Buying camping gear in Islamabad is easier than most first-timers expect: the city has a small but genuine outdoor retail scene, built up by the steady flow of hikers heading into the Margalla Hills and travellers stocking up before a trip to the north. If you need a tent, proper boots or a warm jacket before you go, you don't have to buy online and wait; a handful of dedicated shops carry real stock, and Rawalpindi's older markets are a cheaper fallback for basics.
This guide covers where to look, what to expect at each kind of shop, and what to buy locally versus bring from home.
Dedicated outdoor gear shops
A small number of specialist outdoor shops have opened in Islamabad in recent years, aimed squarely at hikers and campers rather than general sportswear buyers:
- Ascender Outdoors, in Capital Plaza, G-11 Markaz, Islamabad, stocks hiking, trekking and mountaineering equipment, including tents, backpacks, boots and technical clothing, and has a physical shop you can browse rather than ordering blind.
- Viking Outdoors, on Street 33 in E-11/3, Islamabad, carries camping and hiking gear including backpacks, multi-tools, hiking sticks and related accessories, alongside an online store for the same range.
- Outdoor Gear, based in I-10/4, Islamabad, sells outdoor equipment with both an in-person and online presence.
These shops are the best starting point if you want to try boots on, check a jacket's warmth in person, or get advice on what a Margalla day hike or a trip to Naran actually requires, rather than guessing from a product photo.
Rawalpindi's markets for budget gear
If you're after cheaper basics, jackets, gloves, thermal layers, and inexpensive footwear rather than technical mountaineering kit, Rawalpindi's Saddar area, the city's main old commercial district between Mall Road and the railway line, is worth the short trip from Islamabad. It has long been known for shops selling army-surplus and low-cost outdoor clothing and boots, popular with hikers looking for a warm, tough jacket at a fraction of branded prices. Don't expect fitted sizing or brand names here; do expect to bargain, and check stitching and zips before you buy, since quality varies shop to shop.
Sportswear chains and general stores
Beyond the specialist shops, general sportswear retailers and the camping sections of larger stores in Islamabad's malls carry basic gear, mainly daypacks, water bottles, sleeping bags and entry-level tents, useful for a one-off family picnic or a short overnight rather than serious trekking. These are a reasonable option if you just need something functional quickly and aren't fussy about technical specification.
Buying online
Several of the shops above also sell online with delivery across Pakistan, and general marketplaces carry camping and hiking listings as well. Online buying works well for items where fit doesn't matter much, a sleeping bag, a tent, trekking poles, but is riskier for boots and jackets where sizing and quality are hard to judge from photos. If a trip is close and the item is critical, buying in person from one of the dedicated shops is the safer route.
What to buy locally versus bring from home
- Buy locally: tents, sleeping bags, basic trekking poles, daypacks, gloves, thermal layers, and budget rain gear. Local shops stock these reliably and prices are competitive.
- Consider bringing your own: technical hiking boots that need a proper fit, and any specialised mountaineering equipment for serious trekking, since the range for these is more limited than in outdoor markets abroad.
- Check quality carefully either way, particularly zips, waterproofing and stitching on anything bought at a budget market stall, since these vary far more than at a dedicated outdoor shop.
Planning ahead
If you're gearing up specifically for the Margalla trails, our guide to Margalla Hills National Park covers what the terrain and weather actually demand, and our Islamabad travel guide has wider planning advice if a Margalla hike is one stop on a longer trip. Buying a day or two before you need the gear, rather than the morning of, gives you time to exchange anything that doesn't fit.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy hiking boots in Islamabad?
Dedicated shops such as Ascender Outdoors in G-11 Markaz and Viking Outdoors in E-11/3 stock hiking and trekking footwear you can try on in person. Rawalpindi's Saddar market is a cheaper option for basic boots, though sizing and quality vary more.
Is it cheaper to buy camping gear in Islamabad or bring it from home?
Basic items, tents, sleeping bags, layers, are competitively priced locally, especially at Rawalpindi's markets. Technical boots and specialised mountaineering kit are more limited in range locally, so bring these if you already own well-fitted gear.
Do Islamabad outdoor shops sell online as well as in-store?
Yes, most of the dedicated shops, including Ascender Outdoors and Viking Outdoors, run online stores alongside their physical locations, with delivery across Pakistan.
What should I buy before a Margalla Hills hike?
Sturdy closed shoes with grip, a light jacket or layer for wind at the higher trail points, water, and a small daypack. None of this needs to be highly technical for the main numbered trails.
Can I rent camping gear in Islamabad instead of buying it?
Rental options are more common for trips further north, such as Skardu or Naran, than for casual local camping. For an occasional trip, buying budget gear locally is usually simpler than arranging a rental in the capital.
