Clothing     When adventuring in the outdoors it is important to take the right clothing with you. The backcountry has incredibly changeable weather that can change from hot, still conditions to storm conditions within a very short space of time. It is important that you are prepared for any weather condition, even if the weather forecast states it will be fine. I remember camping with my Dad in the middle of February. Our journey started with a sweltering hot day as we hiked to our destination and that night after setting up camp it snowed!   Preparing Your Clothing Layers are the key to comfort and survival when preparing your outdoor clothing. It is important to be prepared with:   Base Layer - Thermals, T-Shirt     Thermals are lightweight and compact and are an essential when preparing for your outdoor trip. They are the perfect base layer as they are very fitted to your body which helps in trapping your natural body heat, keeping you warm. Thermals aid in wicking moisture away from your body, leaving you dry, without the sticky feeling. They dry incredibly fast, which makes them great for wearing when  fishing or making river crossings.  This is important when the temperature drops as damp clothing cools your body temperature down dramatically. Wearing them in your sleeping bag is a brilliant idea for those of us who get cold when we sleep. In fact most people who spend any amount of time outdoors treat thermals as a second skin! They are great for wearing under jeans and tops in the winter as they fit nicely under clothing without making you look fat!   The 3 S's - Scratchies, Sandflies and Sun Thermals are not just a Winter item. They are also effective in Summertime especially if you are crossing rivers and streams which cross most of our bush and mountain tracks. TheNew Zealand sun is very harsh so it is important to cover up. Thermals allow you to breathe which aids in cooling  you down in hot weather. They are a great for keeping away mozzies and sandflies and protecting your skin against prickles and thorns.       Mid Layer - Merino, Wool, Fleece The midlayer is great because it is so multipurpose. It can be used for outdoor excursions or to wear around town as it is stylish and comfortable.   Merino and microfleece tops are perfect for midlayer as they add a great deal of extra warmth to your base layer of thermals, but are still breathable. This means that you will feel dry and comfortable. Microfleece is brilliant if you are caught in a downpour as it dries quite quickly. Try to stay awayfrom most general synthetic fibres as they tend not to breathe very  well which would leave you feeling damp and sticky. It is also best to stear away from cotton in general because even though it is breathable, it becomes very heavy when wet and takes a long time to dry.       Outer Layer  Windproof / Waterproof Jackets (preferably breathable), Compact Rainsuit (usually inexpensive in PVC), Waterproof / Windproof pants, Warm wooly hat, Cap There are many options available for the Outer Layer. Each suiting a slightly different purpose.   Down Jacket The down jackets here are top quality. They use premium goose or duck feathers that loft beautifully to keep you incredibly warm and feeling cosy. They are very "in" at the moment and are designed for very cold weather. They are suited for light rainfall and are fantastic to use when going for a walk or for wearing around town. You don't necessarily need to layer up when wearing this as it is very warm and great for wearing on your way to your indoor destination.   Waterproof Ski Style Jacket Perfect for wet weather and outdoor activity. They block wind and rain and are great for sports. They keep off the wind chill keeping you warmer and are suitable for extreme weather conditions including snow. This is the perfect jacket for layering clothes underneath as you can strip off mid layers if you are getting too hot. Designed for light to extreme activity, they are completely breathable to aid in ventilation while moving. Ideal for using out in the backcountry, skiing, hiking and sports.       Soft Shell Jacket These jackets are so fashionable and are suitable for wearing while walking around town in cold weather or light outdoor activity. A true multipurpose jacket that is waterproof and breathable. They are nicely fitted and are suitable for layering. Great in cold weather. Layering your clothing is the most efficient way to maintain optimum body temperature. It is also best from a comfort point of view as you can take off or add layers as the weather changes.   Rainsuits Rainsuits are great to keep in the bottom of your pack if you are going on a day trip or to keep as emergency clothing. They are usually a PVC Jacket and pants that fit easily over your clothes if you are caught in a downpour. They aren’t breathable so it is always best to invest in good quality breathable waterproof outer clothing, but rainsuits are great for emergencies.   Waterproof Pants It is important to have comfortable pants that are breathable and allow easy movement. It is ideal if they are waterproof as you never know when the weather could change. Pants that can fit over your boots to be attached underneath (such as an inbuilt gaiter) are very useful to help prevent snow and mud from reaching your skin.  If you are tramping in the middle of Summer then a fast drying pair of breathable shorts may be most comfortable, but carrying a pair of warm pants with you is advisable.     Essential Clothing - The HAT It is essential to take a warm hat with you as 70% of body heat is lost through the head. It is very useful on a cold night or if you are caught out in bad weather. A cap is also very important as it only takes a few minutes to get very burnt in the New Zealand sun.     Footwear The footwear that you take with you will make or break your trip. It is so important to be aware of the type of terrain you will be trekking over and to match your footwear accordingly. Proper, good quality walking shoes are adequate for most nature walks and basic trekking. Boots are important when going above bushline, crossing rivers or tramping accross very stoney or unlevel ground, where ankle support is necessary.