And the award goes to…

Another epic year of awesome, exhilarating and sweaty palms-inducing adventures has passed and we asked our in-store gear experts and Wild Earth ambassadors for their favourite gear picks of the year.

From thru-hikers to ultrarunners to weekend warriors, we have narrowed down our best of the best gear as voted by our ambassadors and in-store experts for 2023. 

Best Water Bottle

Nalgene Wide Mouth Sustain Water Bottle - 1000m

 

 

When they say 'you can’t beat a classic', I think they were talking about the Nalgene. This 1L bottle is BPA/BPS Free, dishwasher safe and fits most filtering devices for off-the-grid adventures. While being lightweight, they are virtually indestructible and are backed with a lifetime warranty. Nalgene’s are made with 50% recycled plastic so not only do they last long, but they limit their impact on the environment too. 

 

Best Camping Stove

Jetboil Flash Cooking Pot Camp Stove System

 

 

It’s no surprise that this fan favourite is the top pick for 2023. The Jetboil Flash Cooking Pot Camp Stove System is rapid and boils 2 cups of water in 2 minutes and 30 seconds. It is super easy to use and will accommodate most fuel canisters inside the pot for a compact setup. 

 

Best Camp Coffee Maker

AEROPRESS GO COFFEE MAKER

 

 

Let’s face it, as Aussies we are self-confessed coffee snobs and even in the outdoors, we can’t muster up to use the instant stuff. Even in the hills of Patagonia, I have witnessed Aussies using their Aeropress Go Coffee Maker and for good reason. It can brew Espresso, cold brew and American-style coffee to suit whatever you like in your cup. As a winner of 2022 and 2023, you can’t pass up the Aeropress Go Coffee Maker.

 

Best Hydration Bladder

Osprey Hydraulics 3L Hydration Bladder
 

 

For longer trips or if you are a water guzzler, the Osprey Hydraulics 3L Hydration Bladder is the top pick of the year. The hard backplate allows for easy loading into a full pack and prevents it from ballooning out and getting stuck. The magnetic bite valve attaches to your pack strap for quick sips along the trail without missing a step. 

 

Best Dinnerware Set

Toaks Titanium 3-Piece Cutlery Set

 

 

Weighing in at only 49g, the Toaks Titanium 3-Piece Cutlery Set is the top pick for 2023. Made from lightweight but strong titanium, this set comes with the staples of a knife, fork and spoon so you are prepped for any meal you take on the trails. No more using twigs as chopsticks for your soup…

 

Best Cookware Set

Trangia Camping Cook Set 24

 

 

The Trangia Camping Cook Set 24 has everything needed for a camping trip. Including 2 different-sized pots, a frypan and a kettle, you can camp cook anything your heart desires. Take the entire set or just the components if you are heading on a family camping trip or a backcountry overnight hike. They are compatible with any heat source and all nestle into each other for easy packing and storage. 

 

Best Backpacking Tent

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Ultralight 2-Person Hiking Tent

 

 

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Ultralight 2-Person Hiking Tent practically has a cult following at this point. We have had Wild Earth ambassadors camp, hike and bikepack across the globe in their Copper Spur tents and it is a favourite among our staff and customers too. The colour-coded poles and buckles make it one of the easiest tents to set up for rookies and for pitching in an impending storm and gale-force winds in the mountains (been there, done that). It weighs only 1.42kg and is packed with features including internal storage pockets, dual entry and vestibules on each side for extra storage. 

 

Best Sleeping Bag

Sea to Summit Spark Down Sleeping Bag

 

 

For a second year in a row, the Sea to Summit Spark Down Sleeping Bag is the top pick. The Spark range offers four variations of the sleeping bag from I to IV which are rated from 9 degrees Cº to -8 degrees Cº respectively. They all have in common that they are made from high quality and responsibly sourced down (RSD) while having a high warmth-to-weight ratio thanks to their 850+ loft rating. Although they are made with a low weight in mind, speaking as a side-sleeper myself, they are still spacious and comfortable for a good night’s sleep.

