What size backpack do I need for a multi-day hike in New Zealand?
New Zealand has some of the most rewarding multi-day hikes with a mix of challenging terrain and stunning scenery. The key to a successful mission in the mountains is preparation and managing how much you should carry. A good place to start is understanding what pack size you need for your hike.
For an overnight or multi-day hike in New Zealand 40–60 litres is the best range recommended by the Department of Conservation. They specify a backpack of around 40–60 litres is suitable for multi-day hiking, and for Great Walks such as the Milford and Routeburn.
However, what size backpack you choose will all depend on the distance of your tramp, number of nights, whether you are staying in a hut or carrying a tent. Our guide breaks down every scenario so you can choose the correct pack with confidence and not be hauling more than you need!
Quick Overview
Overnight: 40–50 L
2–3 night hut tramp: 40–60 L
Long multi-day hike (hut or camping): 60–80 L
Scroll down for the full breakdown, or jump to the FAQ and comparison table below.
Overnight hike: we recommend 40–50 L
For a single night in a DOC hut, a 40–50 litre pack gives you enough space without encouraging you to over-pack for a short trip.
Why this size works
An overnight hut trip is the simplest multi-day format in New Zealand, you’re carrying one night’s gear, and the huts provide bunks, a kitchen area, and toilet facilities. At 40–50 L you have room for a sleeping bag, one full change of clothing, food for dinner and breakfast, and your day-walk kit.
What fits in 40–50 L
- Sleeping bag (3-season, in a compression sack)
- Warm layer, mid-layer, and a waterproof jacket and trousers
- Change of clothes for the hut
- Dinner, breakfast, and snacks (one night’s worth)
- Cook kit: small pot, gas canister, lighter
- Water bottle or reservoir, filter or tablets
- Head torch, first aid kit, emergency gear
Our overnight pack recommendations:
Our recommendation: Rab Muon 40 L Hiking Pack
Best for: overnight and short multi-day hikes where weight matters
For trampers who want to move efficiently with a full overnight kit, the Muon 40 L delivers serious ultralight performance without compromising on load stability or durability.
Our recommendation: Rab Syclon XP 40L Waterproof Pack
Best for: Overnight and short multi day hikes
This pack is light weight with a seamless fit, keeping your load stable at fast paces and over long distances. It has a fully waterproof construction to ensure your kit stays dry no matter what weather you encounter tramping in New Zealand.
Shop Rab XP 40L Waterproof Pack
Short multi-day (2–3 nights) hike: we recommend 40–60 L
For a 2–3 night hut-based tramp, a 40–60 litre pack is the right range for everything you will need to carry.
Why this size works
At this distance you’re carrying multiple nights’ food, a full set of warm and wet-weather clothing, and sleeping gear but you’re still relying on DOC huts for shelter. A 40–60 L pack keeps the load proportionate to the trip. Below 40 L and most trampers find themselves choosing between gear items they shouldn’t have to sacrifice. Above 60 L and the pack starts to feel oversized for what the huts require.
What fits in 40–60 L
- Sleeping bag and liner
- Warm base layer, mid-layer, insulated jacket
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Spare socks, underwear, hut shoes or sandals
- 2–3 nights’ food plus snacks (this is the biggest variable)
- Cook kit: pot, gas, lighter, utensils
- Water, first aid, head torch, map, emergency kit
Food weight is the hardest variable to manage at this duration. Freeze-dried meals and compact snacks can keep your food load well under 1.5 kg per day. At 3 nights’ food, that difference across the 40–60 L range is significant.
Our short multi-day pack recommendation
Rab Exion 55 L Hiking Pack
Best for: 2–3 night hut tramps and longer multi-day routes
The Exion 65 is a highly versatile full-featured pack that handles the step up from overnight to multi-night tramping with ease, carrying heavy food loads comfortably across hut-to-hut distances.
Long multi-day (4+ nights) hike: we recommend 60–80 L
For longer, more remote NZ routes or any tramp where you’re carrying a tent alongside hut nights a 60–80 litre pack gives you the volume to carry everything safely.
