Niko and Kemi make a living building miniature backcountry huts in their studio in the Waikato. 

“We plan all of our tramping around visiting huts, often for work and always for inspiration,” they say. “Our approach to gear is old-school. We source secondhand before buying new, use items for as long as possible and prioritise natural materials. We usually do overnighters, often with the kids, so we take plenty of real food and don’t worry too much about pack weight.”

Packs

Niko carries a 30l Kathmandu pack for compact and heavy items; Kemi takes on the packhorse role with an 80l Macpac Torre for all the bulky items. The Torre was a recent upgrade after our 1990s pack finally gave up. Niko uses a Sew Love bumbag for easy phone and snack access.

Sleeping

We always stay in huts, hut tickets being lighter than mats and a tent. Our Sea to Summit -1 TK Trek down sleeping bag is going well after 10 years, especially paired with a silk liner and a woollen shawl around the shoulders. Niko splurged on a new  Marmot Women’s Angel Fire bag last year.

Boots

We both wear Lowa boots. Niko’s were sourced secondhand and we bought Kemi’s Ranger GTX new last year. After years of battling blisters, she now wears Injinji CoolMax toe socks under thick socks.

Art gear

We always carry sketchbooks to record our trips on paper. We often take a Mini Hut (Dominie Biv pictured) and camera (Canon 70D) to snap the artworks next to their lifesize counterparts. Other items we carry are a paper map, headlamps, candles, fire starters and a first aid kit.

Cooking and hydration

Our set-up is basic: we use an old cooker, an aluminium billy, and metal plates and mugs. We recently invested in a Snow Peak titanium pot set. Niko carries a 2l water bladder while Kemi prefers a metal bottle.

Clothing

A colourful mishmash of secondhand or homemade items. We love wool, our Merino365 baselayers are a nice thickness for hut days. We scored a whole set of tramping gear from a retiring tramper, including some vintage Alpsports items: a thick polarfleece, long johns and gaiters.

Weather protection

Kemi takes a Jack Stillman waxed canvas poncho instead of a rain jacket. It is heavy but offers great protection and can be worn over his pack and also used as a ground cover. Niko takes an inherited Kathmandu rain jacket and waterproof pants. We both like a good hat: Niko wears a Juan Bullion Sundowner cap with linen shade attached and Kemi likes his wide-brimmed oilskin, plus woollen beanies knitted by our mums.