 

Best Hiking Backpack

Osprey Hikelite 18L Daypack

 

 

The Osprey Hikelite 18L Daypack is packed with features but without all of the unnecessary fuss. The 18L size is perfect for day hikes to pack your water bottle, snacks, first aid kit and extra layers without feeling like you need to also pack the kitchen sink. Being in sunny and currently HOT Australia, the AirSpeed™ mesh back panel allows for ventilation to prevent the sweaty back we all know and despise and the harness and hip belt provide a comfortable and flexible fit. Extra features also include side pockets, a built-in compartment for a water bladder and included rain cover for not-so-sunny days.

 

Best Sleeping Pad

Nemo Tensor Insulated Ultralight Sleeping Pad

 

 

Another winner for the second year running is the Nemo Tensor Insulated Ultralight Sleeping Pad. Enjoy a restful sleep under the stars with its Spaceframe baffles which provide a comfortable, supportive and quiet sleep and at 7.6cm think, no need to worry about your hip hitting the ground while sleeping. It is insulated to 4.2 R-value to provide warmth in cold climates and is made from 100% recycled materials. The included Vortex pump sack helps make inflation easy so you aren’t (even more) out of breath after a day of hiking. 

 

Best Insulated Jacket

Arcteryx Atom Jacket

 

 

The Arcteryx Atom Jacket is perfect as a mid-layer under your shell jacket in cold temps or as a stand-alone piece for milder weather. It is insulated with Coreloft Compact insulation which is a synthetic material that will keep you warm even when wet and the Tyono 20 face is weather-resistant against light rain and wind. The fit is flexible and comfortable to suit a variety of outdoor activities from hiking to climbing to skiing and more. The Arcteryx Atom Jacket comes in a few variations including the minimalist LT version and the hoody version for extra warmth. 

 

Best Rain Jacket

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Waterproof Jacket

 

 

The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Waterproof Jacket is great bang for buck and rivals some of its higher-priced competitors. Its 3-layer H2No Performance Standard technology and a PFC-free DWR finish will keep you dry while doubling as a windproof layer for blistery conditions. The hit drawcords can be tightened for extra protection and the handwarmer pockets can be used as a refuge in cold, wet weather. It comes in Men’s, Women’s and Kid’s versions. 

 

Best Family Camping Tent

Big Agnes Bunk House 4-Person 3-Season Family Tent

 

 

For big family adventures, the Big Agnes Bunk House 4-Person 3-Season Family Tent is the top choice this year. It sleeps up to 4 people comfortably and the extended front vestibule allows for extra room to read a book or for the kids to play under shelter. At 183cm high internally, you can stand up without having to crouch to get changed or move around the tent. The external fly can be set up on its own so it doubles as a shelter to take on beach trips too! 

 

Best Running Vest

Salomon Adv Skin 12 Set Unisex Running Vest

 

 

For the seasoned runners and for those who have running resolutions for 2024, this one is for you. The Salomon Adv Skin 12 Set Unisex Running Vest is known for its comfort and tailored fit because there is nothing worse than chafing during a long run! It has pockets and compartments for snacks, gels and hydration and room for extra gear essentials for long-distance events. For an extra bonus, two soft hydration flasks are also included to kick-start your running goals.

 

Best Water Filter

Katadyn BeFree 1L Water Filtration Bottle

 

 

The last thing you want to worry about while in a remote location is getting sick from the water - here steps in the Katadyn BeFree 1L Water Filtration Bottle. The EZ-Clean Membrane filter removes microorganisms and bacteria up to 0.0001mm and will also filter sediment and cloudy water. The flexible flask of the bottle allows it to pack down small as an addition to your water bottle or hydration bladder and outputs 2L of clean water per minute. 

 

That’s it for 2023! We are looking forward to new adventures and frothy gear in 2024! 

 

Not sure what gear you need for your adventure? Chat with our friendly team of Outdoor Gear Specialists in-store or online today and don’t forget to share your adventures with us on Instagram by tagging @wildearthaustralia and #mywildearth in your next post.
 

 

About the contributor: 

   Jess Fiske is the Marketing Coordinator at Wild Earth. When she isn’t rollerblading in the streets of Coolangatta, you will find her either hiking in SEQ or strapping on her snowboard somewhere cold. Always planning her next adventure, Jess loves to get outdoors and travel off the beaten path. Follow her adventures on Instagram.