Australian Hiker

When choosing gear for your outdoor adventures you will need to make your selection based on a range of factors. What I take with me on my day hikes will vary when compared to my multi-day or multi-week hikes where the increased weight you carry on your back has a greater impact. In my case, the factors I consider when choosing my gear include:

• The gear I own
  • Comfort and fit is a key criteria and this will often throw up more than one choice
  • I’m also a bit quirky and if given the choice will go for the ‘weird’ colours as they are often on sale
• I like to carry the lightest weight gear I can afford and justify. However I have a number of items that I have deliberately NOT chosen the lightest option, instead coming back to the comfort and fit as being the main priority
• Last but not least I try to buy gear that is readily available on the Australian market and wherever possible, I will purchase from Australian suppliers and manufacturers. I want to know that if I do need a replacement, I can walk into a local store and pick it up or if buying online, have it delivered in a matter of days. In taking this stance I may not always going to get the best deal but I like being able to put money back into the Australian economy and support Australian companies where I can. It’s rare I will head overseas for a product.

Many pieces of equipment listed in this article has served me well and is ‘what’s in my pack’ as at June 28 2026. Some pieces of gear have stayed on this list for many years. Having said that, I’m always on the lookout for something new to replace old favourites. In addition, I will make tweaks depending on the destination, weather and time of the year as well as swapping out gear if I’m travelling with Gill, when for example, we need the two person version of something. This list continues to evolve and while there are some items I have used over multiple years, other items are new to this list since it was last published.

Please note that this list is based on my particular needs and circumstances. The items in the list may or may not suit your personal needs however I hope it will provide you with a basis for developing your own gear kit. I do a full update of this list on an annual basis with this current list being updated on 28 June 2026.

Included below are my brief reasons for choosing each piece of equipment and with a few minor exceptions, there is a link to a full written review that provides much more detail. Every item in this list has been used and tested in the field, and in many cases for a number of years. I use the term ‘system’ for most of the item headings as the products often combine to work together.

If you want a downloadable PDF version of my 2026 multi-day hiking gear list, go to the following link Tim’s Multi-day Hiking Gear Checklist (PDF)

Pack System

Pack: Osprey Exos Pro 55 Pack

Why I chose this pack:

• Osprey‘s lightweight version in the Exos range
• The harness system on this pack is very comfortable and on multi-week hikes when I lose upper body mass, I find that this pack continues to retain its comfort and doesn’t dig into my shoulders
• I love having decent hip pockets on my packs
• I’m a big fan of the trampoline style suspension frame that provides airflow across the back and stops me from getting a sweaty back (mostly) even in periods of high heat
• I can fit all my equipment for an extended hike including up to 12 days of food into this pack and it will comfortably carry up to 20-21 kg in weight if necessary even though I rarely ever carry that much. The sweet spot for this pack is around 10-18.5 kg

Pack liner: Macpac Ultralight Pack Liner 70L

Why I chose this pack liner:

• As a blogger I carry a fair amount of electronics so I need to ensure this sensitive expensive equipment stays dry
• In addition, I don’t want my clothing or sleep system to get wet
• Even though my pack has a 50 litre capacity, I use the 70 litre liner size as it can go outside the pack if necessary which occasionally happens at night when I need to protect everything from that fine red central Australian dust or when I am doing deep inlet crossings

Pack Brain liner: Sea to Summit 13 Litre Ultra-Sil Dry Sack

Why I chose this dry sack:

• For the same reasons I use a pack liner with my pack, this small dry sack becomes the liner for my Pack Brain because this is typically where most of my electronics sit

Pack liner: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Pack Cover 50-70Litre Pack Cover (medium)

Why I chose this pack cover:

• Provides additional protection for gear inside the pack
• I use this in conjunction with the pack liners and dry sacks
• This is definitely overkill but even in the wettest of conditions I have never had wet equipment, ever!

