15 essential hiking gear hacks for tackling Australia’s toughest trails

Top 15 hiking gear hacks we swear by

Hiking, Planning

Developed and tested on some of Australia’s toughest trails and in extreme weather, these 15 hiking gear hacks will elevate your hiking experience.

Our top gear hacks to boost comfort, safety and performance

Over the past six years, we’ve spent more than 80 days on trail across Australia, each adventure offering a new challenge.

From the bone-chilling cold of a week-long snow hike in Tasmania to the blistering heat of Australia’s dry Red Centre, and a solo five-week trek through the wild and remote Australian Alps, we’ve put our hiking gear to the test in every extreme.

We’ve discovered and refined key hiking gear hacks that make all the difference.

These 15 trail gear tips are born from trial, error, creativity, the wisdom of others, and unforgettable adventures—where you only have yourself and your gear to rely upon.

1. Weigh everything to keep your pack honest

We use Lighterpack, a free web-based tool, to weigh and record every item before a hike. It’s one of the best hiking gear hacks to avoid “pack creep”—that sneaky habit of adding unnecessary, and unweighted items. Once your gear is logged, you can easily create packing lists for future hikes. Check out our sample lists: Australian Alps Walking Track and Overland Track.

2. Sleep like a queen with a down pillow

Forget inflatable pillows—nothing beats the comfort of stuffing a Macpac down jacket into a Buff Original Ecostretch Headband (pillowcase). This simple hack has made our hiking experience much more comfortable, ensuring a good night’s sleep after long days on trail.

3. Swap a Nalgene for a 1.25l soft drink bottle

Soft drink bottles are lighter, more compact, and easier to grab on the go (due to the added height). Plus, they’re cheap to buy, durable and fit great in pack drink holder compartments. We’ve tested this trail gear tip on several Tasmanian multi-day trails and a 35-day Australian Alps traverse. Some hikers even use a 2L milk container strapped to their pack!

4. Ditch toilet paper—use a Kula Cloth instead

Avoid the hassle of burying or carrying out toilet paper by using a Kula Cloth for pees. This is one of our top hiking advice tips for eco-conscious trekkers who want to reduce waste without compromising on hygiene. This reusable pee cloth is deigned to be attached to the outside of your pack and is easy to rinse and quick to dry.

5. Sandwich bags keep your feet dry in surprise rain

In an emergency, if your shoes are wet, try slipping large sandwich bags over your socks to keep them – and your feet – dry. It’s a simple, effective hack that works great in unexpected rain or snow!

6. Invest in waterproof socks for wet weather hikes

Planning for rain or snow? Waterproof socks like Bridgedale Storm Socks are a game-changer. On a seven-day snow hike in Tasmania, we were the only hikers with dry feet—well worth the investment and one of our key hiking gear hacks for wet conditions.

7. Kitchen gloves are a winter win

Instead of splurging on expensive waterproof gloves, we simply added dish gloves over our existing merino wool pair. This budget-friendly trail gear tip saved us money while keeping our hands dry and warm on a cold trek.

8. Recharge on the go with solar

If you’re hiking in sunny conditions (and not under thick tree canopies), a small, lightweight solar panel can charge your devices while you walk. Strapped to the outside of your pack, this hiking advice will keep your tech powered up while you enjoy the trail.

9. Keep your phone snug while charging

Cold phones don’t charge efficiently! We store them in our jacket pockets or sleeping bags while they charge, so they charge-up faster and reduce the drain on our Nitecore Ultralight Power Banks. Just like us, our phones work harder when it’s cold. This gear hack will help make sure your devices last on long hikes.

10. Add a silk liner for warmth & comfort

A Seat to Summit Silk Liner adds a few extra degrees of warmth to your sleeping bag or quilt. It also keeps your gear cleaner and gives you that luxury feel of slipping into something soft after a long day hiking.

11. Go up half a shoe size & go for trail runners

After dealing with blisters on a 14-day trek through Australia’s Red Centre, we switched from boots to HOKA Speedgoat 6 trail runners and went up half a shoe size to accommodate foot swelling. This hiking gear hack made a huge difference for us on long hikes. If ankle support is a priority for you, stick with boots but still consider going up half a size.

12. Invest in toe socks to prevent blisters

We used to get blisters between our toes until we started using Injinji Midweight Crew toe socks. They prevent rubbing and blisters while keeping your feet cool and comfortable. Plus, they’re Australian-made—a bonus for local hikers.

13. Hiker’s wool is a blister’s worst enemy

Hiker’s wool is amazing for preventing blisters on pressure points. Simply apply it to the hot spots and by using tape to keep it in place. A Blister Wool Blister Prevention Pack is one of the must-have hiking advice tips we swear by for long hikes over rugged and rocky terrain.

14. Swap to a quilt for a comfier sleep

If you’re a side or restless sleeper, try swapping your sleeping bag for a quilt. Quilts are lighter, less restrictive, and still offer great warmth. I (Kyla) used a Neve Gear Waratah Quilt on my 35-day Australian Alps hike and loved it! For seriously cold conditions, though, a bag with a hood might be a better option.

15. Use a Nylofume liner for lightweight waterproofing

Nylofume Waterproof Pack Liners are a game-changer for keeping your gear dry without adding extra weight to your pack. These liners are incredibly lightweight and cheap, yet strong, making them a perfect solution for waterproofing your essentials like clothing and electronics. Way lighter than material pack liners, Nylofume is still durable enough to withstand rough conditions and multi-week hikes.