Jacket

[David Ketley]

Get one in Kathmandu, down is best.
Check out www.dungevalley.co.uk and click onto Nepal Treks.

Have a good trip

David Ketley

[Spencer]

Point granted, Escher, about the down jackets. If you get cold easially, a down jacket is a good idea too. But if a trekker can only bring one jacket I stand by the activity-oriented Gore-Tex (or a similarly breathable shell). I could also argue the bulkiness about down. The lighter the coat, the less bulky, but also the less warm. Some are indeed as small as a pint glass (weight 400 or lower) but many will be somewhat larger. On a self-supported trip, a jacket that takes up that much space can be a real pain. But you are right, for some people, BOTH might be the best option. Also, rembember, that if a cool pre-monsoon rainstorm rumbles up, using a down coat for protection, versus a nylon shell would have pretty uncomfortable consequenses.

[David Ketley]

Well they are all right of course. Keeping warm on the trail is never a big problem larying is the right way to do it but when you stop walking at camp at night there is nothing as warm. On those high passes if the wind is really blowing you cannot beat a down jacjet and weight wise they are unbeatable.
If you buy one in Kathmandu make sure its a western made jacket or if on a buget just hire one It will be the thing you wear most when you stop walking I would NEVER be without one, Gortex jacket and all.

David Ketley again