How it works

  • Adventure starts long before the trail.

    PackBack is your trusted partner for planning unforgettable New Zealand hiking adventures. From choosing the right track and building your itinerary to delivering premium hiking gear ready for your arrival, we're here to make every step of the journey simple.

    Whether you're tackling your first Great Walk or heading into the backcountry, our detailed adventure guides, local knowledge and carefully curated gear help you travel lighter, hike with confidence and focus on the experience ahead.

    Every piece of equipment is personally selected, trail tested, professionally cleaned and thoroughly checked before it leaves us. We only stock gear we'd happily rely on ourselves, giving you complete confidence that you'll arrive prepared without carrying more than you need.

    We take care of the planning, packing and logistics, so you can spend less time worrying about the details and more time creating unforgettable memories.

    Plan smarter. Pack lighter. Hike better.

  • Whether you're travelling from overseas or exploring New Zealand closer to home, planning a hiking adventure often means coordinating transport, accommodation, DOC bookings, gear, weather and countless moving parts. It can quickly become overwhelming.

    That's where PackBack comes in.

    We'll take the time to understand the type of adventure you're looking for and help bring the details together into a practical, well-planned itinerary. From choosing the right adventure and organising logistics to recommending the right gear, we're here to make planning simple and enjoyable.

    While we don't claim to know every trail in New Zealand, we have built a strong network of knowledgeable hikers, guides, accommodation providers, transport operators and local businesses throughout the regions we love. That means when local knowledge matters, we know where to turn to help you get the right advice.

    We can help with:

    • Choosing an adventure that matches your interests, experience and timeframe.

    • Planning an itinerary before, during and after your hike.

    • Transport, accommodation and local logistics.

    • Packing advice and premium gear recommendations.

    • Local tips to help you make the most of your journey.

    Our goal is simple: to remove the stress from planning, so you can focus on the adventure ahead.

  • To ensure we can deliver your pack on time, please confirm your booking at least 14 days before day one of your hike, if you are inside of this timeframe please get in touch to discuss. Our recommendation is that you select 1 x Core Pack per person. The packs are equipped with high quality, best in class equipment that is the perfect companion on your hiking adventure. We want to keep you safe, so have included a safety kit as part of every Core Pack.

    Individual item rental options are dependent on the type of hike you are doing and what gear you already have.

    You can also add our chef-prepared freeze-dried meals (breakfast, dinner and dessert). We highly recommend this option, you will be the envy of your fellow hikers, when you zip open these little beauties after a fierce day on the track!

  • At PackBack, our rental prices are set at a daily rate, ensuring you only pay for the days you're out adventuring, not the shipping time.

    We're thrilled to join you on your journeys as your trusted trail mate! To show our appreciation, we offer a 5% discount on the base rate for each additional day of your adventure, up to a whopping maximum 50% off the daily base rate. So for example, day 2 you’ll get 5% off the day rate, day 3 you’ll get 10% off the day rate, and so on! Adventure more, spend less with PackBack!

  • We ship to anywhere in New Zealand – home address or accommodation.

    Simply book your Core Pack or individual items by selecting the dates of your hike (we will manage the allowance for shipping time at our end)

    All packs will arrive at least 1 day prior to your scheduled start date.

    Gas canisters

    Unfortunately gas canisters are not permitted onboard commercial planes or ferries so we are unable to send these with your gear. If you require gas with your booking we have listed where you can source gas cans from in our helpful hints section on our website.

  • We will provide easy to follow instructions and how to guides/videos for all our equipment. We recommend you review these prior to your hike.

  • After completing your adventure, place the pack and all returnable items, inside the reusable delivery bag it originally came in. Include the packaging from any food items purchased through PackBack, which can be placed inside the reusable rubbish bag and inside your pack. You do not need to clean the equipment before returning to us, we clean all the gear thoroughly once back at base.

    Loved the gear you rented? Why not keep it? Our gear has seen a few adventures but is still in near-new condition, and our prices reflect that! Check out your welcome email and the process to buy and make your favorite pieces a permanent part of your adventures.

    Contact us by either phone or email and we will then arrange a courier driver to pick up your pack from the address you have specified – it’s as easy as that!

    Once back at home base our team checks everything is accounted for and releases your deposit.

Have more questions? Check out our FAQ page, or send us a message here.

Low Alpine Manaslu Backpack, easy access to all sections, perfect for long hikes