Shopping Guide
Base Layer
Get 150g merino/nylon blend (87% merino / 13% nylon) — not 100% merino. The nylon core adds tensile strength while keeping merino against your skin. 100% merino develops thin spots and holes under daily pack friction.
Top pick: Smartwool Classic All-Season Merino Base Layer Crew — ~$100
This is the current name for what was the Merino 150 Slim Fit. Slim cut layers cleanly under a shell without bunching. 87/13 blend, 150 g/m², raglan sleeves reduce shoulder seam bulk under a pack. 2-year warranty covering manufacturing defects and performance dissatisfaction.
Budget alternative: REI Co-op Merino 185 Crew — ~$80 Note: REI's house brand base layer is 185 g/m² (slightly heavier/warmer) and 100% merino with no nylon blend — less durable under daily use. Multiple reviewers report holes developing quickly under pack friction. Fine for occasional use but not ideal for a 15-day trip wearing it daily.
Skip: Patagonia Capilene (synthetic polyester — holds odor after a few days of hard use), Arc'teryx merino (~$120, not worth the premium here).
Where to buy: Smartwool.com, REI, or Backcountry. Avoid Amazon — counterfeits are common.
Buy two per person — one to wear, one drying. Merino resists odor for 2–3 days and dries overnight, but on back-to-back hiking days a spare is worth it.
Socks
With trail runners (Adidas), you want quarter crew height and light cushion — not tall hiking socks designed for boots. A thick boot sock makes the fit too tight in a trail runner and causes hot spots.
Kirkland Extra Fine Merino (87% merino) — use these. The blend spec is correct — same ratio as Smartwool and Darn Tough. Before the trip, try them on with the Adidas and walk around for 20–30 minutes. If the heel pocket stays in place and nothing bunches at the ankle, you're set. The only risk is cut — if they're full crew height they may bunch inside a trail runner. Ankle or quarter crew height is ideal.
If you need to buy: Smartwool Run Targeted Cushion Quarter (~$20/pair) is the best alternative — quarter crew height, light cushion, right fit for trail runners.
How many: 4–5 pairs. Merino resists odor for 2 days, but with daily hiking you'll want a fresh pair each day and one drying.
One thing to watch: Make sure the heel pocket fits snugly in your Adidas. A loose heel causes blisters faster than anything else on a long hike.
Hat
You need two — one for warmth, one for sun.
1. Warm beanie — cold mornings, boat tour decks, Burkes Pass, high passes - Smartwool Merino 250 Beanie (~$28) — warm enough for boat decks, packs flat, doesn't smell after repeated use. Merino is better than fleece for a trip where you're repacking it daily
2. Sun cap — sunny hiking days (NZ UV is extreme at altitude) - Any lightweight baseball cap works. If you need one, a packable nylon cap from Patagonia or REI (~$25) is fine
Gloves
Lightweight liner gloves only — you don't need heavy winter gloves. Wind protection for boat decks and cold mornings is all that's required.
| Pick | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwool Liner Gloves | ~$35 | Merino, touchscreen compatible — use your phone for maps and photos without taking them off |
| Outdoor Research Activeice Spectrum Sun Gloves | ~$29 | Thinner, better touchscreen, UPF 50+ for sunny alpine days |
One pair is enough. The buff/neck gaiter covers the gap if conditions aren't cold enough for gloves.
Rain Jacket
A good rain jacket is non-negotiable for this trip. Fiordland gets ~7,000mm of rain per year, the West Coast gets 4,000–5,000mm, and Arthur's Pass sees rain ~200 days a year. Plan for rain on most days in these regions.
Since this trip involves casual/moderate walking rather than strenuous hiking, the priorities are: waterproofing, comfort, and packability — not ultralight weight or maximum breathability.
Recommended Pick: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L — $189
The consensus top value pick across OutdoorGearLab, CleverHiker, and Switchback Travel. 3-layer H2No construction, fully taped seams, proven in Fiordland-equivalent conditions.
Strengths: - Burly 50-denier shell — more durable than most jackets at this price - Fully taped seams handle sustained downpours, not just drizzle - Trusted in the exact regions you're visiting (Milford Track tested) - Fair Trade certified, recycled nylon
Honest weaknesses (from reviewers): - Stiff and crinkly when new — softens with use - Noticeably loud fabric (hood up = hard to hear outside) - Less breathable than Gore-Tex alternatives — but for casual walking this barely matters - No chest pocket; hand pockets have flaps only - Neck can feel tight when layering
Verdict for this trip: The stiffness and breathability trade-offs don't matter much for casual walking. The waterproofing and durability are exactly what you need for Fiordland and the West Coast.
