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Tried and Tested: The Best Trekking Gear for Everest Base Camp

Trekking Everest Base Camp in December – What Worked, What Didn’t, and What I Wish We Had Brought!

In December 2024, my husband, Ravi, our 17-year-old son, Kiran, our 11-year-old, Gabriel, and I set off on the adventure of a lifetime—trekking to Everest Base Camp. It was breathtaking, it was brutal, and it was cold. As in, -27°C at Gorak Shep kind of cold. No snow, but plenty of icy winds and bone-chilling mornings that made us grateful for every warm layer we packed.

All the gear I’m recommending here has been personally tested by me (and if it didn’t work, my family let me know loud and clear). There are also a few things I wish we had brought—because nothing teaches you the value of good gear like 10 straight days of hiking at altitude.
Full disclosure: Some of the links here are Amazon affiliate links, which means if you buy through them, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. But rest assured—I’m only recommending things that actually worked for us. If I bought something in Kathmandu instead of online, I’ll mention that too.
Now, let’s get into the gear that saved us, the things we could have left behind, and the mistakes I hope you don’t make!
Packing list

Merino Wool Base Layer – The Ultimate Trekking Companion!

We packed eight pairs—two each—for our trek, and let’s just say, we chose wisely. Warm, breathable, and naturally odor-resistant, these base layers were essential for long days on the trail and freezing nights in the Himalayas. One for hiking, one for sleeping—because nothing feels worse than climbing into a cold sleeping bag in sweaty clothes!
When picking base layers, GSM (grams per square meter) matters. It’s the thickness of the fabric:
👉165 GSM – Ultralight, great for warm weather
👉320 GSM – Heavy-duty, ideal for extreme cold
👉250 GSM – Our choice! The perfect middle ground—light enough for trekking during the day but insulated enough to keep us warm at night. And trust us, that warmth mattered when temperatures hit -27°C at Gorak Shep in December.
Bonus! This set comes with a free pair of merino wool socks—because if there’s one thing you can never have too many of on a trek, it’s fresh socks!

Joypur 1L Collapsible Water Filter Bottle – Survival & Trekking Essential

Perfect for Hiking, Backpacking, and Everest Base Camp
When trekking to Everest Base Camp, having safe drinking water is non-negotiable. That’s why we packed the Joypur 1-liter collapsible water filter bottle, and honestly, it was a solid choice.
We went with the 1-liter size, which provided plenty of water without adding too much weight. The bottle was lightweight and clipped easily onto the outside of our backpacks. Drinking from it took a little getting used to—if you’re not familiar with sports-top bottles, it might feel like a bit of a workout for your cheeks—but once you get the hang of it, it’s no big deal.

These bottles were a lifesaver on the trail. We could confidently refill from streams, taps, and teahouses without worrying about what was lurking in the water. The locals were always happy to fill them up for free, and each morning before setting out, our guide made sure we had fresh water from a clean source. No chlorine tablets required, which meant no water that tasted like a swimming pool.

Bonus? When empty, these bottles pack down small and light, making them easy to stash in our bags without taking up much space.
One limitation? You can’t add electrolytes directly to the bottle because of the built-in filter, which is why we also packed Contigo bottles for that—more on those later.

Final Verdict?

If you’re trekking EBC, the Joypur 1L Collapsible Water Filter Bottle is a must-have. It gives you clean water anywhere, saves you from chlorine-flavored regret, and packs down light when empty

Since we are on the topic of water filtration, let’s talk about some solid options to ensure you have access to safe drinking water on the trek. The last thing you want is to be that person stuck in a teahouse with an upset stomach while everyone else is out enjoying the Himalayas.
There are plenty of ways to purify water along the trail, and while boiling water is a common practice, keep in mind that at higher altitudes (like Lobuche and Gorak Shep), water boils at a lower temperature (around 70°C). This means not all bacteria are killed, so having an extra layer of filtration or purification is always a good idea.
Here are some great water filtration and purification products that other trekkers (and myself) have found useful:

1. Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System

👉 Why it’s great: Lightweight, compact, and easy to use. It attaches to the included pouches, standard disposable water bottles, or even your hydration pack. Removes bacteria and protozoa—perfect for backcountry adventures and international travel.

2. Katadyn BeFree Water Filter

👉 Why it’s great: Super easy to use and collapsible, making it a great space-saver in your pack. Fast flow rate and reliable filtration—ideal for filling up on the go at streams or taps along the trail.

3. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

👉 Why it’s great: Classic and foolproof—drink straight from a stream, a tap, or a questionable-looking water source. It removes bacteria and protozoa, but it doesn’t filter out viruses, so keep that in mind.

