Jade Downing is an outdoor enthusiast from Colorado who has been enjoying off- and on-track tramping in New Zealand.

She has walked the South Island leg of Te Araroa and bagged more than 100 huts since being here. “I prefer economical gear that is durable and versatile enough for New Zealand’s various environments,” she says.

Clothing

I am not particularly brand-loyal – I go with what fits and is on sale. I do prefer long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sun gloves to protect myself from the sun, bush and sandflies. Wool socks are a must and most of mine are from Darn Tough or Icebreaker. For off-track adventures, I love
the $12 Salewa boots that I found in an op shop. On Te Araroa I wore a pair of Altras, but did not like the zero drop heel to toe feature. I also carried a pair of Keen Astoria West sandals as camp shoes.

Comfort items

A foam sit pad for breaks, Luminaid solar lantern for early nights.

Pack

I bought my Osprey Atmos 65 five years ago and it has been comfortable, despite being designed for men. Its thicker fabric is well suited for scrub bashing and it had enough room for my South Island Te Araroa tramp. Many people asked me about my chest pack, which I bought in a store in Arizona that makes them onsite.

Sleep system

My Enlightened Equipment Revelation down quilt, rated to -10℃, coupled with a silk liner allows for hygiene and versatility. My Sea to Summit Insulated Comfort Plus sleeping pad is great with an R-value of 4.

Shelter

My ultralight 3F UL Lanshan 2 tent is roomy and easy to pitch. It weighs 1100g and cost less than NZ$300. One downside is that the single-wall design causes condensation during humid conditions.

Hydration

I’ve had giardia in the past and now always filter my water using a Katadyn BeFree Gravity 3L filter.

Cooking

I use a Soto Windmaster with an Evernew titanium 600ml pot. I add boiled water to dehydrated foods in an insulated metal container, which cooks everything perfectly. I also carry an insulated Sea to Summit mug to enjoy hot beverages while my dinner cooks.

Food

My favorite bases are ramen, poha and quinoa flakes plus a protein option for longer trips, but I eat much better on shorter ones. I carry a good selection of snacks, a chunk of butter to cook with and various hot beverages including chai lattes, flat whites, cocoa and soup packets. For dessert, as much baked goods as I can carry and a packet of instant pudding.

Essentials

PLB, headlamp, two forms of lighter, powerbank, compass, maps and my personal selection of first aid items.