Gear Reviews

I Tested All of ALDI’s Cheap Hiking Gear Over 100km

Gear - Reviews

I Tested All of ALDI’s Cheap Hiking Gear Over 100km

18/09/2019

SHARED 53 TIMES

18/09/2019

SHARED 53 TIMES

When Saphira spotted a bonanza of budget hiking gear in Aldi’s weekly specials’ catalogue, she was stinging to put it to the test. The team at We Are Explorers were just as intrigued to see if the budget gear could hold its own and hooked her up with the full kit and kaboodle.

Is The Aldi Hiking Gear Worth it?

Aldi’s weekly catalogue in early July featured a ‘trailblazers’ special. Seven glossy pages filled to the brim with everything from puffer jackets to merino shirts – but the bargain-hunter’s highlight was a $30 pair of hiking boots. I was overcome with the urge to, quite literally, put the Aldi hiking gear through its paces.

I wanted to answer some big questions. Had I been ripped off for years, conned into buying boots for $300? Can you even make hiking boots for $30 that aren’t complete rubbish? Were my Kathmandu XT-series pants really six times better than Aldi’s $25 hiking pants? Can you really survive lawyer vine, creek crossings, rock scrambling, and rainy hikes in super cheap gear?

Who better to support the latest of my harebrained schemes than the folks at We Are Explorers? Luckily they were just as curious as me and agreed to sponsor my experiment. I got kitted up from my knickers to my headlamp to find out: what’s it like hiking in dirt-cheap gear?

Read More: The Dark Side Of Cheap Gear

The ALDI Hiking Gear

Let’s dive into the gear that Aldi had on offer. Each item includes the price, as well as what you’d expect to pay for mid-range gear.

TenTEX membrane water repellent hiking boots, complete with enough chemical fumes to give you a gnarly headache ($29.99 vs $300).
A 45L hiking backpack, 1.19kg with a (meagre) load capacity of 10kg ($34.99 vs $300).
A rain jacket which folds up to not much bigger than a coke can. It’s labelled waterPROOF, not water RESISTANT, so I will reserve no aquatic mercy for this one ($39.99 vs $150).
A puffer jacket that is supposedly ‘Responsible Certified Down’ ($49.99 vs $200)
A turquoise fleece-style polyester jacket ($24.99 vs $100).
Polyester pants, with moisture-wicking fabric and UPF 50+ sun protection ($24.99 vs $100).
A merino shirt and quarter-zip top made from Australian merino, which claims to be biodegradable, renewable, odour resistant, breathable, insulating, and water repellent. Phew! ($26.99 and $36.99 vs $30).
A pair of hiking socks, with six features advertised (I can’t even name six features of a sock) ($11.99 vs $15 each).
Merino briefs; I’ll be honest, I’ve always thought hiking underwear was a laugh, so we’ll see if I really find these useful or not ($12.99 vs $25).
A headlight with two brightness options ($4.99 vs $50).

Total Cost: $300

Cost of a normal kit: $1300+

Comparing the price of Aldi hiking gear with standard gear gives me a benchmark for comparison. I wanted to be fair to the price point. For example, my $250 Salomon boots had done three years of solid hiking before they bit the dust. For the boots to be ‘worth it’, they’d have to last at least 10% of this time (since they cost 10% as much). That’s about 3-4 months. During the period, I’d expect them to remain waterproof, grippy, and glued together.

Time To Test It Out!

Twin Falls Circuit – Springbrook NP (QLD)

Distance: 4km
Exposure time: 3 hours

The first hike in my Aldi kit was in rain. What better way to start my Aldi gear test than to get everything drenched for a few hours? I even stood under some waterfalls for good measure! My pants got drenched, but they were dry within 10 minutes. Impressive.

I Tested A Full Kit Of Cheap ALDI Hiking Gear Over Nearly 100km, woman, jacket, Waterfall, thumbs up

@miranda_c_fittock

I didn’t put the rain cover on my backpack, but the seep-through was still minimal. I had a full pack at 7kg and the bag was comfortable. To be honest, I was in awe at how chock-full of features the backpack was for the price: a rain cover with stowaway, emergency whistle, waist and chest strap, plenty of pockets, external and internal brain compartments, water bladder compartment, and padded shoulder straps (adjustable for different heights). It also came with a little sitting cushion and a removable mobile phone pocket that you can wear on your arm.

