There’s a strong culture of backpacking, or ‘tramping’ as they call it in Australia and New Zealand. Both countries are home to landmark thru-hikes like the 1,900-mile Te Araroa and 746-mile Haysen Trail, as well as shorter but no-less-scenic trails like the Overland Track and Tongariro Northern Circuit.
With so many great hikes, it’s no surprise that there’s a bunch of stellar cottage Aussie and Kiwi gear brands. From packs to tents to apparel, these niche outfitters are creating innovative products through new fabrics and designs. If you’re prepping for a backpacking trip and looking for something different, these brands are worth checking out.
Neve Gear
This Sydney-based brand only makes three things, and it prides itself on doing those few things very well. It designs its sleeping bags and quilts to work both for thru-hikers and the casual weekender by balancing weight savings with comfort. The Bandicoot Sleeping Bag ($330) can fully unzip to become a quilt in warmer conditions, and is made with a durable-but-light 10D taffeta shell.
Its Warath Pro Quilt ($290 – $330) has a comfort rating of 21 degrees, and only weighs 21.7 ounces at a reasonable price tag of $330. The brand says its quilts and bags have a more spacious, comfortable design than the restrictive shape that many ultralight models do.
Neve Gear also uses its skills with down to make a lightweight puffer, the Barrington Down Hoody, which offers 950+ fill-power Ultrasonic Muscovy Down in a 6.7-ounce package.
Shipping & Returns: USA orders come shipped from Texas, with free shipping. There is a 90-day return policy. Some of the brand’s products are also available at Garage Grown Gear.
Aarn Packs
This New Zealand outfitter designs packs that are unlike almost anything else on the market. Most ultralight brands strip bags down to their bare essentials, but these feature-rich packs include “balance pockets.” These side-by-side pockets clip onto the front of your pack, and the brand says that they “balance your pack load and reduce leverage on your body for a more comfortable adventure.” This design allows allow you to keep essential items like your phone, sunscreen, and snacks right at your fingertips, and adds as much as 7 liters of capacity.
Aarn built the Mountain Magic 50 PRO ($400), its flagship pack, to offer maximum comfort. “The U-Flow shoulder straps allow free shoulder movement while ensuring optimal pack stability, reducing fatigue buildup, and increasing your balance,” the brand said. The stretch 3D mesh provides breathability, and the hip belt has two points of adjustment so you can dial in your perfect fit.
Shipping & Returns: There is free shipping to the USA. There is a 30-day return policy (customers must pay for shipping).
Whippa
Ultralight pack obsessives with a bit of cash to burn should check out Aussie brand Whippa. Its packs run for over $400, but there’s a reason for the high price tag. They’re made with some of the lightest, most durable fabrics on the market, including Ultra 200X and Ultra TX 95. The taped seams make it waterproof, and there are plenty of external pockets for storage and organization. Whippa also makes packs specifically designed for climbing, canyoneering, and ski mountaineering.
Shipping & Returns: Orders to the USA add around $50 in shipping costs. There is a 60-day return policy (customers must pay for shipping).
Zero G Gear
There are small brands, and then there are literally one-man shows run by someone in their garage, and Zero G Gear is the latter. When Tearloch Carr couldn’t find outdoor gear at the right price in Australia, he decided to make his own. The product line-up includes Alpha Direct fleeces, shelters, ultralight quilts, and ditty bags.
A standout product is the Oasis Bug Bivy ($325). Designed for warm weather, its ultra-fine mesh protects from pesky mosquitos at the impressively low weight of just 7 ounces. Add on a trekking pole tarp made from Dyneema, and you’ve got the ideal three-season ultralight shelter.
Shipping & Returns: Customers in the USA can expect to pay around $28 in shipping. Zero G has a 30-day return policy and a 2-year limited warranty. Quilts have a lead time of 1 to 4 weeks.
Kiwi Ultralight
The owners of Kiwi Ultralight cut their teeth thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trial, and Te Araroa, and then used their experiences to design the gear they wish they had. The brand’s main products include an ultralight down quilt ($300), Moa tent ($787), and Tui 42 pack ($240). The Moa is lightweight (22 ounces) but still spacious, with an internal floor area of 21 square feet. It’s got a waterproof rating of 15,000mm, with a double wall design to limit pesky condensation.
The Tui 42 pack is deal for those looking for a pack that can handle day hikes, multi-day backpacking trips, and travel. It’s made with HyperD 300, a 300-denier polyester diamond-grid fabric, and clocks in at just 14 ounces.
Shipping & Returns: U.S. shipping costs an extra $23.
Tarkine
Trail runners have taken over the world of backpacking and thru-hiking in recent years, and Tarkine is one of the category leaders in Australia. One of its most popular shoes, the Trail Devil 3 ($192), has a Vibram Megagrip outsole to tackle tough terrain, and a light, responsive underfoot. With a wide toebox, fans of Altras might find a lot to love with this brand. The brand says that another model, the Giants ($156), has a tested lifespan of over 550 miles.
Shipping & Returns: U.S. orders over $120 have free shipping. Orders under that threshold incur a $15 shipping fee. The brand offers a 30-day comfort guarantee on footwear. “We give you 30 days from the day your shoes arrive to walk, run, and test them out — inside or outside — and if they’re not quite right, you can return them for a full refund,” its website said.
Scoparia Designs
Custom packs are a major trend in the backpacking world, and Tasmania-based Scoparia Designs is getting in on the action. The brand has three base models, and customers make modifications from there. You can add extra pockets, straps, attachments, and pouches, and change the size and fabrics.
Scoparia uses Challenge Sailcloth Ultra, which is a Dyneema weave laminated onto a fully waterproof PET backing for maximum durability and weather protection, a must-have in Australia’s alpine environments.
Shipping & Returns: International customers will pay an extra shipping fee determined by their location. If the pack suffers any damage that affects its function within five years of purchase, the company will replace it for free.
