The best hiking gear for New Zealand: What to wear on an outdoor adventure in Aotearoa
I have hiked up and down New Zealand, climbing to glaciers and spending dozens of nights in remote huts.
If you’re wondering what hiking gear you need for New Zealand, this is my go to packing list for hikes.
My favourite bits of hiking gear:
For cosy comfort everywhere I go: Patagonia fleece
For evenings at camp: Mons Royale track pants
For on the move: Lululemon leggings and align crop
What to wear hiking in New Zealand: My preferred hiking clothes
The best hiking clothes for New Zealand are usually versatile — for hot walking days and cool nights — and offering good protection from the sun.
Trails in New Zealand are usually pretty well maintained, if you’re on more popular tracks, but you should still be prepared for muddy walks and occasional rock scrambling.
Good hiking shoes/boots are essential if you plan on doing a lot of walking in New Zealand.
For shorter walks, like the trail around Lake Matheson in the South Island, or even the Hooker Valley Walk in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, you can get away with sneakers or strap on sandals.
These well-trodden paths are maintained really well, so you don’t need specific footwear.
However, for anything that goes into rougher terrain, or overnight walks, you should have decent boots.
It’s also important to have a good waterproof layer, and a warm layer for New Zealand walks.
Even in summer it can get cool later in the evening or at higher altitudes. On lots of hikes the weather can change quickly, so you might find yourself caught in wind or rain.
For hikes like the Tongariro Crossing, which reaches higher altitudes, it can be cold and changeable all year round.
If you get to New Zealand and realise you don’t have enough hiking clothes, pop into second-hand shops. Especially around Queenstown and Wanaka, you should find some good second hand merino tops or other outdoor clothing.
If you don’t mind buying something new, you can also shop at Kathmandu or Macpac, both local outdoor clothing stores that aren’t too expensive.
A good day bag is great if you plan on doing lots of walking — you can stuff it full of snacks, as well as warmer layers, sunblock, your camera, and so on.
On top
I usually wear a long-sleeved merino top over a sports bra of some kind, and I’ll take off the top when I get hot.
Favourite top:
Mons Royale long sleeved merino
Favourite sports bra:
Lululemon Align bra
Jumper:
A Patagonia fleece for cool evenings
Jacket:
Rab rain jacket
On the bottom
Even in summer, I usually hike in leggings rather than shorts, just to protect my legs.
From the sun, and from bushes, rocks, mud and other obstacles you might encounter on a trail.
New Zealand sun is strong and I’ve had some pretty random patches of burned skin on my legs, so I find leggings just make it easier, and it’s rarely too hot for them.
Essential New Zealand hiking gear
A good pack
I use the Granite Gear Blaze 60
Hiking boots or shoes
I personally prefer hiking boots for hikes in New Zealand, because I find them more comfortable and a little more waterproof than sneakers. A lot of New Zealanders prefer hiking in boots.
My favourite hiking boots are Grisport.
I do have friends who opt for the lighter, more versatile trail runners — this means you can walk straight through rivers without taking them off. They seem to be just as grippy as boots.
Honestly, I think sneakers are a great option as well. They are smaller and easier to transport than boots, and you can wear them around town feeling like less of a dork than you would in boots.
It’s really a matter of personal preference, although boots might last longer if you’re planning on tackling some of the muddier and less well trodden tracks in New Zealand.
A sleeping bag
A lot of hikes, especially in the South Island, climb into alpine territory. You’ll need something pretty warm if you plan on doing these higher altitude hikes, as it can be freezing overnight even in summer.
I use a Rab sleeping bag and it’s really only suitable for summer hiking.
A sleeping mat, if you plan on camping
I highly recommend the Big Agnes Rapide SL insulated sleeping pad. It’s easy to inflate, very comfortable, and insulates well against the cold ground.
It weighs 400 grams, which isn’t bad for a great nights sleep in the backcountry.
If you plan on sleeping in huts only, you won’t need a sleeping pad; all huts come with mattresses.
A gas cooker
I use an MSR PocketRocket® 2 Stove and I love it. It’s durable, pretty lightweight, and gets the job done.
A pot — ideally one that can double as a cup
I use a Snow Peak titanium cup — 600ml — and it’s perfect for cooking meals and drinking hot beverages.
I also use a Snow Peak titanium spoon and between these two items I have most of my cooking/kitchen needs covered, which makes for a light set up.
A tent (if you want to go deeper into the backcountry)
New Zealand has a pretty incredible hut network, so a lot of the time you won’t need to pack a tent.
They do come in handy for some occasions though, notably on Great Walk hikes and for more off the beaten track adventures.
The ideal thing about having a tent is that it’s cheaper than huts, especially if you plan on walking a Great Walk. The tent sites are also easier to book spots for, as they are less in demand than the huts.
I have two tents, both of which are good entry level hiking tents. They are by no means ultralight, but they are light enough for me to carry, and easy to put up.
Kiwi Camping Weka 2 Hiking Tent: This was my first tent, and has been with me on the Routeburn Track and some other great adventures.
Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 2 Person Tent: I bought this tent in Europe when I needed one for hiking adventures in the Nordics, and it has served me beautifully.
Optional hiking gear for New Zealand
Trekking poles: I personally never use them
Gaitors
Where to shop for hiking gear in New Zealand
If you’re travelling from overseas and don’t want to bring all your gear with you, you can always pick up a few things in New Zealand. These are the most common outdoor shops:
Macpac
Torpedo 7
Hunting and Fishing
Thanks for reading this far! I hope this helped you decide what you need to pack for a hiking trip in New Zealand.
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