Accessories
Trekking poles, chairs and more
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Black Diamond Carbon Z Walking Poles (pair)
A pair of 100% carbon-fibre trekking poles built for hikers and trail runners who want minimal weight. The Z-pole folding design packs down small and deploys fast, with EVA foam grips and moisture-wicking wrist straps for support on the move. Buying note: the link is for the current Distance Carbon Z generation (BD112554), replacing my older BD112205 poles. The current straps and published weights differ; the 372 g listed here remains the measured weight of my original pair.
Bushman Insect Repellent 50g
Australian made repellent in a compact 50g size, available in high DEET strengths that hold off march flies, mosquitoes and leeches. The dry gel format lasts for hours and does not feel greasy.
Camera Lens blower cleaner
A handheld blower that clears dust and lint from lenses, camera sensors and other delicate optics with a focused stream of air. Because it cleans without contact, it avoids the scratching risk of abrasive methods.
Cathole Trowel
A digging trowel moulded from 100% recycled polycarbonate, light to carry but tough enough for off-track use. Serrated edges cut through roots and hard soil, making it straightforward to dig catholes and follow Leave No Trace practice.
Clothes Line
A few metres of light cord for drying wet socks and clothes around camp. Weighs nothing and gets used more than you would expect.
Contour Walking Poles (Pair)
A pair of Black Diamond trekking poles for hiking across varied terrain, with a locking mechanism that holds length and resists slipping under load. They suit high-mileage days and hikers of any experience level.
Deck of Cards (PlayAbels)
A standard 54-card playing deck for any traditional card game, with every card illustrated as one of Tasmania's Abels, the peaks above 1,100 metres. It works as both a usable deck and a nod to the state's mountain country.
Deodorant
A travel sized deodorant for multi day trips. Not essential in the bush, but your tent mates appreciate it.
Durston Iceline Trekking Poles Pair
A pair of ultralight three-piece adjustable poles with a quick-connect mechanism that trims weight and complexity over traditional designs. High-strength carbon and larger-diameter tubing give them strength and durability without the weight penalty.
Field Notes waterproof notebook
The Field Notes Expedition is a waterproof, tearproof notebook with pages of Yupo synthetic paper that shrug off water, grease and dirt. The dot-grid layout handles writing, sketching or recording data in rough field conditions.
GSI Clear Trowel
A lightweight, durable sanitation trowel with sharp serrated edges for digging catholes in varied soil. It supports proper wilderness waste disposal and Leave No Trace practice.
Hand cream, lip balm, contact lenses
A small bundle of personal-care items for time outdoors: hand cream to guard against dryness and cracking, lip balm for sun- and wind-chapped lips, and contact lenses for vision correction.
Helinox Ground Chair
An ultralight, packable low chair whose square base adds stability on soft ground like sand and resists sinking. It is a portable seating option for backpacking, kayaking and bike touring.
Helinox Table One
A featherlight, packable camp table from Helinox. It weighs under a kilo, folds down small, and sets up in seconds, giving you a stable surface for meals, cards, or keeping gear up off the ground at camp.
Magic Fiber Microfiber cloth
A soft, reusable microfibre cloth that lifts dust, fingerprints and smudges from delicate surfaces without scratching. It is suited to cleaning camera lenses, glasses and other sensitive optics.
MSR ultralight cord 10m
A 10-metre length of lightweight cord with a high-tensile core, strong enough to guy out tents and tarps. A reflective weave makes it easier to see around camp at night.
Nikwax Tech Wash + TX.Direct Twin Pack
A two-part Nikwax kit for looking after waterproof gear. Tech Wash safely cleans jackets and shells without stripping their water repellency, and the TX.Direct spray-on restores the DWR coating so rain beads off again. A simple way to keep your rain gear performing.
Oakley Holbrook (prescription)
The Oakley Holbrook in a prescription-ready build, a full-rim frame with a classic rectangular shape in lightweight plastic. Fitted with prescription lenses, it gives corrected vision and all-day comfort outdoors.
Oakley Holbrook Non prescription
The non-prescription Oakley Holbrook pairs a classic square frame with a keyhole bridge and metal rivets. A lightweight O-Matter frame and Plutonite lenses deliver comfort, clarity and UV protection for everyday and outdoor wear.
Playing Cards
A standard deck of playing cards with survival tips and useful information printed on each card. It doubles as light entertainment and a quick reference in an emergency.
Prescription Glasses
Corrective eyewear with custom lenses shaped to address refractive errors such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. The frame holds the lenses in place for clear vision through everyday tasks.
REI Flexlite Air Chair
An ultralight, compact backpacking chair with a shock-corded aluminium frame and a ripstop nylon seat. It sets up and packs down quickly, giving an off-the-ground seat without much weight penalty.
Sharpie Twin Tip permanent marker
A permanent marker with two tips in one barrel, a fine point and an ultra-fine point for either bold or detailed marking. The ink dries quickly and resists fading and water on a range of surfaces.
Spare cord
A length of durable 1.8mm nylon cord with reflective, fluorescent strands for visibility in low light. It works well as tent guyline or for awnings and general rigging, and stands up to weather.
Sunscreen 50ml
A 50ml tube of sunscreen that shields skin from UV radiation to prevent sunburn. Regular use also lowers the longer-term risk of sun damage.
Tech Wrap Camera Wrap
A padded, flexible wrap that folds around a camera, lens or accessory to guard against scratches and minor knocks. It is a lighter, more adaptable alternative to a camera bag and tucks inside a larger pack.
ThermoDrop Zipper-Pull Thermometer
A tiny digital thermometer that clips onto a zipper pull so you can check the temperature at a glance. It weighs next to nothing, has a long-life battery, and simply shows the current temp, no fuss. Handy for knowing exactly how cold or warm it is out on the trail.
Toilet Paper (x 1 Roll)
A single roll of soft, absorbent toilet paper perforated into sheets. It is a basic personal-hygiene item for camp, at home or anywhere else.
Toothbrush
A standard toothbrush for the toiletries bag. Cut the handle down if you are chasing grams.
Toothpaste
A small travel sized tube of toothpaste, enough for a week or more on the trail.
Towel (Airlite Green)
The Sea to Summit Airlite Towel, an ultralight microfibre towel that absorbs more than three times its own weight in water and dries quickly. Its small packed size suits backpacking and travel where space is tight. Buying note: the linked product is the current Small Airlite towel in Sage (retailer lists 80 × 40 cm), approved as the replacement for my older green towel. Its fabric and published weight have changed. The 33 g listed here remains the measured weight of my original towel.
Trowel (orange plastic)
A lightweight, durable plastic trowel for digging catholes in the wilderness. It is a simple tool for disposing of human waste properly and following Leave No Trace ethics.
Victorinox classic SD Swiss army knife
The Victorinox Classic SD is a compact pocket knife packing seven tools, including a small blade, scissors and a nail file with a screwdriver tip. Swiss-made and keychain-sized, it handles quick everyday jobs.
Wilderness Wash (in dropper bottle)
A concentrated, biodegradable soap that covers personal washing, dishes and laundry from one bottle. The eco-friendly formula is gentle on skin and fabrics, a practical way to stay clean on remote walks.
Zoggs Glasses/Goggles Case
A protective case for swimming goggles, with a hard outer shell and a soft inner lining that guards the lenses from scratches. It is a secure way to store and carry goggles.
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