Outdoor Clothing for Camping & Hiking in New Zealand

New Zealand's weather doesn't wait for you to be ready. A clear morning on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing can become a full whiteout by lunchtime. The Routeburn Track soaks you from above and below simultaneously. The Canterbury Plains bake you in UV so intense it surprises visitors from every corner of the world. Whatever Aotearoa throws at you, the right outdoor clothing keeps you comfortable, capable, and safe — from the first step at the trailhead to the last night in the hut.

Backwoods stocks a hand-picked range of technical outdoor clothing for men and women — built for New Zealand conditions, chosen by people who use this gear themselves. Browse our full clothing range below, or jump straight to what you need.

Shop by Category

• Men's Outdoor Clothing — base layers, shirts, fleece, jackets, pants, and shorts for men
• Women's Outdoor Clothing — women's-specific fits and technical layers for the trail and campsite
• Men's Shorts — quick-dry hiking and trail shorts for warm-weather adventures

The NZ Layering System — Dress for the Conditions, Not the Forecast

The golden rule of New Zealand outdoor clothing is layering. Rather than wearing one heavy garment, a three-layer system lets you add and remove insulation as conditions change — which they will, often rapidly. Every piece of technical clothing in our range is designed to work as part of this system.

Base Layer — Your Foundation

The base layer sits directly against your skin. Its job is to move moisture — sweat — away from your body and keep you dry from the inside out. In New Zealand's conditions, merino wool is the gold standard for base layers. It regulates temperature naturally, resists odour over multi-day trips without washing, and keeps you warm even when damp — critical when afternoon rain is a near-daily reality across much of the country. Synthetic base layers dry faster and suit higher-output activities like trail running and fast-packing where moisture management speed matters more than warmth. The one fabric to avoid: cotton. It absorbs moisture and holds it against your skin, turning cold and clammy the moment you stop moving or the temperature drops.

Mid Layer — Your Insulation

The mid layer traps warm air close to your body. This is typically a fleece jacket, a synthetic insulated jacket, or a down puffer — each with its own strengths. Fleece excels in wet conditions because it retains warmth even when saturated, dries quickly, and breathes well during high-output activity. Down puffers deliver the best warmth-to-weight ratio of anything available and compress to almost nothing in a pack, making them the go-to choice for summit breaks, cold camps, and hut nights. Synthetic insulation mimics down's warmth but performs better when wet, making it the more practical choice for NZ's frequently damp mountain environments.

Outer Layer — Your Shield

The outer shell is your first line of defence against wind, rain, and the elements. In New Zealand, a good waterproof jacket is non-negotiable — not a luxury, not optional. Look for fully taped seams, a reliable waterproof membrane (GORE-TEX, eVent, or equivalent proprietary technologies), and pit zips or front venting for temperature regulation during hard climbs. Rain pants complete the outer layer system on serious trips, particularly on exposed alpine routes and multi-day Great Walks where sustained rain is expected. A well-fitted outer layer should have enough room over your base and mid layers to move freely without being baggy.

Technical Features Worth Understanding

Merino Wool

New Zealand produces some of the world's finest merino wool, and it shows in the quality of locally-made outdoor clothing. Merino's natural crimp structure traps air for insulation, its fine fibres sit softly against skin without itching, and its natural lanolin content provides inherent odour resistance. For multi-day tramping where pack weight and laundry opportunities are both limited, merino base layers and mid layers are worth every cent of the premium price. Look for weight ratings: 150–180gsm for warm-weather and high-activity use, 200–260gsm for cooler conditions and camp wear.

DWR Treatments

Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coatings are applied to most technical outer layers and many mid layers. DWR causes water to bead and roll off the fabric surface rather than soaking in. Over time and with washing, DWR effectiveness reduces — but it can be refreshed with specialist re-proofing sprays or by tumble-drying on a low heat to reactivate the existing treatment. Look for PFC-free DWR formulations on newer garments, which offer equivalent performance with a significantly lower environmental impact.

UPF Sun Protection

New Zealand has some of the highest UV radiation levels in the world — significantly higher than comparable latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere due to ozone levels, the clean atmosphere, and the angle of the sun. UPF-rated clothing provides measurable, reliable sun protection for your skin throughout a full day on exposed ridgelines, open tops, and reflective snow and water. UPF 50+ blocks over 98% of UV radiation and is worth prioritising for any exposed skin during summer tramping.

4-Way Stretch Fabrics

Technical outdoor clothing increasingly uses stretch-woven fabrics — typically nylon or polyester blended with elastane — that move with your body in every direction. For hiking pants, shorts, and softshell jackets, four-way stretch dramatically improves comfort on technical terrain: high steps, scrambles, crossing streams, and long descents where rigid fabric creates fatigue and restriction.

Choosing Outdoor Clothing for New Zealand Seasons

Summer (December–February)

Hot and UV-intense in most regions, but alpine areas can still deliver snow, wind, and sub-zero conditions at altitude. A lightweight merino or technical base layer, quick-dry shorts or pants, a packable wind/rain shell, and a light down layer for breaks and ridgelines covers most summer scenarios. UPF-rated clothing earns its keep in summer more than any other season.

Autumn & Spring (March–May / September–November)

The most unpredictable seasons in New Zealand — days can start warm and finish cold and wet, or vice versa. A full three-layer system is advisable. Mid-weight merino base layers, a reliable fleece or synthetic mid, and a quality waterproof shell. These shoulder seasons reward having the right layers in your pack even if you don't end up needing them.

Winter (June–August)

New Zealand winter tramping ranges from cold coastal bush walks to serious alpine missions. Heavyweight merino base layers, a substantial insulated mid layer (down or synthetic puffer jacket), thermal pants, and a fully waterproof shell form the core kit. Wind is often the bigger threat than temperature at exposed altitudes — a windproof outer layer that breathes is more practical than a non-venting hardshell for most sub-alpine winter routes.

New Zealand's Great Walks — What to Wear

The nine Great Walks span dramatically different environments, from the coastal drama of the Abel Tasman to the volcanic plateau of the Tongariro Northern Circuit and the wild fiord country of the Milford and Kepler Tracks. Each sets its own clothing demands, but across all of them the core requirements remain consistent: a reliable waterproof jacket, a warm mid layer, moisture-managing base layers, and footwear and socks that handle both mud and multi-day use. Our clothing range covers every Great Walk from the easy to the serious — browse men's and women's ranges below to build your kit.