TREK READY: Gear

(a) Not yet – I need to get onto it.

• Get the appropriate gear list for your trek e.g. from your trekking company, trekking gear shop, or search for your trek on the internet. You can also download our trekking and hiking gear lists here.
• Assess what gear you have and what you’ll need to get. If you’re going on an organised trek, find out whether any gear will be provided by the trekking company.
• It’s useful to store your gear list electronically in a spreadsheet or an app (e.g. the Packing List Checklist) , so that you can personalise it and also refine it after each trek that you do.

(b) Mostly – I’ve got the list but need a few things.

• Acquire any gear on your list that you don’t have – the earlier the better, to give you chance to test it out before your trek and find out what works for you.
• If you’re buying it new, seek out trekking shops for good advice in-store, or online trekking gear suppliers. Buying secondhand is another option. See our resources page for stores we recommend. We’ve also written a post on waterproof wide-fitting hiking boots.
• You might also be able to borrow gear from friends or hire the gear e.g. from your trekking company or local trekking shop.
• Sometimes there may be options to buy or hire gear at your destination – but do your research first as you can’t necessarily guarantee quality, availability or price. For example in Kathmandu there are plenty of trekking shops and you can hire from places like Shona’s Alpine Store in the tourist area of Thamel. In the Everest region you can also find gear sold in some of the larger villages en route on your trek, such as in Lukla and Namche Bazaar (along with very good coffee and apple pie!), which is useful if you’ve forgotten or need to replace anything.
• Learn from others who have done the trek what else might be useful – research your trek online, including YouTube. For example for Himalayan treks we recommend wearing a buff or bandana, partly for warmth or sun protection but also for putting over your mouth to prevent inhaling dust and smog from Kathmandu streets, plus once at altitude it helps create moisture to breath in the dry conditions. See our posts on different treks around the world for more ideas or feel free to contact us.

(c) Yes! Got it, checked it, and I have everything.

• Double-check in case there’s anything specific to this particular trek, region or country that you might need that you’ve not needed before on previous treks you’ve done e.g. gaiters, boots with higher ankle support, bear spray, micro-spikes etc.
• Check customs restrictions for the country you’re going to, and know what you can or can’t take in. For example Australia and New Zealand have strict biosecurity rules on bringing food into the country (amongst other things), and you must also declare any items that have been used for sporting or outdoor activities. Try and remove any obvious dirt from your hiking boots, as if they don’t meet the standard required they’ll take them away for cleaning.
• Check airline restrictions so that you’re clear what you can carry on-board and what must be checked in. For example, spare batteries usually have to be transported in the package they were bought in, and carried on-board. 

(a) No, they’re still in the box.

• Get them out of the box! Or if you need new boots, ideally buy them at least 2-3 months before you go so that you can wear them in. Make sure your boots are appropriate for the type of trek you’ll be doing e.g. good grip, sturdy, enough ankle support, waterproof etc. You might like to check out our post on waterproof wide-fitting hiking boots. Balance sturdiness with weight of your boots – keep in mind the saying ‘one pound off your feet equals five pounds off your back’.
• Try out your boots on a short walk, e.g. 1-2 hours, to see how they feel. Take some plasters in case of any blisters.

(b) Somewhat – I should probably wear them out again before my trek.

• Start wearing your boots on longer day walks/hikes to wear them in more, and to find out any issues that crop up with longer wear.
• Make any necessary adjustments to make them comfortable and test them out again e.g. liners or insoles.  We like sheepskin liners for extra comfort underfoot. We’re also big fans of Hikers Wool (or similar brand) to add padding on any spots that get sore – a great way to prevent blisters, hotspots or just to add comfort.

(c) Yes – they feel like slippers to walk in!

• If your boots are well worn in, check for any wear and tear that might cause issues on your next trek e.g. cracks on the soles, broken or worn out laces. At the very least test them out before you go on your trek.
• Ensure your boots are clean (no mud) before taking into countries like New Zealand or Australia which have strict customs biosecurity regulations, to save waiting while they clean them. It’s also a good idea to take a scrubbing brush with you so that you can clean you boots before travelling after your trek.

(a) No – put it on my to do list.

• Start by testing the critical gear you need to be able to trek and survive e.g. your boots (see above) and your backpack.

(b) Partly – I’d better have another look.

