NEW ZEALAND GREAT WALKS GUIDE
Hiking Clothes
'There is no bad weather, only bad clothing' is never truer than on a Great Walk. When it comes to hiking in New Zealand, choosing the right clothing is essential. New Zealand's weather is 'predictably unpredictable' and the weather can change abruptly as you can experience all seasons in one day. Clothing that is appropriate for the weather conditions to keep you dry, warm or cool when needed and comfortable is important.
Ideally ​you will need only two sets of clothes, one for hiking and another dry & warm set for evenings.​​​ But don't worry, Merino wool is a great clothing option for its breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and ability to regulate body temperature. It is itch-free and odor resistant so you can reduce your packing by wearing merino day after day without smelling. No judgement if you start wearing Merino 'in real life' too.
New Zealand is home to some of the best quality Merino brands in the world, Ice Breaker and Mons Royale, that will last for years and make you look like a legit outdoor adventurer on the mountain.
clothing
essentials
Check out some tips and advice on how to layer your clothing to keep you comfortable and your pack light.
Layering
The secret to staying war, dry, and comfortable without carrying unnecessary extras is layering. By combing versatile layers, you can easily adjust to changing weather and activity levels. This approach keeps your pack light while ensuring you prepared for the track and NZ's unpredictable weather.
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1. Base Layer - Base layers are worn directly against the skin to remove moisture and resist odor. Base layers consist of underwear and thermal tops and bottoms.
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2. First Layer - The next layer will consist of your t-shirts or long-sleeved tees. Including bottoms of choice either pants, shorts, or leggings.​
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3. Mid-Layer - The mid-layer is designed to keep you warm and trap in heat (Merino Hoodie, Down or Fleece Jacket).
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4. Outer Layer - Finally, the outer layer will protect you from the elements (Rain Jacket and Pants).
TIPS
​​​​​​1. It is really easy to over pack so keep it simple. Have a set of hiking clothes and one set of warm and dry evening clothes. Feel free to pack extra undies though, although many people will wash and dry a pair overnight.
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2. Merino is amazing and you can wear it day after day without washing and it will not stink, so it's perfect for all the layers against your skin. And yep that includes underwear! Once you start wearing Merino underwear you will probably never go back.
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3. Money is well spent on a quality rain jacket. You are probably going to get wet. Some jackets can be quite fitted so consider getting a jacket big enough so you can layer underneath to manage your temperature. Many of us get really hot when hiking so prefer a light jacket shell (i.e no insulation) and just layer when we need more warmth.
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4. Ponchos - some hikers use rain ponchos to prevent rain going down their back and getting the contents of their pack wet. We tried Ponchos on The Milford Track but found them to be a pain and very noisy in the windy weather, so have not used them again. But other hikers swear by them. You do you boo.
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5. Put all your gear in dry bags, use a pack cover, and carry a good waterproof rain jacket. You and your gear will stay dry.
Base layers
Base Layers are the layers worn directly against the skin and will regulate your temperature, wick moisture, and can reduce body odour. We are all big fans of Merino for the 'no stink' factor particularly when hiking over many days together. Although it is more expensive than synthetic materials and can take longer to dry when wet, the moisture wicking, warmth and odour resistant properties outweigh any negatives.
Underwear
Choose comfortable and moisture wicking materials for bras, briefs, and boxers worn close to the skin. ​Most of the crew prefer either Mons Royale or Macpac merino underwear for the best fit and comfort. Check some options out below:
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Mons Royale
Mens​
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Macpac
Womens - available in briefs and boxers
Mens​​​
Merino Socks
Look for cushioned socks as you will spend hours on your feet. Merino socks are comfortable and have antibacterial properties to reduce smell after hours of use.
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Having dry socks is really important, so ensure you have enough pairs of socks for the hike. The crew all prefer different kinds of Merino socks and because socks are so important there is a whole section dedicated to socks here.
Thermal Base Layers
Merino Base Layer long tops and bottoms worn against the skin will help you keep warm and dry on your hikes. Even if you expect warmer days, these roll up small at the bottom of your pack and come in handy for unexpected cold weather.
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Ice Breaker has an easily understandable warmth rating system to give you options for base layers depending on what season you are hiking in.
