Stories and news

PAST Outdoors Originals Titanium Cup

Looking for a lightweight camping cup that doubles as a camping cookware pot? We explain the PAST Outdoors Originals 300ml and 650ml titanium cups, how they nest over your Nalgene bottle, whether t...

What to eat during a trail run

Wondering what to eat during a trail run? This guide covers how many gels per hour running makes sense, gel vs real food for running, energy gels for sensitive stomach, fuelling for a trail half ma...

Electrolytes and hydration for trail running

How do you choose an electrolyte drink for running? We explain the best electrolytes for trail running, hydration for ultra running and how to avoid cramping on long runs. We also cover recovery nu...

Trail running essentials Australia

The trail running essentials Australia runners should pack, from shoes, socks and hydration vests to headlamps and poles. We cover NZ made sports nutrition from PURE, what to eat during a trail run...

Winter and Alpine Hiking Boots

Choosing winter hiking boots? This guide compares snow hiking boots, mountain boots and winter trekking boots we stock, including the LOWA Tibet EVO and High Country EVO. It explains how crampons f...

How to Waterproof and Care for Hiking Boots

Learn how to waterproof hiking boots and look after them so you only buy once. This guide compares the best waterproofing for hiking boots from LOWA and Gear Aid, explains leather boot care step by...

Hiking Boots vs Hiking Shoes

Hiking boots vs hiking shoes is one of the questions we get asked most in our Helensburgh store, and the honest answer is that both are good, for different walks. Boots give you more ankle coverage...

How to Fit Hiking Boots (from a Boot Fitter)

Learn how to fit hiking boots like a boot fitter. In this step-by-step guide, Dave from PAST Outdoors explains how hiking boots should fit, whether hiking boots should be bigger or smaller, how muc...

Best Hiking Boots in Australia: Dave's Picks

Which hiking boots are best for Australian trails? Dave has picked the best hiking boots we stock for day hikes, multi-day treks, wide feet, women’s hiking and alpine trips, with honest pros and co...

The camp kitchen gift guide: coffee, cooking and comfort for every camper

Buying for someone who loves camping? The best camp kitchen gifts are the small upgrades that make mornings, meals and downtime better. This guide covers six gifts we’d happily give ourselves. For ...

Best sleeping bag liners and camping pillows for hiking: a buyer's guide

Want a better night’s sleep on the trail without adding much weight to your pack? This buyer’s guide compares the best sleeping bag liner and camping pillow options from Sea to Summit. We look at t...

Emergency water filter kit for Australian homes and 4WDs

When floods, storms, bushfires or a long outback drive leave you without safe tap water, you need to be ready. Our guide to building an emergency water filter Australia homes and 4WDs can rely on e...

Kokoda track water: filters and tablets you actually need

Heading to Papua New Guinea? Our Kokoda track water checklist covers everything you need to stay hydrated safely. We explain why a reliable kokoda water filter and a pack of water purification tabl...

Camping water filters: Bunnings vs outdoor specialist – what to buy

Searching for a water filter Bunnings stocks? Before you buy, it pays to know what to look for. In this comparison guide, we break down Bunnings vs an outdoor specialist and explain what makes a go...

Best water filter bottles for hiking and travel

Looking for the best water filter water bottle for your next hike or trip? We compare four of our favourites: the Sawyer Micro Squeeze 750 ml kit, the LifeStraw Peak Squeeze, the Katadyn BeFree Sof...

Best hiking water filters in Australia 2026: tested and compared

Not sure which hiking water filter to pack? We compare five popular options at PAST Outdoors: the Sawyer Mini, Sawyer Micro Squeeze, Sawyer Gravity, LifeStraw Peak Squeeze and Katadyn BeFree. See h...

Water filter vs purification tablets: what Australian hikers should carry

Searching for “water filter tablets”? Filters and tablets both make water safer to drink, but they work in completely different ways. A hiking water filter strains out bacteria, protozoa and microp...

Sawyer Mini vs Micro Squeeze vs Squeeze: which Sawyer filter should you buy?

