Anyone who's unzipped a pack three days into a backcountry trip and been hit by the ripe smell of old gel wrappers, a banana skin, meat cans and whatever's leaking out of last night's dinner scraps knows the problem the Stash is trying to solve. Trash isn't glamorous gear, but it's the stuff that actually wrecks a trip when you get it wrong.

What it is: A dual-layer bag with a TPU liner and an oversized press seal, designed to keep anything nasty in including those smells from following you around. Roll it up, cinch the compaction straps, and it crushes down small enough to disappear into a frame bag, or your backpack. It comes in two sizes the 6L GO for day rides and overnighters, and the 20L XL if you're base camping/hunting or doing a proper multi-dayer with a crew.

On the trail: Over the course of multiple multi day hikes, overnighters, and bike missions, I've managed to truly test the stash in both the XL and the Go. True to their description they perform the brief in what Kea seats out to achieve. Not once have I had either stash leak into my pack nor become a bundle of stench while cinched down and in its travel mode. The hooks, straps and cords mean you can clip it to the outside of a pack or sling it off a branch at camp rather than having it rattling around, which is a small but a genuinely useful addition.

Where it falls short: This is where I'm clutching at straws to truly find flaws in the product's design. My only observation is around picking the right size for the trip you're taking. The XL is big, very big, and subsequently takes up more real-estate in your pack. The draw card here, multi day hikes, often have multi day rubbish problems and associated multi day space allowance problems too. I wouldn't call it falling short, I'd call it a consideration and balancing act. Its also a well played move by Kea of having to buy both sizes.

Verdict: Does the stash address a real life issue, and does it offer a real life solution? I sure think so. And I sure rate it as a top buy purely buy it's ability to cinch and compact your smelly waste in a solution far better than a dry bag or plastic bin liner could ever achieve.

Kea Kit Mini: the smallest version of Kea's survival system — worth carrying?

Kea built its name on the original Kea Kit, a proper modular survival system covering the five usual pillars, water, shelter, fire, tools, and first aid. Built by a bloke, Matt Butler, who came at the problem from actually guiding people in the backcountry rather than designing gear from behind a desk. The Kit Mini is the stripped-back version of that idea: Same modular thinking, shrunk down small enough to live in a hip pack or the bottom of a pack pocket or on your waste instead of taking up a whole compartment.

The idea: Most survival kits are either too big and cumbersome carrying on a short ride or hike, or so minimal they're basically a whistle and a Band-Aid. The Mini is Kea's attempt at the middle ground enough to matter if something goes wrong on a weekend haunt, without needing its own major space.

What's actually in it: Here's the beauty, there's no set list of what is in the kit. The kit itself comes empty, and ready to load with your chosen aid. Not wanting to BYO? This is the good part. Kea have taken that job off you and curated a bunch of ready to go smaller packs dependent on what you may want to take a long on your adventure. Kea have available pre-made bundles which can be distributed into the kit bag to cover things like: Strains, burns, cuts, abrasions, falls, breaks etc. They really have used products which work, and fit the NZ wilderness and users. Going hiking, grab the sprain kit, sitting by the campfire surrounded by west coast sandflies? Pack the Bite and Burn pack.

On the trail: Fitting easily into one hand, I opted to fill my kit with the bleed and skin and sprain and break for an overnight hike. The risk profile of my walk, fit with the list of equipment from the two bundles well. heading away on a multi day however? perhaps the Go is the better option given it carries all of the Kit Mini and more. Wanting to be prepared in your camper, 4wd or boat? grab yourself the XL or the Everything kit, and stash them neatly away, somewhere handy.

Where it falls short: Again, I can't easily call the product out for missing the mark. My only gripe would be the belt loops are very snug the first time you use them. That said, I'm glad of it....

Verdict: It's compact, it's thoughtful and it becomes easy to grab and go on what ever adventure you decide. A tidy, compact and high quality product that I (thankfully haven't needed to use!) would happily include in my must have list for adventure.

I have to applaud Matt and his Kea brand. They've genuinely created products I can tell have come from real world frustration and experience of what genuinely works, and what is genuinely needed in the wilderness! Is Kea a brand I would like to continue to use, promote and proudly carry? you Betcha! Now to twist Matts arm on other cool products I've eagerly got my on....

Disclaimer: Kea Outdoors supplied the Stash XL System and Kit Mini for this review free of charge. I haven't paid for either item and Kea had no say over what I've written here — if either product was rubbish, you'd be reading about that instead.