Shelter System

Shelter: MSR Freelite 2 Person Tent

Why I chose this tent:

• This is the perfect two person tent for a couple who want space and minimal weight
• It is also lighter than many single tents on the market so makes a great lightweight one person tent coming in at just 1080 grams

Tent pegs: MSR Groundhog Tent Stakes

Why I chose these tent pegs:

• The MSR Groundhog is one of the world’s best known tent stakes for good reason – sometimes you just want a tent peg that grips in and holds, and the MSR Groundhog is just that tent peg
• Over the past couple of years I have added some of these tent stakes to my kit to provide versatility due to their longer length and excellent grip

Hydration System

Hydration bladder: HydraPak Contour Hydration Bladder 3 litre

Why I chose this bladder:

• When I use a bladder I drink more water than I would when using a bottle which minimises the chance of dehydration
• I will always fill up a 3 litre bladder on days where I walk 20-40+ km, particularly when it’s hot, or when I know water may be hard to find
• On long or hot days, I definitely use this amount of water and often much more
• I use this particular bladder mainly due to the magnetic chest clip that keeps the drinking nozzle in place which makes it easy to access
• In hot weather, I will also carry another ultra lightweight bladder (see below)

Water bladder:  Platypus 2.0 Litre Collapsable Water Bottle

Why I chose this filter bottle:

• Extra water carrying capacity
• It’s relatively lightweight
• It folds down to almost nothing
• Its light enough that I will carry it on just about every hike particularly where I know water availability may be an issue

Water filter: Platypus Quickdraw Water Filter

Why I chose this filter:

• I prefer to filter my water and this unit from Platypus is very lightweight and has a great flow rate
• I attach this to my Platypus Soft Water Bottle

Back up water purification: Katadyn Micropur Forte Water Purification Liquid 100ml

Why I chose this filter bottle:

• I carry this as a back water purification in case my main water filter fails

Sleep System

Sleeping bag: Sea to Summit Spark Pro -9 Sleeping Bag

Why I chose this sleeping bag:

• With the rest of my sleep system and clothing I carry, this bag will keep me warm and toasty to the extremes of weather that I hike in
• It packs down to a tiny little package when in the compression sack
• This is my current sleeping bag of choice for hikes down to around -9 Celcius
• Very lightweight

Sleeping bag liner: Naturehike Ultralight Sleeping Bag Liner

Why I chose this sleeping bag liner:

• Keeps the inside of the sleeping bag clean which helps to extend the bag life
• Can be used as a ‘sleeping bag’ when its hot

Pillow: Sea to Summit 13 Litre Ultra-Sil Dry Sack

Why I chose this pack:

• On my long distance hikes I usually don’t carry a dedicated pillow but instead use this dry bag stuffed with my spare clothes to perform the same function
• I find it comfortable and it doesn’t add any additional weight to the pack
• Water resistant

Sleeping mat: Therm-a-rest NeoAir X-Therm NXT Sleeping Pad

Why I chose this sleeping mat:

• A surprising change opting for comfort and warmth over ultra lite weight
• I’m a side sleeper so I need a sleeping mat with lots of cushioning
• This mat folds down to a very tiny package and weighs very little
• The right level of warmth for all the year

Cooking System

Pot: Toaks 750m Titanium Pot

Why I chose this pot:

• I don’t cook on the trail but instead boil water for rehydrating food and for two hot drinks each day so I want a compact efficient unit
• I use this pot as part of my solo hiking stove system
• Size wise this suits my needs
• Comes with its own bag/pot holder

Canister Stove: MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe

Why I chose this Canister Stove:

• This canister stove has good wind protection and boils water in a very fast time
• MSR produces very reliable equipment

Stove fuel: MSR ISOPro Canister fuel 110 grams

Why I chose this fuel:

• As far as little canisters go this one is just that tiny bit larger (10 grams)
• Works very well in cold conditions
• As a solo hiker I rehydrate a commercial meal each day for dinner and two hot drinks so based on this usage, I can comfortably get 12 days of use out of a single 100/110 gram canister based on my meal choices

Stove fuel stabilising base : MSR Universal Canister Stabiliser Base

Why I chose this fuel:

• As canister stabilisers go this provides a very solid foundation
• Filts all standard hiking canisters

Spoon: GSI Essential Long Handled Spoon

Why I chose this spoon:

• I’m a big fan of long handled spoons as I find short handled implements to be messy and uncomfortable to use with my large hands
• The rubberised head on this spoon is so comfortable to eat with