4. SteriPEN Adventurer Opti UV Water Purifier

👉 Why it’s great: Uses UV light to destroy bacteria, viruses, and protozoa in water. A good backup option if you want something compact and easy to use, but it does require batteries or charging.

5. Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets

👉 Why it’s great: Small, lightweight, and an easy backup. Just drop a tablet in your bottle and wait for it to do its magic. It does leave a slight taste, but it’s better than drinking untreated water.
💡 My Advice? Bring at least two methods—one for everyday use and one as a backup. I used a filter bottle most of the time, but I kept water purification tablets in my pack in case I ever needed them. Other trekkers swore by UV light purifiers, and some just paid for boiled water at the teahouses. Whatever you choose, just make sure you have a plan—hydration is key at high altitudes, and staying healthy means enjoying every step of your trek! 🚶‍♀️🏔

RoyPow 30W PD Portable Charger – The Lifesaver Power Bank for EBC

I know what you’re thinking—why carry the extra weight? I asked myself the same thing before my trek to Everest Base Camp. But hear me out.
I’m a writer, and my MacBook is my lifeline. Three years of work—my book, my baby—was on that laptop. The idea of leaving it in a hotel in Kathmandu? Absolutely not. So, I decided to invest in this little beast of a power bank.
Yes, it’s bigger than your average pocket-sized charger, but it’s worth every ounce (and trust me, when you’re climbing to 17,500 feet, you feel every ounce). My daypack weighed 8kg (~17.6 lbs), and I carried it myself. I could’ve gone old-school with just a pen and paper (and yes, I did that too), but having my laptop meant I could document the journey in real time.

Why This Power Bank Was a Game Changer:

  • Powered My MacBook – No way was I draining my laptop battery on day one. This baby kept it alive.
  • Saved the Boys’ Phones – When Kiran and Gabriel’s phones died, this was their backup.
  • Avoided Costly Charging Fees – At higher altitudes, teahouses charge $5 per device to charge electronics.
  • Worked in All but One Teahouse – One lodge’s solar power was down, but every other place charged this power bank just fine.
  • Powered Our Infrared Heating Pad – Hiking is brutal. We brought a small heating pad with infrared light for muscle aches—it needed 12V, and this power bank handled it like a champ.
  • Essential for Camera Batteries – You don’t want to reach Base Camp only to realize your camera battery is dead.

Would I Take It Again?

Absolutely. Even if you’re not bringing a MacBook, this power bank is a lifesaver at the higher-altitude teahouses. In December, we were lucky—the lodges were nearly empty, but I’ve heard that in peak trekking season, outlets are in high demand. Most rooms don’t have outlets, and the common areas have only a few for the entire lodge. If you’re sharing space with dozens of other trekkers, good luck getting a spot.
So yeah, I’m glad I took it. If you want a reliable backup for your phone, camera, GPS, or even a small heating pad, this is the way to go. 🚀

Portable Charger with Built-in Cables – A Trekking Must-Have

These slim 10,000mAh power banks were absolute lifesavers on our trek. We each carried one, and they charged our phones multiple times on a single charge—which was a huge deal when we couldn’t charge our phones at the teahouses.

What makes these even better? Built-in cables! No digging through your pack at the end of a long day, searching for the right cord. Everything stays together, ready to go when you need it.

Oh, and we got them in different colors—because with kids, knowing whose is whose saves you from at least one meltdown a day. It’s the little things that make a difference!

Osprey Tempest 40L Women’s Hiking Backpack – The Pack I Should Have Taken

Alright, let’s talk about backpack regrets. I went into this trek thinking I was being smart by buying our daypacks in Thamel. “It’ll be cheaper!” I told myself. And sure, it was—until my knockoff, no-name brand pack started falling apart before we even reached Base Camp. The pockets tore, the zippers fought me every step of the way, and by the end of the trek, it was hanging on for dear life. Lesson learned.

If I could do it again, I’d take the Osprey Tempest 40L.

Why? Because Porters Are Not Your Daypack

The porters go ahead. Their job is to carry your big bag, not to stop every five minutes so you can fish out a snack or an extra layer. If it’s not in your daypack, you’re not getting it until camp.
And if you ask them to unpack their perfectly tied, Tetris-level balanced load, they will give you a look. A look that says, Why did you even pack this in there?

