Brooke’s Backpacking Kit: Nepal

This past March, I was beyond privileged to be able to go on one of my dream trips to Nepal and backpack the Manaslu Circuit. I STILL can’t even believe I was there! It doesn’t feel real. Speaking of real-being able to stand and walk amongst the giants that are the Himalayas… PINCH ME!  I’m not sure if I will ever see or experience mountains like that again in my lifetime. They were beyond my wildest dreams!

This trip wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies though. As with any adventure, there were a lot of challenges and adversity I had to overcome. With a country as extreme as Nepal and home to the largest mountains in the world- that was all kind of a given. But I have to say- all things considered- having the right gear and clothing made the world of difference.  It reminded me that half of the battle of being in the great outdoors (and in life) is being prepared.

Editor Note: This posts author, Brooke, is a contributor to Fatmanlittletrial.com. Check out more of Brookes adventures at Brookeitlist.com. Some items in this blog were sent for the purposes of testing and review. This site uses affiliate links. If you click a link or button and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Opinions on this site are our own and may differ from yours.

The Trek: Manaslu Circuit

High altitude gains, steep ascents and descents, rocky and uneven paths, dense forests, rivers, endless suspension bridges, open valleys, yak pastures, teahouses traditional Tibetan villages, monasteries, glacial valleys, snow capped peaks, expansive alpine landscapes, hair raising mountain roads-just a few of the many sights and sounds I experienced while taking on  the Manaslu Circuit. It was the most diverse trek I’ve ever done and no day was ever the same!  We went at the end of March, which is considered Spring time in Nepal. When we started the trek, it was HOT the first couple of days walking those dirt roads. I remember my friend, Ian, cracking a joke asking if we were in the Bahamas or the Himalayas. Luckily, as we started to ascend and reach higher elevations, the weather naturally became cooler. We experienced all of the seasons in those 10 days on trail and even the off days in Kathmandu and Pokhara. 

Brooke’s Best Nepal Backpacking Kit

My friends and I decided that we did not want to hire a porter and would carry everything that we needed the entirety of the trek. Luckily, we only needed to carry our clothing, water, snacks, toiletries, and sleeping bag in our backpacks since we would be staying in teahouses. The diversity and extremity of this terrain did require bringing a variety of clothing, as well as our casual days in town and long travel days home. I knew I had to be very intentional about every piece that I put into my pack.

I used a few things of my own, but I also did get to test out some new gear from companies I’ve never worked with before! With everything those giant mountains threw my way, I was able to thrive in all of the challenges and stay as comfortable as one could. All of these products passed the test with flying colors! #WINNING

Cotopaxi Cambio Jumpsuit in Silver Leaf

This jumpsuit was the perfect casual pick for Kathmandu! I wanted to wear something that was respectful of the culture (not showing shoulders/ anything above knees) and allowed me to look pulled together, yet also be extremely comfortable with all of the walking and eating we would be doing. The lightweight nature of the jumpsuit kept me cool despite the heat and felt buttery soft against my skin all day. It was the perfect transition color for Spring time and fit true to size.  

Something I thought was worth mentioning was the wrinkle resistance of this piece. When I pulled it out of my backpack after 31+ hours of travel to Nepal, there were only slight wrinkles, as you can see above. I was impressed considering it had been folded up for so long and I had no access to iron it out real quick!  I’ve worn this jumper several times since returning home to Pennsylvania and know I will continue to all Spring and Summer long.

Paka Women’s Essential Mid-Rise Brief and Minus 33 Women’s Wool Black Bikini Briefs/ Slate Blue Boyshorts WOOLVERINO + Paka  Underwear

While I won’t be posting any pics of me in any undergarments here, Paka and Minus 33 were so kind to send me underwear for this trip. And scouts honor- I loved both brands so much! I told Greg when I received them that I felt like Tom Cruise in Risky Business. I wanted to dance around the house in these (and may have) as they were so comfortable and fit me so well. 

I’m not going to tiptoe around the realities of being a woman, but between our bodily fluids, sweat, and all of the other pressures on the trail with our lady parts- these undies kept me so fresh and so clean.  When I’m not showering for days at a time (just light wipe downs) and want to make sure there are no scents from any parts of my body- a good pair of underwear are vital.  We were also hiking at the very least 5- 10 hours a day…. at altitude….. with big elevation gains. It was a lot on the body and a whole lot of sweat!  

Both of these underwear are made from two different sources. Paka is made from Alpaca wool and Minus 33 is made from Merino wool.  The Paka underwear were incredibly soft and moved with my body, yet always felt secure. The lightweight fit and the all natural fibers were gentle on my skin and the waistband did not cut into me at all. I barely felt like I had underwear on! I really loved the Paka for the softness and hypoallergenic properties/ sensitivities. 

