What to Wear While Trekking in Nepal?

With some of the most challenging yet beautiful trekking routes of the world, Nepal is a dream come true for trekkers and many adventurers want to experience the breathtaking landscapes, towering peaks, and unique cultural experiences of Nepal.

Having said that, there seems to be a constant confusion regarding what to wear while trekking in Nepal as the clothing items significantly depend on the climatic conditions and the season of trekking in Nepal.

Therefore, in this blog, we have compiled a detailed description regarding what to wear while trekking in Nepal, regardless of the season. This can be your standard packing list for your Nepal adventure.

Layering System: The Key to Comfort

Given the varied terrains of Nepal, no matter how much you research and pick the perfect season for your trek, there are always chances that you will see a sudden change in the climatic conditions.

Therefore, it is always best to be prepared for any challenge ranging from scorching sun and humid environment to sudden rainfall and freezing temperatures.

The best way to prepare yourself for these conditions is to opt for layering. Layering system is the most effective way to be comfortably dressed for trekking, as it allows you to adjust your clothing according to the changing climatic conditions.

The following layers and clothing items are typically the part of a good layering system for trekking:

Base Layer

As the name suggests, the base layer is supposed to be the innermost layer and the foundation of your layering of clothes. As it is the closest layer to your skin, it is responsible for wicking away moisture to keep you dry and comfortable.

When you’re trekking, your body generates heat and sweat, and if that moisture lingers on your skin, it can lead to discomfort, hypothermia, or chafing. So, to prevent this, you should pack appropriate base layer.

The clothes for this layer should be thermal, synthetic, or any other technical fabric like merino wool and polyester as it provides breathability, wicks moisture, as well as resists the odor.

Don’t pack materials like cotton as this material holds moisture and can make you cold, rather pack any quick drying material. If you are trekking during winters, thermal base layers are the best to keep you warm.

Base layers can include short and long sleeved shirts for the upper body, and moisture wicking leggings for the lower body.

Mid Layer

The mid layer of your clothing while trekking in Nepal is mainly responsible to trap the heat generated by the base layer and to keep you warm during the challenging conditions of the trek.

While allowing the moisture to escape, this layer regulates your body temperature as you move towards higher altitude where there is a significant drop in the temperature.

However, the type of the mid layer that you will pack and its thickness solely depends on the season when you will be trekking and also the type of trek and the highest altitude that it will take you to.

One of the most popular choices for mid layer during trekking is a fleece jacket as it is lightweight, breathable, and gives you the required warmth without adding much weight or bulk to your body. Not to forget, it is also quick drying which can be a big plus during trekking conditions.

While trekking during winters or going up to higher altitudes, you can carry a down jacket or a synthetic insulated jacket for additional warmth. These jackets keep you warm, are lightweight, as well as packable.

However, one demerit is that a down jacket loses the insulating properties when wet, so it is important to keep it dry. Thus, synthetic insulated jacket can be a better option to tackle with wet climatic conditions. You can also consider carrying a soft shell jacket as your mid layer.

Usually, mid layer includes clothing items like insulated vest and down jacket for upper body, and fleece-lined trekking pants or softshell pants for your lower body.

Rather than investing in new down jackets and increasing your overall trekking cost, you can opt for rental options. At Ace the Himalaya, we provide down jackets for rent to our trekkers at an additional cost.

Outer Layer

Also referred to as the ‘shell layer’, the outer layer is essential to provide you protection from all the elements like rain, wind, snow, and even occasional hailstones that you might encounter.

This layer basically acts as a barrier between you and the harsh climatic conditions. Therefore, the outer layer that you choose should be waterproof, windproof, and breathable.

There is no specific season to pack an outer layer as the climatic conditions in Nepal can change at any given time. So, it is best to carry a shell layer while trekking during every season.

You can opt for a hard shell jacket, soft shell jacket, or a waterproof layer like a raincoat. Hard shell jackets are the best options amidst these as they make for the perfect outer layer.

These jackets are designed to block out moisture while still being breathable, ensuring you stay dry without overheating. Look for a jacket with a hood for additional protection against rain and wind.

In mild weather conditions, a soft shell jacket can double up as both middle and outer insulating layer. However, these provide only mild wind and water resistance as compared to the hard shell jacket.

Ideally, your outer layer clothes should include a waterproof, windproof jacket with taped seams and breathable fabric and waterproof trekking pants or rain pants. Convertible pants can be a good and sustainable option as well.

Trekking Footwear: A Major Essential

Needless to say, your feet are the most important assets while trekking in Nepal. And the kind of footwear that you invest in can significantly make or break your entire trekking experience. So, it is of utmost importance that you get the right footwear.

Trekking Shoes

If you invest in mid range boots or normal trekking shoes, you might experience several challenges like sore feet, blisters, foot pain, as well as many other injuries due to slipping.

However, having the correct trekking shoes and socks can save you from most of these problems. Given the challenging and rugged trekking trails of Nepal, you should invest in a good quality of trekking shoes.

A good pair of boots will provide support, grip, and protection on uneven and sometimes treacherous paths. You should look for certain features while buying your footwear for trekking in Nepal:

• Ankle support: Trekking shoes with good ankle support reduce the risk of injuries and sprain, which is a common phenomenon while ascending and descending on the treacherous trails of Nepal.
• Sole and Grip: You will be trekking on trails filled with soil, mud, and snow which can be quite slippery to walk on. So, opt for shoes with a thick, durable sole with deep treads to provide excellent grip and stability, and avoid slippage.
• Waterproofing: There are high chances that you might encounter sudden rainfall while trekking. Waterproof trekking shoes can help keep your feet dry in these conditions. You can also wear gaiters for additional protection.
• Insulation: While trekking in cold weather or going to high altitude regions, consider boots with insulation to keep your feet warm in freezing temperatures and avoid getting frost bites.

