Updated 30-May-2024
This is the gear we use now. It is tuned for hiking as a couple. We share a few things when we hike together that helps keep the weight down.
Sleeping Bag – Down fill, either Mont (reasonable price) or Western Mountaineering (expensive). We have both of these brands. They are well made and last well. The two Mont bags we have are over 20 years old. Been used hundreds of nights. https://www.mont.com.au/pages/mont-sleeping-bags
When we hike together we use a Nanutuk double quilt. https://nunatakusa.com/
Pillow – Sea to Summit are the best. They are comfortable and outlast all the others we have used. Two sizes. I use the regular one. Pauline uses the large one for her head and the regular between her knees (stops her hip aching). https://seatosummit.com.au/collections/camping-pillows
Seat pad – Cut up a cheap blue foam pad from Kmart. We also use a cut up Z-Rest which you can now buy
Sleeping Mat – Exped. We have the Exped Ultra 3R which has synthetic insulation. They come in different lengths, widths and shapes (rectangular or mummy). https://www.exped.com/en/products/sleeping-mats
Gas burner – We don’t simmer, just boil so we have the basic 750ml Jetboil that does not simmer. Depends on how you want to cook things which one to get. The longer you take to cook, the more gas you need to take.
Bowls – 2 minute noodle bowl. Light, cheap, can take boiling water.
Cup – I use the Jetboil for a cup. Pauline has a 450ml titanium cup.
Spoon – Sea to Sumit titanium. They are about $30 each but they don’t break like the plastic ones. We don’t take any other eating utensils.
Pocket knife – Gerber. As small as possible. We take one between us for slicing cheese, tomato and cucumber.
Nalgene laboritory bottle – 250 ml. For rehydrating sauces, hummus etc. I think they are about $10 each
Tent – We use a Z Packs Duplex made from DCF (Dyneema Composite Fabric). Three season tent. Extremely light (500gm) and OK in bad weather. It is an expensive tent and has a limited life. https://zpacks.com/products/duplex-tent
We also have a couple of Tarp Tents made from SilNylon. This is a cheaper and more durable fabric. They are also three season tents. Models we have – Single Rainbow, Double Rainbow (1kg), Stratospire 2 (1.2kg). https://www.tarptent.com/
Tent Pegs – The long gold (green) pegs from TarpTent are the best pegs 🙂 They will work in really hard ground and sand. https://www.tarptent.com/product/stakes/
Walking Poles – Don’t get carbon fibre poles. They shatter when you get the tip stuck. The best brand is Helinox. We and lots of members in our club have the Passport FL120. https://helinox.com.au/collections/trekking-poles
Headtorch – The best ones are from Fenix. They make gun sights so really precision engineered. USB-C rechargeable and the battery is replaceable – https://fenixlight.com.au/product/fenix-hm50r-v2-0-700-lumens-rechargeable-led-headlamp/
GPS Navigation – I use my phone. Best App is OSMAnd+. Other apps people use are Gia GPS. Whatever you go with you must be able to download the maps easily so you can use off line. OSMAnd+ you can download all of a country with contour lines etc and use offline. I put the phone in Airplane mode as soon as we leave the car/transport. I usually get 3 days out of the phone on a single charge doing this. I also use it for talking books and camera.
Water bottle – Soy milk bottle (VitaSoy) free with Soy milk from supermarket.
Pack – Minimal frame – Hyperlight Mountain Gear Southwest 55 Liter. https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/collections/the-southwest
Pack – Frame with ventilation – Osprey. Lots of shops sell the brand. Not many carry the lighter versions. https://www.osprey.com/au/en/featured/shop-by-activity/hiking
Waterproof jackets and clothing. I would go with Patagonia and Icebreaker. Patagonia have the highest ethical standards and quality.
Thermals – Icebreaker wool is the best. It’s a bit heavier but can be worn for 10 days without smelling.
Socks – Bridgedale. Expensive but will outlast all others.
Pants – Mont. We use these and think they are the best – https://www.mont.com.au/collections/mens-outdoor-pants/products/adventure-light-pants-men
Shirt – Mont https://www.mont.com.au/collections/mens-outdoor-shirts/products/lifestyle-vented-shirt
Jocks – Not cotton as they never dry out. We currently use these – https://www.paddypallin.com.au/royal-robbins-ready-dry-brief-mens.html
Waterproof jacket – Patagonia. Try them on. Always get them so the sleeves come down over your hands. You also need to be able to wear all your thermals and down jacket under them –Â https://www.patagonia.com.au/products/mens-torrentshell-3l-rain-jacket-85241-bugr?variant=40116082278472
Rain kilt – ZPacks rain kilt. I think you can also now get much cheaper silnylon ones – https://zpacks.com/products/dcf-rain-kilt
Gloves – I use Possum Down gloves. Not sure where you get them now. They were made in NZ where they hate possums 🙂
Stuff sacks – The Sea To Summit SilNylon ones are good. Anaconda and lots of other shops sell them. We have a range of sizes and colours to pack food and clothes into. https://seatosummit.com.au/products/the-ultra-sil-stuff-sack