Great Walks of New Zealand
Gear List
It is important that you have the right gear to complete a Great Walk as you will be traversing remote areas where help is not going to be immediately available. There is usually no mobile reception on the track and emergency services can be limited by the weather in rescue situations. NZ weather conditions are extremely changeable, so striking the right balance between taking enough gear and keeping your pack light enough to be comfortable over many days is key.
It's always a good idea to have a packing checklist to ensure you don't forget anything. The lighter your pack, the more comfortable it will be to carry, and the more enjoyable the hike. Ultimately you can take whatever you want, you just have to carry it in and out.
On our first hike we carried so many unnecessary items (extra clothing, extra shoes) and heavy items (heavy food, champagne bottles!) making the climbs harder and days longer. Through experience and trial and error we have got packing fine-tuned with our packs weighing in around 10-14kgs (liquids included 😉). With so many peeps in our crew we have been able to try out lots of different gear to see what works and what doesn't. We didn't start out with all the best gear and often just used what we had in the house, borrowed, or made do. Over time we have purchased better gear like packs and rain gear to make our hikes more comfortable.
Can I hire gear?
Yep, absolutely. If you're a newer hiker and don't have a lot of gear yet or alternatively are travelling and don't have all the necessary items with you, hiring is a great option. Check out PackBack which offers packages of premuim gear you can hire on a daily rate. PackBack can deliver the gear to your home or accommodation and when the hike is complete, simply send it back. PackBack also only charges for the days on the trail and not delivery/return time. There are also options to add in a food package making is super convenient.
Where can you shop for gear in New Zealand?
Online
Gear Shop - is a great online site to pick up loads of gear for reasonable prices. Gear Shop has everything you will need for a Great Walk and sells lots of different outdoor brands at decent prices.
Further Faster - one of our favourite stores with a massive range of gear. Further Faster is online and has a store located in Christchurch with knowledgeable staff.
Dwights Outdoors - a NZ family-owned store with a massive range of gear available online with stores in the Wellington area.
Instore
The main outdoor stores found in most big New Zealand cities are below.
Macpac, Kathmandu, and Bivouac are popular outdoor stores located in most NZ cities. Macpac and Kathmandu tend to mostly sell their own branded clothing but often have regular sales to pick up a deal. Bivouac tend to sell a larger range of different outdoor brands if you are looking for something in particular.
Outside Sports - has stores in Queenstown, Wanaka, Tekapo,and Te Anau with an online store selling a massive range of gear for adventure sports.