Author: Restless Kiwi

Gear Review Te Araroa

Review – Hiking Poles – Black Diamond Pro Trek Women (review Feb 15, updated Dec 17)

Posted on By : Restless Kiwi

Hiking Poles – Black Diamond Pro Trek Women.   Rating: 9/10 Good: Comfortable, never failed me Bad: Wrist Strap stitching gave way. Weight: 490g for pair Comments: Love these poles.  They have not slipped/collapsed once and are easy to extend/retract which I do every night to get them ready for use as tent poles.  The handles are comfortable andContinue Reading “Review – Hiking Poles – Black Diamond Pro Trek Women (review Feb 15, updated Dec 17)”

Gear Review Te Araroa

Review – Mattress/Pad – Thermarest Newo Air XLite Womens (review Feb 15, updated Dec 17)

Posted on By : Restless Kiwi

Mattress – Thermarest Neo Air XLite Womens     Mattress in bag (ZPacks stuffsack)                                Mattress in use Rating: 10/10 Good: Comfortable, light, roomy Bad: Nil Weight: 348 g Mattress packed up Mattress in use Comments: I loved this mattress. I have only used a selfContinue Reading “Review – Mattress/Pad – Thermarest Newo Air XLite Womens (review Feb 15, updated Dec 17)”

Gear Review Te Araroa ZPacks

Review – Sleeping Bag – ZPacks -7degree (20 F), 900 fill water repellant down, 5.9 foot medium width (review Feb 15, updated Dec 17)

Posted on By : Restless Kiwi

Sleeping Bag – Zpacks 5’9” Medium Width 900 Water Repellent Down Rating: 7/10 Good: Comfortable, durable, custom size Bad: Not as warm as expected (possibly due to clumping down) Weight: 531 g (including cubin fibre dry bag stuff sack) Description: ZPacks 5.9″ normal width -7degree 900 fill water repellent down. Outer Shell Material: Green .75 oz/sqyd (25.4 g/m2) Pertex GL RipstopContinue Reading “Review – Sleeping Bag – ZPacks -7degree (20 F), 900 fill water repellant down, 5.9 foot medium width (review Feb 15, updated Dec 17)”

Gear Review Te Araroa ZPacks

Review – Tent – ZPacks Soloplex (review Feb 15, updated Dec 17)

Posted on By : Restless Kiwi

Tent – Zpacks Solo Hexamid Rating: 10/10 Good: Light, easy to put up, waterproof, roomy (for me 165cm tall). Bad: Nil Weight: 539 g (includes tent which I ordered in the thicker 0.74 oz/sqyd, stuff sack, 4 v stake pegs, 6 sheperd pegs) Description: The outer is constructed from 0.51 oz/sqyd Cuben Fiber (optional in thicker 0.74 oz/sqyd), withContinue Reading “Review – Tent – ZPacks Soloplex (review Feb 15, updated Dec 17)”

Gear Review Te Araroa

Review of Pack – Zpacks Arc Blast 60l (review Feb 15, updated Dec 17)

Posted on By : Restless Kiwi

Pack – Zpacks Arc Blast 60l Rating: 9/10 Good: Light, great design, comfortable Bad: Hip Pocket elastic attachment and zip issues, though after initial repairs still going strong Description: The pack is 60 litres constructed from tough 2.92 oz/sqyd Cuben Hybrid fabric. This material is Cuben Fiber on the inside with a protective layer of 50 denier PolyesterContinue Reading “Review of Pack – Zpacks Arc Blast 60l (review Feb 15, updated Dec 17)”