There was a lot of slick rock and muddy trail to test my shoes – the grip was great and my toes were toasty dry all the way through. Despite not having broken them in (rookie move), my shoes were comfortable for the whole hike.

I really only had two issues all day; my rain jacket hood wasn’t placed well, obstructing my view so badly that I just took it down half the time. And I also wasn’t a raging fan of my daggy pants – pricier gear usually has a better fit since it comes in more than three sizes.

I Tested A Full Kit Of Cheap ALDI Hiking Gear Over Nearly 100km, woman, fleece jumper, hiking pack, kneel, wildflowers

@miranda_c_fittock

Daves Creek Circuit – Lamington NP (QLD)

Distance: 18km
Exposure time: 9 hours

Today’s winter hike was just a bit too chilly for the fleece. I definitely should have worn the down jacket. But my real grievance of the day was the pant pockets. Maybe it’s because I’m under average height, but the pockets were awkwardly placed, and on top of that the zips jammed easily. This meant getting my phone was a two-handed endeavour. I also noticed some shin splints, probably because the boots lack support. Still, no major qualms – none of the gear actually sabotaged my hike.

I Tested A Full Kit Of Cheap ALDI Hiking Gear Over Nearly 100km, woman, hiking pack, fleece jumper

@miranda_c_fittock

Mt Joyce – Wyaralong Dam (QLD)

Distance: 20km
Exposure time: 22 hours

This hike let me test the Aldi hiking gear in cold conditions (at least, as cold as a Queensland winter gets) and for an overnight trip. I had a full load of gear for the overnighter plus an (optional) litre tub of pumpkin soup. Note that I didn’t pack a tent since I was sleeping al fresco for the purposes of meteor shower gazing.

The total weight came to just shy of 11kg, so technically over the recommended maximum load, but it all fit (just). This humble pack can apparently handle an overnighter. The seams sure did look like they were struggling though.

The merino layers kept me dry and warm even when I got a little sweaty in the cool air. That evening, my torch turned on, which was a great start, but for stargazing I really needed a red light option (doesn’t ruin your night vision).

I also felt like I couldn’t read without bothering the others (it only has two brightness options), so I could barely use the headlamp at all – major fail. Overnight, I had both the fleece and down jacket on in my sleeping bag and I was the toastiest of my crew (minimum temps of 5-10℃, open air).

I Tested A Full Kit Of Cheap ALDI Hiking Gear Over Nearly 100km, hiking boots, laces, stump

@miranda_c_fittock

Yul-Yan-Man Track – Glasshouse Mountains (QLD)

Distance: 7km
Exposure time: 3 hours

The shoes didn’t struggle one bit on this hike, which was a level 5 track with steep and eroded terrain. A section of this track is reminiscent of the terrain of Mt Beerwah/Mt Tibrogargan but the shoes were super grippy and handled it well.

By this point in the test, I think my favourite items are actually the merino knickers and the socks. Both are very comfy and I actually look forward to wearing them – which I can’t honestly say about many of the other items.

South-East Ridge – Mt Barney (QLD)

Distance: 16km
Exposure time: 29 hours

The Aldi hiking gear had held up so far, but I have to confess that I was pretty spooked at the prospect of summiting a serious peak in cheap gear. Mt Barney, even up South-East Ridge, is an intense affair.

The trailhead sign urges inexperienced and unprepared hikers to turn back because of the risk of rescue. Plus, there are 31 orange location markers to help direct rescuers. So, yeah, I felt a bit stupid going up in crappy gear. I ended up taking my Black Diamond headlamp as a backup, for safety.

I Tested A Full Kit Of Cheap ALDI Hiking Gear Over Nearly 100km, hiking pack, woman, fern, Aldi

@miranda_c_fittock

Again, my hiking backpack managed to physically fit everything I needed for an overnighter, but then it tore. A nice big rip right in the outer pocket. The poor quality of the seams was apparent when I first got the backpack, so I wasn’t surprised. With another one or two overnighters, even at the recommended load, this backpack would belong in the trash.

Everything else held together on the way up, until the final summit push. The top of Mt Barney is scrubby with big boulders, and it shredded my pant pockets. It’s not surprising when you feel the cheap material or look at the crappy stitching, but now the proof was truly in the pudding. The rubber sole on my right shoe had also worn down noticeably.

