Suggested Trekking Gear List

New Zealand weather patterns are very unpredictable, and may change from day to day and even hour to hour.  It can rain or snow at anytime of the year.  Even if your trek / hike is planned for summer or early autumn (December - March), we recommend that you bring one full set of warm clothes, including some type of thermal underwear.  You will also want a set of lightweight (summer) clothes if coming in February / March.  Having said this, our weather is usually very mild without the extreme cold temperatures that can occur in continental Europe or North America.  During June through July and August, the coldest time of the year, an extra layer can be very cosy.   
The best way to dress is in layers, and to avoid heavy, bulky items.  The layers make it easier to regulate your body heat.  On sunny yet windy winter days, a wind block jacket/top can be great in reducing the wind chill factor. A Gore-tex or similar coat will always be needed to keep out rain and wind.  

When travelling through untracked wilderness areas, durable clothing is required to stand up to tough vegetation.  Please leave your jeans in the vehicle.  Shorts or fleece trousers are best. We also recommend always keeping one set of clothes for in camp. These items must not get wet. For above bushline or alpine travel, as compared to bush or lowland travel, additional clothing and gear can be required.  Excellent, worn-in footwear is essential.  Please get used to your boots prior to your booked trek / hike as sore feet will ruin your trip. Lightweight boots will not stand up to many of New Zealand conditions, so we recommend a rigid boot with leather outer shell and a good grip.  Semi-rigid boots will generally be okay if you are staying in a forested area in the North Island.

If we are flying into an area, there is the possibility of taking the odd extra item, which can be put in your small day pack, which in turn will be needed by you to carry your daily food and water requirements along with coat, torch and camera when out exploring. However, we need to watch the overall weight of the load.  Also when flying in we prefer to take heavier fresh food items for at least part of our stay. That would not be possible if you were back-packing everything into the hills.

BUSH & ABOVE BUSHLINE

Clothing

• 1 pair boots, well worn-in, CLEAN & DRY (a good support boot, e.g.Meindl style)
• 2-3 pairs of socks
• Gaiters /Puttees
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 pair of long pants (wool/ fleece)
• 1-2 pairs of long johns   [(top, legs), fleece/silk/polyprops]
• 1 light and 1 medium weight shirt
• Warm jacket or jersey (wind block is best)
• Extra top layer  (fleece or similar)
• Warm hat and sun hat
• Rain coat with hood (high quality raingear)
• Over trousers  (high quality raingear)
• Mittens & other warm gloves  (1 pair with water proof outer)

Equipment

• Pack (60-80), pack liner bag (large garden bag)
• Small day pack / bag
• Sleeping bag ( 3-4 season)
• Waterproof sleeping bag cover
• Sleeping mat (closed cell foam or air mattress)
• Light weight torch/head lamp with spare batteries
• Watch
• Map & compass  (we supply)
• Water container
• Toilet paper/personal hygiene items
• Cooking utensils (pots, cutlery, mug: we supply)
• Cooker/fuel  (we supply)
• Matches/lighter
• Camera
• Sunscreen/ sunglasses
• A good book
• 1 pencil / pen /paper
• Ear plugs, if you are a light sleeper
• Personal items –hygiene / toiletries.  We also recommend that you bring at least 2 times the required days’ stay for prescriptions and daily-required medicines for the duration of your trip to New Zealand. These should NOT all be packed in your luggage.  Take some in your carry-on to avoid lost baggage, delays. Airline security may limit such quantities – confirm at booking time.  Also, it is a good idea to bring an extra pair of glasses, contacts and daily cleaner, and other ‘essential’ items for your trip to avoid frustrating delays