Why this size works
Remote NZ routes demand full self-sufficiency for significant stretches. You may cross rivers without bridges, travel days between huts, or encounter conditions where a tent is your only safe option. A tent, extra food, additional warm layers, and a water filter or treatment tablets all add volume that simply won’t fit in a smaller pack when combined with a standard multi-day kit.
Going above 80 L is rarely necessary for NZ conditions unless you’re on an extended expedition. A well-chosen pack in this 60-80 L range with modern lightweight gear will handle virtually every NZ route.
What fits in 60–80 L
- 3-season tent (solo or shared) for camping routes
- Warm sleeping bag (down or synthetic)
- Full thermal and insulated layering system
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- 4–7 nights’ food (heaviest load variable)
- Cook kit, water filter or treatment tablets
- Trekking poles, gaiters, blister kit
- PLB, map, compass, emergency bivvy, first aid
A shared tent reduces the volume each person carries significantly. A two-person shelter split between two packs can bring both packers into the lower end of the range. If you’re travelling with a partner, it’s worth planning who carries what before you pack.
Our long multi-day pack recommendation
Hyperon ND 80 L Trekking Pack
Best for: long multi-day routes, remote circuits, and camping trips whether hut-based Great Walks or remote camping circuits this pack is built for full expedition self-sufficiency.
Backpack size at a glance: NZ tramp summary
A quick reference across all trip types.
|
Trip type |
Pack size |
Pack Model |
What fits |
NZ walks / routes |
|
Overnight hike |
40–50 L |
Rab Muon 40 L Hiking Pack or Rab Syclon XP 40L Waterproof Pack |
Sleeping bag, 1 night’s food, warm & wet-weather layers, cook kit |
Pouakai Circuit, Mueller Hut, Angelus Hut (Nelson Lakes), Tararua hut routes |
|
Short multi-day (2–3 nights) |
40–60 L |
Rab Exion 55 L Hiking Pack |
2–3 nights’ food, full clothing set, sleeping bag & liner, cook kit, safety gear |
Tongariro Northern Circuit, Heaphy Track, Abel Tasman (3-day) |
|
Long multi-day / remote (4+ nights) |
60–80 L |
Rab Hyperon ND 80 L Trekking Pack |
Tent (if camping), full sleep system, 4–7 nights’ food, extra warm gear, water treatment |
Routeburn, Milford, Kepler, Rakiura, Rees–Dart, Dusky Track, Travers–Sabine Circuit |
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard backpack size for a New Zealand Great Walk?
For most Great Walks Routeburn, Milford, Kepler, Abel Tasman a pack in the 60L range covers the majority of trampers using DOC huts. The tracks are well-serviced and hut-to-hut distances are set, so you don’t need the extra volume of a remote-expedition pack.
Can I do a Great Walk with a 40 L pack?
Yes, if your sleeping bag, clothing and cook kit are compact and you pack carefully. A 40 L pack sits at the lower end of the workable range for a 2–3 night hut-based tramp. Most trampers find 40–60 L more comfortable, with room for food variety and a few extras.
Choosing the right backpack size comes down to three things: the type of trip, the number of nights, and whether you’re sleeping in huts or carrying a tent. For an overnight trip, 40–50 L covers the load comfortably. For 2–3 night hut tramps, 40–60 L is the right range. And for longer remote or mixed routes, 60–80 L gives you the volume to carry everything safely.
What’s next?
Once you’ve settled on a size, the next step is making sure the pack actually fits you. Read our complete guide to fitting a backpack, it walks you through the hipbelt, torso length, shoulder straps, load lifters, and sternum strap so your pack carries comfortably from day one.
Not sure which size is right for your trip? Our team is happy to help get in touch and we’ll point you in the right direction before you head out.
Sources: DOC’s official gear lists for overnight, multi-day, and Great Walk tramping across New Zealand, and Rab’s backpack buying guide and pack range guidelines.
