Reddit reviews Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunblcok Spray, SPF 70+, 5 ounce

A cheap alternative is used boots from a military surplus store. I used to do all my tramping in old army boots, they did me well. An example. I've had many bad experiences with new boots in the $150 NZ price range that were fresh from the Chinese factory - glue dissolving on the first trip out, soles coming loose etc. etc. Having to duct tape your boots together so that you can walk out is never fun. So yeah, $100 for used army boots is better than $150 for new boots.

Something to be aware of is how your boot's sole's tread will go in different terrain. My Tibet's tread, for example, (the Vibram Masai) is fantastic on scree and mud, but does poorly on some wet rocks and wet tree roots, whereas a boot with larger sections of rubber in the tread will stick to rocks better, but might clog up with mud easier, making muddy conditions more slippery for you. So it's worth your while getting to learn your boots once you have them, so you know what they're good at and bad at.

After boots, I'd prioritise any gear you don't have in the following order:

• Topographical map of region you're tramping in - these are cheap, and essential. Can be purchased from many locations.
  
• Compass? This really depends on where you're tramping. In the Southern Alps, tramping on a compass bearing is near impossible as your available directions of travel are usually upstream, downstream, up the side of the mountain, or down the side of the mountain. But in the North Island, a compass is a lot more essential, especially in places like the Ureweras where the hills are lower and rolling.
  
• Thermal underwear - polypropylene is cheap, warm, and doesn't absorb water. The only real downsides are a) it tends to hold body odour well and b) it melts and/or burns very easily, so when you're working around campfires / hut fires, you have to be careful. Merino wool thermal underwear is also popular, it's definitely warm, it doesn't hold body odour, and it is safe around fire. However, it will absorb water - this doesn't compromise the warmth at all, but it does make you heavier. I typically carry around 2 - 3 thermal tops and 1 - 2 thermal leggings.
  
• Survival blanket - cheap, small, light, these things can save your life.
  
• Windproof layer of clothing - you can avoid the rain when tramping by watching the forecast and picking good days. But you'll never be able to avoid the wind. Windchill can be significant, especially when you are above the bush-line and stop moving for a rest.
  
• Rainproof layer of clothing - Typically people buy a jacket that is windproof and rainproof. I consider rainproofing lower priority, because most of the tramping I do involves river crossings (very few bridges in the Southern Alps) in terrain where if it rains, the rivers flood. So I'm never tramping in the rain anyway.
  
  Lastly, a special word about Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs). These are expensive to buy, but can and do save lives. Most of our mountains have no cellphone coverage, and the Department of Conservation has started removing radios from huts due to funding issues. Luckily, you don't need to buy one, as you can rent them. I strongly urge you to rent one if no-one in your tramping party has one. http://www.locatorbeacons.co.nz/hireoutlets.aspx
  
  Oh, and to reiterate a point someone made elsewhere - sun protection. The NZ sun is very harsh due to the ozone holes Antarctica spawns and throws at us. You will burn rapidly, so a sunhat, sunglasses, and a good sunscreen are essential. I personally use Neutrogena 70+ SPF sport spray because I'm a red-head in the worst hemisphere to be a red-head in, and it's the only sunscreen I've found that I don't immediately sweat off my forehead into my eyes.

Pack cough drops for when you're leaving the playa. An hour or so after you're out of the dry, desert air, your throat will ache like crazy.

You can get the worst sunburn of your life in just 30 minutes of playa sun, so I use this sunscreen spray, and I only have to put it on once each morning and it just works like magic.

If you only have a tent, it will get too hot in the day to use, and you'll have trouble getting enough sleep. A lot of good stuff happens after sunset, but if you don't have some source of shade you'll just want to go to bed as soon as it gets cool out.

If you pack some sentimental item, you will probably lose it on the playa somewhere.

If you only pack one pack of cigarettes, you will probably lose it on the playa somewhere.

We bring a Solar Oven, like this one. Holy crap it's nice to have baked potatoes and hard boiled eggs and roasted peppers ... and not have to do any work to get them.

I'm sure there are cheaper options, but this is the one I use. Amazon link.

I'd say any high SPF 'sport' sunscreen should do the trick. And if not, maybe bring a small container along and reapply mid-run.

Dude! Sunblock! 70 to 100 spf, at least. I cycled for 4 hours on my road bike. Ya know how sunburnt I got? I didn't. That shit works.

Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunsblock!