When it comes to gear that can handle the rigours of Defence life, you want kit that’s built tough and performs when it matters. That’s why Dave's pulled together AJ’s top picks: a curated collection of trusted essentials for Defence Force personnel.

Gear built for ADF personnel

Spending close to two decades in Special Operations I use my experience in both the military and the outdoors to curate our collection of AJ gear at PAST Outdoors.

For those in or considering joining the military I often get asked what creature comforts couldn’t you live without.

Here are my top five and why:

1. LOWA Z-8S GTX C Combat Boots

Boots are so important. Midcut or ankle high boots with a softer compound sole but a good stack of support for handling heavy weights. The difference between hiking and military use is - you never have to get up and sprint with your 40kg hiking pack but a day of solid day of being in a gun fight will make a Hyrox event look like a playground jaunt. GP style boots are difficult to run really fast in. They are as only good as the socks you wear too.

Our Lowa Z-8S GTX C Combat Boots were recently ADF Approved (as per Army Dress Manual Annex 3A, December 2024). 

The Lowa Z-8S GTX C Combat Boots are built for serious operational use, offering the perfect balance between rugged support and lightweight agility. Featuring a durable leather upper, GORE-TEX waterproof lining, and an aggressive outsole for maximum traction, these boots are ideal for Defence personnel and tactical environments. Designed for long hours on foot, they provide excellent ankle support, comfort, and durability—no matter the terrain or conditions.

2. Dog and Gunn Coffee

Travelling the world you experience all sorts of coffee. Being able to make your own how you like at anytime is essential to functioning as a caffeine addict. It’s also a great way to get a convo going and sharing a brew. For expert level brew gear, carry a spork too- check out our PAST Outdoors Originals Sporks that I designed for this very reason!

3. Petzl Headlamps

Lightweight, low drag, red/white light. Used everywhere from in your bed reading a book to conducting exploitation on a target offshore. Always on your person for when you need it most.

A Garmin GPs that's wrist mounted and yours- don’t wait for the military to supply you one. Having a GPS isn’t cheating, it can save lives.

5. Truckers Hats

Not just useful for pissing off pogues and RSMs, but practical for wearing hearing protection over the top of, preventing glare in the back of your optics and keeping sun and sweat out of your eyes and face.