DO i REALLY need Gore-tex

[sherro]

hello hikers,

quick question, I am doing a 35 day trek to everest base camp and annapurna range and am working through my inventory.

I have come accross two new items that seem to be a must have but I am loathed to pay so much money to own them.

At the Kathmandu store in Melbourne, a Gore Tex lightweight rainjacket and a down jacket, beautiful as they are wont leave me much change from $1000 (US $900).

This is all well and good, but I wont be doing anything else in the near future and wonder if I can get away without spending so much cash.

I have splashed on decent boots and sleeping bag but I dont want to be one of those guys who spends thousands on clobber that you just dont need. I know many people do these treks on a budget and certainly wouldnt be spending thousands on gear would they?

Any advice on what other people have used or should I just buy the gear and accept the cost and feel good about guaranteed comfort.

[Spaceman347]

You don't need gore-tex unless you're trekking in the monsoon and even then you'd probably be better off with a umbrella. A lightweight pertex or similar jacket if far more useful and a lot cheaper. If it's really raining you probably don't really want to be out there anyway, it can be a lot easier just to sit it out. I can recommend a Montane lightspeed jacket (http://www.hikelight.com.au/prod127.htm) as a good option (very light, not actually 'waterproof' as such)

A down jacket on the other hand is heartily recommended although you don't need to buy one. You can rent down jackets in KTM / Namche / Pokhara for $1/day or thereabouts which would be a lot better idea for most Australians as down jackets are of little use back home.

I bought one of the downs jackets that you mentioned and found it to be fairly poor quality (stitched ok etc but cheap down and not very warm) you'd be better off renting one or ordering a good quality down jacket from the US or UK if you thought that you'd use if again afterwards.

There are some good discussions about clothing etc here (http://trekinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9042)