Stories and news

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 ...

Hardside Hydration's bottle filter: water filtration made simple

Filtering water on the trail usually means an extra piece of gear to carry, assemble, and clean. Hardside Hydration's Bottle Filter takes a different approach, filtering water straight from your Na...

Ditch the bladder: how Hardside Hydration reinvents your Nalgene

Hydration bladders are convenient, until they leak, split, or grow mould somewhere you can't see. Hardside Hydration solves that with a genuinely simple idea: turn the hard-sided water bottle you a...

PAST Outdoors CEO Dave Parker on The Outer Side Podcast

Dave sat down with Tony from The Outer Side Podcast, and the conversation went exactly where we hoped it would: straight past the marketing spin and into the stuff that actually matters. How a kid ...

Patagonia New Spring Collection

Spring is when your Patagonia kit really gets to work, handling everything from a chilly morning start to a warm afternoon on the trail. In this guide, we walk through our new spring drop, from sus...

The Exped backpack range, explained

Exped's backpack range covers a lot more ground than people expect from a brand best known for sleeping mats. In this post (and our full video walkthrough), we break down all four packs we stock, f...

Dave Packs for a Multi-Day Hike in New Zealand

Discover what to pack for multi-day rugged hiking trips with Dave’s gear check. From cooking systems, clothing, and safety essentials, this guide covers the best hiking and backpacking equipment fo...

Exped dry bags: 100% waterproof packs worth knowing about

Not every pack needs to be waterproof, but when the weather turns, you'll wish yours was. In this post (and our full video review), we break down two of Exped's best drybag-style packs, the ultrali...

Sea to Summit dry bags: The best thing since sliced bread

Keep your clothing, sleeping gear, electronics and other essentials protected from wet weather with our range of Sea to Summit dry bags. In this guide, we compare the rugged Big River Dry Bag and B...

Black Diamond hiking poles review: are they worth it?

Black Diamond has built a genuine reputation across climbing, skiing and hiking gear, and their trekking pole range is no exception. But with models spanning different budgets, materials and mechan...

Best travel backpack for women

Choosing the right travel backpack for women isn't about picking whatever's popular, it's about finding a pack built for a woman's body so it actually carries comfortably over long days. In this gu...

Hiking water filters: a buyer's guide

Running out of clean water is one problem you never want to solve mid-hike. A reliable hiking water filter means less weight in your pack and confident refills from streams, rivers, and taps along ...

Water filter caravan: what you actually need on the road

You don't need to be deep in the backcountry to think seriously about water filtration — caravan tanks can pick up sediment, bacteria, or an unpleasant taste over time, even when the water looks cl...

Personal Locator Beacon vs Garmin Inreach: Which Do You Need?

When you're heading off the grid, having a reliable way to call for help isn't optional — it's essential. But with so many options on the market, working out whether you need a personal locator bea...

Why walking poles for hiking matter more than you think

It's easy to write off walking poles for hiking as optional extras for serious mountaineers or older hikers — but that's a common misconception worth rethinking. The right pair genuinely reduces st...

Sea to Summit sleeping bag: how to pick the right one for your trip

With so many options in the Sea to Summit sleeping bag range, choosing the right one can feel more complicated than it needs to be. In this guide, we break down what actually matters — fill power, ...

Why the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is our go-to rain jacket

When the forecast turns, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is the jacket we reach for first — and we'll be upfront about why. It's not built for hardcore, remote multi-day expeditions, but for everyday...

Sleeping mats for camping: R-value, comfort, and what to look for

It's easy to spend your whole budget on a great sleeping bag and treat the mat underneath as an afterthought — but that's where most overnight heat loss actually happens. In this guide, we break do...

Hiking backpack daypack: an everyday essential

A good daypack might be the most versatile piece of gear you'll ever buy — it's not just for the trail, it's your travel companion, your city commuter bag, and your go-to for weekend recreation. In...

Sleeping bag guide: free downloadable PDF

Comparing sleeping bags can be surprisingly overwhelming once you start weighing up fill power, temperature ratings, and weight across different models. That's why we've put together a completely f...

Sleeping Bags 101: Compare Fill, Warmth & Weight Before You Buy

Picking a new sleeping bag shouldn't feel like guesswork. With so many shapes, fills and temperature ratings out there, it's easy to end up with a sleeping bag that's too hot, too heavy, or simply ...

Best camping equipment stores near you: PAST Outdoors' guide to camping equipment stores across Australia

Excerpt:Searching for camping equipment stores near you can turn up a mixed bag — big box retailers with generic stock, or small stores with a limited range. In this guide, we make the case for why...

The ultimate guide to ultralight gear: how to choose your kit

Every extra kilogram in your pack adds up over a long day on the trail, which is exactly why more hikers are rethinking their kit from the ground up. In this guide, we break down why ultralight gea...

Patagonia Australia: where to find and buy Patagonia gear near you

If you're searching for Patagonia near you, we've got genuine Patagonia Australia stock ready to help you gear up. But Patagonia is more than just a trusted name — the brand has backed up its reput...

Pants for hiking: how to choose the right gear for your next trip

Choosing the right hiking pants is about more than just picking a colour you like — fabric type, fit, and features all affect how comfortable you'll be on the trail. In this guide, we break down th...

From canvas to carbon: the evolution of the modern ultralight hiking backpack

The modern hiking backpack didn't happen by accident — it's the result of decades of obsessive design refinement, starting with a 16-year-old who taught himself to sew a better-fitting pack. In thi...

The ultimate guide to ultralight pack: how to choose your kit

Choosing the right backpack can make or break your hike. A poorly fitted bag leads to sore shoulders and a miserable trip, while the right one disappears on your back and lets you focus on the trai...

Mount Hotham Trails: a PAST Outdoors Beginners Guide

Mount Hotham is one of Victoria's most rewarding alpine destinations, with trails that take you from wide open ridgelines down into quiet valley runs. Whether you're planning a day hike or a multi-...