Bushwalk Australia

So a lot of us on here are clearly gear junkies. I'm always interested in hearing what people are finding really great.

So what's your favourite piece (or pieces) of gear?

And perhaps to make it more interesting, how about your "old favourite go-to" piece, and something new that you love?

This question often gets asked
It is still my old army issue kidney cup that fits the issue water bottle
The other is a new to me but second hand Patagonia MicroPuff vest to replace the Puffball vest that died decades ago and the almost matching insulated pants

Zamberlan Baffin boots. These things are like slippers!

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My hammock...to hang boldly where no man has hung before !

...plus my runners with their sticky vibram compound & chunky tread pattern, great for wet slippery rocks in creeks & gorges. Only 160kms of off-track walking on them, but so far so good.

Both my Hillies, they have taken everything that has been dished up to them from mother nature. Others around didn't fare so well.

My PLB and I hope I never have to find out if it actually works.

Shorts, nude and stinging nettles dont work

Interesting answers...

@ofuros What brand of runners do you have? I've just bought some Scarpas last week on sale with Vibram soles also, and so far I love 'em.

One of my faves are my down quilt. (Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 XWide which is generous for me, or can cover me and my daughter too for extra warmth for her.)

And I love my Space blanket. Such a simple thing but useful as a ground tarp for entry into and out of tent, picnic blanket, on tent floor etc. I've got the orange version so I could use it for signalling in an emergency.

emma_melbourne wrote:Interesting answers...

@ofuros What brand of runners do you have? I've just bought some Scarpas last week on sale with Vibram soles also, and so far I love 'em.

I've switched from boots to runners only recently and since I like exploring creek beds during warm summers here, they really needed had to have grippy soles in slippery conditions.
Just hope they don't mess around with compound too much as they update they line up.
I bought mine when on sale oversees... But they do have a online presence in Australia now with sales every now & then.
Better slip on some sunnies first, they love their colours...

http://hokaoneone.com.au/

Moondog55 wrote:It is still my old army issue kidney cup that fits the issue water bottle

"Cup, Canteen, Steel" please.

Note that I've just gone away from using one of these (after 20+ years) to a titanium cup that fits a standard (i.e. round) waterbottle and sits in the side pouch of my pack.
I'll give the new-fangled technology a couple of gos before I decide which I prefer.

+1 on the hammock.

With a good night's sleep I can deal with most things during the day.

Almost embarrassed to say it but a Helinox chair.

I can do without it on day walks but I'd be crippled in about 3 days without it. The ground or a rock or log just doesn't work!

Once you have reasonable kit, your favourite is always your newest bit of kit. So for me it's my new "TNF ThermoBall Full Zip Jacket" to replace my worn puffer jacket. This one is water repellent and keeps you warm, even when it gets wet, synthetic fill.

Test run in a 30min shower was impressive but the thought of not having to take a bulky rain jacket (380g) is going to be so good. May even get down to 35L for multi-day and add a few compact lux items. We will see once I can get it out in 4+ hours of rain because my current shell only lasts about that long anyway.

Don't think I have one. Certainly my least favourite is my body - it's the most unreliable piece of garbage I've ever used to do anything.

north-north-west wrote:Don't think I have one. Certainly my least favourite is my body - it's the most unreliable piece of garbage I've ever used to do anything.

Ha...that was(almost) my answer, but being glass half full rather than half empty like your good self I'd say, my favourite piece of equipment is definitely my legs, they are so awesome, everything else is just stuff.

I think life’s too complicated to have a favourite ANYTHING. But I’d be very unhappy if I didn’t have a computer that equips me to read lots of interesting comments on this forum.

stepbystep wrote:...but being glass half full rather than half empty...

Your glasses, my dear boy, are constantly in need of being topped up.

No, that's 'want', not 'need' . . .

gayet wrote:Almost embarrassed to say it but a Helinox chair.

Don't be embarrassed - my vote also goes to my Helinox chair! I got a base weight of ~2.8kg but the one 'luxury' I will always take is my Helinox.

Stew63 wrote:

gayet wrote:Almost embarrassed to say it but a Helinox chair.

