Clothes - No fancy jacket needed. Windbreaker + 2 shirts is enough. It won't get cold until you're really near the top. I also wore 1 trek pants + 1 short.

Balaclava/Ski mask (you know, like the robbers use) will be quite useful (RM10-20). A wool cap is fine too. I got mine at an outdoor boy-scout shop (called Outpost) at 1U.

Rain coat - Get a THICK rain coat. The transparent ponchos were useless when I was going up! You can get it for around RM20-30 (like the motorcyclists use). The guides use an umbrella, but I am not a guide, heh.

Gloves! Very important. Waterproof gloves (leather is okay, or you can get the fancy ski gloves. But not cotton). If your gloves/hands get wet, you'd regret it at the top. Will cost RM15-20.

Shoes - Normal running (Nike, Adidas, Reebok) shoes will do fine.

Other gear - Headlight. Get the LED ones (you can look them up on lelong.com) as they are much brighter and useful than the normal bulbs. Will cost about RM20-30.

Walking stick. No need trekking pole, just ask at the reception desk at Kinabalu Park and they should sell you one for RM5. Very useful on the way up!

Panadol and/or Altitude sickness pills. You have to ask a doctor (or maybe pharmacy) for this. Not sure about price. You'll need to take them a few hours in advance. As for me I had no altitude sickness issues and didn't take any.

You might want to bring lip balm. My lips got very very dry and painful a few days after climbing the mountain.

Other tips - Pack light (I brought only my little brother's small schoolbag all the way to the top of the mountain!), drink lots of water and don't rush.

They charge only if you "register". If you know the way just start walking, no one's gonna stop to charge you.

Just done some hiking in the Swiss Alps (Bernese Highlands). The trails are great - well signposted with travel time and even difficulty levels. And the views are amazing.

Can be done yourself. Google for directions. Entrance fee RM5 I believe but you can just walk to the trail (on the right just as you enter the area).

Straightforward but tiring walk up. Last part a bit scary for some, but view is amazing.