In 2024 we tested loads of adventure equipment, from tents and sleeping gear to backpacks, adventure vehicles, bikes, cameras, tents and plenty more. Here are our favourites, just in time to fill out that Christmas wish-list!
OZtrail Next Generation Fast Frame BlockOut Lumos tent series
We have been massive fans of the OZtrail Fast Frame series of tents for a few years now and were intrigued when the ‘Next Gen’ of the Fast Frame BlockOut Lumos series (comprising a 4P, 6P, 10P and monster 12P) was announced. We’d tested the previous-gen 10P model and found this big-bopper excellent, belying its size and weight by proving fast to set up (thanks to that Fast Frame system) and awesome in the field. This new generation of tents ups the ante in terms of comfort and tech and for anyone looking for a reliable, comfortable and easy to set up family shelter, OZtrail has any and all sized families covered.
Mountain Designs Pro Elite Climber Full Zip Fleece & Brass Monkey Fleece Pants
Yep, we’ve hedged our bets with two Mountain Designs products here, but with very good reason, as we can explain…
By the nature of its design – as in, the environment in which it is used – climbing gear must be tough and reliable, and the Pro Lite Climber Full Zip Fleece Jacket proved just that over its long test period, covering everything from a nine-day sea kayak expedition to a week in Arctic Canada. In short, it was the ideal end-of-day pullover and a welcome warm layer during a cold eight-hour day of paddling midway through the trip. The jacket uses Polartec 200 Classic fabric for excellent protection from wind without being overly bulky, and it also features a siliconized hem for further protection against wind ingress, while not sacrificing breathability. It is relatively light for its performance, at only 508g (Medium).
And now, to the Brass Monkey Fleece Pants… When MD’s head of marketing, Chris Hartley, said these pants were one of the company’s most popular items, we were surprised, and intrigued. That aforementioned kayak expedition, lots of weekend adventures, and that stint in Arctic Canada later, we now fully understand Chris’s comment. These pants are incredibly soft, comfortable, very light in weight (278g for a Medium size) and warm, without sacrificing some breathability. Made using recycled plastic bottles, the relaxed fit and that thick, pill-resistant fleece, plus a draw-cord waist and zipped hand pockets complete a no-frills pair of pants that are, now, the first item packed for any of our adventures. They are bloody awesome.
Osprey Aether Pro 75
Touted as the ‘one pack’ for all outdoor adventures, the Aether Pro 75 proves that backpack icon, Osprey, hasn’t lost its touch when it comes to designing tough, smartly designed packs. Using a combo of hi-tech, and tough, materials, such as 210-denier NanoFly (a reinforced mix of ultra-high-molecule-weight polyethylene and Cordura Nylon) for the body and super-tough 500D HT Nylon for the base, it is still relatively light in weight. It also offers clever storage options, a high degree of ventilation, and a supportive harness system that does a great job of distributing the load-weight. The Pro 75 saw plenty of use in often extreme environs during its test period (and is still out in the field on another expedition as we write this), and proved, again, that Osprey know how to make an exceptional load-lugger.
Gerber 16-Piece ComplEAT Cook Set
“If you’ve ever wanted to combine your inner Jamie Oliver or Nigella Lawson with the Bush Tucker Man, then the Gerber 16-Piece ComplEAT Cook Set might be your ticket to culinary glory in the great outdoors…” This was the first paragraph in Senior Gear Tester Mark Watson’s review of the famous knifeware/multi-tool brand’s first foray into camp cooking, and he was impressed. This complete (see what we did there) camp kitchen weighs 4.8kg and stacks into a compact storage bag to take up minimal space in your vehicle. With stainless-steel construction (including three-ply bases for even heat distribution) for the cookware, detachable handles, silicone grips for handling the hot stuff, polypropylene bowls/plates and an overall robust construction, your camp chef will be whipping up meals with this for years.
Yakima HighRoad
When Yakima first announced a ‘new’ HighRoad, as big fans of the original, the Aus Geo ADVENTURE team worried that Yakima was going to fiddle with something that really didn’t need changing. Thankfully, our fears were unfounded; the new HighRoad is a prime example of ‘evolution’ in design, rather than ‘revolution’. As mountain bike geometry has continued along the ‘slack, low and long’ ethos, the wheelbase of MTBs has consequently grown, to the point where they were becoming too long to fit on some bike racks. Yakima lengthened the HighRoad to cater for this and did so without making the rack too long to impede the opening of a vehicle’s rear hatch. A few other tweaks were added (including shiny new silver graphics) to ensure the HighRoad remains a solid choice for riders looking to secure their pushy up top.
