Our guide to 2026's top hiking poles

GEAR REVIEW: This excellent all-round bag is ideal for multi-day trips. Plus, see the weekend weather at a park near you!

January 15, 2026

Walking poles are essential for those who want to enjoy a lifetime of healthy tramping. They reduce the stress on knees and lessen the chance of injury, especially from falls, by providing stability on uneven ground. These are our picks for 2026.

Missed yesterday’s feature? What’s the place of deer in the New Zealand backcountry? Jo Stilwell takes a deep look into the dilemma of deer in this month’s Natural History column.

Quiz

When considering sleeping mats:

  • A. An I-value of 4 is better than 1 for winter trips.

  • B. An R-value of 4 is better than 1 for winter trips.

  • C. Wicking will affect the insulation ability.

  • D. Beading and breathability affect the insulation ability.

  • E. Warm colours such and red and orange are best.

Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…

GEAR REVIEW: One Planet Sonder

Adaptability for a range of temperatures, sleeping comfort and a water-resistant footbox make the lightweight and packable Sonder an excellent all-round bag that’s ideal for multi-day trips.

Current Issue - Jan/Feb 2026

The weekend weather at a park near you…

LocationTodayFridaySaturdaySunday
Angelus Hut
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
7°/10°
Rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
6°/10°
Light rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
5°/11°
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
1°/8°
Aoraki/Mt Cook VC
Rain. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h. Medium chance of low visibility.
10°/15°
Heavy rain. Light wind with gusts up to 30 km/h. Medium chance of low visibility.
9°/14°
Light rain. Light wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
9°/16°
Cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
9°/16°
Arthurs Pass
Rain. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h. Some chance of low visibility.
10°/13°
Rain. Light wind with gusts up to 30 km/h. Medium chance of low visibility.
10°/13°
Cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
8°/14°
Cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
8°/14°
Ben Lomond Summit
Light rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 50 km/h.
5°/10°
Light rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
4°/9°
Light rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
3°/10°
Partly cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
1°/11°
Brewster Hut
Light rain. Light wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
6°/12°
Light rain. Light wind with gusts up to 30 km/h.
6°/10°
Partly cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
4°/13°
Partly cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
3°/12°
Cape Reinga
Cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
19°/23°
Cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
18°/23°
Cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 50 km/h.
17°/22°
Light rain. Strong wind with gusts up to 90 km/h.
18°/21°
Karangahake Gorge
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
18°/23°
Heavy rain at times. Light wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
18°/25°
Cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 50 km/h.
14°/24°
Cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 55 km/h.
15°/19°
Kaweka J Summit
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Moderate wind with gusts up to 70 km/h.
9°/12°
Chance of light showers. Moderate wind with gusts up to 70 km/h.
9°/16°
Light rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 55 km/h.
4°/9°
Rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 80 km/h.
3°/5°
McKinnon Pass
Light rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
7°/13°
Light rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
8°/13°
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
5°/15°
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
3°/16°
Mt Heale Hut
Heavy rain at times. Moderate wind with gusts up to 60 km/h.
19°/21°
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
18°/23°
Cloudy. Strong wind with gusts up to 75 km/h.
18°/20°
Light rain. Gale with gusts up to 105 km/h.
17°/18°
Mt Pirongia
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Moderate wind with gusts up to 65 km/h.
14°/17°
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Moderate wind with gusts up to 55 km/h. Medium chance of low visibility.
11°/19°
Cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 65 km/h.
9°/20°
Cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 80 km/h.
8°/15°
Mueller Hut
Rain. Light wind with gusts up to 25 km/h. High chance of low visibility.
4°/6°
Rain. Light wind with gusts up to 25 km/h. High chance of low visibility. Medium chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to 2°C at 12am.
3°/5°
Cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 30 km/h. High chance of low visibility.
2°/6°
Partly cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 25 km/h.
3°/5°
Pinnacles Hut
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Moderate wind with gusts up to 60 km/h.
16°/19°
Chance of light showers. Light wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
16°/22°
Light rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 60 km/h.
13°/20°
Cloudy. Fresh wind with gusts up to 90 km/h.
13°/15°
Pouakai Hut
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Moderate wind with gusts up to 70 km/h. High chance of low visibility.
12°/13°
Rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h. High chance of low visibility.
10°/15°
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 70 km/h.
7°/15°
Cloudy. Fresh wind with gusts up to 90 km/h.
6°/12°
Powell Hut
Persistent rain. Light wind with gusts up to 45 km/h. Medium chance of low visibility.
10°/13°
Rain. Light wind with gusts up to 40 km/h. Medium chance of low visibility.
8°/14°
Light rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 80 km/h. Medium chance of low visibility.
6°/10°
Light rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 75 km/h.
5°/8°
Rotoiti/Nelson Lk VC
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Light wind with gusts up to 30 km/h.
12°/16°
Rain. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
12°/17°
Light rain. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
11°/18°
Partly cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
8°/17°
Roys Peak
Light rain. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
6°/10°
Light rain. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
6°/9°
Cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
4°/11°
Partly cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
2°/11°
Tongariro VC
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Light wind with gusts up to 40 km/h. Medium chance of low visibility.
12°/15°
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Moderate wind with gusts up to 35 km/h. High chance of low visibility.
11°/18°
Chance of light showers. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
8°/18°
Cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 55 km/h.
8°/12°
Waitawheta Hut
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
16°/20°
Heavy rain at times. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
16°/23°
Cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
13°/22°
Cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 70 km/h.
13°/18°
Woolshed Creek Hut
Heavy rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
9°/10°
Persistent rain. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
7°/10°
Light rain. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
6°/9°
Light rain. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
6°/9°

Report created on 15 January, 2026 at 8.10am. For a full forecast of the park of your choice, visit NIWA.

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Quiz

Answer B - An R-value of 4 is better than 1 for winter trips.

The R-value measures thermal resistance and is the measure used to compare sleeping bags. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

When considering overall warmth, the whole sleep system should be considered. In some situations, rather than changing from a three-season to a four-season sleeping bag, increasing the R-value of your sleeping mat could keep you warm enough and add less weight to your sleep system.

Quiz provided by Heather Grady from Outdoor Training New Zealand.

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