What Needs to Be in Your Daypack:

  • Puffer and waterproof layers – Because the weather changes its mind faster than you do.
  • First aid kit & blister bandages – Trust me, hot spots turn into blisters fast, and stopping to fix them early is key.
  • Snacks – Because hanger is real at high altitudes.
  • Electronics – GoPro, portable charger, wires. Basically, anything you don’t want tumbling around in your duffel.
  • Headlamp, gloves, extra socks – Because you never know when you’ll need them.
And, as the mom on this trek, guess whose backpack became the dumping ground for everyone else’s stuff? Oh, you don’t want to carry your water bottle? Hand it to Mom. Your gloves are making your hands “too hot”? Give ‘em to Mom. Didn’t think you’d need that extra layer? Guess where it’s going?
The 40L size is perfect for all these essentials and would have fit my laptop too. (Yes, I carried my MacBook to 17,500 feet because I’m a writer, and my book is my baby.)
I’d rather have a pack I can use again, not one that barely survives a single trek. The cheap knockoff bag I bought? It made it to Base Camp… and straight into the trash when we got back.
You could do what I did and grab a $30 backpack in Thamel… but trust me, by the end of the trek, you’ll wish you had this one instead.

Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug with AUTOSEAL Lid, 16oz – Our Go-To Mug at Everest Base Camp

When we were prepping for our trek to Everest Base Camp, we knew we needed a reliable way to carry hot drinks throughout the day. After some research, we landed on the Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug, and honestly, it was a game-changer.

Why We Chose It:

👉Made of stainless steel, so no worries about putting boiling water in plastic.

👉The AUTOSEAL lid prevents leaks, which is great when tossing it in a backpack.

👉Retains heat well—our tea and hot water stayed warm for hours, which was perfect for those freezing mornings.

How We Used It on the Trek:

👉Every morning, we’d fill it with boiling water at the teahouse. Whether we added tea or just drank it plain, it was great to sip on as we hiked.

👉At night, we’d fill it before bed—by morning, it was the perfect temperature to drink, without waiting for it to cool.

👉While we also bought bottled water for the kids to mix their electrolytes, I personally preferred this mug over the ice-cold bottled water available along the trail.

Some trekkers opt for plastic jugs for carrying hot water, but I wasn’t comfortable putting boiling water in plastic, even if it was rated for high temperatures. The Contigo West Loop was the perfect alternative—durable, safe, and reliable. If you’re heading to EBC (or anywhere cold), I’d definitely recommend packing one!

LEKI Khumbu Lite Hiking Poles – To Trek with Poles or Not?

The thing about trekking poles is that you can spend a small fortune on them or go cheap and hope for the best. We went with the cheap route. The ones I posted here are the brand we got, but honestly, I couldn’t find the exact ones we picked up in Thamel—these were just the closest match on Amazon.
Would I buy them in Kathmandu again? Absolutely. We paid $10 per pair—so $40 total for four people. Considering how expensive a trek to Everest Base Camp can get (especially when you’re outfitting a whole family), this was an easy place to cut costs.

And you know what? They worked just fine. In fact, I planned to leave them behind at the end of the trek, but we do a lot of hiking in Europe, and somehow they made it home with us. The brand we got was LEKI (or something suspiciously similar), and honestly? They held up great.

Now, let’s be real—I barely used mine. Halfway through the trek, I shoved them in my pack because they were getting in the way of my GoPro filming.
As for the rubber tips? Ha. Mine made it two whole days. My kids? They lost theirs on day one. Not surprising.
At the end of the day, trekking poles are a personal preference. Some people swear by them, others can’t be bothered. If you have a great pair at home, bring them. But if you’d rather save some cash and pick up a pair in Thamel, go for it. Either way, your knees will thank you on the way back down!

33,000ft Women’s Zip-Up Fleece Jacket – My 5-Star Mid-Layer Choice

I took two of these fleece jackets—one in blue and one in burgundy—and wore them every single day. They were the perfect mid-layer over my base layer, keeping me warm when I needed it but not too bulky for trekking.

The kids packed hoodies as their mid-layer, and honestly, they worked great for them. But for me? This fleece was a game-changer. The inside pockets were perfect for keeping my joypur water bottle from freezing or stashing my portable charger so I could sneakily charge my GoPro or phone while hiking.

During the day, when the sun was out, I’d heat up fast and would have to wrap the fleece around my waist. But at night? I lived in it. I swapped into my burgundy one for sleeping—layered up with my base layer, puffer, winter coat, neck warmer, hat, and gloves, but thats a different story.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Five stars. Take two. You’ll thank me later.

