Trailmate

When venturing into the breath-taking outdoors of New Zealand, staying at DOC huts is a fantastic choice. These huts provide a snug haven, shielding you from the elements, complete with a comfortable bunk bed and various levels of basic kitchen amenities and toilet facilities (usually a long drop). It’s worth noting, that unless you’re on a Great Walk, most huts won’t be equipped with electricity or gas, therefore it’s essential to ensure you come prepared with the necessary supplies.

Water at the huts is often sourced from rainwater or streams. If you are uncertain about its quality, we recommend boiling it for 3 minutes before use.  Keep in mind that toilet paper is not supplied at the hut, but no need to fret – we've got you covered. It's part of our Core Kit rental offering for your convenience.

Hut bookings and tickets

To secure your spot, some huts require advance booking, while others require a prepaid hut ticket. Generally on non Great Walk tracks, available beds operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Discover the specifics of your chosen hut and its facilities by visiting the DOC website at www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/stay-in-a-hut/

DOC hut tickets can be purchased through our website here. As for hut bookings, head over to the DOC website. For huts that can’t be booked in advance, we recommend bringing a tent during peak periods in case the hut is full. Tents and blow-up mats can be rented though our website here.

Don't forget to bring along your hut booking confirmation or hut ticket during your hike. Certain huts might have a warden or ranger checking reservations upon arrival, so it's good to have it handy.

Hut Etiquette

Follow hut etiquette, which includes respecting quiet hours, leaving the hut clean, and adhering to any specific rules posted within the hut. 

Keep in mind that popular trails and huts can book out quickly, especially during peak seasons, so it's advisable to plan and book well in advance. Always check for any updates or changes on the DOC website before starting your journey.

Remember to keep all your rubbish in our returnable rubbish bag, and we will dispose of it either via recycling or composting.

Before embarking on a hiking adventure, thorough preparation is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. Here’s a checklist to guide you:

Research your trail:  
Familiarise yourself with your chosen trail, understanding its difficulty level and terrain.

Check the weather:  
Monitor the weather forecast for your hiking day and pack accordingly. Include layers for changing conditions. Check out our Rental add-ons and Shop options.

Hiking gear:
Ensure you have the right gear, including sturdy boots, a well-fitted backpack, and essentials like a map, compass, and a first aid kit.

Clothing:
Dress in layers for temperature control, adding or removing as needed and choose comfortable and moisture wicking under garments to prevent chafing.

Make sure to watch the videos below on how to correctly use base-layer and mid-layer clothing.

Hydration and nutrition:  
Stay hydrated with an ample supply of water, and pack energy-boosting snacks to maintain stamina.

Inform someone:  
Notify someone of your hiking plans, including your route and expected return time for safety reasons.

Hut reservations:  
If planning an overnight stay in a hut, make reservations in advance.

Trail etiquette:  
Pace yourself and follow trail markings. Be aware of and respect wildlife, keeping a safe distance.

Leave no trace:  
Be mindful of Leave No Trace principles; carry out all waste in our returnable rubbish bag and minimise your impact on the environment.

Always ensure you are well prepared for any hike, no matter the simplicity or terrain, as we all know, the great outdoors can be unpredictable! 

Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy, comfortable footwear. Dress in layers that can be added or removed based on temperature changes. 

Below we have listed clothing and equipment that are ‘must have’s & ‘nice to have’s’ – we have categorised what is included in your ‘Core Pack’, available through our ‘add-ons’, ‘PackBack shop’ and what is not available via PackBack.  As you can see, we have pretty much all bases covered!

Food

PackBack provide 2 and 3 night standard, youth and vegetarian meal options as follows:

• Breakfast Meals – Freeze Dried Real Meal Breakfast

• Dinner Meals – Freeze Dried Real Meal Dinner

• Dessert Meals – Freeze Dried Real Meal Dessert

• Safety Meal (as a back up)

• Snack Pack for 2 or 3 days hiking (Energy bars, Trail Mix, Chocolate, Dried Fruit, Jerky, Crackers)

• Tea and Coffee for Adults/Hot Chocolate for Kids

Lunch, water, and perishable options are not included – we recommend lightweight and energy dense food such:

• Fruit: sturdy fruits such as apples, oranges or pears. These fruits are less likely to bruise or get damaged during the hike.

• Hard cheeses like cheddar or gouda can withstand non-refrigerated conditions for a few days. They are a good source of protein and fat.  Crackers are included in your Snack Pack.

If you require quantities different than what is listed on our website, please do get in touch.

How to pack a bag

When preparing for a hiking adventure, strategic packing is essential for comfort and efficiency on the trail. Begin by:

• Organising your gear into categories, placing frequently accessed items at the top for easy reach

• Start with the basics: a well-fitted backpack, such as our Lowe Alpine Manaslu that distributes weight evenly, and sturdy, broken-in hiking boots/gym shoes to provide adequate support

• Pack weather-appropriate clothing, considering layers for temperature variations, including our Rab Kangri Gortex jacket, extra socks, and a hat. Make sure these are in reach if you need to get them quickly on the trail

• Utilise a lightweight, compact sleeping bag, such as our Rab Ascent Pro if an overnight stay is planned

• Pack a first aid kit and multi tool from our Core Kit and sunscreen & insect repellent, which can be purchased from our store

• Remember a reusable rubbish bag for waste, which we provide in our Core Pack, to ensure you adhere to Leave No Trace principles

• By carefully considering each item and its placement, you'll optimise your backpack's weight distribution and make your hiking experience more enjoyable

Unfortunately we are unable to provide Gas canisters for our JetBoil product with bookings, due to shipping and handling restrictions, however these can be easily purchased from retail outlets throughout New Zealand.  Remember if you are travelling by plane, train or ferry to your adventure destination, you may not be able to travel with a gas canister, so you’ll need to source them at your destination. Make sure to check with your travel provider before you do.

The following stores generally stock the type of gas canister required for the Jet Boil – JetBoil Jetpower Fuel Cannisters – 100GM, but please ring ahead to ensure they are in stock at your closest retailer.

Outdoor Retailers:

Katmandu - www.kathmandu.co.nz

Bivouac Outdoor – www.bivouac.co.nz

Torpedo7 - www.torpedo7.co.nz

Trek and Travel - www.trekntravel.co.nz

Outdoor Action - www.outdooraction.co.nz

Living Simply - www.livingsimply.co.nz

Supermarkets

New World – www.newworld.co.nz

Countdown / Woolworths – www.countdown.co.nz

PAK’Nsave – www.paknsave.co.nz

Four Square – www.foursquare.co.nz

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 for gear prices & the process to buy and make your favorite pieces a permanent part of your adventures.

Fill out the form at the bottom of this page, or contact us by either phone +64 27 600 6210 or email hello@packback.nz 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.