Mug: Sea To Summit Cool Grip X-Mug

Why I chose this cup:

• The X-mug folds down flat
• Weighs very little
• Holds a good sized drink
• The veining on this tumbler means your hands don’t get too hot

Knife: Deejo Tattoo Naked Topography Knife

Why I chose this knife:

• I mainly use a knife to cut cheese and other food
• I have been known to occasionally use it to whittle (to create tinder or even a pair chop sticks) when I couldn’t find my spoon
• This extremely lightweight knife is a joy to use as well as being a work of art

Fire starter: Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel BIO Scout 2-in-1

Why I chose this:

• Easy to use particularly in wet and windy conditions
• Will last most hikers for many years

Food container: Empty 500g Peanut Butter Jar

Why I chose this:

• Kraft/Bega brand jars use a heavier grade of plastic than other brands and are almost bullet proof
• I use this jar to rehydrate foods such as Overnight Oats or dips
• While I wash and reuse this jar, I also need to replace it on a regular basis

Footwear

Footwear: Topo Athletic Mens Vista

Why I chose this:

• They fit my wide forefoot very well
• Have good and durable underfoot support
• I can get around 1,200 km wear out of a single pair

Socks: Smartwool Run Targeted Cushion Mid Crew Men’s Socks

Why I chose this:

• Just the right level of cushioning
• Very breathable so my feet don’t overheat
• Firm fit so the socks don’t move around
• Durable and comfortable
• Easy to source and good price

Gaiters: Altra Trail Gaiters

Why I chose this:

• Unless I’m worried about snakes, I wear a lightweight lycra gaiter to keep debris out of my shoes as well as providing a bit of tick proofing
• These gaiters are easy to purchase online in a range of sizes

Layering System

Underpants: Exofficio Give-N-Go Sports Mesh 3″ Boxer Brief Men’s

Why I chose this:

• They fit well due to the well designed panelling and there’s no chafing. What more can you ask for?
• I have yet to come across any other brand that is as comfortable

Pants: Kuhl Radikl Men’s Pants

Why I chose these:

• Durable
• They stretch when/where needed
• I love the leg ‘pouches’ for my phone and camera
• Comfortable
• They come in longer leg lengths for taller people
• Enough airflow to stop you overheating in hot conditions while keeping you warm in the cooler weather

Pants: Arcade belt

Why I chose this:

• Sold as the ‘World’s most comfortable belt’ and while that’s a big claim to make it is the most comfortable belt I have ever worn
• Keeps my pants in place as I lose weight on my longer hikes

Long johns: Wilderness Wear Light Merino 170 Leggings

Why I chose this:

• These form two functions for me
  • As an under layer in extremely cold weather (around -5° Celcius or colder)
  • As part of my town clothing on rest days when I’m washing my outer clothes. Don’t worry, I wear shorts over them when in public!

Shorts: Under Armour Men’s UA Tech Graphic Shorts

Why I chose this:

• These shorts are one of the few pairs that are easy to find and that don’t have built in inserts
• I wear these over the top of my long johns when in town or if I get saturated on the trail and need to dry my clothing
• I carry these on trips where I’m taking a break in a town so I can wash my outer clothes

Lightweight long sleeved top: Wilderness Wear Men’s Cumulo 150 Long Sleeve Tee Top

Why I chose this:

• These days, I wear long sleeved tops on all hikes longer than a few hours in length
• This lightweight merino top is well made, soft and comfortable
• It has extra length in the torso

Midweight long sleeved top: Wilderness Wear MerinoFusion 190 Long Sleeved Zip Top

Why I chose this:

• This is the second layer I wear when I’m washing my outer clothes or when it gets really cold
• Like the lighter weight versions, this top is soft and comfortable to wear
• The zip neck provides extra protection from sun and cold
• Australian made and owned, supports Australian farmers

Puffer jacket: The North Face Men’s Terra Peak Jacket

Why I chose this:

• I wanted a synthetic jacket to cope with expected wet conditions over a long period
• I have a broad chest and shoulders and this jacket fits me really well
• A synthetic jacket that feels as comfortable as a down jacket