Don't be embarrassed - my vote also goes to my Helinox chair! I got a base weight of ~2.8kg but the one 'luxury' I will always take is my Helinox.

Super UL impressive! Do tell...

Neo wrote:

Stew63 wrote:

gayet wrote:Almost embarrassed to say it but a Helinox chair.

Don't be embarrassed - my vote also goes to my Helinox chair! I got a base weight of ~2.8kg but the one 'luxury' I will always take is my Helinox.

Super UL impressive! Do tell...

Day pack for fine weather only??

My favourite will be any of the following: Berghaus Freeflow 40 Rucksack, Marmot Catalyst 2P tent, Marmot Nanowave 25 sleeping bag, Trangia stove, STS comfort plus sleeping mat.
Why this bunch, well after almost 40 yrs of fantastic service it is time to update and replace the gear that has served me so well on many adventures to now. This selection will see me out to the end of my roaming and I cannot wait to try it all out together. The Thorsbourne trail is looking good!

Warin wrote:

Neo wrote:

Stew63 wrote:
Don't be embarrassed - my vote also goes to my Helinox chair! I got a base weight of ~2.8kg but the one 'luxury' I will always take is my Helinox.

Super UL impressive! Do tell...

Day pack for fine weather only??

No - it's my multiday 'baseweight' (non-winter) - including all the essentials/safety gear (PLB/phone/FA) and more - but to clarify that base weight does not include my Helinox chair. (or fuel/food/water) Actually I just re-checked - 2.68kg base weight - but always trying to safely shave a few grams more. (For a start my awesome KS backpack is only 300gm)

My 900fill (600gm) down quilt really is total overkill warmthwise most of the time (non-winter) so I could easily shave probably another 150gms off right there if I went for a lighter down quilt - but that's $$$ I don't really need to spend.

Hey Stew maybe put your latest big 3 / 4 here?
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5821&hilit=Big+3

I've been happy with the synthetic OMM half bag at 215g and a fleece or thin puffy but it would be too warm now! Just a bag liner would do.

Neo wrote:Hey Stew maybe put your latest big 3 / 4 here?
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5821&hilit=Big+3

I've been happy with the synthetic OMM half bag at 215g and a fleece or thin puffy but it would be too warm now! Just a bag liner would do.

I don't have a 'big 3/4' I have a 'small/light 3/4' - but I'll be sure to post shortly...

My touring bicycle an Malvern Star Oppy S1 and my Campanion Pro-Hiker 2 Tent( it weighs 2.7 kgs) but weight is not really a thing on my trips as I take a dog in a dog trailer lots of stuff, extra water for said dog and extra food for him as well.

Oruxmaps. Its a mapping/navigation app for Android. Its all I use for navigating in the bush these days. (I carry a compass/paper map as a backup for walks I dont know well or are remote)

Both of these are of limited use in the wild; I mean, they're both useful tools but I have infrequent use for them:

1) Helle Gaupe bushcraft knife
2) Brunton compass (it's heavy but I just love it even though I more often use my Suunto baseplate)

My pocket knife.
It's one of these:
https://www.gerbergear.com/Knives/Foldi ... nife_46050
I use it everyday for something.
And a stone to go with it, no use unless you can resharpen:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/norton-shar ... e_p5761972

My favourite bit of gear (well the bit I have had the longest and won’t part with which must make it my favourite) is my 14cm Zebra Billy Can. I have had it since I was 12 and event though I have many other choices these days I keep comeing back to it.

I also make regular use of my Army Issue Cup Canteen. It got a second life when I brought a Heavy Cover Lid and stand for it. Since this I have worked out how to bake all sorts of goods in it.

I also love my primus Omni-lite stove. I did love the Omni fuel but when I discovered a lighter version I went for it.


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Macpac used to do a softshell jacket lined with Merino inside. I don't know why they don't sell it anymore, maybe because it's a bit fragile, and not that waterproof, but it's incredibly comfortable and warm, I still have it after 6 years and wear it all the time during winter over a fleece jumper and a couple of first layers. It's the only thing merino I own that lasted more than a couple of years.