Several Misconceptions to Avoid
1. Brand-name means quality: The most important factors in choosing hiking gear are comfort and safety, and everyone’s physical condition and needs vary. Blindly pursuing brand names does not necessarily mean you’ll find what suits you.
2. Expert advice is absolute: It’s fine to listen to experienced hikers or experts when you’re a beginner, but don’t follow blindly. Conditions on snowy mountains—terrain, weather, and other safety factors—are constantly changing. Especially in recent years, with climate change, glaciers and snowfields have become even more unpredictable. Sometimes, the conditions and weather can change noticeably between the time you ascend and descend the same location. Therefore, it's more important for beginners to do their homework before setting off rather than relying solely on others' experience.
3. Cheap means poor quality: Hiking gear is not a luxury item. Its value lies in practicality, not price, so you shouldn’t stick to the principle of “not buying what’s right, just buying what’s expensive.”
4. Buy everything: Today, outdoor exploration as an industry has spawned a wide variety of outdoor products. But the choice of hiking gear varies depending on the altitude of your hike. So when selecting your gear, understand your destination well and consider whether you’ll actually use each item. Avoid buying everything you see or wanting what others have.
How to Buy Economical Hiking Gear
1. Buying Hiking Gear for Altitudes Below 4,000 Meters
General principle: Choose economical, practical, and cost-effective gear. Buy only what you need, prioritizing domestic brands.
2. Buying Hiking Gear for Altitudes Between 4,000 and 7,000 Meters
This stage is a transition from amateur to semi-professional hiking, where gear requirements are relatively higher and equipment should be more comprehensive. In principle, use old gear if it's still usable, and save where possible when buying new items—but ensure key gear is of good quality.
3. Buying Hiking Gear for Altitudes Above 7,000 Meters and Technical Snow Mountains
Those climbing above 7,000 meters are generally seasoned enthusiasts, and the gear requirements at this altitude are also high. However, you likely already own many outdoor items. At this stage, focus mainly on upgrading key gear and supplementing any new needs. Prioritize upgrading with professional foreign brands. But buy only what you need to avoid waste.
A. Clothing
1. Below 4,000 Meters
Recommended items: Windbreaker, windproof pants, fleece jacket, quick-dry shirt, quick-dry pants, moisture-wicking underwear, moisture-wicking underwear.
Recommended brands: Domestic budget options such as Polarstar, Kailas, and Toread
Reference prices: Windbreaker 400–600 RMB, windproof pants and fleece jacket 200–300 RMB, quick-dry shirt/pants and moisture-wicking underwear around 100 RMB.
2. 4,000–7,000 Meters
Recommended items: Windbreaker, windproof pants, fleece jacket, fleece pants, quick-dry shirt, quick-dry pants, moisture-wicking underwear, moisture-wicking pants, down jacket, and down pants—most of these should be purchased. Among them, windbreakers, windproof pants, and down jackets are particularly important; opt for high-end domestic products or foreign brands.
Recommended brands: Domestic brands like Polarstar, Kailas, and Osprey; international brands like THE NORTH FACE, VAUDE, MOUNTAIN HARDWARE, and MARMOT
Reference prices: Around 1,000–2,000 RMB
3. Above 7,000 Meters and Technical Snow Mountains
Recommended items: You may need to upgrade your windbreaker, windproof pants, down jacket, and down pants
Recommended brands: High-end products from THE NORTH FACE, VAUDE, MOUNTAIN HARDWARE, and MARMOT
Reference prices: Around 1,000–3,000 RMB
B. Footwear and Socks
1. Below 4,000 Meters
Product selection: If you’re not climbing in harsh environments, you can buy non-waterproof hiking shoes or waterproof ones without GORE-TEX fabric. Socks should have moisture-wicking and breathable properties, and ordinary non-slip gloves are sufficient.
Recommended brands: uplander, voom, Cedar, etc.
Reference prices: Hiking shoes 200–600 RMB, socks under 100 RMB, gloves around 10 RMB.
2. 4,000m – 7,000m
Product selection: Higher requirements for hiking shoes—prioritize high-cut foreign brands with GORE-TEX fabric. Use a combination of quick-drying moisture-wicking socks and wool socks. Gloves should include both ordinary non-slip ones and thick waterproof insulated ones. In addition to sun hats and warm hats, you’ll also need GORE-TEX gaiters.
Recommended brands: Scarpa, Lasportiva, Lowa, Montrail, Asolo, VASQUE, MILLET, etc.
Reference price: Hiking shoes around 1,000 RMB.
3. Above 7,000m (snow mountains and technical peaks)
Product selection: It’s best to purchase your own mountaineering boots, and opt for a larger size.
—one that can fit two pairs of thick socks.
Recommended brands: Scarpa, Lasportiva, Koflach
Reference price: 2,000–5,000 RMB
Beginner Tips
1. Buy only what you need: The primary principle for purchasing anything—what to buy, what level, what function, and when to buy—should be necessity. Simply put, only buy what you need, only buy when you need it, and resist the urge to buy things you won’t use right away.
2. Practicality first: With so many domestic and international outdoor brands available, for novice hikers climbing below 4,000m, standard domestic gear is entirely sufficient.
3. Prioritize cost-performance: The quality difference between some foreign and domestic brands isn’t as significant as their price difference, so some high-priced foreign brands in China offer relatively poor value. If you must buy famous foreign brands, purchase them during sales or promotions.
4. Progress step by step: Mountaineering is a process from beginner to advanced levels—not everyone can tackle 8,000m+ peaks right away. Thus, equipment needs vary at different stages. In the early phase, basic gear is enough; when climbing high-altitude, high-difficulty peaks, invest in more specialized equipment.