Not sure which Sawyer filter to buy? In this Sawyer Mini vs Squeeze comparison, we put the Sawyer Mini, Sawyer Micro Squeeze 750 ml, Sawyer Squeeze and Sawyer Gravity system side by side. Compare w...

Outdoor Expo 2026: The biggest outdoor event of the year

Outdoor Expo 2026 is coming to PAST Outdoors in Helensburgh, and it’s the biggest day on our calendar. Whether you’re hunting for a tent on sale, keen to grab a bargain in our camping chair sale, o...

Summer is coming: find your perfect Knockaround sunglasses

Summer is coming, and your sunnies need to be ready. Meet the new Knockaround range at PAST Outdoors: polarised, UV400 protected and built with impact resistant lenses. Discover seven styles across...

Why everyone loves Fjällräven Hiking Pants

Hiking trousers, utility trousers and zip-off pants: meet the latest Fjällräven pants to land at PAST Outdoors. We compare six styles, including the Barents Pro, Vidda Pro Ventilated and Abisko ran...

Tails from the Trail: PAST Outdoors New Zealand hike September 2026

In September we headed back across the ditch with one of our best turnouts yet, taking a crew of keen hikers deep into the backcountry of New Zealand's South Island. Led by our guides with ex-speci...

Group first aid courses: get your team certified with PAST Outdoors

Get your group certified with our accredited first aid and CPR courses, run by former Special Forces medics and paramedics right here in NSW.  

How to wash a sleeping bag

A good sleeping bag is a genuine investment, and knowing how to wash it properly is what protects that investment for years, not just one season. In this guide, we walk through exactly how to wash ...

Outdoor Research Ferrosi vs Patagonia Quandary Convertible Pants

When it comes to men's hiking pants, two options keep coming up as genuine customer favourites: the Outdoor Research Ferrosi and the Patagonia Quandary Convertible. In this guide (and our full vide...

How to choose a tent: the complete comparison guide

Choosing a tent is one of the biggest gear decisions you'll make, and with so many types, season ratings, and capacities on the market, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. In this complete guide, we bre...

Duffle bag buying guide Australia: sizes, carry & materials

A duffle bag looks simple enough, but choosing the right one involves more decisions than people expect. In this complete guide, we break down duffle bag litres explained, the difference between a ...

Telos Evo tents by Sea to Summit: comparison guide

Sea to Summit's Telos range has built a genuine reputation for space, ventilation, and versatility, and the 2026 Evo update takes it even further. In this guide, we break down all three Telos Evo t...

Why Nalgene water bottles are an essential in every kit

Few pieces of gear have earned the kind of universal trust that a Nalgene water bottle has, working just as well in everyday life as it does in genuinely demanding conditions. In this guide, we tra...

Leatherman Signal vs Wave+ vs Skeletool: which multi-tool is right for you?

We stock three Leatherman tools, and each one is genuinely built for a different kind of user. In this guide, we compare the Signal, Wave+, and Skeletool side by side, covering standout features an...

Zero Limits Podcast: Episode 87 — Dave Parker, 2nd Commando Regiment, Australian Special Forces

If you haven't discovered the Zero Limits Podcast yet, you're in for a treat. Hosted by the passionate and energetic Matty, Zero Limits is one of Australia's most compelling adventure and lifestyle...

Why you should always carry a Leatherman in the outdoors

It's easy to leave a multi-tool off your packing list, right up until the moment you genuinely need one. In this guide, we break down why a Leatherman tool earns its place in every hiker's kit, fro...

La Sportiva: the lightweight hiking shoe built like a climbing shoe

Not all lightweight hiking shoes are built the same way, or for the same reason. La Sportiva's approach comes from a very specific place, genuine mountaineering and climbing heritage, and it shows ...

Trail running NSW: The New Illawarra Escarpment Traverse

There is a new date on the Australian trail calendar, and it is right on our doorstep. The inaugural Illawarra Escarpment Traverse runs on Saturday 31 October 2026, taking runners from the sand at ...