You don’t need expensive gear to go hiking, but you do need gear that is appropriate for the conditions you’re heading into.
The type of hike, terrain, weather, remoteness, and duration all matter far more than brand names or price tags. A short walk on a formed track in settled weather has very different requirements to a remote, multi-day hike in alpine or exposed terrain. Good gear supports safety and comfort, but expensive gear is not a prerequisite for getting started.
If you’re new to hiking, it’s far better to focus on the essentials and build your kit gradually than to delay getting outside until you can afford top-tier equipment.
Start with the essentials
Most hikes require only a small core set of items. These are the basics that matter regardless of budget.
Clothing should suit the conditions and allow you to manage heat, cold, wind, and rain. Layering matters far more than labels. One important budget trap to avoid is cotton. Cotton absorbs water, dries slowly, and can significantly increase heat loss when wet. A cheap synthetic or wool top from a discount department store is far safer than an expensive cotton shirt because it continues to insulate when damp.
Footwear should be comfortable, stable, and appropriate for the terrain. It does not need to be expensive, but it does need to fit properly and provide enough support for the conditions you are walking in.
Navigation becomes critical once you move beyond short, well-signed tracks. A paper map and compass remain reliable and inexpensive, and digital navigation can be a useful supplement if you understand its limitations.
Food and water are about planning, not price. Carry enough water for the conditions and simple, high-energy food that travels well.
Sun protection is essential in Australia. A hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are inexpensive items with a real safety impact.
A basic first aid kit, some form of emergency shelter, and a light source are sensible on most hikes, even short ones. These do not need to be elaborate, but they should match the environment and season.
Beyond these basics, additional gear should be added based on the specific hike, not a general idea of what hikers are “supposed” to carry.
Where to save and where to spend
As hikes become longer or more remote, it helps to understand where money actually makes a difference.
For overnight hiking, most investment tends to go into the “big three”: your pack, shelter, and sleeping system. These items affect comfort, fatigue, and recovery more than clothing or accessories. A poorly fitting or overly heavy pack can cause pain that ruins a trip, regardless of how cheap the rest of your gear is.
This is often where the “buy once, cry once” idea applies. You can hike safely in inexpensive shorts and shirts, but a cheap pack that doesn’t carry weight well or a sleeping system that doesn’t suit the conditions can make a trip miserable or unsafe.
More expensive gear is often lighter rather than safer. In simple terms, you usually pay more to carry less. A very light tent or pack is not necessarily more protective than a heavier one. It is just easier to carry. Understanding this helps avoid the assumption that price equals safety.
Hiking on a budget in Australia
If cost is a limiting factor, there are practical ways to get started.
Borrowing or renting gear can make sense for items used occasionally, such as packs, tents, or sleeping systems. Buying second-hand gear through local gear swap groups, Facebook Marketplace, or Gumtree is common and often very effective.
Entry-level gear from Australian retailers and house brands is generally functional for walking on formed tracks and in mild conditions. It may be heavier or less refined, but it can still be perfectly serviceable while you build experience.
Gradually upgrading over time allows you to spread costs and make better decisions as you learn what actually matters for the type of hiking you enjoy.
The bottom line
Expensive gear does not make you a safer hiker. Appropriate gear, sound planning, and good judgement do.
Start with the essentials, avoid known pitfalls like cotton clothing, and build your kit as your experience grows. The bush does not care about the logo on your jacket. It only cares whether your gear does its job when conditions change.
Great advice as usual.
I sometimes also suggest to those new to hiking, do easy hikes that are circuit based around where they’ve parked their car. You Yangs is a great example.
Use this as a work up to bigger and more hard core hikes, and in the process test their kit.
If anything goes wrong, it’s not catastrophic. The walk back to the car won’t kill them…
Unless they have terrible shoes.
Don’t scrimp on shoes or socks. 😂
Murky Murk that’s also very wise advise.
Great advice!!