Rain jacket: Marmot PreCip Nano Jacket

Why I chose this:

• This is a bulletproof jacket that has kept me dry for the last five years through some very heavy rain storms
• ‘Pit Zips’ minimise sweating in warm weather
• I refresh the waterproofing every few years

Rain pants: Marmot PreCip Eco Men’s Pants

Why I chose this:

• My main reason for choosing these rain pants is that the leg zips are nice and long which means I don’t have to remove my footwear to put them on
• These pants are also really durable compared to cheaper options

Buff: Buff Original

Why I chose this:

• I always carry at least one buff on every trip
• Buffs are so versatile performing many functions including keeping my bald head out of the elements

Hat: Sunday Afternoons Sun Guide Cap

Why I chose this:

• My hat choice for most of the year, including when it is going to be wet and I then wear it under my rain jacket hood
• The detachable rear sun cape is longer than most similar caps on the market which provides extra protection from sunburn on the neck

Foldback Clip 19 mm

Why I chose this:

• One of the ‘hacks’ in my hiking kit that is now firmly entrenched
• This clip holds my rain jacket hood to my hat when it is raining and windy
• It also creates a ‘porch’ that keeps most water away from my face
• It’s well worth the 3/4 gram weight

Gloves: Macpac Merino Glove Liners

Why I chose this:

• I usually avoid heavy gloves unless it is absolutely necessary so I find these lightweight merino gloves work well to keep me warm and still provide the ability to feel
• I only carry gloves when the temperature is expected to be around 0° Celcius or colder

Clothing pack: Sea to Summit 13 Litre Ultra-Sil Dry Sack

Why I chose this:

• This very lightweight dry bag keeps all my clothing dry and in one spot
• My clothing bag also doubles as my pillow

Safety/Navigation Equipment

Compass: Suunto A-30 Compass

Why I chose this:

• A simple no-nonsense compass that performs all the basics

Emergency beacon/GPS: Garmin GPSMAP 66i Handheld Hiking GPS & Satellite Communicator

Why I chose this device:

• A new model for me this year that has extra features and a bigger screen than my old model
• Both a Personal Locator Beacon and GPS
• The two-way communication option is a huge bonus on remote solo trips providing my family with the ability to track how I’m going in real time and to communicate with me even when there is no phone signal
• Excellent battery life

Miscellaneous Equipment

Sunglasses: Liive The Edge Sunglasses

Why I chose this:

• They fit my wide face extremely well and with the curve in the lenses there is no discernible gap to let in unwanted light
• Wide arms means they don’t dig into my head
• Relatively cheap as sunglasses go
• I tend to update my sunglasses every few years and I’ve been very happy with these

Trekking poles: Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Trekking Poles

Why I chose this:

• My knees hate going down steep hills so I have been a pole user for a number of years
• On flat or uphill ground I find they increase my speed
• These poles are very lightweight and fold down to almost nothing when travelling
• They are adjustable to fit

Head light: Petzl Actik Core 600 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp

Why I chose this:

• Comes with rechargeable batteries as standard
• Great all-round headlamp with lots of lighting options
• Great way finding night if you are into serious night hiking

Reading glasses: REAVEE Tube Case Reading Glasses

Why I chose these glasses:

• Not much choice here as I struggle to read with any accuracy without glasses
• The lightweight solid case keeps them protected when in the pack
• I opt for a cheap pair in a small protective case on my hikes and leave my expensive pair at home – I’m lucky I can do this but its not an option for everyone

Charging cables:

• Suunto watch charging cable
• Fitbit (Google) charging cable
• Mini USB for charging most headlamp and Satellite navigator
• USB-C for charging my phone and iPad mini

Charging adaptor: UGREEN USB C Charger 65W Wall Charger

Why I chose this:

• Compact, lightweight and robust
• Allows me to charge two devices at once
  • 1 x USB-A
  • 2 x USB-C
• I’ll only carry this on longer trips when I know I’ll have access to a powerpoint and need to recharge

Power bank: Belkin BoostCharge 26K 4-Port Power Bank

Why I chose this:

