My Gear
What gear do I use to produce videos, ski, hike, hunt, fish and travel the world in such an adventures way as I do?
Only the best! Here is a list of gear that I TRUST to take me anywhere in the world, to keep me SAFE and to get me the best footage and stories to tell you!
Please FYI – This post may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) If you purchase using these links then you are supporting this site and my Youtube channel.
Outdoor Gear
Rab Positron Down Jacket
This jacket kept me warm through a 3 months long dark cold Arctic winter in Tromso, Norway. Its not waterproof but for places below freezing temperatures that doesn’t matter because it snows instead of rains. I have used it down to -17°C and was super warm. I also used one model down from this in Antarctica to -25°C and was just warm enough. That’s with good layering underneath.
To make it waterproof I wear a light rain jacket over the top.
This jacket also packs down very small to fit in my backpack when travelling in warmer places or while walking uphill.°C
Osprey Stratos 50L Backpack
This is my standard carry on backpack for backpacking in warm countries, ski backpack for back country skiing, and hiking backpack for trips that don’t require carrying a huge amount of gear.
Honestly this is the most comfortable backpack I have ever carried and I fell in love the first time I tried it!
Solomon X-Ultra Hiking Boots
These are good light weight hiking boots. I had these in Norway with me to hike in rough terrain where I might encounter snow.
Solomon Xa Running Shoes
Around Gorge River and anywhere else that there is no snow I always hike in light weight running shoes and these ones from Solomon are my favourites. they are light and allow me to move fast across any terrain. (Except for snow)
Sorel Carabou Winter Boots
There is simply nothing that beats a good pair of Sorels on a cold snowy day in the Arctic or Antarctica, or in a ski town somewhere in between.
I have worn these down to about -30°C and I didn’t get cold feet. However some people will get cold feet at around -10 to -20°C. Its seems to depend a lot on your circulation.
Sorel also has a next step up that has a very thick sole. They are good down to -40°C or below.
Ticket To The Moon Hammock
I got this hammock quite recently for my hiking in Norway. This combined with a tarpaulin, sleeping mat and sleeping bag makes an awesome sleep away in the mountains (or in your back yard) and is super light to carry.
If you want 10% off any Ticket To The Moon product use the promo code TTTM-Christan0535
MSR Whisperlite multi-fuel stove
Not the lightest stove but it works to the most extreme temperatures. I have use these burning white gas at about -30. Thats about the coldest temperature that a cooker will work at it seems. After that you will have to warm the fuel in the bottle just to get it to burn.
You can also burn diesel, kerosene, petrol, and propane/butane mixes. Super useful when you are travelling to different countries.
Icebreaker Merino loft Vest
A lot of people swear by wearing a vest. I really like my Icebreaker vest that I got when I was working in Antarctica as issue gear from Antarctica New Zealand.
Nice and warm and looks quite smart when it clean!
Made of merino wool from New Zealand.
Icebreaker Merino Wool Base Layer Top
Super important to have good base layers when in the outdoors. These ones from Icebreaker are not cheap but they are worth it. I have had mine for 3 years now and have only just started getting a few holes in the legs. I wear them every second day of winter (I have 2 pairs)
Again we got these issued to us by Antarctica New Zealand for working in Antarctica.
Icebreaker Merino Wool Base Layer Top
Same as above, thermal base layers are really important for keeping warm in the outdoors.
Therm-a-Rest Prolite Plus sleeping mat
I have had one of these thermarests for many years and it has never failed me. In Hawaii I managed to put a whole in it and fixed it with a piece of random canvas and some glue. That quick patch has lasted 6 years and I have never got another hole. Just be careful no to camp on anything sharp!
Petzl Nao Headlamp
I love this petzl torch and have used it for years for spotlighting possums. The best thing about it is the reactive lighting, so if I walk close to something it dims the light automatically so I don’t get blinded. In the same way it increases the strength of the beam if you look into the distance
Electronic Equipment
Sony A6300 Mirorless Camera 4K
The Sony A6300 is a very popular vlogging camera, as is the A6500, one model up. I love this camera because it is small enough hide under my jacket when working but still good enough to take really good footage in 4k and 120p slow motion. You can download an app for time-laps too. They were the three main reasons why I bought the Sony A6300.
The main con is the short battery life, so I have 4 batteries and that is perfect. A bonus is that you can charge via USB cable and I like to plug into an external battery while doing time-lapses or if I am in a really cold environment.
Generic A6300 Batteries And Charger
Having an extra battery charger and batteries is recommended with the Sony A6300 and I bought 3 generic batteries to go with my camera and a charger. I found the generic batteries work as well as the expensive Sony ones.
Rode Microphone
If you want good sound then I recomend you invest in a microphone for your camera. I have this mic from Rode. Its one of their cheapest while still being pretty good quality.
Your YouTube views will appreciate it!
You can get a small adaptor so you can use it as a mic on smartphone or computer too.
Mavic Air Drone
I love my Mavic Air drone so much! For a traveller this is perfect because it takes such good quality footage, (who doesn’t like a drone shot!) and it is small enough to hide in your backpack or even a jacket pocket. I have only crashed mine once into snow with no damage, super simple to fly, very stable and it has about 20 minute flight time. Enough to get the shot you are looking for. I have two batteries and I recommend having 3 if you can afford it.
Joby GorillaPod
Great little tripod for my camera. You can get cheaper generic ones but I got tired of the legs falling off so I just paid the money and bought the Joby Gorilla one and have not regretted it! Great for taking shots on the go anywhere!
MSI Prestige Laptop i7 with 4GB Graphics Card
If you are making videos you need a laptop with a few GB or graphics, or buy a powerful MAC. I am not a MAC user simply because I cant afford it and I struggled for two years editing on slow laptops.
The MSI Prestige is literally the ONLY travel sized 14 inch laptop that I could find with 4GB graphics card, i7 and 16GB of RAM in my price range of around $2200 NZD.
I love mine and it can edit 4K footage on Davinci Resolve and Filmora 9 almost seamlessly.
I hope this info can help another vlogger out there who just cant find the right laptop to edit video on!
GoPro Hero 4 Black
I am ready for an upgrade to something better but this camera is still pretty good. Shoots in 4K and great underwater. Its rated to I think 10m but I once had it suspended at 30m for an hour while I was freediving and no water got in!
Samsung S8
Just a simple old Samsung S8, cant beat it. Good stable videos and everything else works fine. I upgraded after I smashed my S7 with a large block of frozen husky dog food in Norway!
Other Random Stuff
UE Wonderboom 2
An impressive speaker for its size! The best size to sound ratio I have seen in a speaker. Very rugged as well. I mostly use inside but great to take with you outdoors as well.
Dynafit Speed Skins
I love my pair of Dynafit speed skins for ski touring. they work the best with Dynafit skies because of the rubber attachment to the front.
If you need any help or advice with gear PLEASE just send me a message. I am always more than happy to help!