Classic Red Rubber Hot Water Bottle – The Ultimate Trekking Hack

I took two of these fleece jackets—one in blue and one in burgundy—and wore them every single day. They were the perfect mid-layer over my base layer, keeping me warm when I needed it but not too bulky for trekking.
The kids packed hoodies as their mid-layer, and honestly, they worked great for them. But for me? This fleece was a game-changer. The inside pockets were perfect for keeping my joypur water bottle from freezing or stashing my portable charger so I could sneakily charge my GoPro or phone while hiking.
During the day, when the sun was out, I’d heat up fast and would have to wrap the fleece around my waist. But at night? I lived in it. I swapped into my burgundy one for sleeping—layered up with my base layer, puffer, winter coat, neck warmer, hat, and gloves, but thats a different story.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Five stars. Take two. You’ll thank me later.

Classic Red Rubber Hot Water Bottle – The Ultimate Trekking Hack

This was a game changer. Cheap, lightweight, easy to pack—I can’t recommend these enough. We took four of them on our trek, and let me tell you, they became the best part of our nightly routine.
Every evening, while we were huddled around the stove in the teahouse, we’d hand these over to our guide. He’d return them filled with boiling water, and into our sleeping bags they’d go. Instant warmth, all night long. I looked forward to this after a long, cold day of trekking.
💡 Bonus: These stayed warm until morning, so we used the water to wash up and brush our teeth—because let’s be real, anything to make that freezing morning routine a little easier is a win.
❌ What we didn’t do? Drink from them. These aren’t designed for that. Some trekkers will use a plastic water bottle as a makeshift heater and drink the water in the morning, but I wasn’t comfortable with that.
🚨 Heads-up for Lobuche & Gorakshep:
At those altitudes, water boils at 70°C (158°F)—not hot enough to kill all bacteria. If you’re planning to drink boiled water, you’ll still need a filter or purification tablets.
Final verdict? Bring one. Or four. You won’t regret it.

TOOCABEAR USB Portable Heating Pad – The Ultimate Teahouse Comfort Hack

This little game changer was worth every ounce in my pack. Lightweight, packs flat, and powered by a portable charger—what more could you want?
Each of us brought our own power bank (because sharing is not caring when it comes to warmth), and this heating pad pulled double duty. Not only did it provide some much-needed relief for sore muscles after long trekking days, but it also worked brilliantly as a pillow warmer. Just lay it over the teahouse pillow, turn it on, and enjoy toasty warmth all night—because trust me, those rooms get COLD at altitude.
If you want a little extra comfort during your trek, I highly recommend this. You’ll thank yourself later.

GoPro HERO13 Black – Capture Every Epic Moment at Everest Base Camp

If you’re trekking to Everest Base Camp, do yourself a favor—bring a GoPro HERO13 Black. This little beast is waterproof, shoots stunning 5.3K60 video, and can handle the dust, snow, and extreme conditions of the Himalayas like a champ. It was incredible to have this camera with us, capturing every breathtaking sunrise, every grueling uphill climb, and every victory dance (yes, there were victory dances) along the trail.

Pro Tip: Bring the Long Endurance Batteries

The cold at high altitudes drains batteries faster than you can blink—seriously. I made the mistake of not upgrading because my GoPro is an older model, and they don’t make those batteries for it. So, I did what any desperate content creator would do—I slept with my GoPro batteries in my sleeping bag to keep them warm. Not ideal, but it worked!
If you’re bringing the HERO13, stock up on long endurance batteries so you don’t miss out on those once-in-a-lifetime shots just because your camera died at 17,000 feet.

Don’t Forget a Selfie Stick!

A selfie stick or extendable mount is a must. The landscapes are unreal, and having a wide-angle shot with you in the frame makes all the difference. Plus, you’ll want it for capturing those epic suspension bridge crossings, mountain panoramas, and the “I made it to Base Camp” moment.

Final Thoughts

The GoPro HERO13 was a game-changer for documenting our Everest Base Camp trek. Whether it’s for epic landscapes, time-lapses of the changing sky, or just recording your delirious altitude-induced ramblings (because trust me, they’ll happen), this camera is worth every ounce of weight in your pack.

Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3 – A Game Changer for Trekking

I bought the Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3 for my husband as an early Christmas present, and let me tell you—it was a game changer.

Why This Clip is a Must-Have

Instead of fumbling with his camera inside his backpack, the Peak Design Capture Clip let him securely attach it right to his backpack strap. With a quick release, he could grab his camera, take a shot, and keep moving without missing a beat—or dropping anything.

Since trekking poles were a must, this clip meant he could keep both hands free while hiking and still have instant access to his camera. It held up securely, even on bumpy trails, and kept his camera handy without adding bulk.

Final Thoughts

If you’re bringing a camera to Everest Base Camp or any serious trek, this is a must. Quick access, no hassle, no missed shots. Honestly, it was probably the best Christmas present I’ve ever given him—and we’ve been married a while!