Hiking boots & footwear
The single most important piece of kit
Poor footwear ruins more trips than any other factor. Your feet will cover hundreds of kilometres — getting this right is non-negotiable.
What actually matters
Fit above all else
The brand doesn't matter. The fit does. Try boots on in the afternoon when your feet are slightly swollen (as they will be on the trail). Wear the socks you'll hike in. Your heel should not lift at all — any movement here means blisters guaranteed.
Ankle support for your terrain
Low-cut trail runners suit well-maintained paths (Hooker Valley, Camino). Mid-cut is the sweet spot for most multi-day trails. High-cut boots for rocky/technical terrain (GR20, Presidential Traverse) or when carrying a heavy pack.
Break them in — always
New boots cause blisters regardless of quality. Wear them for at least 4–6 shorter walks before a multi-day trip. The Camino has a wall of abandoned new boots — don't add to it.
Waterproofing: Gore-Tex is worth it for wet climates
For dry trails (Larapinta, most of Spain) waterproofing is unnecessary weight. For Fiordland, Scotland, or any serious alpine route — Gore-Tex or equivalent membrane is essential.
You can skip
Expensive brand names. Decathlon's Forclaz range performs comparably to brands costing 3× more on most trails.
Waterproof jackets
Your relationship with rain — get it right
A bad waterproof jacket is worse than no jacket. It leaks, it sweats you out from the inside, and you arrive cold and wet regardless. One good jacket will outlast a dozen cheap ones.
What actually matters
2.5-layer vs 3-layer
For day walking, 2.5-layer (lighter, packable) is usually fine. For multi-day or serious mountain use, 3-layer Gore-Tex or equivalent is worth the investment — it breathes better and lasts longer.
Breathability matters more than waterproofing
All modern waterproofs keep rain out. What separates them is how much you sweat inside. Cheap jackets trap moisture from exertion — you arrive wet from the inside. Look for a breathability rating above 10,000 g/m²/24hr.
DWR treatment wears off — re-apply it
The outer fabric of any waterproof needs periodic treatment with wash-in or spray DWR (Durable Water Repellent). This is not a manufacturing flaw — all waterproofs need this every 20–30 washes.
Fit: room to layer underneath
A hiking jacket should fit over a mid-layer (fleece or down jacket). Try it on over the layers you'll actually wear.
You can skip
A separate waterproof trouser in most circumstances — they're heavy and uncomfortable. A longer jacket covers more. Exception: Milford Track or Scottish Highlands where full rain is guaranteed.
Trekking poles
Underrated — converts energy, saves knees
Trekking poles reduce load on your knees by up to 25% on descents. On a 6-day Overland Track or the Milford, that difference is cumulative and significant. They're also invaluable in river crossings.
What actually matters
Adjustable length — different terrain requires different height
Shorten for uphill (raise your centre of gravity), lengthen for downhill (take load off your knees). Fixed-length poles are cheaper but less versatile.
Flick-lock vs twist-lock
Flick-lock (lever clip) is faster and more reliable in cold or wet conditions. Twist-lock is cheaper but can slip when wet. For serious multi-day use, flick-lock is worth the premium.
Carbon vs aluminium
Carbon is lighter but snaps under lateral stress. Aluminium bends rather than breaking. For rough terrain, aluminium is more practical. For day walking, carbon is fine.
Wrist straps: use them correctly
Push your hand up through the strap from below, then close around the grip. The strap takes the weight, not the grip. Most people use them wrong and then wonder why poles are ineffective.
You can skip
Anti-shock springs — they add weight and the research on their benefit is mixed. A basic pole without springs is perfectly effective.
Sleeping bags
Temperature ratings are optimistic — go colder
The temperature rating on a sleeping bag is the survival limit, not the comfortable temperature. A bag rated to 0°C will keep you alive at 0°C — not comfortable. For actual comfort, subtract 5–10°C from the rated temperature.
What actually matters
Down vs synthetic
Down is warmer per gram, compresses smaller, and lasts longer. Synthetic is cheaper, retains warmth when wet, and is animal-free. For dry mountain huts (Milford Track, Overland Track), down is the right choice. For wet camping (Glastonbury, Scotland), synthetic insurance makes sense.
Fill power (down bags)
800+ fill power is excellent. 600–700 is good. Below 600 is budget — heavier and bulkier. Higher fill power means the same warmth in less weight.
Mummy vs rectangular
Mummy bags are warmer (less dead air to heat) and lighter. Rectangular bags are more comfortable if you move around. For backpacking, mummy. For camping, rectangular is fine.
A sleeping bag liner adds 3–8°C and extends versatility
A silk or thermal liner converts a summer bag into a 3-season bag. It also keeps the bag cleaner, extending its life significantly.
You can skip
Expensive compression sacks — a regular stuff sack or a waterproof bag liner achieves the same result.
Hiking backpacks
Fit and capacity — the two numbers that matter
A poorly fitted pack will destroy your shoulders, back, and hips regardless of how expensive it is. Fit is everything. Capacity should match your trip length.
