Helping you decide what hiking gear is right for you
When out on the trail, the gear you carry is all you have to rely on until you get back to the comfort and safety of your home. It is up to you to determine the essential equipment you take to make your hike safe and enjoyable. Not considering the right gear may result in a miserable experience or worse. These reviews are based on my own experiences and are an unbiased account of the gear I’ve used and trust (or may never use again). I hope my field tests and gear reviews help you decide what gear is right for you. I am always keen to field test new gear to help people make informed decisions. If you’re a retailer or gear manufacturer and would like me to field test your gear, please get in touch.
Water-to-Go Active Water Filtration System
1 CommentI’m impressed with the Water-to-Go Active water filtration system. It is easy to use, effective, and durable. Check out my field test and review.
WAMA Organic Cotton & Hemp Underwear Review
No CommentsWhen it comes to hiking gear, don’t overlook the importance of comfortable and sustainable underwear. Hemp underwear offers a range of benefits for outdoor adventurers, including durability, moisture-wicking properties, temperature regulation, and eco-friendliness.
Olight Perun 2 Torch Review
No CommentsThe Olight Perun 2 is a powerful EDC Flashlight and Headlamp. Hiking is easier (and lighter) when you carry multi-use items. So having the 2-in-2 combo is certainly a sweetener.
Olight Baton 3 Pro Max Torch Review
No CommentsField test and review – Olight Baton 3 Pro Max 2500 Lumens Rechargeable EDC Torch. With a maximum output of 2,500 lumens, it has the power required for even the darkest of nights on the...
SCARPA Spin Infinity Trail Running Shoes Review
No CommentsI am not a trail runner, but I am an avid hiker. So, it was recommended I give the RIBELLE RUN a go. One of my mates (thanks Dale) is an avid trail runner so,...
Explorer Rescue Swag Review
No CommentsField test and review – The Explorer Rescue Swag is designed to attach to any item so you can carry it with you wherever you go. So how does it stack up for hiking?
SCARPA Ribelle Run Trail Running Shoes Review
No CommentsThe SCARPA Ribelle Run offers fantastic protection, heaps of cushioning, exceptional grip, and great durability. Check them out it if you are looking for a shoe that can take you on technical ground with confidence.
Darl Bars Food Review
No CommentsDarl Bars are handmade with activated, slow roasted chickpeas, organic seeds, and fragrant spice blends. They are baked with a touch of organic brown rice syrup and macadamia oil to create a soft, melt in...
Ktena Merino Skins® Sports Active Range Clothing Review
No CommentsField test and review – Ktena have reignited my faith in merino wear. Merino Skins® will certainly be my go-to base-layer for the unforeseeable future. I love the fact these are Aussie made as the...
Tesalate Workout Towel Review
No CommentsField test and review – At the end of our six day 110km hike we were thrilled the Tesalate Workout Towels came along for the journey.
Zorali Recycled Venture Pants Clothing Review
No CommentsField test and review – If you haven’t heard of Zorali, they are an Aussie brand committed to being a leader on the path towards a sustainable, outdoor lifestyle. I recently had the opportunity to...
Elinz 4K 60FPS UHD Sports Action Camera Review
No CommentsField test and review – The Elinz 4K/60FPS UHD Sports Action Camera is a great camera that provides a ton of features for very little outlay. Perfect for anyone wanting to record their outdoor adventures.
Illumina X Ultralight Hiking Tent Review
6 CommentsField test and review – The Illumina X was quick to setup, a breeze to pack down, roomy for one person and all my gears, the design seems well thought out, the construction is solid...
Fjällräven Keb Trousers Clothing Review
5 CommentsField test and review – Fjällräven market the Keb Trousers as ‘technically advanced trekking trousers with optimised fit and carefully planned details. Intended for alpine trekking that requires climbing’. Check out my review.
Quechua 2 Seconds Pop-Up Fresh & Black Camping Tent Review
2 CommentsField test and review – If you are looking for a new tent for your weekend adventures or a secondary tent for camping at the trail head of your multi-day hikes, check out the Quechua...
Quechua Forclaz Trek 100 Jacket Clothing Review
No CommentsField test and review – The Quechua Forclaz Trek 100 Jacket is a great spring jacket that will keep you warm and comfortable in temperatures above 10 degrees C.
Quechua MH100 Hiking Fleece Clothing Review
No CommentsField test and review – I was recently sent a Quechua MH100 Hiking Fleece to field test and are most impressed by this warm, light weight, 100% eco-friendly and affordable mid-layer.
