New 4x4 Gear: Hema guide, Garmin watch, Teva boots

One doesn't attend a dinner party in a pair of wellingtons, as one shouldn't visit the outback in a pair of thongs.

If you plan on hitting the tracks, you should look into getting adventure ready gear such as a Hema guidebook, a navigation wristwatch from Garmin and a pair of suitable hiking boots.

Hema’s Great Desert Tracks Atlas & Guide (Ed. 5)

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Hema Maps has totally redesigned its revered Great Desert Tracks (GDT) Atlas & Guide for its fifth edition. The new edition includes 25 4x4 trips and contains the seventh edition GDT maps, as well as detailed inset maps.

Track profiles (which include elevation as well as distance) are included, along with info on campsites and fuel and provision resupply points. The tracks in the book are coded to reflect the type of vehicle needed as well as whether they are towing-friendly.

All the text has been revised and updated and new track info has been included for the Madigan Line and Nyangumarta Highway. Along with all the track info, there’s plenty of expert advice on how to get ready for your ‘big adventure’, along with tips on desert driving.

RRP: $69.95
Website: shop.hemamaps.com

Garmin Instinct

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This new GPS watch from Garmin includes a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter plus three global navigation systems – GPS, GLONASS and Galileo – as well as smart connectivity and a wrist-based heart rate monitor.

The Instinct is constructed to military standards for thermal, water and shock resistance (it’s 100m water-resistant) and can take plenty of rough treatment thanks to its fibre-reinforced polymer case. The scratch-resistant display is also easy to read, even in direct sunlight. The battery life is 14 days in smartwatch mode, 16 hours in GPS mode and up to 40 hours in UltraTrac battery saver mode.

It comes in three colours: Tundra, Flame Red and Graphite. You can download a trip in advance using the Garmin Explore app and use the TracBac feature to return to your start point after a day out and about.

RRP: $399
Website: www.garmin.com.au

Teva Arrowood Riva Waterproof

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When camping you need tough, reliable footwear that can be used for numerous activities. Teva is a brand renowned for rugged shoes and sandals, and its Arrowood Riva Waterproof jobbies are a great example of that do-it-all footwear ideal for when you’re on that big adventure.

The shoe includes waterproof leather uppers, an eVent waterproof breathable membrane and a rubber-covered toe cap. The Float-Lite EVA-foam midsole offers plenty of support and cushioning, while the Vibram outsole can cop plenty of abuse. The nylon shank gives plenty of stability and support, making the Arrowood Riva WP the ideal one-shoe solution for the outdoors.

RRP: $279.95
Website: au.teva.com