Walk faster and further with the Trekker’s Friend hiking trailer
- Wheel your pack on smooth ground or carry it when the track gets rough. Switch between the two in around a minute
- Your hiking poles help form the frame when wheeling, and work normally when carrying your pack
- Wheeling your pack in suitable terrain saves energy and lets you walk faster
- It folds into a small daypack for easy travel
- It’s the lightest, most affordable and most capable hiking trailer you can take on the trail.
Why did it take so long for someone to put wheels on a backpack?
Suitcases changed the moment wheels were added, and the Trekker’s Friend brings that same idea to the trail. It’s a lightweight hiking trailer that lets your pack roll on easy paths, using your poles as part of the frame. When the ground turns rough or crowded, you can pick it up and carry it with your pack. Switching between rolling and carrying is simple, and it folds into a small daypack when not in use. Used the right way, you only feel a light load on your body, even when your pack is much heavier. It helps you move faster and with less effort.
Five ways to use it
What users say about the Trekker’s Friend hiking trailer
Click on one of the photos above to read the user’s testimonial.
Common questions and answers
How much does it cost to deliver to me?
The Trekker’s Friend is delivered via Australia Post, which can deliver to most countries in the world. If you go to the order form and enter which Trekker’s Friend you are interested in and your address information. You will see the shipping options and costs in Australian dollars.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship worldwide using Australia Post. There are a very few countries that Australia Post does not deliver to – we apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Where do you ship from?
We send all our orders from Australia.
What currency are prices in?
All prices on this website are in Australian dollars.
See here for more answers to common questions.
What you get
More detail on how each piece and how it is used can be found here. Note that the Trekker’s Friend does not include hiking poles or a backpack.
Top piece (value: AU$50)
The top piece is an aluminium tube with 3-D printed plastic ends. It is connected to the bottom part using a strap in the middle and two straps on the sides. Shock cords are attached to the plastic ends to hold hiking poles when you’re wheeling your backpack.
Bottom piece (value: AU$120)
The bottom piece is made of welded stainless steel. It connects to the top piece with a central strap. There are two shock cords are used to tie the waist belt of your backpack out of the way when you wheel it and a side strap that joins across the top of your backpack. I weld the axles at the Belconnen Community Men’s Shed.
Wheels (value: AU$30)
The wheels can support a maximum weight of 50kg each. They have sealed bearings that are easy to replace. The tires are solid and cannot be punctured. The wheels are off-the-shelf items, the only major component not specially made for the Trekker’s Friend.
Harness (value: AU$40)
The harness connects to your trekking poles with small carabiners and a suspension system. This allows you to pull your backpack along on wheels. You can adjust the weight between your shoulders and waist as you walk. You can remove the shoulder straps and just use the waist belt.
Daypack (value: AU$50)
The daypack is made of a strong material called 210D Cordura Nylon. It is designed to be attached to the bottom of your backpack when it is being wheeled to take more weight off your body. The daypack has a pocket inside and can be used as a regular daypack during your journey. When you’re not using it, you can pack it into its own pocket.
Small parts (value: AU$20)
- 3 R-clips. One is used to attach each wheel, and there is a spare
- 6 pairs of thick washers. One pair is used to attach each wheel, and there is a spare pair
- A strap for attaching the Trekker’s Friend daypack to your backpack.
Support (value: AU$40)
You can get help for any questions or issues you have about the Trekker’s Friend. You will have support available through phone, email, or video call. You can find my contact details included with each device, or you can get in contact anytime here.
Total value: AU$350. Our standard price: AU$275.
The Trekker’s Friend is the result of years of design and real‑world testing to create the best mix of lightness and usefulness. It’s offered at just 78% of its value and backed by a full money‑back guarantee.
At around 1.8 kg, it’s the lightest and most affordable hiking trailer I’ve found. The next closest option I could locate was the Hipstar HD at 7.25 kg and AU$913—more than three times the weight and price (checks and currency conversion done in February 2025).
Free gift with every purchase (value: AU$10)
Everyone that purchases a Trekker’s Friend version 3.4 and upwards will receive a free gift of 4 spare bearings. This allows you to replace all of the bearings in its wheels as described here.
Buy it now! (all prices are in AU$)
The Trekker’s Friend does not include a backpack or hiking poles.
Select your hiking poles to work with the Trekker’s Friend as described here.
Measure your backpack to choose the right size Trekker’s Friend as described here.
A note about tariffs
For customers in the United States, the cost you see already includes postage, the tariff, and a small handling fee collected by Zonos, who manages US tariff processing (see here for more information).
For customers in other countries that charge tariffs, the cost shown is only for postage. Any tariff will be paid within your own country.
- Trekker’s Friend hiking trailer (backpack-width: Standard – up to 35cm) — $275.00
- Trekker’s Friend hiking trailer (backpack-width: Large – up to 40cm) — $275.00
- Trekker’s Friend hiking trailer (backpack-width: XL – up to 45cm) — $275.00