Nemo Tensor Ultralight Sleeping Pad Review
8 CommentsField test and review – The Nemo Tensor™ Ultralight Insulated Mummy Sleeping Pad is one the lightest pads on the market and provided me with a comfortable and silent sleep with the pad insulating well...
Patagonia Men’s Rainshadow Jacket Clothing Review
No CommentsField test and review – If you are in the market for a light, supple, stretchy, fashionable and environmentally conscious outer shell, I encourage you to check out Patagonia Recycled Rainwear Collection.
Montem Ultra-Light 3K Carbon Fiber Hiking Poles Review
3 CommentsField test and review – The Montem Ultra Light 3K Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles are a reasonably well-priced (USD$119.99), sturdy carbon fiber pole that I am happy to recommend for serious overnight hikes or multi-day...
ECCO Exostrike GTX Review
1 CommentField test and review – What a great looking boot that I am more than happy to wear off the trail. They come in a range of colours so if black is not your thing,...
Salomon Sense Ride 2 Trail Running Shoes Review
1 CommentField test and review – For now, Salomon Sense Ride 2 have become my new go-to hiking shoe for day-hikes. If the upper and tread perform well in terms of durability, Salomon has created yet...
Quechua MH500 Men’s Mid Waterproof Mountain Hiking Boots Review
4 CommentsField test and review – The Quechua MH500 Men’s Mid Waterproof Mountain Hiking Boots are an excellent mid-height boot that I have really enjoyed field-testing. Check out my review.
COXA M18 Day Pack Review
2 CommentsField test and review – Recently I was contacted by Summit Global, who is the Australian distributor for the COXA M18 Day Pack. As you might imagine, I was somewhat excited as I agreed to...
Panda Child Carrier Review
13 CommentsField test and review – Panda Child Carrier. Designed for the harsh sun conditions we’re used to here and are suitable for kids from seven months to four years old.
Ascent Explore Merlot Shoes Review
1 CommentField test and review – I am impressed to say that there was no wearing-in required with the Ascent Explore, they offered me comfort and protection, right out of the box. I am thrilled to...
SNOWGUM Cooper Waterproof Boots Mk3 Review
No CommentsField test and review – The SNOWGUM Cooper Mk3 boots have impressed me again with their ability to keep us upright and our feet dry, comfortable and protected.
SOARTD Minimalist High Performance Outdoor Clothing Review
1 CommentField test and review – SOARTD claim to be passionate about producing higher quality, better performing clothes that are more durable and that effortlessly coordinate, and seamlessly transcend situations you may find yourself in.
Hammock Bliss Sky Bed Bug Free Review
7 CommentsField test and review – Overall, I found that the hammock felt sturdy, was quick and easy to hang, comfortable to sleep in, had plenty of room, adequate storage for my smaller gear and was...
Trekkers Wool Review
36 CommentsField test and review – I am really pleased that I received the Trekkers Wool before this hike as it really made the entire experience a lot more enjoyable. If you hike, I highly recommend...
Montem Ultra Strong Cork Hiking Poles Review
2 CommentsField test and review – As a well-priced, sturdy, value for money pole, I am happy to recommend the Montem Ultra Strong Cork Trekking Poles.
Montem Diadema 18L Hiking Day Pack Review
No CommentsField test and review – The Diadema 18L Hiking Daypack is the perfect, cost effective, way to add a day pack to your travel or overnight gear without the extra space or weight you would...
CamelBak Fourteener 20 Pack Review
3 CommentsField test and review – The CamelBak Fourteener 20 is a comfortable, versatile and lightweight pack (weighing in at only 1.1kg). I look forward to many more adventures with it.
Grivel G10 New-Classic Crampon Review
No CommentsField test and review – In my opinion, the Grivel G10 New-Classic crampons are perfect for hikers and mountaineers who need easy-to-use equipment for their winter adventures.
Grivel G1 Plus Ice Axe Review
1 CommentThe Grivel G1 Ice Axe features a traditional design to give you everything you need in a hiking/mountaineering axe without compromising strength or performance.
Osprey Aether AG™ 70 Overnight Pack Review
5 CommentsField test and review – I am quite impressed with the features and benefits of the Osprey Aether AG™ 70 and encourage you to check one out in-store before making your next overnight pack purchase.
