Kathmandu’s 2026 XT Series is its most advanced hiking package. This exceptionally versatile pack weighs just 1100g, has an impressive feature set, and offers sufficient capacity for ultralight thru-hiking, fastpacking, or short tramps.

It’s a great example of a mid-capacity pack with a running-vest-style harness and pocket accessibility.

Gear editor Mark Watson took the XT 40 into the backcountry to give it a full test.

Read the full review

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We gave you six hiking tips to take the pain out of downhills.

Quiz

How did Milford Sound get its name?

  • A - Named after 19th century surveyor Joseph Milford.

  • B - Named after the local farming family of William Milford.

  • C - Named after the Welsh town Milford Haven.

Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…

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Gear radar: four more running vest-inspired packs

Kathmandu’s XT 40l pack isn’t the only ultralight offering from a mainstream brand in the 40–45l range. These four running vest-inspired packs each weigh less than 1000g.

See all four packs

Current Issue - September 2026 Great Walks special issue

Get a free gear Checklist printed on 250gsm card with the September Great Walks special issue. Also inside, Which Great Walk is right for you, tips and advice from those who have done them, plus the birds and plants to spot on your Great Walk adventure.

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The weekend weather at a park near you…

LocationTodayFridaySaturdaySunday
Angelus Hut
Some chance of snow. Moderate wind with gusts up to 60 km/h. High chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -5°C at 8pm.
-0°/2°
Some chance of snow. Fresh wind with gusts up to 85 km/h. High chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -11°C at 2pm.
-4°/-0°
Some chance of snow. Moderate wind with gusts up to 60 km/h. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -14°C at 9pm.
-8°/-4°
Partly cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
-9°/0°
Aoraki/Mt Cook VC
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Light wind with gusts up to 40 km/h. High chance of low visibility. Some chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to 3°C at 1pm.
5°/8°
Persistent rain, heavy at times and some chance of snow. Moderate wind with gusts up to 55 km/h. High chance of low visibility. Medium chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -3°C at 11pm.
-0°/7°
Some chance of snow. Light wind with gusts up to 30 km/h. High chance of low visibility. Some chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -6°C at 6am.
-3°/3°
Partly cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 30 km/h.
-5°/6°
Arthurs Pass
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Strong wind with gusts up to 110 km/h. High chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -1°C at 11pm.
6°/8°
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Fresh wind with gusts up to 85 km/h. High chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -5°C at 11pm.
2°/6°
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 55 km/h. Medium chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -8°C at 7am.
-3°/3°
Sunny. Light wind with gusts up to 20 km/h.
-6°/5°
Ben Lomond Summit
Medium chance of snow. Fresh wind with gusts up to 75 km/h. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -9°C at 11pm.
-2°/2°
Some chance of snow. Fresh wind with gusts up to 75 km/h. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -12°C at 6pm.
-6°/-2°
Some chance of snow. Light wind with gusts up to 30 km/h. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -11°C at 4am.
-8°/-3°
Chance of light snow showers. Light wind with gusts up to 15 km/h.
-8°/-2°
Brewster Hut
Persistent rain, heavy at times and medium chance of snow. Fresh wind with gusts up to 80 km/h. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -6°C at 11pm.
-0°/2°
Some chance of snow. Moderate wind with gusts up to 60 km/h. Medium chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -11°C at 11pm.
-4°/-0°
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -13°C at 8am.
-8°/-2°
Chance of light snow showers. Light wind with gusts up to 25 km/h.
-10°/1°
Cape Reinga
Partly cloudy. Strong wind with gusts up to 65 km/h.
12°/15°
Chance of light showers. Strong wind with gusts up to 80 km/h.
12°/14°
Chance of light showers. Strong wind with gusts up to 65 km/h.
11°/12°
Partly cloudy. Strong wind with gusts up to 70 km/h.
10°/12°
Karangahake Gorge
Partly cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
4°/14°
Heavy rain at times. Moderate wind with gusts up to 60 km/h.
7°/14°
Chance of light showers. Moderate wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
5°/10°
Partly cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 30 km/h.
-1°/11°
Kaweka J Summit
Some chance of snow. Strong wind with gusts up to 110 km/h. Medium chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -8°C at 12am.
-3°/2°
Some chance of snow. Strong wind with gusts up to 130 km/h. High chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -9°C at 10pm.
-1°/2°
Some chance of snow. Fresh wind with gusts up to 90 km/h. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -12°C at 9pm.
-6°/-2°
Chance of light snow showers. Moderate wind with gusts up to 65 km/h.
-6°/-1°
McKinnon Pass
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Fresh wind with gusts up to 95 km/h. Medium chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -4°C at 11pm.
1°/4°
