Gear Guides
Packing lists, preparation, and field-tested advice for trails worldwide.
Featured Guides
All About Hiking Gear: Everything You Need for NZ Trails
The essential gear for New Zealand's trails — footwear, packs, layers, safety, water and smart packing tips for day hikes and Great Walks.
The Ultimate Great Walks Packing List: NZ & Australia 2026
Everything you need for New Zealand's Great Walks and Australia's iconic long trails — country-by-country breakdown.
The Ultimate Packing List for Hiking in Japan: 2026 Edition
Four-season breakdown covering the Japan Alps, Kumano Kodo, Nakasendo, and everything in between.
The Ultimate Packing List for Hiking in the USA: 2026 Edition
Four regions, four different environments — Sierra Nevada, Pacific Northwest, Desert Southwest, and Appalachia.
The Ultimate Packing List for Hiking in France: 2026 Edition
Alps, Pyrenees, GR20 Corsica, and lowland GR routes — what you actually need for each.
Top 10 Things to Pack for Any Great Walk
The non-negotiables — the 10 items every Great Walk hiker should pack regardless of season or trail.
10 Essential Hiking Tips Every Beginner Should Know
Pacing, hydration, navigation, layering — the fundamentals that turn a first hike into a confident one.
How to Pack a Backpack for Multi-Day Walks in New Zealand
Load balance, comfort, and safety — a step-by-step packing guide with tips, common mistakes, and what goes where.
3 Hiking Essentials I Never Hit the Trail Without (All Under $50)
Three small, affordable items that punch well above their price — what they are and why they matter.
How to Break In Hiking Boots the Right Way
The six-step process that actually works — without the blisters on your first day on trail.
Trail Footwear Guide: Boots vs Trail Runners vs Sandals
Match the shoe to the trail — when each type works best, and when it really doesn't.
Nutrition for Multi-Day Hikes
Smart nutrition for the trail — how to combine dehydrated meals, nuts, and fresh produce for energy that lasts.