Why did it take so long for someone to put wheels on a backpack?
Some years ago someone figured out how to put a suitcase on wheels, rather than carrying it like people used to. It was so much easier to wheel a suitcase rather than carrying it, that now it is almost impossible to buy a suitcase without wheels. The Trekker’s Friend does the same for backpacks.
The Trekker’s Friend is a lightweight hiking trailer that you can use to wheel your pack on easier terrain, where your hiking poles become part of the frame. When the terrain is too rough, slippery, or crowded for the wheels to help, you can pick it up and carry it attached to your pack. It’s easy to switch between the two modes, and it packs into a small daypack when not in use. When used properly, you can walk with only 2-4 kg on your body, even if your pack weighs much more.
Just like using lightweight gear, the Trekker’s Friend allows you to walk faster and easier.
Five ways to use it
What users say about the Trekker’s Friend hiking trailer
Independent review
An independent review of the Trekker’s Friend was performed in December 2021. This review said, amongst other things:
“Well, I’ve got to be honest, when first hearing about this hiking trailer I was sceptical but after using it I was almost instantly sold on how easy it was to carry my pack using the trekkers friend compared to on my back as I usually would.”
Read the review here
Major walk assisted
The Trekker’s Friend was used for a solo, unsupported walk from Melbourne to the Queensland “Town Of 1770”, near Agnes Waters, covering approximately 2,023 km. The walk began 2 days before Christmas in 2022 and successfully finished on 24th April 2023 as planned. You can find more about this walk on Facebook and through various media appearances, including an interview with an Australian TV station recorded on the 18th October 2022. Another article about this walk is available here.
Answers to frequently asked questions
See here for 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$40)
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$90)
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.
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$40)
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 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$300. Our standard price: AU$250.
As shown above, the total value of the Trekker’s Friend is AU$300. This represents many years work developing and testing prototypes to find the best combination of weight and utility. However, the standard price I sell it for is AU$250 (approx 83% of the value), with a money-back guarantee.
The Trekker’s Friend is the cheapest and lightest hiking trailer that I can find on the internet when I last checked in January 2024. It has a normal price of AU$250 and a weight of 1.8 kg for the standard version. The next lightest and cheapest hiking trailer I could find was the Dixon Rollerpack “50 lb unit”, which weighs 3.4 kg (7.5 lbs) and costs AU$598 (US$395) – almost double the weight and more than twice the normal price of the Trekker’s Friend. (Currency conversions done at xe.com on 23 Jan 2024.)
Free gift with every purchase (value: AU$10)
Everyone that purchases a Trekker’s Friend version 3.4 and upwards will receive a free gift of 4 spare bearings. This allows you to replace all of the bearings in its wheels as described here.
Buy it now! (all prices are in AU$)
Note that the Trekker’s Friend does not include hiking poles or a backpack.
- Trekker’s Friend hiking trailer (backpack-width: Standard – up to 35cm) — Original price was: $250.00.$199.00Current price is: $199.00.
- Trekker’s Friend hiking trailer (backpack-width: Large – up to 40cm) — Original price was: $250.00.$199.00Current price is: $199.00.
- Trekker’s Friend hiking trailer (backpack-width: XL – up to 45cm) — Original price was: $250.00.$199.00Current price is: $199.00.