With the support of these generous partners, you’ll have no trouble at all in completing the Walk1200km challenge.

Bridgedale, Sock partner

From mountain tops to weekend walks, Bridgedale has socks that will keep your toes warm, comfortable and blister-free every time you’re in the outdoors and whatever your activity. Bridgedale has socks for walking, hiking, mountaineering, trail running, everyday styles and waterproof socks.

Bridgedale is governed by three principles: 

• Fit – the construction of every Bridgedale is the secret to the perfect fit which ensures your socks feel like new after every wash.
• FusionTech – the unique blend of yarn and knitting technology that sets Bridgedale apart from competitors.
• Guarantee – a badge of confidence that ensures the socks, designed, developed, tested and manufactured are worthy of the Bridgedale brand name.

Bridgedale socks have been knitted in Newtonards, Ireland, since the First World War and the brand has earned the trust of millions of customers around the world. The aim has always been to design and manufacture the most comfortable socks you’ll ever wear,  using the latest machinery, the most progressive designs and the most advanced yarn technology. Bridgedale socks are also long-lasting and they’ll keep your feet dry and blister-free. Find out more at e.ampro.co.nz.

Living Simply, North Island Retail Partner

Living Simply is Auckland’s only independent outdoor clothing and equipment retailer. It’s a family-owned store opened in 1988 by Mark Sinclair and now run by his son Ben. All their staff are experienced outdoor enthusiasts with personal experience of the products sold.

The store stocks a large range of premium footwear, backpacks and apparel, as well as the essential equipment and food for all your tramping needs. 

Leading local and international brands in store include Aarn Packs, Hoka, Salewa, Lowa, One Planet, Lowe Alpine, Rab, Osprey, Altra, Marmot, Mont, Earth Sea Sky, Leki, Deuter, La Sportiva, Montane, Merrell, Salomon and Smartwool. www.livingsimply.co.nz

Salewa, Footwear partner

Salewa was founded in Munich in 1935. It is a family-owned company now located in the Dolomites of South Tirol where it develops technical products that combine traditional materials with progressive designs.

The company is committed to upholding high environmental and social standards. Its success is built on a strong sense of regional identity and a belief in quality and values. There is an in-depth knowledge of mountain sports that is reflected in the company’s pursuit of finding new ways to build better, game-changing footwear.

Salewa footwear is split into five categories: Alpine Mountaineering, Alpine Trekking, Technical Approach, Speed Hiking and, new for summer 2021, Alpine Life.

All footwear styles share the same key performance features: a precise, blister-free fit, good protection, superb grip and adaptability. In addition, Salewa uses the highest quality upper materials – from Perwanger suede leather to lightweight, robust and breathable fabrics.

Performance features include waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex membranes, Vibram outsoles and odour-resistant Ortholite insoles.

No matter where your Walk1200km challenge takes you, Salewa has the perfect footwear for your needs. Find out more at www.bobo.co.nz.

Lowe Alpine, Pack partner

Lowe Alpine was born from the hearts and minds of one of the greatest climbing families ever.

Greg, Mike and Jeff Lowe were raised on the move, spending their childhood climbing, skiing, hunting and hiking. By their 20s, the Lowe brothers were the leading climbers of their generation, but they hit a wall: the external frame backpacks available to them at the time were heavy and unstable. A new kind of pack was needed that would let them move more freely on demanding terrain.

In 1967, Greg designed, tested and launched the Expedition Pack from Lowe Alpine Systems. It was a revolutionary backpack that gave climbers more freedom of movement. It featured an innovative internal frame, compression straps and other never-before-seen features. This pack changed the outdoor industry forever, becoming the blueprint from which all modern technical backpacks are derived.

Lowe Alpine continues to innovate today and its packs are recognised as one of the most significant pack brands in the world. Pioneers and innovators, Lowe Alpine has created the ‘standard’ for hiking packs. Find out more at www.outfitters.net.nz.

Panasonic Lumix, Camera Partner

For more than 20 years Lumix has been a digital camera innovator. The company specialises in producing powerful compact cameras that have substantial zoom range, which makes them ideal for travellers and trampers. Many Lumix innovations, such as wide-angle lenses and optical stabilisation, have become industry standards. 

In 2008, Lumix introduced its G range – the world’s first mirrorless camera. Lumix G cameras optimise the balance of high-quality imaging and portability, exemplified by the DC-GH5M2 and DC-G9 cameras which are packed with the latest imaging capabilities. These cameras are also rugged and weather-sealed, especially designed to go anywhere and work in all conditions. 

There is a Lumix model to suit your needs and to capture your journey in the highest quality, no matter where you go.

Plan my walk by NZ Mountain Safety Council, Safety Partner

Plan My Walk by the NZ Mountain Safety Council is proud to partner with Wilderness for the inaugural Walk1200km.

The world-first Plan My Walk app is designed to help trampers prepare for New Zealand’s outdoors. It removes the guesswork by combining all of the relevant planning steps into one place.

With 1000+ DOC tracks and more due, there’s a trip for everyone. Plan My Walk incorporates DOC track and accommodation alerts, MetService weather warnings and watches, NZ Avalanche Advisory forecasts and special alerts such as a râhui, kauri dieback and Covid-19 restrictions.

There’s no need to consider the best weather forecast: Plan My Walk does that for you using the latest MetService mountain forecasts including the new mountain weather hazards.

When you’re ready to create a trip plan you can add the people from your group, assign an emergency contact, add the trip schedule, notes, and any applicable documents. Then, your trip can be shared with your contacts and away you go. It’s planning made easy.

The app will continue to be developed and new features will be added. Your feedback will help to shape these enhancements, so give it a go and let us know.

Download the app from your app store or check it out online at planmywalk.nz

Further Faster, South Island Retail Partner

A retired sewing machine repair shop in the back streets of Sydenham, Christchurch, doesn’t sound like the obvious choice for a new outdoor store that no one had heard of. But a few years ago, when passing by, Julz knew she had found the spot to create Further Faster.

Rocky, Julz and Dan (with help from Badger the dog) began Further Faster with a vision to create a community that reached far beyond the boundaries of their shop. They wanted to foster an environment that encouraged everyone, regardless of ability, to experience the beauty that New Zealand’s great adventure playground has to offer.

The team is always looking for ways they can benefit the community and host events at their premises, such as information evenings, movie nights, charity events, local races and evenings with legendary speakers. These events work perfectly alongside the team’s day-to-day enthusiasm working in the shop and online, to encourage people to get outside with the knowledge that they have the right gear and equipment to have an epic time and to come home safely. www.furtherfaster.co.nz