• With the electronics I carry and the blogging I do, I always carry a power bank on trips longer than around three days but for hikes of 7+ days, I carry this larger version
• This model is robust and has the right capacity to meet my needs for trips up to around 10 days in length before I need to recharge
• Readily available
• Competative price
• Reliable

Wallet: Scrubba Weightless Wallet

Why I chose this:

• Credit card security (RFID) – something I always carry to prevent credit card skimming
• This wallet is also ultra lightweight at 7 grams

Bits and pieces pack: Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag 1.5 litres

Why I chose this:

• I use two of these
  • One for my small voice recorder
  • One for all my little bits and pieces
    • Spare batteries
    • Cables for technology
    • Small Power Bank
    • Earbuds
• Small size and lightweight

Phone: iPhone 17 Pro

Why I chose this:

• Personal preference here I know but I’m an Apple guy across all my tech
• It’s easy to use and relatively secure
• It replaced my three year-old iPhone 15

Phone case: 6000mAh Portable Battery Charger Case for Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Why I chose this:

• Due to the amount of social media/blogging I do, a phone case that is also a battery makes sense
• With this case I get around 2-3 days of phone life with normal use, and 4-6 days on the trail which also reduces the size of the power bank I need to carry
• It also provides extra protection for my phone when I’m out bush
• This phone has now replaced my need for carrying a separate camera

Phone security: Actionsports Anchor The Wristy 23cm Tether

Why I chose this:

• I don’t use this wrist strap when I’m at home but on-trail I can’t afford a lost phone and this provides me with a degree of security if I ever drop my phone

Seating: Exped Sit Pad Flex

Why I chose this:

• A compact cushy sit pad all for 45 grams

Toiletries

Toothbrush:

Why I chose this:

• You have to clean your teeth but its OK to be a minimalist
• Use a short handled toothbrush if you can find one (try the airlines on overseas flights) or cut the handle down on a longer brush to reduce the size and with that, a tiny bit of weight

Toothpaste: Lush Toothpaste Tabs

Why I chose this:

• I hate the taste of toothpaste
• This lightweight alternative is a great option
• You can carry just the right amount for your trip with two per day

Floss: 25 metres

Why I chose this:

• Oral hygiene, particularly on longer hikes is just as important as it is at home
• 25 metres will last me for 45-50 days

Toilet trowel: GSI Cathole Trowel

Why I chose this:

• This lightweight trowel will dig through hard rocky soil better than lighter metal options
• Always bury your waste!

Toilet paper: Ten sheets per day

Why I chose this:

• I never rely on toilet paper being provided at campgrounds
• You may need it away from provided facilities, or if the on-trail facilities have run out
• My daily supply goes into a ziplock bag so it remains dry
• You don’t need the whole roll – in my case I know that ten sheets a day works for me

Hand sanitiser: Hand Sanitiser 50 ml

Why I chose this:

• The biggest cause of digestive distress on hikes is due to poor sanitation
• You wash your hands with soap and water at home, and you should clean your hands on a hike as well particularly when your hands are essentially covered in dirt on a hike
• Hand sanitiser is a convenient option for hiking

Towel: Sea to Summit Airlite Towel

Why I chose this:

• Ultralight towel option
• Takes up almost no space in my pack

Nail clippers: Victorinox Nail Clipper

Why I chose this:

• Keeping your toe nails trimmed to the correct length is important to minimise blisters
• Not really necessary on a short hike but very important on longer multi-week hikes as your toenails grow
• Avoid the cheap and nasty ones as they just don’t do the job and don’t last

Storage Bag for Wash Kit : Decor® Go™Reusable Snack Bag

Why I chose this:

• A durable long term bag for my wash kit
• Can be hard to find! I got mine from a Woolworths supermarket but Coles also carry these. Similar options available from Amazon also work well

Wash cloth: Chux

Why I chose this:

• Cheap, lightweight and very easy to rinse out
• A good lightweight option for cleaning yourself
• You only need a single cloth, just cut it down to size before you leave home!

