This mountain-spec bag is suitable for multi-day backcountry trips, two to three-season mountaineering, fastpacking and bikepacking.
It’s a reliable three-season performer with enough warmth for light winter use. Minimalists might seek a lighter option and hardcore winter users will want more warmth, but for many backcountry travellers it could be the only sleeping bag you will ever need.
Gear editor Mark Watson put this bag through a full field test for his detailed review.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Meet the tramper using marine tech to make ultralight tents.
Quiz
Nordic walking typically involves which thing?
A: Hand-held poles
B: Weights strapped to the arms
C: High-cut insulated boots
Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…
Featured Book
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Gear Radar: October 2026
A sub 900g pack, a three-season tent with enhanced weather resistance, an ultralight down jacket and a wide-fit hiking shoe. These are the new and interesting gear items our editor Mark Watson found this month.
Current Issue - Oct 2026
Circling NZ’s sleeping giant, 22 walks across private land, applications open for the 2027 Shaun Barnett Memorial Scholarship, ultralight gear reviews, gear guides, the best places for field testing your lightweight kit and dozens more stories in our latest issue.
The weekend weather at a park near you…
See the four day parks forecast below. Check the weather anytime on our website.
| Location | Today | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelus Hut |
 2°/5°
|
 -2°/4°
|
-2°/1°
|
-0°/2°
|
| Aoraki/Mt Cook VC |
 8°/11°
|
6°/9°
|
4°/8°
|
6°/7°
|
| Arthurs Pass |
8°/11°
|
5°/10°
|
3°/7°
|
7°/8°
|
| Ben Lomond Summit |
 1°/6°
|
-3°/3°
|
 -3°/2°
|
 -2°/1°
|
| Brewster Hut |
4°/6°
|
-1°/6°
|
-2°/2°
|
0°/2°
|
| Cape Reinga |
 13°/16°
|
13°/16°
|
12°/15°
|
 12°/16°
|
| Karangahake Gorge |
 9°/17°
|
10°/15°
|
8°/16°
|
7°/16°
|
| Kaweka J Summit |
-1°/8°
|
0°/7°
|
-1°/7°
|
-2°/6°
|
| McKinnon Pass |
6°/7°
|
0°/7°
|
0°/3°
|
2°/5°
|
| Mt Heale Hut |
10°/14°
|
11°/14°
|
11°/14°
|
12°/14°
|
| Mt Pirongia |
6°/10°
|
6°/10°
|
5°/10°
|
4°/10°
|
| Mueller Hut |
1°/3°
|
-4°/2°
|
-4°/-0°
|
-2°/1°
|
| Pinnacles Hut |
8°/13°
|
8°/12°
|
7°/13°
|
5°/13°
|
| Pouakai Hut |
4°/7°
|
4°/8°
|
3°/7°
|
4°/7°
|
| Powell Hut |
5°/7°
|
3°/8°
|
2°/7°
|
4°/7°
|
| Rotoiti/Nelson Lk VC |
7°/13°
|
4°/10°
|
2°/8°
|
6°/8°
|
| Roys Peak |
1°/8°
|
-2°/4°
|
 -4°/5°
|
-1°/2°
|
| Tongariro VC |
4°/8°
|
3°/8°
|
3°/7°
|
3°/7°
|
| Waitawheta Hut |
8°/14°
|
9°/13°
|
7°/14°
|
6°/14°
|
| Woolshed Creek Hut |
9°/14°
|
 3°/10°
|
3°/10°
|
5°/10°
|
Report created on 03 September, 2026 at 7:04am. For a full forecast of the park of your choice, visit NIWA.
Quiz
Answer A - Hand-held poles
Nordic walking is an exercise and fitness activity that uses specially designed poles which engage your upper body resulting in a full-body low-impact workout. The poles are usually made from lightweight aluminium or carbon fibre.
Quiz provided by Pam Hutton/PuzzleBeetle.
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