Stories and news

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...

The complete guide to hiking poles (2026)

If you've ever finished a long descent with your knees aching, or felt your foot slip on a loose, wet track, you already know why hiking poles matter. In this complete guide, we walk through everyt...

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...

How to choose a multi-day hiking backpack

A multi-day backpack is a completely different piece of gear to a daypack, and getting it wrong doesn't just mean discomfort, it can genuinely derail a trip. In this guide, we break down what size ...

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...

Travel pack cubes: are they worth it?

If you've already sorted your pack, you might be wondering whether travel pack cubes are actually worth adding to the cart. Short answer: yes, and once you've used a proper set, you won't pack with...

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...

Top 10 hiking trails near Mount Druitt (plus the gear you'll need)

From the Great West Walk right on our doorstep to easy Blue Mountains day trips, we've rounded up the top 10 hiking trails near Mount Druitt, NSW, along with the camping and hiking gear you'll want...

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...

Patagonia Torrentshell Mens — The Rain Jacket That Does It All

When it comes to waterproof protection that actually performs in the field, few jackets come close to the Patagonia Men's Torrentshell 3L. Built on Patagonia's H2No® Performance Standard with a thr...

Winter Layering with Outdoor Research

Not sure how to layer up before you hit the trail? You're not alone — and getting it right is the difference between a hike you love and one you can't wait to end. ⛰️ In our latest video, we break ...

What is the best camping stove? How long does a fuel cannister last?

If you've ever typed a question about camping stoves into a search engine or asked an AI assistant for help, the data is pretty clear on which two questions dominate above all others. We see them c...

Why Hiking Poles Belong in Every Hiker's Kit

A good set of hiking poles can take real pressure off your knees, improve your balance on rough terrain, and help you move faster over long distances. In this guide we walk through what to look for...

Hiking & camping meals made easy: PAST Outdoors 24 hour meal packs

Planning meals for a hike or camping trip shouldn't eat into your trip planning time. Our PAST Outdoors 24 Hour Radix Meal Packs take the guesswork out of camping meals, delivering a full day of fu...

PAST Outdoors Winter Solstice LIVE Event

PAST Outdoors Winter Solstice Event: A Day for Outdoor Lovers — Saturday 20th June 9-5pm Join the event on Facebook Hey outdoor lovers! Join us for our Winter Solstice Event, Saturday 20th June fr...

The Best Hiking in New Zealand: 7 Routes Worth Travelling For

Ask any of the PAST Outdoors team to name their favourite trail and you'll get a different answer every time — which tells you everything you need to know about the sheer quality and variety of hik...