As Kathmandu braces for the winter amid growing power cuts, people have to bundle up to beat the chill. Though pea coats, woolen coats and tweed coats are easily found in shopping malls, warmer and perhaps smarter alternatives are down and goretex.
These materials are primarily used for snowy climates at higher altitudes and are a favorite of those on the trek to Everest Base Camp or other mountain areas. As the jackets are durable, waterproof, wind resistant and provide ample heat, it’s obvious why it’s favored. Although the price for down and goretex is a little steep, a wide range is available in the market with varying price tags depending on the company, material and quality.
At the higher end are jackets from Sherpa. The Nepali adventure gear company that built an international reputation quickly, provides top of the line mountaineering clothes ideal for winter. Almost 90% of its items are made in Nepal and the products come along with a life time guarantee.
Full down jackets can be bought at Rs 13,500. Vajra jackets that are made from the fabric primaloft provide 80% of the warmth of down and can be purchased for Rs 9,750. If you’re looking for something that isn’t as heavy, Sherpa also offers lighter jackets that have mixed materials.
Lekchen wool blends, 54% polyester and 46% wool, are marked at Rs 8,400. At Rs 10,425, Pasang jackets are 48% polyester, 37% wool and 15% nylon. You can find the jackets as well as other winter and trekking gear at the Sherpa store at Narayanhiti Marg.
For those who raise an eyebrow at those numbers, fear not. There are stores in Thamel like Mount Makalu Trading Concern, near Rum Doodle Restaurant, that provide winter wonder jackets at lower costs. A down jacket that can withstand temperature of -10 can be found between Rs 1,800 to 5,000 depending on the type of down.
If the jacket has 90% goose down and 10% feather, it is available between Rs 2,500 to 5,000 depending on the thickness of the jacket and can be worn in temperatures as low as -15. 50/50 mixes of down and feather can be bought for Rs 1,800 to 2500. If you want serious mountaineer down for -20 degrees, it’ll cost you around Rs 12,000.
If those prices are still steep for you, places like Mount Makalu Trading Concern also sell second hand jackets. Pure down and goretex jackets are fixed and refined and sold at the discounted price of Rs 3000. If you’re still not sold, there is always the option of renting a jacket and trying it out before you make the financial commitment. For between Rs 25 to Rs 150 per day, depending on the quality and whether the jacket is old or new, you can give the downs and goretex a test run. Given the cold and the warmth the jackets provide, we’re pretty sure you won’t want to take them off!
It Item
A quick glace around Thamel is all it takes to see the wide range of jackets that are available. Though the options are many, there is one jacket in particular that Republica recommends. Priced at Rs 3,500 at Mount Makalu Trading Concern, the ingenuity behind the jacket alone is worth the price! Made of pure down, the jacket is light and fluffy, but when not in use it can be squished and stored in a little pouch that is a fraction of the jacket size!
The incredible space saving capability is ideal for storing the jacket during warmer months, but should you be traveling to chillier places this is one must-have item that will not cause the seams of your bag burst. Small, light and portable, it can be stuffed in your bag for a day hike that can extend to the cooler evenings. It is warm enough for high altitudes and small enough so you can pack it along with other items you deem essential.
Wear it out or wear it in the house, this jacket is sure to keep you warm without hogging all of your closet space.
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