Essential Oil: Tea Tree Oil 15ml

Why I chose this:

• Part of my wash kit – just combine a few drops with a wet Chux and you’re sorted
• Helps remove much, but not all of the smell which builds up on multi-day hikes
• Makes you feel relatively fresh

First Aid Equipment

Storage pack: Sea to Summit First Aid Dry Sack 3 Litre

Why I chose this:

• To make my first aid kit really obvious
• This 3 litre size works well for longer trips
• My first aid supplies go into the same packing cell as my toiletry gear

Splinter pick – Double-Ended Splinter Probe

Why I chose this:

• Sometimes you get splinters so I will always carry a decent splinter pick

Tweezers: Rubis Tweezers

Why I chose this:

• Can be used for splinters as well as removing foreign objects
• These tweezers aren’t cheap, in fact they are downright expensive, but its not worthwhile stinting on the quality here as most cheap tweezers just won’t pick out the small stuff as they don’t have the stiffness and/or fineness at the tip.

Compression bandage: Elastoplast Hi-Stretch Support and Compression Bandage Calf 7.5cm x 4.5m

Why I chose this:

• For immobilising limbs in the case of snake bite or physical injury

Triangular bandage: AeroBand Cotton Calico Triangular Bandage 96cm x 96cm  x 137cm

Why I chose this:

• Just in case!
• I have never had to use this in real life but its a versatile piece of safety gear

Crepe bandage Elastoplast 10cm X 1.6m

Why I chose this:

• Another part of my first aid kit
• It is suitable for use as a dressing retention, stemming bleeding and/or providing light compression

Safety pins x 5

Why I chose this:

• Always handy to have and not just for first aid use
• Ever split your pants or broken a strap?

Pain killers: Nurofen

Why I chose this:

• The only time I use Nurofen is when I’m hiking long distance
• My reason for carrying this is that it aids with inflammation that can arise from doing extra long days of hiking particularly at the start of a hike
• I don’t use Nurofen that often, typically so I can sleep, and only when absolutely necessary

Pain killers: Panadol

Why I chose this:

• For managing joint pain when I’m not dealing with inflamed legs

Go: Laxatives

Why I chose this:

• I’ll always carry a few tablets just in case I can’t ‘go’

Stop: Imodium

Why I chose this:

• Also just in case
• There is nothing worse than having diarrhoea on a hike!

Foot taping

I know from personal experience when I do multiple days of 25+ km I will develop hotspots on the balls of my feet which have the potential to ruin my hike. I now tape my feet, mainly the front sections, for the first week or two and this fixes my issue. It also allows me to do big distances day-in day-out with no pain or discomfort. My taping system consists of the following:

Foot taping 1: Leukoplast Fixomull Stretch Adhesive Fixation Roll – 5 cm x 10 m

Why I chose this:

• Non-allergenic and easy to remove when you need
• Provides the base layer for my strapping system
• You may not need this layer but should use it until you know that the adhesive on the next layer of taping doesn’t irritate your feet or else test a small patch of the strapping tape to see if you have any reactions

Foot taping 2: Elastoplast Rigid Strapping Tape -3.8cm x 15m

Why I chose this:

• Provides the main protection and goes over the Fixomull

Foot taping 3: Elastoplast Rigid Strapping Tape – 2.5cm x 10m

Why I chose this:

• The final layer to hold everything in place and goes around the edges

Nail scissors

Why I chose this:

• I use these to cut the taping for my feet for multi-day hikes

Band-Aids: Miscellaneous waterproof

Why I chose this:

• I use Band-Aids on nearly every extended trip, mainly for my little toes at the start of the trip while the skin is hardening up
• I carry different sizes to cover all eventualities

Swap Outs

I carry most of the above equipment year round but there are some pieces that I change over (swap out) depending on the weather, physical conditions of the hike or the numbers of hikers. The following equipment is what I will carry as the conditions dictate:

Pack: Osprey Talon 36 Litre Pack

Why I chose this pack:

• This is my ‘go to’ pack for hikes up to four days in length
• It’s compact and lightweight and you really don’t notice the size on your back
• Will comfortably cope with with 13 kg weight (noting its rated to 11 kg)
• I love having decent hip pockets on my packs

Tent pegs: MSR Blizzard Sand Stake Tent Peg

Why I chose this:

• If the soil is very sandy or soft or I am using timber tent platforms such as those in Tasmania, I will carry at least two of these pegs
• They work great with most tent platforms, slipping in between the gaps in the timber as well as with soft soils where other pegs fail to get a grip