Back Country Cuisine Freeze Dri Food Review
13 CommentsField test and review – I enjoy Back Country Cuisine Freeze Dri food on overnight hikes. I enjoy the taste, have a wide selection of meals to choose from and appreciate the convenience.
Jetboil Flash Cooking Gear Review
5 CommentsField test and review – Overall the Jetboil Flash met all of my expectations and preformed the way they said it would. I would highly recommend this stove to anyone.
Helinox Chair Zero Review
12 CommentsField test and review – I am a huge fan of the new Helinox Chair Zero. A huge fan! It is my chair of choice for any pack carry or multi-day adventure.
SNOWGUM Micro 600 Down Sleeping Bag Review
6 CommentsField test and review – All and all the SNOWGUM Micro 600 Down Sleeping Bag is a great sleeping bag for mild climates and I would highly recommend it.
Klymit Insulated Static V Lite Sleeping Pad Review
9 CommentsField test and review – I haven’t yet slept on every pad on the market, but from my early experiences this pad is certainly ranks among the best I have slept on and for the...
SNOWGUM VaporTEC® Ultra Jacket Clothing Review
1 CommentField test and review – If you’re like me and tired of waterproof-breathable rain jackets that don’t live up to expectations, I suggest you give the SNOWGUM VaporTEC® Jacket a try.
Helinox FL135 Hiking Poles Review
8 CommentsField test and review – From my experiences to date, the build quality seems excellent all around. They are comfortable, very light weight (for their size), extremely durable, and completely adjustable in all the right...
Fitbit® Surge™ GPS Watch Review
7 CommentsField test and review – If you enjoy moderate hikes and don’t often head into the deepest wideness areas and are looking for a wrist worn activity tracker that doubles as a GPS will then...
TrekSta Kobra GORE-TEX® Hiking Shoes Review
15 CommentsField test and review – After putting these shoes through their paces I am confident in saying that you would be hard-pressed to find a better mid-priced (sub $300) lightweight, waterproof hiking shoe.
Big Sky Chinook 2P 4 Season Tent Review
17 CommentsField test and review – The Chinook is light weight, flexible, durable, spacious, has large vestibules which are great for cooking, and packs down surprisingly small to fit neatly into your pack.
SNOWGUM Cooper MKII VaporTEC Boots Review
4 CommentsField test and review – If you are new to hiking or don’t quite have the budget for a more expensive boot I strongly encourage you to give the SNOWGUM Cooper MKII VaporTEC® Boot a go. If you...
Sawyer Mini Water Filter Review
20 CommentsField test and review – The Mini is an effective, small, lightweight, and versatile water filter that won’t break the bank. If that doesn’t do it for you, no filter will. I highly recommend you...
Helinox TL Series Hiking Poles Review
11 CommentsField test and review – I love these poles and take them on every hike. They are so light and so small that if you don’t need to use them you won’t even notice you...
ArmaSkin Dermal Protection Layer Socks Review
1 CommentField test and review – What I really want to say here is that If I hadn’t of been in possession of my ArmaSkin on the 120km trek when wearing my brand-spanking-new boots, I definitely...
SV Topographic Maps Review
5 CommentsField test and review – I can say without question that our SV Topographic Map provided us with the knowledge and confidence to get-it-right the first time and not spend hours in the bush trying to...
Outdoor Research Arete Gloves Review
No CommentsField test and review – Outdoor Research best sellers, the Arete Gloves are among the most versatile alpine gloves available, offering grip, dexterity and waterproof protection for extended backcountry adventures.
Mountain Designs Gore WINDSTOPPER Jacket Review
3 CommentsField test and review – I was so thankful that I had my Mountain Designs Gore® WINDSTOPPER® Jacket on my Field Test to Kala Patthar (5643m/18513ft)
Kathmandu Alopex GORE-TEX Pro Jacket Review
1 CommentField test and review – For the rest of the journey via Lobuje to Gorak Shep the conditions did not relent. It was -50 but it certainly didn’t feel that cold as we progressed under...
Aarn Featherlite Freedom Overnight Pack Review
21 CommentsField test and review – Ultimately the choice of pack comes down to fit, comfort and whether it meets the users requirements, for me when I put the Featherlite Freedom on, it fits, it is...
Helinox Ground Chair Review
31 CommentsField test and review – Comfort while hiking and camping is worth a few grams as the Helinox Ground Chair takes outdoor comfort to a new level of lightweight portability.