I was toasty warm in my puffer jacket that night, but I did get a lot of complaints from my boyfriend about the brightness of my headlamp. That’s the problem with cheap headlamps – they’re not bright enough for actual use in the dark (only good around a campsite, really), but they’re too bright for sitting around a campfire.

Rogaining – St Mary State Forest (QLD)

Net distance: 31km total
Net exposure time: 12 hours

I’d given up on the backpack and headlamp by now, but that still left the rest of my kit to test on the rogaine. The rogaine ended up being a pretty hardcore durability test in lawyer vine. We often had to detour great lengths to avoid the thickest of the bush.

We weren’t so much bushwhacking as we were walking on bush. I was super impressed with how durable the merino layers were. Several times I was yanking to get out of lawyer vines I was wrapped up in, but there wasn’t a single hole or tear to speak of after seven hours.

We quit when it got dark, seven hours after starting, but by the time we returned back to the Hash House (aka base camp) at midnight we had still clocked over 30km. On the way home, I definitely started wishing for my puffer jacket, as my fleece was letting me down in the 7℃ night. This has happened several times now, so the fleece is really just for 10-15℃.

So Does ALDI’s Cheap Hiking Gear Hold Up?

Most of the Aldi hiking gear works pretty well – until it breaks down, which is way sooner than higher-quality gear. The hiking shoes will grip and keep your toes dry – but they’ll wear down super fast. The rain jacket will keep you dry – until the zip breaks.

Somehow manages to be both too bright and too dim. I expected this to be a dumpster fire, but it let me down in ways I didn’t expect.

Function ⭐

Durability ⭐

Comfort & Style ⭐

Feature photo by @miranda_c_fittock

SHARED 53 TIMES

COMMENTS

Shelley says:

19/09/2019 at 7:40 am

What a practical and awesome post. Always feared the ALDI quality, but it seems a mixed bag and worth taking a look at.
1. Tim Ashelford says:
  
  19/09/2019 at 8:47 am
  
  Glad you found it useful Shelley, we were intrigued too!
Saphira says:

19/09/2019 at 9:24 am

Thanks Shelley! Have you ever tried any gear from ALDI? How did you find it?
Courtney says:

19/09/2019 at 11:30 am

The great thing about this gear is that it can be a starting point for those who are just taking this up, or those who do not have thousands of dollars to spend.
1. Saphira says:
  
  19/09/2019 at 12:02 pm
  
  That’s a great point Courtney.
  
  Have you read the companion piece linked to this article, The Dark Side of Cheap Gear?
  
  In it I suggest some alternatives to buying cheap gear when you’re strapped for cash or just starting out: borrowing gear, thrifting it, buying quality gear which is cheaper in the long run (which definitely still requires some financial privilege), and buying gear only as technical as you need (which reduces the cost a bit, since we often see tempted to buy the “best” instead of what gear will do the job just fine).
  
  How realistic are these alternatives do you think?
  
  For me, it’s a tough line to walk – beginner and budget hikers need to start somewhere, but should it be at the expense of factory workers overseas? I personally started building my kit very slowly and usually second-hand to stay aligned with my values when I was starting out.
  
  Let me know what you think.
Shelly says:

19/09/2019 at 11:53 am

Awesome review. I bought the hiking pants for a November hike Marysville Vic way.. I better invest in a better quality hiking pant. Keep the Aldi hiking pant for camping with grandkids. Off to Anaconda now. 🙂
1. Saphira says:
  
  19/09/2019 at 12:11 pm
  
  Hi Shelly!
  
  How long is your hike for? If it’s a few days or less and not through lawyer vine and rough boulders, the pants will do fine. In the long term they will need to be replaced I think! If you do try them out in November let me know how they held up for you!
  
  Keep an eye out for the Kathmandu XT-series pants (not a sponsored recommendation!). I have worn these through every terrain under the sun and they are seriously rugged, comfy, and have the best fit I’ve ever seen on a hiking pant. A bit warm for Aussie summer is the only downside.
Paul says:

19/09/2019 at 12:20 pm

Measured and detailed, yet readable review. Correlates well with our Aldi gear experiences. Some items are absolute winners, and excellent for starting out on a budget, others leave you heading to the specialist outlets.
1. Saphira says:
  
  19/09/2019 at 2:34 pm
  
  Thanks Paul, I really appreciate that! I sure did try my best to make this a thorough review.
  