• Check that all your gear is in good condition i.e. that nothing is broken and that it works e.g. your headtorch
• Ensure you know how to use everything e.g. how to adjust and use your trekking poles, how to adjust your backpack, how to use bear spray. This makes for a better trek as you’ll know your gear works for you, and your’ll be familiar with it – you won’t stress so much if you’re having to get ready quickly or are trying to manage in cold, windy conditions.
• Know what accommodation to expect and anything specific that you’ll need to get, or test out e.g. a sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, tent lighting etc

(c) Yes – all good.

• Check you have tested gear in the conditions (weather or terrain) you could expect on your trek e.g. try your raincoat in pouring rain, or your gaiters in muddy or snowy areas, or your sunhat in hot and windy weather, or accessing your snacks/water/camera with gloves on in freezing conditions.
• Don’t forget to try out the food you’ll be taking with you. Don’t buy special things for the trek that you’d not like to eat at home or that you haven’t tried first – don’t assume that you’re suddenly going to like it on your trek when you’re really hungry and need some motivation.

(a) No, I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that, I like my extensive wardrobe!

• Know the weight limits for the airlines you’re travelling on (domestic and international) and also for porters that you might be using on your trek.
• 15kg (33lbs) – etch this one on your forehead if you’re going to the Everest region. Even though weighing in at Lukla airport can be a tad farcical, whatever you’ve read or been told – 15kg is the limit (10kg kit bag plus 5kg backpack). Though having a jacket with lots of pockets can assist with carrying those extra goodies.
• If you are borrowing or hiring gear from your trekking company remember to factor in this weight or take your own lighter weight gear e.g. a sleeping bag and mat plus down jacket could be anywhere up to 6kg!
• Adhere strictly to the packing list provided by your trekking company – take the right gear and not too much or too little. Try and find lighter weight gear options where feasible.
• Know what you’ll be expected to carry each day e.g. a day pack vs all of your gear
• When estimating how heavy your day pack will be, don’t forget to factor in the water you’ll be carrying.

(b) Sort of – if I’m honest with myself I could probably take out a few things.

• Be strict when deciding what you’ll take. Work out what is ‘must have’ vs ‘nice to have’ and try to reduce the latter as much as possible.
• If you’re having your overnight bag transported for you (e.g. by porter) then minimise what you carry in your your day pack as much as possible
• Minimise the weight of each item of gear or clothing as much as possible e.g. use lightweight woollen clothing, which you can wear for a few days and which quickly dries if you need to wash it. In the comfort of home it’s hard to imagine changing your hygiene standards, but once on the trek you’ll soon get used to not showering every day and wearing the same clothes!
• You often need less than you think e.g. wear merino t-shirts for 3-4+ days then change. Ideally rotate socks each day, but you can still wear them again without washing. Have fresh dry clothes and socks to change into at night. Consider what you might want to wash along the way (take eco-friendly detergent). Some teahouses may have laundry facilities as an extra luxury e.g. Namche Bazaar in the Everest region.

(c) Yes, it’s not too heavy and packs away easily.

• Find out how you’ll get fresh water each day and when, and factor in how much water you’ll need to carry e.g. your trekking company may fill bottles at breakfast and lunch, or breakfast only. Or water may be available from streams – know how to use steriliser if appropriate. If you’re trekking through villages then you might be able to buy bottled water along the way.

(a) No – now that you mention it, I should probably check it out before I go.

• Identify what you use already when doing any fitness training or hiking e.g. knee or ankle straps, boot liners etc – and decide what you’ll need to take with you
• Ensure it’s tested out and fine-tuned e.g. that you know how to use sports tape if you use it

(b) Mostly – there’s one or two things I should check.

• Identify any issues that have cropped up since your last trek e.g. injuries or illnesses that have had lasting impact – and ensure they’re catered for
• Maybe there are new solutions out there that you’ve not tried before – do your research on this site or other trekking resources.

(c) Sure have – I know exactly what I need to make the trek comfortable.

• Identify any other issues you haven’t addressed before, or that might be a specific issue on this trek e.g. headaches at high altitude, knee problems on extra steep terrain, neck or shoulder pain from carrying extra heavy backpacks etc. See if you can find a solution e.g. see your physiotherapist, doctor or get advice from your trekking company.
• Have a dentist checkup before going on a long trek. You ideally want to avoid needing any treatment in a different country or in the wilderness.