Nemo Equipment Tensor Extreme Conditions Ultralight sleeping pad
Yep, the full name of this sleeping pad is a mouthful, but it brings with it excellent performance in the most challenging (can we say ‘extreme’?) conditions. Impressively, not only does the Tensor Extreme offer reliable warmth and comfort when camping in the chill, it can do duty across all seasons thanks to its light weight. For a four-season sleeping pad to weigh just 472g, while offering an 8.5 R-value (insulation), is an incredible achievement, as is the fact it does this while still packing down smaller than a 1-litre Nalgene. For anyone looking for one sleeping pad to rule them all, it’s hard to go past this Nemo Equipment offering. (Read our full review, here.)
Companion Rover 1300 Power Station
We’ve been fans of Companion’s portable lithium power packs for a few years now – the company makes seriously good gear for campers. We’ve used previous gen power packs for everything from family camp trips to a Simpson Desert expedition and they’ve been brilliant. So, when Companion released its latest range of portable power packs, the Rover 300, Rover 500 – and this Rover 1300 – we were blown away. We’ve had the Rover 1300 on test for a month now and it lives up to its label as Companion’s most powerful unit. It is jammed full of handy features, such as 10 outputs (including a fridge-friendly Anderson and two AC ports, as well as USB-C, USB-A, 12V and 240V AC)), direct solar connection thanks to its inbuilt MPPT controller, and an inverter, which means you can run/charge digital cameras, laptops, etc. It charges quickly and you can monitor it all via the clever Battery Management System (BMS). For those looking for reliable remote power, this big bopper is a no-brainer. Stay tuned for our long-term review of this portable powerhouse.
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II
For adventure photographer/videographers, a tough and reliable camera is an absolute essential. When OM SYSTEM (formerly Olympus) released its OM-1 a couple of years ago, it seemingly nailed the ‘dream camera’ brief for outdoor photographers. Since then, OM SYSTEM has released the Mark II, offering all the things that made the original so impressive, plus adding a few improvements. With an IP53 splash/dustproof rating, 50FPS frame rate, fast focus, excellent Pro Series lenses, impressive computational photography features, long battery life, and light weight (for both the body and the lenses), the OM-1 Mark II continues the original version’s legacy of a close-to-bombproof camera that is made for adventure. We’ve put it through its paces on sea kayak expeditions, South African safaris and in the frozen Arctic, and it’s come through with flying colours each time.
The North Face Trail Lite 24L backpack
This do-it-all daypack from the team at The North Face, the Trail Lite was a near instant hit when it arrived for testing. The TNF designers have done a great job of combining all the best gear features from the company’s various hiking, climbing and trail-running (think: supportive harness system, loads of tool attachment points and cargo storage options) to produce that ‘one pack’ you can grab for most short adventures. The robust construction that features 210-denier (D) recycled nylon body fabric and a tough 600D base stand out, and when combined with the the Trail Lite’s overall versatility and impressive feature set, it’s hard to find a better option for those short and fast adventures. Available in S/M and L/XL sizes. (Read our review, here.)
Santa Cruz Tallboy
In this day of myriad mountain bike disciplines, from cross-country to trail, all-mountain to enduro, and downhill, it was refreshing to test a bike that represented what the term ‘mountain bike’ used to mean; for most types of riding (barring DH), the Tallboy is up to the task, with a wide breadth of capability, and a big dose of ‘fun factor’. For those riders looking for just the ‘one bike’, this robust short-travel trail rig’s well-sorted suspension and geometry, burly frame (with a lifetime warranty) and – if you can afford the upgrade – brilliant carbon wheelset, is a great option.
Sea to Summit Basecamp Down sleeping bag
The iconic Aussie outdoor brand continues to lead the market when it comes to sleeping bag designs, covering all end-use scenarios, from alpine climbing to vehicle-based camping, which is the activity the Basecamp has been designed for. As expected, this impressive piece of gear is packed with features, such as Sea to Summit’s Free Flow Zip (a triple-zip design that allows for multiple ventilation outlets in the bag), RDS-certified 650-plus fill-power duck down (with an Ultra-Dry Down treatment), a baffle design that limits down movement, a -9°C comfort rating, a large hood (making it easy to fit a pillow inside), the ability to be zipped together with another Basecamp bag (or fully opened for use as a duvet) and a lifetime guarantee. It’s available in Regular and Large size. We have one on review at the moment and, so far, it has impressed. Look for the final review in early 2025.
Shingleback Off Road LITE 4 bike rack
Aussie designed and made, Shingleback’s vertical bike racks are hugely popular with cycling families looking to lug four or more bikes – and with good reason. The Shingleback 4 LITE Bike Rack (there are 2-, 3-, 4- 5, and 6-bike versions as well) is a well-designed vertical bike rack, with a high level of adjustability, but also simplicity in terms of its usability; it is incredibly quick and easy to load (and unload) the bikes. With adjustable-angle wheel clamps up top, you can fit just about any combo of bikes alongside each other and have zero risk of their frames/components banging into each other. Add in the simple but sturdy bungy-cord system at the bottom used to secure the rear wheel, and it’s a five-minute job before you’re on the way to those trails. (Read our review, here.)
