Essential equipment you carry and wear
When out on the trail, the hiking gear you carry is all you have to rely on until you get back to the comfort and safety of civilisation. It is up to you to determine the essential equipment you carry and wear to make your hike both safe and enjoyable. Failing to bring along the right gear may result in a miserable experience or worse. What you carry in your day pack obviously depends on the weather, terrain, time of year and a number of other factors. Whether I’m going for a short walk or a day-long hike my checklist for day hikes always starts with the required Ten Essentials. Base your gear selection on weather, terrain, remoteness of destination, as well as the experience and preferences of your group. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? Check out some of my field tests and gear reviews.
Caring for your sleeping bag
3 CommentsCaring for your sleeping bag: With proper use and care of your sleeping bag you can improve the life of your bag and the warmth in colder conditions.
Carry a hiking bandana
17 CommentsThere are many ways to use a hiking bandana for any situation you might find yourself in. I recommend keeping a bandanna permanently in your pack.
Choosing & fitting your footwear
7 CommentsNew footwear may feel a little stiff at first, but it should still be comfortable. Footwear can adjust to your foot’s width but has a fixed length, so a good fit for your toes and...
Choosing a hiking pack
1 CommentChoosing the hiking right pack is essential for your outdoor adventure. It’ll be on your back every day, so needs to fit you well. Here’s some important considerations to take note of to ensure you...
Choosing a pack
No CommentsApart from looking good, every backpack is designed for a purpose. Different designs and sizes suit different activities.Some will be cross-functional, but the real decision comes from looking at your main activity type.
Choosing a sleeping bag
7 CommentsNo matter how you’ve spent your day outdoors, with the right sleeping bag you can recover at night. The standard sleeping bag will suit people up to 185cm tall. If that is not enough for...
Choosing a sleeping mat
No CommentsWhen choosing a sleeping mat, you have to consider your activity and what will be most important. A thicker mat will have a greater thermal resistance rating (it will be warmer!), but this also means...
Choosing a tent
No CommentsYour perfect tent provides you with the right weather protection and space at a low weight. This leads you to considering which weather conditions you expect and how many people you want to accommodate.
Choosing and caring for hiking boots
6 CommentsThere is quite an art to choosing and caring for hiking boots. The good news is that there are so many good products on the market now that there is bound to be something just...
Choosing and layering Socks
2 CommentsMost people understand that appropriate footwear is essential for a successful outdoor experience. While choosing the right boot/shoe is carefully considered, the need for suitable socks is quite often overlooked.
Choosing the right sleeping bag
4 CommentsUnderstanding the basic features and getting a feel for how sleeping bag ratings work can help you select the right bag for your needs and keep you warm in the process. So how do you...
Choosing your outerwear
2 CommentsJackets can protect you against humidity, wind and cold. When choosing an outdoor jacket, you either put emphasis on one of those three factors, or compromise for a sufficient level of all-round protection.
Cooking Equipment for Hiking
4 CommentsI remember as a child, with fond memories, many camping trips where we cooked our evening meal over a bed of hot coals while camping beneath the stars. The smell, heat and crackle of the...
Cotton kills
7 CommentsThe saying ‘cotton kills’ suggests that cotton is not an ideal clothing material for when the temperatures are low. Combining cotton and hiking in cold weather could make ‘cotton kills’ a reality for you through...
Down product care
No CommentsDown products are among the most delicate items in your pack. Over time, you come to appreciate their insulation and light weight. When cleaning down items you should be aware that down dries very slowly,...
Down vs synthetic jackets: Which is better?
3 CommentsNeed an insulated jacket but not sure if you should get a down or synthetic jacket? Both down and synthetic jackets will keep you warm and toasty by holding the warmth in but are suited...
Down vs synthetic sleeping bags
1 CommentBoth types have advantages and disadvantages but to put it simply for virtually all of the outdoor activities that our customers are involved in down is the better choice and this is reflected in our...
Find the best hiking boots for you
No CommentsOne of the most important ways to maintain your comfort on the trail is to get the best hiking boots for you and your adventure. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to find the right...
Gaiters for hiking
2 CommentsThe extra layer of protection provided by gaiters will help keep your outing a challenging adventure rather than a painful suffer-fest.
Get the right daypack & get out there
No CommentsWith so many brands and styles, choosing the right daypack can get a little confusing. Taking a few minutes to identify exactly what you need the daypack for will help make the selection process much...
Hiking packs
5 CommentsYour choice of hiking pack will depend on how often you intend to use it and how much you want to carry. Some things to consider when choosing a day pack are listed here.
Hiking shelters
4 CommentsUltimately it will be the style of hike, trail conditions and personal preference that will allow to to make a decision on what kind of hiking shelter is best for you.
Hiking Tents 101
1 CommentHiking Tents 101: Tent Construction, Tent Materials, Tent Waterproof Ratings and Tent Pole Configurations
How to care for your pack
No CommentsCleaning your pack is probably the last thing you’ll think about doing after a long trip, you’ll empty your pack and put it away and forget about it; but proper care will extend the life...
How to fill a pack
No CommentsWhen embarking on a hike or travel, never underestimate the importance of pack organisation. It can affect your centre of balance, comfort, back health if wearing for extended periods, and accessibility to items.
How to fit a pack
9 CommentsOne of the keys to a comfortable backpack is to get a pack that is the right size for you. Your torso length (not height) is the key measurement; hip size can also be helpful.
How to layer
3 CommentsLayering clothing is crucial for the comfort and protection of any adventurer. Each layer has a function to maximise your comfort in the outdoors. Call it an art or call it science, when the cold...
Merino Skins – Merino Base Layer
No CommentsMerino Skins provide the power to keep to you going. To keep the body’s muscles working at full capacity during activity, the body’s temperature must not rise excessively.
Merino wool: The best clothing for hiking
No CommentsMost of the clothing we wear day to day is made from cotton. So why is Merino Wool the best clothing for hiking?
My recommended hiking gear stores
No CommentsI have purchased as lot of outdoor gear over the past few years so have listed a range of great retailers where you can purchase gear online. Their service and quality are both excellent and...
Snowshoes for Winter Hiking
No CommentsYou can try hiking in the snow wearing regular hiking boots. However, you’ll soon find that with every step, you’re sinking into the snow making progress tiring and tedious. Snowshoes will make all the difference.
The right clothing for hiking in australia
6 CommentsThe right clothing for hiking ensures you enjoy hiking in both comfort and safety. Your clothing is important as it is your first line of protection from the cold, the wind, rain, sun, insects, snakes and...
Tips for using stuff sacks
No CommentsStuff sacks and dry bags can make a huge difference for your packing, organisation, and protection of your gear.
Use hiking poles
47 CommentsHiking poles significantly reduce the impact and cumulative fatigue on leg muscles and joints and your lower back, whether going up or down, especially when you’re carrying a load on your back.
