Guide · Gear

Trekking Gear Rental in Manali: What to Rent, What to Buy

By Troovle · Siddharth & Anshul

You do not need to spend a month’s salary on gear for your first trek. Manali has plenty of rental shops. The trick is knowing what is fine to rent, what you should own, and how to check rented gear before you walk away with it.

• Trekking shoes: roughly ₹80–150 a day
• Down or padded jackets: roughly ₹60–100 a day
• Where: rental shops around Manali Mall Road, Old Manali and Vashisht, plus operator stores
• Bring ID: many shops ask for an ID or a deposit
• Rates vary: check a couple of shops before you rent

Fine to rent

• Down or padded jacket. The single most useful rental. Check the zips and look for flat, empty patches where the filling has escaped.
• Waterproof shell and over-trousers. Check the seams and that they are actually waterproof, not just windproof.
• Trekking poles. Cheap to rent and a big help on the descent. Check that the locks hold when you lean on them.
• Gaiters and microspikes. Useful in snow. Ask your operator whether you need them.
• Rucksack. Fine to rent if it fits. Try it on loaded.

Better to own or bring

• Socks and base layers. Hygiene, and fit matters. Wool or synthetic, never cotton.
• Gloves and a beanie. Cheap to buy and personal.
• Headtorch. Rentals often have weak batteries. Bring your own with spares.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen. Essential at altitude and in snow.
• Personal medicines and a small first-aid kit.

The shoe question

Shoes are the one item where renting is a gamble. Rented trekking shoes are fine for many people, but blisters ruin treks. If you rent:

1. Rent the day before, not on the morning you start.
2. Wear the socks you will trek in when you try them on.
3. Walk around for 15–20 minutes, including up and down stairs.
4. Check that the sole is not worn smooth and the stitching is intact.

If you have time, buying an entry-level pair of trekking shoes and breaking them in over two weeks is the better option. It doubles as your fitness training.

What not to rent

Avoid renting sleeping bags from random shops unless you can check the temperature rating and cleanliness. On most group treks the operator provides the sleeping bag, mat and tent; ask what rating they are. On Troovle Trip 001 you get a four-season tent, a −15 °C sleeping bag, an insulated mat and a hot water bottle.

Rough rental budget for four days

• Jacket: ₹250–400
• Shell and over-trousers: ₹200–400
• Poles: ₹100–200
• Shoes, if renting: ₹350–600
• Total: about ₹900–1,600

Add this to your full trek budget. For the complete list of what to pack, see our winter packing list for Himachal.