Stories and news

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

Our sleeping bag comparison guide: find the right sleeping bag for your next adventure Picking a new sleeping bag shouldn't feel like guesswork. With so many shapes, fills and temperature ratings o...

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...

Sleeping bag comparison: Sea to Summit Spark vs Spark Pro

Picking the right sleeping bag comes down to more than just the price tag on the shelf. In this post, we compare the Sea to Summit Spark and Spark Pro sleeping bags side by side, breaking down fill...

Sleeping bag vs sleeping mat: why you need both for a comfortable night outdoors

A warm sleeping bag won't save you if the cold ground is doing all the work underneath you. Most of your overnight heat loss happens through contact with the earth, not the air around you — which i...

Your Outdoor Shop For Premium Hiking And Camping Gear

Looking for an outdoor shop that actually knows its gear? We cover our favourite outdoor lights, outdoor table and chairs, and weatherproof shelters, from Petzl headlamps to Helinox furniture and M...

Best trailhead near you: PAST Outdoors' guide to trailheads across Australia

There's nothing better than pulling into a trailhead you've never explored before, boots on, poles in hand, ready for whatever the track throws at you. But the best days out always start well befor...

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

Choosing the right backpack can make or break an ultralight backpacking trip — get it wrong and even the best boots and lightest tent won't save you from a sore back and blistered hips. In this gui...

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

Looking for the best camping goods store near you? PAST Outdoors helps Australian adventurers find reliable hiking, camping and outdoor equipment for every journey. With over 30 years of experience...

Why We Choose Mont Australia For Hiking And Camping Adventures

Explore our range of Mont Australia gear at PAST Outdoors, featuring trusted outdoor equipment designed for hiking, camping and backcountry adventures. From the lightweight and reliable Mont Moonda...

Sleeping Mats Comparisons: Which One Is Right For You?

Exped, Sea to Summit or Therm-A-Rest — three of the best sleeping mat brands in the world, each with a different approach to warmth, comfort and packability. Whether you're after an ultralight infl...

Sleeping Pads for Camping: How to Choose the Right Gear for Your Next Trip

Your sleeping bag gets all the attention — but your sleeping mat might be the most important piece of gear in your kit. The ground steals heat from your body faster than cold air ever could, and a ...

Brand Spotlight - Black Diamond: Leaders in Headlamps and Hiking Accessories

Black Diamond has been engineering performance outdoor gear for decades, and we're thrilled to now stock their latest range at PAST Outdoors. In this brand spotlight, we take a close look at two of...

Camping chairs: how to choose the right one for your next trip

After a long day on the trail or setting up camp, nothing beats sitting down properly instead of perching on a log or a rock. The right camping chair turns an ordinary campsite into a comfortable o...

Patagonia Torrentshell womens: why this rain jacket belongs in your kit

Rain doesn't wait for a good day, and neither should your gear. If you're after a jacket that actually holds up when the weather turns, the Patagonia Torrentshell range is one of the most trusted n...

Camping stores Sydney: where to get quality gear for your next adventure

Finding the right gear before a hike can make or break the trip. Whether you're planning a weekend walk in the Blue Mountains or a multi-day trek further afield, having equipment that actually hold...

How Field-Based Leadership Training Builds Better Decision-Makers

Most leadership training classes happen in a boardroom: slides, frameworks, a case study or two, then everyone heads home unchanged. It's tidy, comfortable, and forgettable — because real leadershi...

Multi-day hiking in New Zealand: how to prepare for the trail

There's nothing quite like a multi-day hike New Zealand offers — glaciers, alpine passes, and forest trails that feel a world away from everyday life. But turning up unprepared can turn a dream tri...

Best hiking trails near you: PAST Outdoors' guide to hiking trails across Australia

Sydney is surrounded by some of Australia's finest hiking terrain — from the sandstone canyons of the Blue Mountains to the harbour foreshore tracks of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Here's our g...

Inside an Executive Retreat With Ex-Special Forces Guides

There's a moment on every one of our executive retreats where the boardroom simply falls away — no slide decks, no KPIs, just weather, terrain, and a decision that needs to be made right now. We bu...

Best walking trails near you: PAST Outdoors' guide to walking trails across Australia

Sydney sits at the doorstep of some of Australia's finest walking trails — from the Royal National Park's dramatic coastline to the Blue Mountains escarpment and the iconic Bondi to Coogee coastal ...

K2 Base Camp Trek: Gear List, Difficulty & What to Expect

The K2 base camp trek is one of the world's great high-altitude adventures — a 200-kilometre journey through Pakistan's Karakoram range beneath the most savage mountain on earth. Here's everything ...

Best Trails Near You: PAST Outdoors' Guide to Trails Across Australia

Australia is home to some of the world's great hiking trails — and knowing where to go, when to go, and what to bring makes all the difference. Here's our state by state guide to the best tracks ac...

Our favourite hikes: from Sydney to Melbourne and beyond

Australia is home to some of the best hiking on the planet, and whether you're after hikes near me for a quick weekend escape or planning something bigger, we've rounded up our favourite trails fro...

Hiking shoes: your guide to La Sportiva

Choosing the right hiking shoes can make or break a trip on the trail. Our La Sportiva range covers everything from lightweight hiking shoes built for fast day walks to supportive hiking shoes boot...

What Makes a Leadership Development Camp Different From Corporate Training

Most executives have sat through their fair share of leadership training classes — the slides, the case studies, the roleplay exercises in a hotel conference room. They tick a box, but do they actu...

Trekking Poles, Hiking Poles & Crampons: How to Choose the Right Gear for Every Trail

Ever finished a big descent with your knees screaming, or white-knuckled your way across an icy ridgeline wishing you had better traction underfoot? You're not alone — and the right gear is usually...

Wrap up: Winter Solstice LIVE event 2026

Hundreds of you joined us to mark the longest night of the year — great gear, great brands, and an even better atmosphere. Here's a look back at our Winter Solstice Event. ❄️🔥

Why Outdoor Research Stands Out: Hiking Jacket Innovation + Waterproof Protection

Outdoor Research has earned its place as a leader in technical outdoor apparel by consistently delivering high-performance gear designed for real-world conditions. When it comes to choosing a relia...

Check out our Winter Camping set up!

  Winter Camping Sleep System: Stay Warm, Dry & Comfortable Heading out into the cold for a winter camping adventure? Kris from PAST Outdoors has put together a reliable, lightweight, and toast...