boot with a good rigid sole. Though if you're only doing EBC you'd probably be fine in sneakers tbh
Thanks
That's a lot for the suggestions. I also found macpacs as well. Will check out sales at these places
Just back from EBC trekking - you can buy everything you need for the trek in Kathmandu (Nepal - not the Aussie retailer) at a fraction of the price you would pay here in Australia.
The only item you need to buy in Australia are trekking shoes - you need to break them in (use them A LOT for at least 3 months prior to the trip) as you really don't want to do the trek with brand new shoes or else you'll develop blisters from day one!
Enjoy the trek - it's a wonderful experience!!!
Thanks. I am arriving on 18th and we staying at Radisson in Kathmandu. Is there particular area to go shopping?
I have bought enough things here including shoes. I got $500 katmandu voucher for $350 on gumtree and been buying stuff on their recent sales. I think I'll buy rest them there. Eg. The poles, neck gator, etc.
As already mentioned by somebody else earlier in the thread go to Thamel - it's an area near the centre of Kathmandu with dozens (perhaps hundreds) of stores selling trekking gear of all kinds. As usual you will find different levels of equipment, perhaps don't settle for the cheapest options but once again you will see that comparable quality with cost you 50% (or less) compared to sale prices for Anaconda / Kathmandu stores in Australia.
Don't go overboard (space & weight is limited when trekking) as if you are missing something you can still buy it on the way to EBC - e.g. in Namche Bazaar - for prices perhaps a little higher than Thamel but still cheaper than Australia.
Plan to have approx 10Kg for the porters and no more than 6Kg for you to carry in your day pack.
Don't worry about taking too many items, after a few days all your fellow trekkers will smell like homeless people anyway ;)
Thanks
Kathmandu's ever so frequent sales will make sure you get a quality product without completely breaking the bank.
But let's be real here — you're going on a once in a lifetime trip to Everest's base camp. Are you going to be more concerned about overpaying for winter clothing, or spend that trip miserable and cold because your goose down jacket for $100 was actually stuffed with bush turkey feathers?