New Zealand Camping And Tramping Equipment

Good camping equipment is both sturdy and light. North American suppliers tend to offer the most competitive prices. If you bring your own camping equipment with you into New Zealand, make sure it is clean, as customs officials will check and disinfect used equipment, including boots, upon arrival.

Sleeping Bags: Most sleeping bags are rated by season: “summer” means 30-40˚F (around 0˚C) at night; “four-season” or “winter” often means below 0˚F (-17˚C). Bags are made of down (warm and light, but expensive, and miserable when wet) or of synthetic material (heavy, durable, and warm when wet). Prices range US$50-250 for a summer synthetic to US$200-300 for a good down winter bag. Sleeping bag pads include foam pads (US$10-30), air mattresses (US$15-50), and self-inflating mats (US$30-120). Bring a stuff sack to store your bag and keep it dry.
Tents: A tent is not necessary for tramping in New Zealand; the backcountry huts are excellent and there’s little point in lugging the extra pounds on your back. However, if you’re keen on self-sufficiency, the best tents are free-standing (with their own frames and suspension systems), set up quickly, and only require staking in high winds. Low-profile dome tents are the best all-around. Worthy 2-person tents start at US$100, 4-person at US$160. Other useful accessories include a battery-operated lantern, a plastic groundcloth, and a nylon tarp.
Backpacks: Internal-frame packs mold well to your back, keep a lower center of gravity, and flex adequately to allow you to hike difficult trails, while external-frame packs are more comfortable for long hikes over even terrain, as they carry weight higher and distribute it more evenly. Either way, make sure your pack has a strong, padded hip-belt to transfer weight to your legs. There are models designed specifically for women. Any serious backpacking requires a pack of at least 4000 cubic in. (16,000cc), plus 500 cubic in. for sleeping bags in internal-frame packs. Sturdy backpacks cost US$125-420—your pack is an area where it doesn’t pay to economize. On your hunt for the perfect pack, fill up a prospective model with something heavy, strap it on correctly, and walk around the store to get a sense of how the model distributes weight. Either buy a rain cover (US$10-20) or store all of your belongings in plastic bags inside your pack.
Boots: The terrain on most New Zealand trails is rough underfoot; be sure to wear hiking boots with good ankle support. They should fit snugly and comfortably over 1-2 pairs of wool socks and a pair of thin liner socks. Break in boots over several weeks before you go to spare yourself blisters and always carry adhesive bandages to help blister riddled feet on trail.
Backcountry Stove and Cookware: Some Great Walks huts contain gas stoves for cooking but lack cookware and matches. For other tramps, pack a camp stove (propane stoves are lighter and more compact, but run through fuel more quickly than liquid fuel stoves) and a spoon and pot for boiling water and preparing backcountry delectables.
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)/Mountain Radio: For winter-time hiking or climbing in alpine extremes, the DOC recommends carrying a PLB. Most gas stations rent PLBs for about NZ$25 per week. These light transceivers will alert rescuers to your location if disaster strikes. Mountain radios are heavier and more expensive but they allow you to check weather forecasts and transmit information to the DOC or outdoor outfitters.

An Itch To Scratch? Sandflies are notorious in New Zealand. While not pesky as mosquitos, their bites can last for weeks. Fortunately, the buggers don’t bite at night. For daytime protection, wear long pants and sleeves and consider using a low-percentage DEET bug spray for infested areas.

Other Necessities: Synthetic layers, like those made of polypropylene or polyester, and a pile jacket will keep you warm even when wet. Do not bring cotton into the backcountry. A space blanket (US$5-15) will help you to retain body heat and doubles as a groundcloth. Plastic water bottles are vital; look for shatter- and leak-resistant models. While many of the streams at informal campsites are safe to drink from, carrying water-purification tablets is advisable for questionable water sources. Ask DOC employees about water quality. Also bring a first-aid kit, pocketknife, insect repellent, and waterproof matches or a lighter.

Where To Buy It

New Zealand has several renowned outdoor brands, including MacPac, Fairydown, and Kathmandu. The country has also led the charge in the recent resurgence of wool tramping clothing with native brands such as Icebreakers. Renting gear is a cost-cutting option when it’s convenient to begin and end a tramp from a town with rental outlets. The mail-order and online companies listed below offer lower prices than many retail stores. A visit to a local camping or outdoors store will give you a good sense of the look and weight of certain items.

Discount Camping, 880 Main North Rd., Pooraka, South Australia 5095, Australia (☎08 8262 3399; www.discountcamping.com.au).
Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS), 1 Vose Farm Rd., Peterborough, NH 03458, USA (☎888-463-6367; www.ems.com).
Gear-Zone, 8 Burnet Rd., Norwich NR3 2BS, UK (www.gear-zone.co.uk).
L.L. Bean, Freeport, ME 04033, USA (US and Canada ☎800-441-5713; UK 0800 891 297; www.llbean.com).
Mountain Designs, 51 Bishop St., Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia (☎07 3856 2344; www.mountaindesigns.com).
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), Sumner, WA 98352, USA (US and Canada ☎800-426-4840, elsewhere 253-891-2500; www.rei.com).