Heavyweight (460+) is great for snowy winter conditions
Midweight (260 -400) will give you warmer layers for cooler days
Lightweight (200) is suitable for cool conditions
Ultralight (150-175) suit warmer days and can help wick sweat
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First Layer
The first layer consists of t-shirts and bottoms (shorts/leggings/pants) that go over your underwear or thermal base layers. When your activity levels rise, so does your temperature. Having a first layer will allow you to manage your temperature on those ascents.
Short and Long Sleeved T-shirts
Avoid cotton on the Great Walks and opt for either merino t-shirts or quick-dry technical t-shirts to help regulate your temperature and wick moisture. Long sleeved merino t-shirts are a great option​​​ when the temperatures are cooler, or you need to cover up from the sun or those persistent sand flies.
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Mons Royale - sometimes the crew look like they are sponsored by Mons, but their gear looks sweet on and off the track.
Hiking Shorts and Pants​
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Whether you hike in shorts vs pants vs leggings all comes down to personal preference. There are lots of options for shorts, whether it is hiking shorts or running shorts. Choose shorts that don't ride up, have good stretch, and reduce chaffing.
Hiking shorts give good ventilation and often come with decent pockets and stretch. The materials are often more durable than other shorts but can be more expensive. A couple of our favs are below.
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Running shorts are often more lightweight, breathable, and can dry quickly. Running shorts can pack down small and are often a much less expensive option. Consider running shorts that have inner legging liners to help reduce chaffing.
Many of the crew will wear shorts regardless of the weather which provides more freedom of movement and ventilation. If extra warmth is needed shorts will be worn over base layers rather than packing extra pants.
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​Hiking pants may be needed if hiking in cooler temperatures or inclement weather. Similar to hiking shorts these should be made of durable fabrics to prevent rips and tears. Look for pants that have good stretch for mobility, are lightweight and breathable. Most importantly consider hiking pants that don't make lots of noise when you walk! The noise can get annoying after a few km's.
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Zip off Hiking Pants - If you can't choose between shorts or pants opt for traditional hiking pants that can zip off into shorts to give you the best of both worlds. ​​​​​
Hiking Leggings
Hiking Leggings are a popular choice if you want full coverage from the sun or exposure from the elements. Good hiking leggings are comfortable and reduce the chance of chaffing. Ideally the best leggings will stay put, don't ride up when your pack is on, and provide freedom of movement along the trail. Hiking leggings can also come thermally insulated for when temperatures are colder, particularly on alpine Great Walks.
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Hiking leggings are often more durable than yoga pants so consider leggings that:
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Are abrasion resistant to avoid rips and snags (avoid cotton)
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Are breathable to avoid overheating
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Can wick moisture and resist odour
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Have good compression and won't sag
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Have pockets!​
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Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD ​
Mid Layer
Mid Layers are designed to keep you warm and trap all the heat between your base layer and outer layer. Consider weight, budget, warmth, and expected hiking conditions when choosing the right mid layers.
Fleece
Fleece is a good cheaper option for a warmth layer. Although comfortable, sometimes fleece can be bulky and is not great in wet conditions.
Fleece made from Polartec synthetic fabrics can perform better in wet and windy conditions but can cost a bit more than original fleece. When pack weight is a factor, Polartec Fleece is a good choice for multi day hiking for its weight to warmth ratio.​
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Merino Hoodies
Merino Hoodies are a great option for a mid- layer to keep you insulated and warm even if it gets wet. ​​Mons Royale and Ice Breaker make great merino hoodies that look good on the mountain and in the street. They come with thumb holes, hoods, and functional pockets.
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Puffer Jackets
Puffer Jackets can be made from duck/goose or synthetic materials. Down may come with a higher price tag but provide lots of warmth for those colder temps and compress small inside your pack. However, Down does not perform well in wet conditions so you will need to keep your jacket dry.
If wet or damp conditions are expected, then Primaloft is a synthetic insulating fabric that can retain lots of its warmth even when wet. Although not as durable as down, Primaloft can be significantly less expensive.
Outer Layer
The outer layer is designed to keep you protected from the wind and rain and is your last layer of defence. Outer layers need to keep you and the rest of your layers dry, so should be waterproof but also be breathable to keep you comfortable while you hike. Regardless of the weather forecast in NZ, always pack rain gear. Even though we have hiked in summer we have encountered rain on at least one day of every Great Walk. It helps you appreciate the good weather, and the NZ landscape can become awe inspiring and moody when the rain starts to fall.