What actually matters
Torso length matters more than height
Most packs come in short/regular/tall or S/M/L sizes based on torso length (shoulder to top of hip). Measure your torso (top of hip bone to C7 vertebra) and match it to the pack's size chart. This is the most important step.
Capacity: 30–40L for day and overnight, 50–70L for multi-day self-sufficient
For hut-to-hut (Milford, Overland Track, TMB) where meals are provided, 40–50L is sufficient. For fully self-sufficient camping with tent and cooking gear, 60–70L.
Hip belt should carry 70–80% of the weight
The hip belt should sit on your hip bone, not your waist. Most of the load transfers through the hip belt — if your shoulders are taking all the weight, the fit is wrong.
Women-specific fit is not marketing
Women's packs have shorter torso lengths, narrower shoulder straps, and hip belts shaped for wider hips. If you're female, always try the women's specific version.
You can skip
Built-in rain covers on expensive packs — a cheap pack liner (a large dry bag inside the main compartment) is lighter and more effective.
Layering — the system that works
Three layers, each with a specific job
The layering system works because each layer has a distinct function. Buying expensive single-purpose clothing is less effective than a well-chosen 3-layer system.
What actually matters
Base layer: next-to-skin, moves moisture away
Merino wool is the gold standard — naturally odour-resistant (you can wear it 3–4 days without smell), temperature-regulating, and comfortable. Synthetic is cheaper and dries faster. Cotton is the enemy — it absorbs sweat, takes forever to dry, and causes hypothermia in cold conditions. Never cotton on the trail.
Mid layer: insulation, traps warmth
Fleece (midweight) or down jacket. Fleece works when wet; down is warmer but useless when saturated. For wet climates, a synthetic insulation jacket is safer than down.
Outer layer: waterproof/windproof shell
See waterproof jackets section above. The key is breathability — a non-breathing shell turns you into a sauna bag.
The art: adding and removing layers before you overheat
Stop to add a layer before you get cold; remove a layer before you sweat. Sweating soaks your base layer and removes its insulation value. This is the discipline that separates comfortable hikers from wet, cold ones.
You can skip
A dedicated hiking base layer if you already have good merino wool t-shirts — they perform identically.
General travel gear
What actually earns its weight in your bag
The best travel gear is gear you actually use. Most travellers overpack and carry items they don't touch. This is what genuinely earns its place.
What actually matters
A travel towel — quick-dry microfibre
Hostels, guesthouses, and mountain huts rarely provide towels. A quick-dry microfibre travel towel (300–400g) replaces a full cotton towel that takes days to dry. Essential for gap-year style travel; nice-to-have for hotel-based trips.
Universal travel adapter (one, not several)
A single universal adapter with USB ports covers every country. Don't pack region-specific adapters — they add weight and you always forget one.
A good power bank (20,000mAh minimum)
Your phone is your map, camera, guidebook, and boarding pass. A 20,000mAh bank charges a phone 5–6 times. On multi-day trails with no charging, this is as important as your sleeping bag.
Packing cubes — dramatically improve organisation
Packing cubes let you find anything in your bag in 5 seconds and compress clothing significantly. Not a luxury — once you use them you never go back.
A dry bag or pack liner for electronics and documents
Your passport, phone, and camera should always be in a dry bag when there's any chance of rain or water. £5 of dry bag insurance vs replacing a passport in a foreign country.
You can skip
A dedicated travel pillow (a stuffed jacket works fine), luggage locks on soft bags (scissors open them), and most 'travel-specific' items sold at airports.
Buy it here
Travel insurance — the gear people skip
The most important purchase you'll make for any serious trip
Travel insurance is the most undervalued piece of trip preparation. A helicopter evacuation from the Himalayas costs USD $15,000–50,000. A multi-day rescue off the GR20 costs €10,000+. A standard Milford Track medivac costs NZD $15,000. Travel insurance costs $100–200 for 2 weeks.
What actually matters
Check it covers your specific activity
Standard travel insurance excludes 'adventure activities.' The Milford Track, EBC trek, and GR20 are all potentially excluded from standard policies. You need a policy that specifically covers hiking above a certain altitude or multi-day backcountry trekking.
Helicopter evacuation and search & rescue must be explicitly covered
Read the policy. 'Emergency medical evacuation' usually covers helicopter. 'Search and rescue' is different — check it's included. Some policies only cover SAR if you're seriously injured, not if you're lost.
Pre-existing conditions — declare them
Undeclared pre-existing conditions void your entire policy, not just the condition itself. Declare everything. Premiums are not significantly affected by most conditions.
Annual multi-trip policy vs single trip
If you travel more than twice per year, an annual multi-trip policy is cheaper than buying per-trip. World Nomads and others offer these.
You can skip
Add-ons for electronics cover (your home/renters insurance may already cover it) and 'cancel for any reason' cover (very expensive and rarely worth it).
Buy it here