Persistent rain and medium chance of snow. Fresh wind with gusts up to 90 km/h. High chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -11°C at 10pm.
-3°/1°
Some chance of snow. Fresh wind with gusts up to 85 km/h. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -11°C at 12am.
-5°/-0°
Rain and snow showers. Light wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
-5°/3°
Mt Heale Hut
Partly cloudy. Fresh wind with gusts up to 60 km/h.
10°/13°
Heavy rain at times. Strong wind with gusts up to 85 km/h.
11°/13°
Chance of light showers. Strong wind with gusts up to 80 km/h.
8°/11°
Partly cloudy. Gale with gusts up to 90 km/h.
9°/10°
Mt Pirongia
Persistent rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 55 km/h.
1°/8°
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Fresh wind with gusts up to 90 km/h. Medium chance of low visibility. Medium chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -0°C at 11pm.
4°/7°
Light rain. Moderate wind with gusts up to 75 km/h. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -4°C at 9pm.
0°/5°
Sunny. Moderate wind with gusts up to 50 km/h.
-4°/6°
Mueller Hut
Persistent rain, heavy at times and high chance of snow. Strong wind with gusts up to 80 km/h. High chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -7°C at 11am.
-1°/2°
Medium chance of snow. Gale with gusts up to 85 km/h. High chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -13°C at 10am.
-8°/1°
Some chance of snow. Gale with gusts up to 75 km/h. High chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -17°C at 10am.
-10°/-1°
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 50 km/h.
-5°/4°
Pinnacles Hut
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 50 km/h.
4°/11°
Heavy rain at times. Moderate wind with gusts up to 75 km/h.
6°/11°
Chance of light showers. Moderate wind with gusts up to 60 km/h.
4°/8°
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 50 km/h.
-0°/7°
Pouakai Hut
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Strong wind with gusts up to 100 km/h. High chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -2°C at 12am.
2°/6°
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Fresh wind with gusts up to 100 km/h. High chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -4°C at 6pm.
2°/5°
Some chance of snow. Strong wind with gusts up to 100 km/h. Some chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -8°C at 9pm.
-2°/2°
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 55 km/h.
-3°/4°
Powell Hut
Persistent rain. Strong wind with gusts up to 135 km/h. Medium chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -4°C at 5am.
1°/4°
Persistent rain, heavy at times and some chance of snow. Strong wind with gusts up to 130 km/h. Medium chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -6°C at 6pm.
1°/4°
Some chance of snow. Fresh wind with gusts up to 95 km/h. Medium chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -8°C at 8am.
-2°/1°
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 50 km/h.
-3°/2°
Rotoiti/Nelson Lk VC
Persistent rain, heavy at times. Light wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
3°/9°
Rain. Light wind with gusts up to 70 km/h.
2°/6°
Partly cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
-2°/6°
Sunny. Light wind with gusts up to 25 km/h.
-5°/8°
Roys Peak
Some chance of snow. Moderate wind with gusts up to 60 km/h. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -6°C at 9pm.
-2°/3°
Some chance of snow. Moderate wind with gusts up to 70 km/h. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -10°C at 6pm.
-5°/-0°
Partly cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 30 km/h. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -10°C at 9pm.
-7°/-2°
Partly cloudy. Light wind with gusts up to 20 km/h.
-7°/1°
Tongariro VC
Persistent rain. Light wind with gusts up to 30 km/h. Some chance of low visibility.
-0°/5°
Persistent rain, heavy at times and some chance of snow. Moderate wind with gusts up to 40 km/h. High chance of low visibility. High chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -4°C at 8pm.
0°/4°
Some chance of snow. Moderate wind with gusts up to 55 km/h. Some chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -8°C at 9pm.
-2°/4°
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 45 km/h.
-4°/4°
Waitawheta Hut
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
3°/12°
Heavy rain at times. Moderate wind with gusts up to 65 km/h.
6°/11°
Chance of light showers. Moderate wind with gusts up to 40 km/h.
4°/7°
Partly cloudy. Moderate wind with gusts up to 35 km/h.
-1°/9°
Woolshed Creek Hut
Chance of light showers. Strong wind with gusts up to 125 km/h. Medium chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -0°C at 11pm.
5°/9°
Some chance of snow. Fresh wind with gusts up to 90 km/h. Some chance of low visibility.
-0°/6°
Some chance of snow. Moderate wind with gusts up to 55 km/h. Some chance of low temperatures with wind chill down to -6°C at 9pm.
-3°/2°
Sunny. Light wind with gusts up to 25 km/h.
-4°/6°

Report created on 30 Jul, 2026 at 12:56am. For a full forecast of the park of your choice, visit NIWA.

Quiz

Answer C - Named after the Welsh town Milford Haven.

In 1823 a sealer called John Grono named it Milford Sound after Milford Haven which was his birthplace in Wales. It is now known as Milford Sound/Piopiotahi in a reference to the now extinct piopio, a thrush-like bird that used to inhabit NZ.

Quiz provided by Pam Hutton/PuzzleBeetle.

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