The Routeburn Track — Preparing for an Unforgettable Journey
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand’s most popular multi-day hikes, but its beauty comes with a reputation for rapidly changing alpine weather. On a trail like this, good gear isn’t a luxury — it’s what keeps you safe, comfortable, and enjoying the experience rather than just surviving it. With four days of tramping through Fiordland’s rainforest, alpine passes, and river valleys, every item in your pack needs to earn its place.
Core Packing List for the Routeburn Track
A reliable pack is the foundation of your trip — it needs to comfortably carry everything you require for four days and three nights on the trail. Most hikers opt for a 50–65L backpack with a supportive hip belt, padded shoulder straps and a well-fitted rain cover. Inside, stick to the essentials: a dry-bag system for clothing and electronics, a lightweight first-aid kit, personal toiletries, a headlamp, and your DOC hut tickets. Organisation is key. Weather in the mountains can turn quickly, and you’ll want waterproof layers easy to grab rather than buried at the bottom of your pack.
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My pack of choice was the Osprey Atmos AG 50. It’s on the heavier side, but the trade-off is exceptional comfort, thanks to its seamless 3D suspension system—which really shines when you’re carrying a full multi-day load.
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| All that gear squashes neatly into the pack |
Clothing for Unpredictable Weather
Layering and flexibility are essential on the Routeburn Track. You could (and probably will) experience all four seasons on your trip, maybe during a single day. As a native of the UK, I know this experience all too well — the best days outside don’t always come with a perfect forecast. My Routeburn Track experience included warm sunshine mixed with cooler, cloudy weather and some rain.
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| Weather on the Routeburn Track can change quickly, as we experienced at Ocean Peak Corner |
My Routeburn Track experience included warm sunshine, cooler, cloudy weather and some rain.
The classic hiking layering system uses three main layers for adaptable comfort: a base layer to wick sweat, a mid-layer (fleece or light down jacket) for warmth and insulation, and an outer shell (waterproof/windproof) to protect from elements, allowing you to add or remove layers to match changing weather and exertion levels. This system keeps you comfortable and warm by managing moisture and regulating temperature efficiently, a key strategy for hiking in varied conditions. In persistent rain, it is likely you'll end up getting damp inside your waterproofs, so comfort and quick-drying are key.
My system consisted of a couple of synthetic base layers (Montane Dart and MacPac Trail base layers), a fleece jacket (Arc'teryx Delta), an ultralight windproof jacket (Arc'teryx Squamish), a waterproof shell (Mountain Equipment Tupilak), and a lightweight synthetic insulation layer (Montane Fireball Lite).
For legwear, I carried a pair of shorts (Montane Dynamic Lite), soft-shell trousers (Mountain Equipment Ibex), and waterproof over trousers (Montane Cetus). I also packed fleece leggings to wear underneath the waterproofs on days forecast to be relentlessly wet. I find this setup far more comfortable than wearing waterproof trousers over regular pants. Of all the things I packed, the soft-shell trousers were the only item I did not use. Below is a summary of my gear, excluding water, food and electronics.
Footwear
Footwear is a personal choice, provided it is well broken in and comfortable. Your main options are hiking boots, approach shoes, or trail runners—all of which can handle the Routeburn Track. If you are carrying a heavier multi-day pack, a sturdy boot offers invaluable ankle stability on the steep, rocky ascent to Harris Saddle. However, keep in mind that waterproof Gore-Tex boots take much longer to dry if they flood, and alpine downpours can quickly leave you navigating water deeper than your boot cuff.
My personal choice of footwear for the Routeburn Track was the non-waterproof Scarpa Rapid XT, a leather approach shoe intended for summer hiking.
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The Lodges
The lodges are generally quite comfortable, and you may want to consider a set of lightweight clothes to change into once you've completed each leg of the hike, giving any wet wear that chance to be hung up to dry. Sandals or flip-flops (or jandals in local speak) will allow you to ditch those trail shoes for the evening.
Gadgets and Electronics
Inevitably, most people will be carrying a number of items that require power: phones, smartwatches, cameras, etc. If you are staying at the DOC huts, you will need a power bank to keep these items topped up. The lodges used by the guided tours have generator power, allowing you to charge your devices at the end of each day; however, the generators are turned off overnight.
Full Equipment List and Weight (Guided Trip)
| Layer | Item | Purpose | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pack | Osprey Atmos AG 50 | Primary Carry System | 1,960g |
| Base Layer | Montane Dart S/S (x2) | Moisture Management | 170g |
| Base Layer | MacPac Trail Pullover | Mid-weight Base | 170g |
| Mid Layer | Arc'teryx Delta Hoody | Breathable Insulation | 210g |
| Insulation | Montane Fireball Lite | Lightweight Warmth | 360g |
| Outer Shell | Arc'teryx Squamish | Wind Protection | 140g |
| Hard Shell | ME Tupilak Jacket | Severe Rain Protection | 500g |
| Legwear | Montane Dynamic Lite | Trekking Shorts | 240g |
| Legwear | ME Ibex Trousers | Technical Softshell | 530g |
| Wet Legwear | Montane Cetus Pants | Waterproof Overtrousers | 320g |
| Base Leg | MacPac Pro Thermal | Cold/Wet Day Liner | 160g |
| Footwear | Scarpa Rapid XT (Pair) | Approach Shoe | 820g |
| TOTAL WEIGHT | 5,580g | ||
With the logistics locked in, your gear sorted, and the alpine weather checked, it is time to lace up your boots and head to the trailhead. Whether you are stepping onto the track from the forested valleys near Glenorchy or navigating the initial climbs from the Milford Road side, the real journey is finally about to begin. Let’s dive straight into the dramatic landscapes, ancient beech canopies, and tumbling waterfalls of Day 1.
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