The Minus 33 boyshorts and bikini briefs felt more solid and structured, yet didn’t limit any range of motion at all. I’d describe them as an athletic, shapely fit and they formed perfectly to my body.  I really loved the temperature regulation, moisture wicking, and durability of these underwear. Even though the feel and materials were different, they both proved to provide great odor control, no chafing or irritation, full coverage on the buttocks, non-restricting, and fit true to size.  Ultimately, these smaller companies have a really great product and a really great thing going for them! Huge fan of them both! 

Paka Alpaca Wool Crew Socks

I just love Paka! Everything I’ve tried from their brand has been an absolute delight and is SO soft on the skin, including these socks they sent me! The brand gave me three pairs of the Alpaca Wool Crew Socks to go on my trip. I know there’s only so much you can say about socks, but what I will say is that I felt like I was walking on sunshine in them. I keep mentioning the terrain and the diversity of it in this blog, but it’s important to mention it with the significant pressure it puts on the body. We were on some pretty rough terrain and constantly tackling large ascents that would drop into continuous large descents, especially in the beginning.  The socks kept my feet dry, comfy, blister and odor free the entire journey! 

Danner Wallowa Nylon Sandals in Midnight + 2650s

I wrote a review about my experience with Danner 2650 before here, but I loved them so much that I brought them on this adventure. I wrote in my last review that I had never backpacked with them, but I can say for certain that I’m so happy that I brought them. My feet took a beating those 10 days on the Manaslu Circuit and they helped ease the pain. 

On top of my tried and true 2650s, Danner also sent me the Wallowa Nylon Sandals to bring along. Danner just does not disappoint! I loved the versatility of these sandals and that I could wear them with my Cotopaxi jumper casually around town to showering in the hotels in Kathmandu/ Pokhara to all of the teahouses. From cute to clean to cozy- yes, yes, and YES! 

There were a few things to point out about the sandal. Despite it being extremely durable, solid, and secure- Wallowa isn’t a heavy product. I was worried that would’ve been an issue and would add weight to my backpack, but that wasn’t the case at all, I felt no difference. I also loved the padded heel strap helped my foot feel secure, but didn’t detract from the comfort. It only added to it and kept my feet comfy and supported. 

Another thing to mention is that Danner has the Vibram® Traction Cascade Outsole- a revolutionary lug shape with texturized micro lugs increases surface area for optimal traction on any surface. One of the best parts of these sandals is the great traction! The grippy nature saved clumsy ol’ me many times, especially in the slippery hotel showers I took in town. They were open showers with no doors and looked like a big splish splash zone in the bathroom afterward! These sandals were what I didn’t know I needed for that and so many parts of this trip. A true here,there, and everywhere sandal! 

Minus 33 Women’s Racerback Tank Top WOOLVERINO in Slate Blue

Minus 33 may be a smaller company, but their products are top notch! I have so many positive things to say about this merino wool tank. It’s not even Summer yet and I’ve already worn the heck out of it. It has easily made its way into my lineup of favorites! 

The WOOLVERINO is soft and so incredibly light.  Tank tops can be tricky sometimes for me fit wise, especially since I started lifting weights again and building muscle. I’m an hourglass shape with strong broad shoulders, and a small bust and waist. While pieces generally fit me well, I always have trouble finding tanks that don’t hug up against my armpit. This cut was perfect and there wasn’t any uncomfortable restriction with my arms.  The wide racerback design and scoop neck looked and felt great on my build. Not too big or too small -it fit just right and was true to size! 

Despite being ultralight, the tank is solid. I used it as my main layer the first two days of the Manaslu when we walked on exposed dirt roads in shockingly hot weather. The dramatic inclines and declines in elevation gain were endless.  Cue the profuse sweating. The merino wool kept me cool, was breathable and moisture wicking, and dried really fast when it got wet from my sweat or after washing it on the trail.  Overall, a very durable and reliable piece. 

Paka Sol Hoodie in Supernova

Things that I love more than a super breathable, light weight, odor resistant, sun protective piece in the great outdoors: 0. This multifunctional hoodie was a real treat to bring along on this adventure. It can be used as a first layer or midlayer, but I opted to wear it as a first layer and on all of the days that were moderately warm- warm. It’s true to size and offers a very relaxed fit.