  Sounds like you bought a fair bit of the ALDI gear as well – what was your favourite and which was the worst for you?
Cathie says:

19/09/2019 at 12:29 pm

Really interesting article.

I used aldi hiking socks on the overland track. They were great and I use them all the time now.

Might have to look for the undies now!
1. Saphira says:
  
  19/09/2019 at 2:38 pm
  
  Hi Cathie! Yeah the socks were one of my favourites. That being said they weren’t hugely cheaper than from the socks I’ve gotten at Kathmandu on sale (who pay their makers fairly, which is super important to me!).
Sputnik says:

19/09/2019 at 2:31 pm

Merino undies for the win! Every. Damn. Day.
1. Saphira says:
  
  19/09/2019 at 2:43 pm
  
  Yeah I’m a total convert now! it’s the little luxuries that make the difference!
Cazz says:

19/09/2019 at 9:05 pm

Thanks for the reviews. Always wondered about their stuff. I love their merino undies and tops which is all the hiking gear I have ever bought at Aldi and will continue to do so. Thanks and cheers.
1. Saphira says:
  
  20/09/2019 at 8:58 am
  
  Glad you liked the review.
Leigh says:

22/09/2019 at 1:34 pm

As part of your review were you able to research how or where any of this gear was made? I would be interested to know how a pair of boots can be made ethically and profitability for $30? Someone has to be losing our here whether it’s the environment or the people who made them. I highly doubt its Aldi. As outdoor enthusiasts we should be encouraging others to purchase gear which has been made sustainability with thought to the impact it’s production has on the environment and the people who make it.
1. Tim Ashelford says:
  
  23/09/2019 at 9:21 am
  
  Hi Leigh,
  
  It’s a great point – did you see the article ‘The Dark Side Of Cheap Gear’ that’s linked to in the piece? It’s Saphira’s companion piece that looks into this low-cost gear, its impact and what you can do to help. We’ll be promoting the piece this week!
2. Saphira says:
  
  23/09/2019 at 9:43 am
  
  Hi Leigh! Yeah I’m 100% with you. I would never buy ALDI gear for my own personal use because it’s all made in Bangladesh and China. I hope that comes across in the companion piece, The Dark Side of Cheap Gear, as Tim mentioned. From the very beginning of this little project, I’ve been super conscious that none of this gear can ever really be ‘worth it’ because it’s not sustainable or ethical, and completely unaligned with what our values should be as adventurers.
Kat says:

23/09/2019 at 6:29 am

That is pure gold! Yeah the Aldi gear is hit and miss but sometimes you find a winner. The merino tops and socks are usually my go to. Maybe because they’re simple and do what they say on the packet. We’ve had a couple of down jackets from there that are going suprisingly well although I still long for the days of my Black Diamond down jacket that I destroyed… Have you tested UNI QLO down and thermals? Would be super interested to see the results.
1. Tim Ashelford says:
  
  23/09/2019 at 9:23 am
  
  Heya Kat,
  
  Glad you liked the piece! It’s interesting to see the wide variations in quality within the ALDI hiking range. We haven’t had a go with the UNIQLO gear yet but it could be worth a shot!
  
  We’re aware that cheap gear has other impacts however, check out Saphira’s companion piece ‘The Dark Side Of Cheap Gear’ where she unpacks why the savings might not be worth it.
Anna says:

23/09/2019 at 12:00 pm

Good review guys! I have used the ALDI boots out of sheer desperation- my North Face beloved boots failed at exactly the wrong time and the ALDI sale was on at the right time, with no time to go shopping and researching for a pair of brand name long-term boots.
They were comfy without wearing in, definitely waterproof, excellent grip and managed a few months of multiple day hikes, a 3 day hike, and weeks of international travel as a casual shoe. I’m keeping them as my back-up pair now that I’ve got my long-term “proper” boots sorted.
Saphira says:

23/09/2019 at 12:51 pm

Hey Anna!

Yeah, I was surprised that they actually did do their job for $30. Good to hear your experience and that they lasted with a lot of use.

Have you noticed any damage on them, and if so, where? From my experience I felt the bit covering the toes and the sole were wearing down faster than the rest of the shoe.

Saphira