The latest gear news, plus Wilderness writers and gear reviewers test their kit for you.
Therm-A-Rest NeoAir UberLite $599.99
Used by: Newsletter editor Justin Sprecher
Used for: Four months
At 250g, this mat is one of the lightest inflatables out there.
It has an R-value of 2.0 and doesn’t contain any insulation. I’ve used it down to 5℃ and was comfortable, but only just. Therm-A-Rest also uses thin, almost see-through 15D ripstop nylon fabric. So far there have been no durability issues, but I will pamper this piece of gear to be safe.
Aside from those points, everything else is top quality and it’s comfortable on both rocky and soft ground. There is less of the crinkly noise that has been associated with the NeoAir XLite. The Wing-Lock valve makes it quick to inflate and deflate. It packs down tiny – no bigger than a soft-drink can.
This is a well-engineered premium mat, and the price reflects that.
Verdict: For thru-hikers and fastpackers looking for the lightest possible mat without sacrificing comfort, this is a top option.
Off-Piste
Plant-based Jerky $6.99
Used by: Gear editor Mark Watson
Used for: A few trips
This plant-based jerky takes slightly less chewing than its meat-based namesake but it has flavour to match. The base is organic pea protein and olive oil, glucose, spices and natural flavours. It’s a nutrient-packed hit of 45 per cent protein.
I find a mixture of sweet and salty snacks satiates my cravings on extended outdoor adventures. It’s also good to have a variety of texture and flavour.
Off-Piste brings that variety to the table with this locally made product. I’ve eaten regular jerky and biltong in the past. The Off-Piste variety, available in four flavours, tastes as good, and has the right texture to provide more than energy bars, scroggin and chocolate.
Verdict: Tastes great, keeps you chewing and adds essential protein when you’re on the go.
KEA Outdoors Stash $60
Used by: Gear editor Matthew Cattin
Used for: Four days of tramping trash
Sticky, sweaty food waste is the unglamorous underbelly of tramping, and vulnerable ziplocks don’t always cut it. KEA Outdoors’ Kickstarter success story – the 6l Stash rubbish bag – is a sturdy, compactable answer to the problem.
It does exactly what it claims on the tin – no mess, leaks or smells. The mouth of the bag has a beefy ziplock that seals well, and external tension straps help to really compact the waste. Cleaning is easy – simply tip out the rubbish, pull the bag inside out and wash with warm soapy water.
Verdict: A durable waste solution with no spills
Patagonia opens Queenstown store
Patagonia has joined brands like The North Face and Merrell in opening its own Queenstown store.
The store has a fly-fishing theme and includes a custom-designed ‘Fly Bar’, a fully equipped, in-store fly-tying hub, as well as a selection of rods from New Zealand brand Epic Fly Rods.
“The Fly Bar is a gift to the community, a place to connect for ongoing workshops, events and education around fly fishing and the protection of New Zealand waterways,” says Patagonia Queenstown’s fly fishing manager, Santillan De Pinto.
The company’s clothing and equipment is also available at the store, which is located at 49 Beach Street.