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Price is often the most important determining factor when choosing a rain gear. Along with a decent backpack it is a wise place to spend money to ensure you stay dry and comfortable on the trail.
Factors To Consider
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There are many factors to consider when selecting the most appropriate rain gear for hiking. Rain gear should be:
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Waterproof
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Breathable
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Lightweight
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Usable pockets
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Durable but light enough that it can pack away easily
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Ventilated - zips in arm pits and legs
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Adjustable hood with stiff rain brim
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Side zips on pants that allow you to get them on and off over boots
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Aren't noisy - particularly for pants when walking. It can get annoying over many kms
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Made of waterproof materials like - Gore-Tex / Pertex
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Rain gear should also fit well and allow you to move freely.​​​ Ultimately, your rain gear should be comfortable. Each brand will fit different body shapes differently. So, try them on and consider rain gear that has enough room to layer clothing underneath.
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Many hikers don't bother with rain pants in the warmer months (Dec-April) due to the warm rain and humidity, opting for gaiters or simply wet legs below their shorts. Rain pants can increase your body temperature and in humid weather can make for some uncomfortable hiking.​​​
Materials
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When considering rain gear it is useful to look out for the following materials.
Gore-Tex - is a waterproof and breathable fabric that is commonly used in rain wear. Gore-Tex is very durable and can withstand harsh outdoor environments but does come at a premium price, so may not suit all budgets.
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Pertex - is a high-performance fabric that is known for its lightweight and durable properties, making it an ideal choice for hikers. Pertex is also highly breathable and with its water-resistant coating ensures that rainwater beads and rolls off the fabric. Pertex is much less expensive than Gore-Tex.​​
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Technical Specs
Let's get techy. Rain gear has two main measurements you want to consider waterproofness and breathability. Striking a balance between breathability and waterproofness is essential for a hiking rain jacke
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Waterproofness is measured by hyrdrostatic ratings (mm). The higher the rating the more waterproof the fabric can withstand before it starts to leak. Higher waterproof ratings often come with a higher price tag.
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5,000mm – can withstand a light drizzle. Lightweight and packable -great for runners.
10,000mm – have good waterproofness but may not withstand heavy downpours and likely to be less expensive.
15,000mm – will cost more but strike a balance between breathability, waterproofness, and affordability.
Above 15,000mm – highly waterproof for very wet conditions but will often be very expensive.
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Breathability of rain gear is important particularly when physical activity levels when hiking. Breathability is measured in grams (g).
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0g/m2/24hr – minimal breathability, likely to make you sweat.
5,000 – 10,000/m2/24hr – moderate breathability allows a bit of moisture to escape but better for low impact/intense activities.
10,000 - 15,000/m2/24hr – Great for moderate intensity exercises and will allow a significant amount of moisture to pass through the fabric
15,000/m2/24h + – these jackets have high breathability and excellent moisture management. Great for intense activities like hiking to keep you cool and comfortable.
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Ideally look for waterproofness of at least 15,000mm or more and breathability of 15,000/m2/24h if the budget allows.​​​​
Rain Gear Options
​​When we first started the Great Walks, we purchased a $10 pair of waterproof bright blue MC Hammer lookalike pants from The Warehouse. Honestly, they did the trick and kept us dry after a day of pouring rain, but we did get hot and sweaty. Years later we purchased lighter, durable and more importantly breathable pants, but they certainly came at a price. We have also upgraded our cheaper jackets which have proven their worth in heavy downpours keeping us bone dry and have been significantly more breathable. Check out some jacket options below.
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Rain Jacket Options
$$ Hunters Element Storm Jacket - has a great waterproofness rating at 25,000mm, is light, and at a good price point. The jacket boasts a longer length to keep you drier. Comes in both men's and women's versions.
Extras
​Don't forget these extras​​
1. Beanie and Gloves - If you are hiking the alpine trails, it can get cold at night and early morning, so consider taking a beanie and gloves.
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2. Sun Hat & Sunglasses - Is a must to protect you from New Zealand's harsh sun. The burn time in NZ is very short so don't forget a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
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3. Gaiters - Many of the crew hike only in shorts and will add long gaiters if encountering rain, mud (Hump Ridge /Rakiura Tracks) or snow (some alpine tracks). Gaiters also help keep the debris out of your boots which was pretty helpful on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing scree section.
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4. Swimming Gear - there are lots of amazing places to swim on most tracks which is great as the huts don't have showers. Don't forget a towel.