I keep mentioning how soft Paka is, but let’s really drive it home again: Paka feels like a baby’s bottom on your skin. Is there anything softer than that? If so- that’s Paka!  The material is made of a blend of alpaca fiber natural and tencel. It was very ideal for the warm weather we experienced. The thermoregulating properties allowed me to adapt easily to the ever changing temperature and weather conditions we experienced, and kept me fresh and comfortable after prolonged use.

  Sun protection is huge to me as a model and as someone who has a family history of skin cancer.  This hoodie has many features to reduce risk of sunburn and harmful UV ray exposure. From the crossover hood that guarded my ears, face, and neck to the thumb holes that protected my hands- it provided all of the necessary sun protection that I value. Overall, this hoodie has great breathability, temperature regulation, and resistance to odor in high intense activity.

Smartwool Intraknit Active Base Layer Pants/ Top in Twightlight Blue- Pool Blue and Intraknit Pullover Arctic Green

As someone who lives a year round active lifestyle, a good merino wool base layer is essential. The primary responsibility is wicking the moisture away from skin and keeping you dry and comfortable when you sweat, which is vital for regulating body temperature.  It’ll help you stay warm when it’s cool and cool when it’s warm by effectively managing that moisture. I was excited that I’d get to try out Smartwool, which is a long time favorite brand, and the company’s Intraknit Base Layer Top, Pants, and Pullover.  

The base layer top and pants are a slim, tight fit and hug every curve on the body.  After a while, they do stretch out a bit, but overall they were a perfect distraction free, supportive fit.  The pullover was more relaxed on the body and gave you just enough room without making you look like a stuffed sausage. I used it as a midlayer on this trek, but also many times on its own or as a trail-to-town top and I loved the kangaroo pockets and that it was very multifunctional!

I used this active base layer set/ midlayer interchangeably many times during the Winter in the Northeast of the US on snowy hikes and cooler Spring days, as well as my trip to the Himalayas. When I was in Nepal, I wore the Smartwool at bedtime and when we would make our big ascent up to Laryke Pass (highest point on trek) at almost 17,000 ft.  On Day 8, we would arrive at Dharamsala (14,600 ft)  and rest for the night before heading up to Larkye.  Ask me how I know that the weather dropped down to 15°F  that evening? I was camping in a tent and cuddled up in my sleeping bag in every layer I brought on trek! I’d wake up the next morning, at 3:30 am, hitting the ground running in this set and head up the pass in 19°F.  Whewwwwwwww! I can feel that chill in my bones just thinking of it!

I couldn’t have slept well or hiked the most challenging part of this trek without these pieces! These base layers helped me stay warm and effectively regulated my body temperature in the extreme nature of those 24 hours. On the large ascent (2,000ft +) up to Larkye and the even larger descent (5,000ft +)  down to Bimthang,  the Smartwool provided excellent moisture management, optimal insulation, odor resistance, and the mesh ventilation helped keep my body dry and comfortable the entire day. The best part of it all? All without bulk! 

Marmot Minimalist Pertex Rain Jacket and Pants

Oh, Marmot! How I love thee! I grew up in a ski family and have used this brand for as long as I can remember. My mom also worked at a ski shop for over 20+ years and out of all of the brands she could dress us in, we often found ourselves in Marmot when heading outdoors. It’s pretty reasonable in pricing vs others brands, but it’s always been one of extreme quality and dependability too. 

Even though we did not get any rain in Nepal,  I did end up getting to test out the products in the Spring storms of Pennsylvania when I got home.  The pieces were a minimalist backpacker/hiker and lightweight gear junkie’s dream! They lived up to their claims of being waterproof, windproof, breathable, and extremely lightweight. As far as sizing, I was sent a Medium in both and felt the fit was perfect. I was able to layer underneath the pieces comfortably, even though I could’ve sized up to a Large, in pants, for a little extra comfort. But I had two base layers underneath the one day 🙂 

Marmot Minimalist Pertex Rain Jacket in Matcha

I LOVE bright colors! They’re easy to find outdoors, in my hiking and biking, and photograph great, especially a color like this Matcha. But that’s only the icing on the cake of the Minimalist.  The real highlight of this 2.5 layer jacket is how lightweight (11oz) and packable it is, yet the construction is durable and dependable.  I loved that it was light enough while in my backpack or whenever I wore it.  It never once restricted any motion!

Some of my favorite features were the pit zips, which allowed me to vent any heat or moisture; the fixed hood with peripheral adjustment; hand pockets for easy access to my snacks and other small items when I was all strapped in. The Minimalist also has extra protection features to keep the rain out such adjustable wrist cuffs and a drawcord elastic waist. The Pertex® Shield  Revolved Fabric is made from 100% recycled polyester and is waterproof, windproof, and breathable. Overall, this jacket was the perfect fit for me and allowed me to layer underneath while remaining extremely comfortable and keeping me dry.