Cold weather buff: Buff Merino Wool

Why I chose this:

• If conditions are going to be cold I will carry a wool Buff as well as my lighter weight version to keep my follicle-ly challenged head warm

Insect protection: Sea to Summit Head Net

Why I chose this:

• Sometimes the flies just drive you mad
• This net keeps them off your head and out of your mouth!
• It also provides mosquito proofing at night

Lip balm

Why I chose this:

• For those conditions where cracked or sunburnt lips are a potential issue

Gaiters: Sea to Summit Quagmire Gaiters

Why I chose this:

• I usually don’t worry about wearing heavy gaiters but when I’m going into snake infested areas or areas with lots of mud, I up the leg protection with a serious gaiter

Gloves: Patagonia Unisex Sun Gloves

Why I chose this:

• I wear these when travelling in arid or alpine regions of Australia when sunburnt hands becomes a real issue
• Lightweight and fingerless

Summertime hat: Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat

Why I chose this:

• My hat of choice for hot dry weather where sun protection is critical
• Use the chin strap and this hat is windproof even in gale force winds
• I love this hat but typically only use it when I need extra sun protection

Lightweight pack: Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack

Why I chose this:

• When travelling on an extended overseas/interstate trip, I will use this as my carry on luggage
• During extended hikes, I will sometimes send this back home by mail and other times I will keep it with me depending on what I will be doing

Sleeping bag: One Planet Nitrous sleeping bag

Why I chose this sleeping bag:

• For hikes done when the nighttime temperatures are above 2 degrees Celsius

Sleeping bag liner: Sea to Summit Reactor Extreme Sleeping Bag Liner

Why I chose this sleeping bag liner:

• If I’m going into sub zero temperatures and need extra warmth then this is my liner of choice
• It can be used as as a standalone sleeping bag when its warm

Power bank: Belkin BoostCharge USB-C Portable Charger 10000mAh-Power Bank

Why I chose this:

• For shorter trips of around 4-6 days

Tarp: Sea to Summit Escapist Tarp

Why I chose this:

• I use this particularly when I’m hiking in the Australian Alps above the tree line where the UV is extreme and shade is essential
• Very lightweight
• Used with my trekking poles to put up
• Don’t forget the extra tent pegs if you are going to be using a tarp

Pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow

Why I chose this:

• I rarely take a pillow with me on longer hikes saving it for shorter duration hikes of a few days where I’m not carrying much weight

Stove set: Jetboil Minimo

Why I chose this:

• For my couples hikes
• Just the right size for two of us

For Blogging

A new section that I’ve added to this update and for those interested in what I carry from a blogging perspective in addition to my iPhone which I carry regardless of blogging:

On trail blogging and podcasting: Ipad Mini

Why I chose this:

• The main reason I use this is that I create and edit podcasts on-trail
• I’ve tried to use my iPhone to do this, my fingers are just too big to make it work

On trail podcasting: Zoom H1 Essential Portable Recorder

Why I chose this:

• It’s compact, lightweight and doesn’t pick up a lot of the background noise that the bigger, heavier and more expensive versions do

Wind protector for audio recorder: Foam Microphone Windscreen Cover for Zoom H1

Why I chose this:

• This foam cover protects the voice reader from a lot of ambient noise and is essential to get good audio quality in the bush
  • Note – also known as a ‘dead cat’ which makes sense when you see the furry option

On trail blogging and podcastacting- Memory card for audio recorder: SanDisk Extreme Micro SD Card

Why I chose this:

• Covers me for multi-week trips easily and is super fast to transfer to my iPad
• Never go for the cheaper slow speed options; they  slow the process down too much when transferring files

On trail podcasting- SD Card Adapter: UGREEN USB C SD Card Reader

Why I chose this:

• An easy way to transfer audio files from my voice recorder to my iPad Mini

PDF Version of my current gear list

The following link is a downloadable version of my current multi-day solo hiking gear list. I try to do a full update of this list on an annual basis (last updated 28 June 2026) Tim’s Multi-day Hiking Gear Checklist PDF

Last Updated

28 June 2026

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