Of all the gear reviewed in Wilderness each year, a few items become packing list favourites. Here’s the kit our gear editor especially loved in 2024. Featured: Aarn Featherlite Freedom Pro with Balance Pockets $694 / 1500g This ultra-comfy, highly configurable pack won us over due to its load-carrying performance, particularly on multi-day trips. The […]
About the author
Mark Watson
Wilderness gear editor Mark Watson divides his workdays between graphic design, writing and photography. His passion for tramping, climbing, cycling and storytelling has taken him all over Aotearoa and the world in search of great trails, perfect moves and epic light. He has published four books and his photographs have featured in numerous publications. Especially motivated by long distance travel, he has tramped Te Araroa and cycled from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.
The 2026 Wilderness Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition
A tale of adventure and tragedy
Mt Peel, Kahurangi National Park
A lofty location for Brass Monkey
Get lost and suffer
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My gear through the decades