GT: Essential Gear For Trekking In The Rain

With the proper gear and the right mindset even the rainiest of days shouldn't stop you from getting out and about. And if you happen to visit a place where it rains more often than not, you are going to have to embrace the elements. As the saying goes there is no bad weather just bad clothing. Or a more accurate saying would be not just bad clothing but lack of adequate gear. That's where we come in. Below is a list of essential gear to make trekking in the rain much more comfortable, safe, and dare we say fun, or at the very least more enjoyable. I had the amazing experience of visiting New Zealand for multiple weeks in December, and while at home in the Northern Hemisphere was a snowy winter wonderland, in the Southern Hemisphere summer was just getting started which means RAIN lots and lots of glorious beautiful rain. But after a monumental effort to get there (17 hours of flying, countless connections, and the joys of traveling during the holidays, not to mention the cost of said flights) we weren't going to let a little weather stop us from seeing all that we could while we were there and making the best of it. And while I packed a comical amount of gear I still had to purchase some there, and some of the gear I dragged across multiple continents I could have left at home.

Backpack that is either Waterproof or has a Waterproof Cover

If you are going to do any amount of hiking, backpacking, or sightseeing a comfortable backpack is essential. For a breakdown of what's important check out this guide here. But if you want your gear and essentials inside the backpack to stay nice and dry you are going to need a Waterproof backpack or a good rain cover. The pack I used is one I picked up on Geartrade: Ortovox Traverse 28L which has an integrated waterproof rain cover that is quick to pull out. The newer version of this pack is actually fully waterproof and no longer needs a cover.

Trekking Poles

In Rain and Mud trekking poles are essential. Even without rain, trekking poles are super helpful for the steep rocky terrain of New Zealand. There are several varieties that are perfect for backpacking and travel that are lightweight and pack up small. We have several on the site right now, my personal favorites are the Leki MCT Vario Trekking poles or the Black Diamond Carbon Z.

Merino Wool Layers

From socks to baselayers and midlayers merino wool is where it's at. When it's cold and damp cotton just isn't going to cut it. For warmth relative to weight it beats out even newer synthetic fabrics. For anyone that has worn merino they know it's lightweight, comfortable, odor proof, and stays dry. The saying is true there are more sheep than people on the South Island, which is why it should be no surprise that one of the best merino wool brands on the market is New Zealand's Icebreaker brand.

Rain Jacket

This one goes without saying but if there is only one piece of gear that is non negotiable in the rain, it's the rain jacket. We wrote extensively on what to look for and what the ratings mean, check out the guide here for the full low down .This is one of the pieces of gear that I ended up purchasing in New Zealand. Sure I brought a rain jacket with me that I thought would be enough, but the occasional shower in the mountain west is very different than the absolute downpour we were recreating in. There is a huge difference between waterproof and water resistant. At the moment Geartrade has plenty of rain jackets to choose from, don't be like me and have to buy gear at a premium on location. Women's Rain Jackets Men's Rain Jackets

Rain Pants

Any will do, but when it's pouring this is a no brainer. While we remembered rain pants for us, we didn't have any for our kid. So this was another piece of gear that had to be purchased in New Zealand. Lightweight and usually worn over baselayers and or pants these are essential when the elements are wet. Men's Rain Pants Women's Rain Pants Wherever your travels are wet or dry, let us know how it goes by tagging us in your pics with your UnNew gear. Stay safe out there and be sure to send in gear and clothing you no longer need—friends don't let friends let good gear just sit in a closet or gear pile. Cynthia Yeo is the Marketing Director for Geartrade. When she is not behind the desk, you can find her hiking or skiing the Wasatch Front, climbing and camping in Maple Canyon, traveling the world with her amazing family and friends, or just chilling out and reading by the fire. Follow us on Instagram + Facebook: Tag us @geartrade with the hashtag #unnewoutdoor #wearitout on your post or story for a chance to be featured on our page.

Have Spring & Summer gear to sell? Get cracking.

Spring is here. Have Tents, Sleeping bags, Hike & Camp gear, or Bike gear? Now is the time to sell them. It is now easier than ever to sell your gear on Geartrade. With our new Consignment Selling option you can finally reclaim your gear closet. Send it in. We take care of the rest. Geartrade is Climate Neutral Certified