Marmot Minimalist Pertex Rain Pants

These 2.5 layer waterproof and windproof shell pants really do the job! As I mentioned above- although it didn’t rain while I was in Nepal, I used these pants (and jacket) when I got back home on several rainy hikes in the woods. Though lightweight, the pants were extremely durable and offered total protection from the heavy precipitation I got bombarded with, as well as a few wind storms. Even in Nepal, these were the perfect outer layer for the weather elements and kept me a very dry and happy hiker.  

I’m really a big fan of the lightweight nature (10 oz) of the Minimalist. It’s so convenient for travel and any time that I had multiple layers that I had to put on underneath. It never felt like I was carrying any extra weight on my body! I also loved the dialed fit on the waist and the ¾ length side zips at the cuffs, as it made it quick and easy to slide pants on/off with shoes. These pants seemed to just make everything on trail easier!

Minus 33 Lightweight Ridge Cuff Beanie 

Oh, look! Another product that I love by Minus 33. Are you seeing a pattern here? I really, really like this brand and they make such quality products.  If you want style, comfort, and warmth- this Merino wool hat is your best bet! 

Although I wore this hat several times on the trek, the one night that really sticks out was on Day 8.  We stayed at Dharamsala (14,600 ft)  and I camped out in a tent that night in 15°F. To say it was cold was an understatement! I had so many layers on in my sleeping bag trying to stay warm. I didn’t want to wear anything bulky to bed, so I opted for the Ridge Cuff Beanie. This small hat packed a big bang and maintained breathability while keeping my head warm and itch free the entire night!

For a hat that is so lightweight, I didn’t expect it to keep out the cold and wind so well.  I loved the versatility of it and how you could cuff/ uncuff for extra warmth or a slouchy look/ expanded hat size, which was great for a big head like mine! Lightweight, breathable, warm and super packable without bulkiness- this hat is a true gem! 

Arcteryx Rho Hybrid Insulated Bottom Women’s

I want to preface that Arcteryx did not send me these pants, but I did love them so much that I wanted to include them. The Rho Bottoms were my most used item on the trek. I wore them as my main base layer and used them for everything- hiking, winding down, long and scary jeep rides to/from the trek, and back in town in Pokhara.  Even though I’d consider them more snug and fitted to the body, they offered plenty of freedom and range of motion to help me effectively climb the Himalayan mountains. The snugger fit allowed for layering easily when we got up to higher elevations and still managed to be extremely comfortable and thermally efficient with great moisture management. They were light weight, stretchy, breathable and their Coreloft™ synthetic insulation provided a high level of warmth without bulk. I’d highly recommend them!

Royal Robbins Evolution Joggers

Even though I was sent these joggers when I went to Peru in 2024, they made their way on another international adventure this year. Heck, they make it on a lot of my trips, as they are my most used clothing item! I still wear them at least 3-4x a week for anything and everything.  You can see my review here and why I love them so much.  I used these pants for my long travel days, to and from Nepal, that totaled 72 hours! Whew! They kept me cool and comfortable all of those hours of sitting on flights and in airports. 

Thermarest Air Head Down Pillow and Parcsec 20F/ -6C  Sleeping bag

Tried and true and the very best: my Therm-a-Rest sleeping bag and pillow! See review here.  We had bare bones, as far as sleeping accommodations, in the teahouses and would put the sleeping bag and pillow on top of what was provided. This dynamic duo kept me warm, comfortable, and helped me get as good of a sleep as one could at altitude.  It will be hard for me to ever veer away from Therm-a-Rest. I’ve yet to find or use better products for my ZZZzzzZZ’s! 

Brooke’s Final Thoughts

My trip to Nepal was the most challenging one of my life. I don’t even know where to begin with that, but I’ll eventually write about it all one day. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I’m so happy that I went, but it wouldn’t have been half of the journey it was if I didn’t have all of the gear I brought.  Like I mentioned earlier- being prepared is half of the battle. I could, at least, rest well at night and move as best as I could knowing that I had quality products for optimal sleep and performance. Everything kept me as cool and comfortable as one could be in a setting as extreme as Nepal. I loved how every piece worked together and made me feel confident with each step I took.

Every product that I use definitely changes up for every adventure and need at that time. Just because I loved these products and they worked for me- your experience may differ. We are all different humans with different needs, wants, builds etc. I think the most important thing to do is thorough research, get fitted and try out the gear, and talk to a professional at a local store. And of course- test it out on the trails!  Every little detail matters in what you bring on trek and can make/break your experience.  Happy trails AND happy backpacking, friends!