5. Assess your own capability: While the passion for mountaineering is shared, everyone’s financial situation differs. Some people buy gear worth tens of thousands to climb, while others can easily summit peaks below 4,000m wearing military boots and carrying a plastic bag.
C. Backpacks
1. Below 4,000m
Product selection: Generally prepare two bags—one small (20–30L) and one large (50–60L). Use the smaller one for regular hikes and the larger one for camping. No need to buy expensive branded packs; if you’re physically fit, there’s not much difference.
Recommended brands: in-way, MANGROVE, etc.
Reference prices: Small pack under 300 RMB, large pack under 600 RMB.
2. 4,000m – 7,000m
Product selection: Choose a lightweight assault pack with a good suspension system, as you’ll typically carry it yourself. The large pack should be spacious enough to hold everything—preferably 70L or more. It doesn’t need to be a famous brand since it’s usually carried by porters or mules; domestic options are recommended.
Recommended brands: Duter, Vavde, Karrimor, Osprey, ARCTERYX, Marmot, etc.
Reference prices: Assault pack under 1,000 RMB, large pack around 2,000 RMB.
3. Above 7,000m (snow mountains and technical peaks)
Product selection: Choose a lightweight assault pack with a good suspension system. The large backpack should be large enough to hold everything—preferably 70L or more. It doesn’t need to be a famous brand since it’s typically carried by porters or mules.
Recommended brands: Duter, Vavde, Karrimor, Osprey, ARCTERYX, Marmot, etc.
D. Camping Gear
1. Below 4,000 meters
Recommended gear: tents, cotton sleeping bags, and moisture-proof mats.
Recommended brands: MobiGarden, Luxe three-season tents, Polarstar, Skyroam, etc.
Reference prices: tents 200–500 RMB, sleeping bags 100–500 RMB, moisture-proof mats a few dozen RMB
2. 4,000 – 7,000 meters
Recommended gear: For altitudes below 5,000 meters, you can opt for MobiGarden or Luxe three-season tents; for above 5,000 meters, go for MobiGarden or Luxe alpine tents. Choose down sleeping bags with a comfort rating of around -20°C. Go for inflatable or foam moisture-proof mats, and prioritize lightweight stoves and cookware.
Recommended brands: MobiGarden, Luxe, Polarstar, Kailas, CAMP
Reference prices: tents 500–1,000 RMB, sleeping bags around 1,000 RMB, moisture-proof mats 200–500 RMB
3. Above 7,000 meters — snow mountains and technical peaks
Recommended gear: Tents are generally not required to be brought by individuals. Opt for down sleeping bags with a comfort rating of around -30°C.
Recommended brands: MARMOT, MOUNTAIN HARDWARE, THE NORTH FACE, etc.
Reference prices: 2,000 RMB and above
G. Electronics
1. Below 4,000 meters
Recommended gear: MP3 players can be replaced by music-enabled phones. Altimeters are not very useful. Team leaders may consider purchasing a basic GPS or a hiking tracker. Frequent hikers should buy 1–2 quality walkie-talkies, which serve as the primary communication tool on the mountain.
Reference prices: basic models 200–300 RMB
2. 4,000 – 7,000 meters
Recommended gear: It’s essential to carry a compact digital camera and a GPS — one for recording experiences, the other for tracking routes.
Recommended brands: LX3 or Canon G11 cameras, Garmin or Magellan mid-to-high-end GPS
Reference prices: cameras around 3,000 RMB, GPS 2,000–3,000 RMB
F. Technical Gear
1. Below 4,000 meters
Generally not needed. Team leaders can bring some technical gear if required.
2. 4,000 – 7,000 meters
Main equipment includes harnesses, helmets, carabiners, figure-eight descenders, quickdraws, slings, daisy chains, and locking carabiners, mountaineering boots, crampons, and ice axes. If you’re not a frequent mountaineer but just occasionally trying it out, there’s no need to buy this gear — you can rent from climbing teams or associations.
3. Above 7,000 meters — snow mountains and technical peaks
Recommended gear: Includes harnesses, helmets, carabiners, figure-eight descenders, quickdraws, slings, daisy chains, crampons, ice axes, etc. These technical items are directly related to personal safety and must be purchased from reputable, professional manufacturers.
Recommended brands: Black Diamond, PETZL
E. Auxiliary Gear
1. Below 4,000 meters
Recommended gear: For hiking, headlamps, and sunglasses, ordinary sunglasses are sufficient—you don’t need an insulated water bottle, but consider getting a hydration bladder instead.
Recommended brands: Domestic generic brands
Reference prices: Hiking poles 20–60 RMB, headlamps 15–80 RMB, hydration bladders under 100 RMB
2. 4,000 to 7,000 meters
Recommended gear: For eye protection, snow goggles are best. Also bring two hiking poles and a headlamp with a separate battery pack. Japanese brands like Tiger or Zojirushi offer well-insulated and durable water bottles.
Recommended brands: LEKI hiking poles, BD (Black Diamond) and PETZL headlamps, Japanese Tiger or Zojirushi insulated water bottles
Reference prices: Snow goggles 200–500 RMB, hiking poles 300–500 RMB, headlamps 200–500 RMB, insulated water bottles around 300 RMB
3. Above 7,000 meters or technical snow mountains
Recommended gear: Two pairs of snow goggles
Recommended brands: Julbo, Smith
Reference prices: 300–800 RMB
Tibet Geographic Magazine, Xingzhe Wuyu Outdoor Network (http://bbs.xzwyu.com)