Alternative: Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell — $189
Same price as the Torrentshell but a completely different feel. Worth considering if comfort and ease of movement is a priority.
Strengths: - Stretchy, soft 2.5-layer fabric — much more comfortable to wear all day - Better mobility and less stiff than Torrentshell - Quieter fabric - Field-tested on the Routeburn Track in Fiordland
Weaknesses: - 2.5-layer (vs 3-layer) — slightly less durable long-term - One user reported moisture seeping through after extended heavy rain (10+ hours continuous)
Verdict: A good alternative if you prioritize "jacket I actually enjoy wearing" over bulletproof durability.
Premium Pick: Arc'teryx Beta LT — $400
If budget allows, the Beta LT (not Beta SL or Beta AR) is the right Arc'teryx for hiking travel. The Beta LT hits the best balance — tougher than the SL, lighter and cleaner than the AR.
Why LT over SL or AR: - Beta SL ($500): Lighter but thinner fabric — designed for pack weight, not durability - Beta LT ($400): Best balance of durability + weight for hikers - Beta AR ($650): Overkill — designed for mountaineering and ski touring
Strengths: - Gore-Tex ePE membrane — excellent sustained waterproofing - Comfortable, refined fit that doesn't feel technical - Excellent hood system - Lasts years with proper care
Verdict: Spend more, buy once. Justifiable if you plan to use it beyond this trip (NYC rainy days, future travel).
Budget Option: Marmot PreCip Eco — $120
If $189 feels like a lot, the PreCip Eco is the best budget pick. Solid waterproofing, lightweight, PFC-free DWR. Not as durable as the Torrentshell but perfectly fine for casual use.
Skip: REI Co-op XeroCloud 3L
Reviewers found the HydroWall membrane "wets out" after about an hour of sustained heavy rain — not acceptable for Fiordland. Pass.
What to Look For
| Feature | What to Check | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof rating | 20,000mm minimum | Fiordland rain is relentless |
| Seam taping | Fully taped (every seam) | Critically taped lets water through in sustained rain |
| Hood | Deep brim, drawcord adjustable | Wind-driven horizontal rain in Fiordland |
| Fit | Room for a fleece layer; covers hips | Layering + coverage are essential |
| Membrane | Gore-Tex, H2No, or Pertex Shield | Proven membranes only — avoid unproven budget tech |
Breathability and ultralight weight are not priorities for casual hiking — ignore those spec comparisons.
Where to Buy in NYC
Try in person before buying — fit matters a lot with rain jackets.
- REI Manhattan (60th & Lexington) — carries all major brands; best return policy: 365 days for members
- Patagonia Upper West Side — full Torrentshell range, knowledgeable staff
- Arc'teryx SoHo — try the Beta LT in person
- Paragon Sports (18th St) — large multi-brand selection
Best strategy: Try jackets at brand stores for fit, then buy from REI for their 365-day return policy. Zero risk — you can wear it on a rainy NYC day and return it if it doesn't work.
How to Test Before the Trip
In store: 1. Try on over a fleece or midlayer (your actual layering setup) 2. Sleeve length should reach past wrist bone with arms relaxed 3. Test hood with a hat/beanie — should cover forehead without blocking vision 4. Check jacket length covers your hip area 5. Zip and unzip with one hand — you'll do this in rain
At home: 1. Spray bottle test — water should bead and roll off the fabric (DWR check) 2. Seam test — pour water on shoulders and underarms; no moisture inside 3. Wear it on a rainy NYC day — the best real-world test before March 20 4. If water soaks into the fabric instead of beading, treat with Nikwax TX.Direct before the trip
Note on Franz Josef Heli Hike
The guide company provides leather hiking boots with crampons, a Gore-Tex jacket, over-trousers, hat, and gloves for the glacier itself — you won't need your own jacket on the ice. But you'll want it for every other day.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L: https://bit.ly/3AoWV44
Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket: Women’s: https://bit.ly/41uMRT3 Women’s Plus: https://bit.ly/3mYOUjo Men’s: https://bit.ly/3mUcNZr
The North Face Venture Jacket: Women’s: https://bit.ly/3At1xWR Men’s: https://bit.ly/3AkqEuW
REI Rainier Rain Jacket: Women’s: Women’s Plus: https://bit.ly/3ozVEVt Men’s: https://bit.ly/3H93XxL
Frogg Toggs Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket https://amzn.to/3NoSG0r currently, only the men’s ultra-lite2 is available. I guess neon pink is popular?!