Great Walks of New Zealand
Hiking Backpack
When it comes to hiking in New Zealand, having the right gear is essential. A backpack with a capacity of 50-65L is ideal for multi-day hikes, allowing you to carry all the necessary gear and supplies. The pack needs to be comfortable and sturdy to wear all day long. Remember - the bigger the backpack, the more you will stuff into it and the heavier it will be. Most hikers should be able to fit the essentials in a 50L pack but if you are camping or carrying extra gear (cameras, gear for children) opt for a bigger size.
Backpack Necessities
When choosing a hiking pack you need to consider the following:
1. Purpose
What kind of hiking will you be doing? Day trips vs weekend warrior vs multi-day hiking?
The kind of pack you will need will depend on the purpose you intend to use it for. If you are looking at completing a day hike or an overnight trip, then your pack size can be much smaller and lighter. If completing a multi-day hike the pack will need to have more capacity, be sturdy and comfortable enough to carry for hours over many kilometers.
2. Capacity
How much gear will you need to carry and fit in the pack?
If you are completing a multi-day Great Walk a 50L to 65L hiking pack will have sufficient capacity to carry all your gear. If you are camping or carrying gear for younger children, you may require a bigger pack size.
3. Features
What kind of pack features do you need to help store all your gear and that gives easy access?
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Ventilation - consider whether the pack has good ventilation systems when sitting against your back. Consider packs that have either ventilation channels or suspended mesh back panels that will allow airflow between your pack and back to keep you cool and comfortable.
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Access - consider packs with easy access to your gear. If you have a top loading pack, look for packs with side zippers that allow easier access to the bottom of your pack to avoid having to unpack your gear.
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Day packs/Hip belts - if you intend on completing day trips or side trips, look for packs that have removable day packs or hip belts.
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Pockets - having a pack with loads of functional pockets to compartmentalize and access gear easily is really helpful on the track. Look for packs with Side pockets that are easy to reach without taking your pack off. These are great to store things like water bottles. Hip pockets are handy to store snacks, hand sanitizer, and phones/cameras etc. Shove pockets easily store rain gear, warm clothing etc. without having to open the pack.
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Tool Attachments - cords or clips to attach tools, camping gear, or hiking poles when not using.
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Hydration Reservoir - consider packs that have a separate compartment for your hydration reservoir. Some packs have the reservoir outside the main compartment, so you can remove it and re-fill it without having to unpack your gear.
4. Fit
A comfortable pack is one that fits your torso well.
The key to a good hiking pack is finding one that fits your torso length (not your height). Generally packs will come in either small, medium, or large sizes so getting the right size pack is critical. To measure you torso - look down at the ground and find the bony base of your neck, this is the top of your torso. Now cup your hands on your hip bones on each side of your body, then move you thumbs together across your back until they touch. This is the bottom of your torso. Stand up tall and get a friend to measure the distance between the top and bottom of your torso, giving you your torso length.
Don't Forget!
Pack Rain Covers
A waterproof pack cover is essential for keeping your gear dry and will fit over your pack. Some packs have in-built pack covers stored at the bottom of the pack but if not, don't forget to pick one up.
Dry Bags
Ensure all your gear is placed inside dry bags before going into your pack. If you get caught in heavy rain or need to cross water the pack rain cover is not enough to keep your gear dry.