Gear guides
Gear for big treks, compared honestly
We compare the gear trekkers ask about most, using manufacturer specs and what independent long-term reviews agree on. No sponsored rankings.
Best Hiking Boots for Multi-Day Treks
Six mid-height hiking boots compared on weight, price and what they're best at, for hut-to-hut treks like the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Top pick: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX
Best Trekking Poles for Long Descents
Three trekking poles compared on weight, price and locking system, from folding carbon poles to sturdy cork-handled classics.
Top pick: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork
Best Rain Jackets for Trekking
Five waterproof jackets compared on weight, price and fabric, from ultralight emergency shells to storm-proof Gore-Tex.
Top pick: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
Best Headlamps for Early Starts
Four rechargeable headlamps compared on brightness, weight and price, for alpine starts, hut dorms and Kilimanjaro's summit night.
Top pick: Petzl Actik Core
Best Backpacking Tents for Two
Five two-person backpacking tents compared on weight, price and liveability, from ultralight trekking-pole shelters to easy freestanding tents.
Top pick: Durston X-Mid 2
Best Backpacks for Multi-Day Treks
Five 55–68 litre backpacks compared on weight, price and carrying comfort, from ultralight packs to fully padded load haulers.
Top pick: Osprey Exos 58
Best Sleeping Bags for Backpacking
Five backpacking sleeping bags compared on warmth, weight and price, from budget Decathlon bags to premium down.
Top pick: NEMO Disco 15
Best Water Filters for Hiking
Four lightweight water filters compared on weight, price and speed, for treks where you refill from streams.
Top pick: Sawyer Squeeze
Best Down Jackets for Treks
Four down jackets compared on weight, warmth and price, for cold mornings, hut evenings and summit days.
Top pick: Patagonia Down Sweater
Little Things You Need for a Trek
Power banks, stoves, pots, socks, gloves, hats, a first-aid kit and snacks: the small things that make or break a multi-day trek.
Top pick: Nitecore NB10000 Gen 4
Gear budget calculator
Pick a product for every must-have, tick what you already own and see the total cost of your kit.
Cheapest full kit from about $515
Hut-to-hut packing list
Everything that goes in your pack for a hut trek, as a checklist you can tick off.
32 items, 6 groups
Am I ready for my trek?
Before you buy anything, check your fitness against the real numbers of your trek.
2-minute readiness quiz