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Where can I rent or buy hiking gear in Kathmandu, Nepal?
Thamel street in Kathmandu is a core backpacker’s destination in Nepal. This is where you start your hiking journey and where your hotel would likely be located! It has virtually everything a traveler would be looking for. From a one-star (or standard!) guesthouses to luxurious 5-star hotels, groceries, hiking and trekking gear, local food stalls and restaurants, laundry facilities, local markets, hair salon, spa center, and many more!
The hiking gear rental cost in Kathmandu
You can get gears that are OK for the duration you intend to undertake, as is appropriate if you are on a budget journey. These are the list below you can save money and space in your bag if you consider renting hiking gear while packing for Nepal trip.
| Gear | Size & Temperature | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeping bag | 10’C to -15’C | USD 1 per day |
| Down Jacket | 5’C to -10’C | USD 1 per day |
| Hiking boots | Any size | USD 1 per day |
(Depending on the quality and size the cost might vary +/- $ 0.5C (NPR 50)
Buying hiking gear in Kathmandu
Mostly Nepal or China made knockoff brands of Northface, Mountain Hardware, Marmot, etc. are available to buy. The quality you get is almost like the original, you cannot tell the difference, and they are good enough to last at least five different long treks unless you are a bit on the extreme. The prices are fair. You will also be able to find original Mountain Hardware, Northface, Marmot stores in Kathmandu, and they may be more expensive than in your own country due to import and other taxes.
Cost of Trekking Gear in Kathmandu
| Gear | Size | Cost Items |
|---|---|---|
| Backpack | 55l to 65l | USD 45-65 per bag |
| Daypack | 25l-35l | USD 25-35 per bag |
| Hiking shorts | Any size | USD 20-25 per piece |
| Hiking pants | Any size | USD 25 – 30 per pice |
| Hiking shirts | Any size | USD 15 – 20 per pice |
| Thermal set | Any size | USD 10-15 per pair |
| Warm fleece upper wear and bottom | Any size | USD 20-25 per pear |
| Warm hat | Any size | USD 3-5 per piece |
| Trekking pole | Any size | USD 5 – 10 per pair |
| Windproof gloves – USD 5-7 per pair | Any size | USD 5 – 10 per pair |
| Wollen hiking shocks | Any size | USD 2-4 per pair |
| Scarf | Any size | USD 2 – 5 per pice |
| SunGlasses | Any size | USD 5 – 10 per pice |
| Headlight | Any size | USD 15 – 20 |
| Water Bottle | Any size | USD 3 – 7 per bottle |
Note: The retail prices are in the local currency, but this is to give you some idea in equivalent USD. On average USD 1 = NPR 100. Please open the link here for the day to day conversation rate of NPR with the different major currency which is accepted in Nepal. Some shops may accept major currency (USD, CAD, AUD, GBP, and Euro), but the exchange rate might be slightly lower than what you could get in a bank or money exchange counters.
How to find hiking rental shop in Kathmandu
You must be around Thamel streets, or if you live outside, you should consider traveling to Thamel (a small touristic town in Kathmandu). It is relatively easy to find a store to buy but not easy to find a rental store. A rental warehouse is generally not on the main street. They are behind the wall, hidden beneath the main road. The best way to find them is to ask your guide or the agency you belong to. No deposit or advance payment is required for renting. For independent trekkers, you can ask your hotel for the locations.
- Kalapatthar Trekking Store – Satghumti Thamel (Cheap buy and retailer shop)
- Goreto Gear Traders – Bhagatibahal Marga (Rent and buy)
Should I bargain when buying or renting gear in Kathmandu?
The answer to these questions is a bit tricky, and sometime it might turn out otherwise if you do not know the market prices. It will be helpful if you could first visit a couple of trekking shops and inquire about the costs. Another best approach would be to let the shopkeeper know that you have already been to a couple of other places for the same gears. That means it’s a business and they are willing to go as low as they can consequently you will have a higher chance of getting the best deal. However, the prices for rental gears are mostly fixed and fair. There is no space for haggling as the cost depends on the quality, and differences are minimal.
Down Jacket Price in Kathmandu
As mentation already, you can’t hike high altitude without a proper hiking jacket. But in fact, I am trying to pull out the information on, How much does it “cost to buy Down Jacket in Kathmandu Nepal”? Depending on the quality and the material, you can buy Down Jacket between USD 30-80, which is good enough for multiple hikes.
Tips for Buying Knock off Down Jacket in Kathmandu Nepal
When buying a cheap knock off the brand, you should make sure If the down quality is smooth enough. The best way to measure down quality is you should feel with your thumb and index finger If they almost meet each other. While without is should still look puffy and bubbly. The next thing you want to check is the quality of the outside layer. To do so, blow air using your moth and see if the external layer blocks the wind. If it’s made with good quality material, it should prevent the air, or If the quality is not right, you may want to look for the next piece. It is annoying If the down Jackets feather starts escaping from inside out. Eventually, it will stick all-around your inside layer, and you almost look like a chicken. It mostly happens if you buy a jacket which has the poor down quality and thin insulation. You want to make sure the padding inside the jacket is formed in the highest quality layer.
Conclusion
I remember, when I was in China, we stopped by one store to check the price, I was scolded and miss behaved by the shop owner because she thought I wasted her time not buying anything from her. But remember, Nepal is not like that at all. They might tempt you to buy their stuff as this happens anywhere in the world, but no one will misbehave for just checking their prices. Wherever you go or even if you do not buy a thing from them, they will still send you home with a big smile.
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