Hi all
Im heading to nepal to do APC in November this yr. I want to buy most of my gear over there as i have heard it is a lot cheaper than buying it here in oz. Is this a good idea - i only have one afternoon to shop before i board a bus to Pokhara. Is it easy and quick to find and is it good quality? Gear i am looking at buying includes - hiking clothes (pants, jackets), hiking poles, sleeping bag etc. Any advice on where to shop, how much these things cost approx, would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers, talei
ozzietalei
3
petrus
Yes, gear is a lot cheaper in Nepal, but if you want to buy quality gear you pay the same or more than in the west.
99% of the gear sold in KTM is "fake", meaning it is not related in any way to the brand sticker it carries. Most shops are honest about this as far as selling the stuff cheap, some others try to pass the stuff as real and try to get high prices. Some shops actually have genuine western brands, and they never sell cheap.
Clothes: fleece is a fleece is a fleece, to a large extent. Get them in Nepal. Shell jackets are labelled Gore-Tex, but nobody knows what the materials really are. They do work fine for trekking as long as you do not expect them to keep water out or ventilate sweat away. Tecnical underwear is hard to find. As are good boots & trail shoes. Trekking pants etc are available, but not in modern quick drying stretch materials.
Sleeping bags: cheap and quite OK for that price. Down is low quality compared to western standards, like what we had 25 years ago.
Backpacks: they look impressive and are cheap, but the carrying systems are shit. Modern western packs have many really hi-tech thermomoulded parts, way beyond the cababilities or know-how of sweatshops putting the knock-offs together. Also the details and quality are of low standard. Daypacks are OK, as they are more low-tech anyways.
Summa summarum: you can get your gear in Nepal, but do not expect to get western quality or brands cheap. In truth all porters and locals have even worse clothing and they survive, so why not you.
4
into-thin-air
Hi
I more or less agree with the above posters
If you aren’t going to be taking up hill walking as a serious hobby then just rent the gear that you need, either in Pokhara or Kathmandu – there isn’t a lot of difference in either quality or price
If you want to buy, then the sleeping bags available are ok and both those and the down jackets will keep you warm enough.
The cotton trekking pants are fine, the fleeces are ok until you have to wash them, then they look more like an out of shape horse blanket.
But I would buy (and break in) your boots before leaving home, same for your rucksack and any technical clothing, underwear / wick-away etc that you need
I have written up the ABC trek which will give you an idea of what to expect (under sports travel / accommodation) + Hotel, Shops and Restaurant tips around Nepal IF you want to take a look at
My Nepal Trips
Happy Trekking
Rob
5
estel
Is Asian gear really that bad? Mmm, I bought a couple of 'North Face' double fleece and interlined jackets last year in Leh and they have been absolutely great for trekking in them throughout autumn and winter past. The fleece certainly hasn't lost any quality when washed, and washed it I have. I also bought an unbranded pullover hooded jacket. It was made for me by a Ladhaki tailor: soft, warm, light and fleece lined, it has been fab on the mountain and everyone wants to buy when they see it on me. I'd say if you're discerning the same way you'd be at home and know a bit about fabrics and finishings, a well made fake could turn out to be a great buy. I agree with into-thin-air about bringing your broken-in boots, though. Just in case you'd lose the soles on route. It happened to me... with a real pair of non-fake of true brand gore-tex certified boots which I'd bought at a brand-full-to-the-brim trekking gear shop in the French Alps. LOL.
6
zenking
Best bet is buy the essentials in OZ. That would include as a must boots! i would also try to throw in a good jacket, pack and thermal underwear... and even sunglasses (as you never want to damage your eyes). after that you could rent/buy in Nepal. But, and this is a big one, you never know what you are really getting overseas. I have seen peoples cheap but "good" pants and shirts fall apart after a few days on the trail. Sleeping bags that are good to +20 poles that break, etc... But yes, fleece is pretty well fleece :) But anything technical could be total crap.
For myself I take everything from home, tried, tested and true, but thats just me and some people have great luck with rented gear.
The cost in Nepal is very little compared to home. I cannot remember the exact prices, but I do remember it was dirt cheap...
Also when i was in KTM there was a North Face (real...not fake) and the prices seemed a bit lower..but not much lower...
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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