However, for lower altitudes or spring and autumn treks, non-insulated boots should be sufficient, as insulated boots can cause your feet to overheat.

• Comfort and Fit: Comfort is the most important thing during long duration of trekking. So, you have to make sure that your trekking shoes are well broken in. Check your fit as well.

Make sure that your shoes fit well, with a little room in the toe box to prevent your toes from hitting the front of the shoes. This can significantly reduce your shoe pain and blisters.

Socks

Socks are as important as shoes when it comes to keeping your feet comfortable during the trek. Wrong types of socks or lack of socks can cause blisters, cold toes, and wet feet which can cause many problems during the trek.

When getting socks for trekking, avoid getting cotton socks as they retain moisture. Rather get merino wool or synthetic blends that wick moisture and provide insulation.

You can also layer a pair of liner socks under your socks to reduce friction and in turn prevent blisters.

Gaiters

To add a final layer of protection in the trekking footwear department, you can use gaiters as they protect your trekking shoes from obstacles like mud, snow, debris, and any other animals and insects as well. They can be particularly useful during monsoon or snowy trekking conditions.

Ice Cleats

Although not necessary, ice cleats and micro spikes can help you trek easily if the trail is covered with snow, especially in the months of winter.

Other Essential Clothing

The essentials of what to wear while trekking in Nepal are not limited to just the basic layers of clothing and important footwear. There are other essential clothing items too that you need to carry:

Headwear

While trekking for long hours in high altitude areas, you are most likely exposed directly to the harmful rays of sun at all the times. Also, while trekking during extreme winters, you might need extra warmth around your head.

Therefore, headgear is essential to protect you from the harmful rays of the sun while still allowing you to indulge in the warmth of it, and also to provide extra warmth during winters.

Depending on the season when you are trekking, you can either carry hat or cap for summer, and woolen caps, beanies, monkey caps, and balaclavas while trekking in Nepal.

Wearing a cap is the best option to prevent issues like sunburn and heat stroke. A cap also shields your eyes from the glare so that you can completely enjoy the majestic view.

At Ace the Himalaya, we give you a free baseball cap during the pre-trip meeting.  Also, wearing a scarf or a neck gaiter during the trek also protects you from getting sunburns while also providing additional warmth on cold days.

Handwear

While your entire body is covered in different layers, leaving your hands exposed is rather unfair as it makes your hands extremely vulnerable to the freezing cold temperatures of high altitude region.

Keeping your hands unprotected can lead to frost nips or frost bites and even swollen hands and fingers due to cold. There are many items that you can carry for comprehensive hand protection while trekking in Nepal.

Liner gloves can help in wicking away your sweat, providing additional insulation, breathability, and quick drying properties. Opt for lightweight gloves made up of technical fabric so that you can wear it as base layer on colder days.

Shell gloves make for a great outer layer over the insulated ones helps to provide an additional layer of protection and warmth, especially on wet and windy days. Go for the waterproof ones to shield you against the moisture even during snowfall.

Trekking Accessories

Beyond the clothing items, there are many trekking accessories that are small and can potentially be neglected during packing, but they play an important role in making your trek comfortable.

Some such items include:

• Backpack
• Daypack
• Trekking Pole
• Sleeping Bag
• Sunglasses
• Sun Protection
• Insect Repellant Cream
• Undergarments
• Well Stocked First Aid Kit
• Toiletries (Preferably Biodegradable)
• Quick Drying Towel
• Hand Sanitizer
• Wet Wipes
• Women’s Hygiene Items- Sanitary Pads, Tampons, Menstrual Cups
• Reusable water bottle
• Hydration bladder
• Extra copies of passport-size photos
• Water purification tablets or small filters
• Pillowcase
• Waterproof/dry bags for carrying important documents and money
• Rain covers/Bag covers

Clothing Care While on the Trek

While trekking in Nepal, you will obviously be carrying limited number of clothes to keep your backpack light. And as you will be trekking in remote conditions, you might not get a chance to purchase new clothes everywhere during the trek.

Therefore, taking proper care of your clothing while trekking becomes essential to ensure that your gear lasts throughout the journey and keeps you comfortable. You can take the simple steps listed below to do so:

Drying Wet Clothes

There will be many instances during the trek where your clothes might get wet and drenched. If your clothes get wet from rain, sweat, or stream crossings, do not leave them wet.

Try to dry them whenever you stop at a teahouse or camp. Hang them outside in the sun or near a stove. Quick-drying fabrics like merino wool or synthetic materials are ideal to carry while trekking as they dry faster than cotton.

Layer Management

Don’t wear all your layers at once. It is best to save your warmer layers for the evenings when there is cold wind. Wearing many layers while trekking can lead to sweating, which can chill you when temperatures drop and you might fall sick.

Cleaning Clothes

On longer treks, you may need to clean your clothes. While many treks in Nepal including the Everest Base Camp Trek have laundry options now, you might still not get it on every trek.

Carry a small amount of biodegradable soap and wash your clothes in sinks (where allowed). Do not directly wash them in the rives as it pollutes the water sources.

Storing Dirty Clothes

Keep your dirty and wet clothes separate from clean ones in your backpack. Use dry bags or plastic bags to avoid contamination and odor transfer. But make sure to carry this plastic bag out after the trek and not hamper the ecosystem of the trekking area.

Caring for Footwear

After a day’s trek, remove insoles and loosen the laces to let your boots air out. If trekking in wet conditions, stuff them with dry clothes or newspaper to absorb moisture overnight. This can keep your footwear in good condition till the end of the trek.