Southwest Hikes

Latest

Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultra Backpack standing upright beside a shallow rocky creek, with a roll-top closure and water bottle stored in the side pocket.

Gear Review: CS40 Ultra Backpack by Outdoor Vitals

The Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultra Backpack is a lightweight, weather-resistant pack built for fast, efficient backpacking. With Ultra fabric durability, smart storage, and a dialed carry, it’s designed for hikers who want simplicity without sacrificing performance.

Outdoor Vitals NovaPro Down Jacket worn by a hiker in desert mountains, showcasing lightweight insulation and fit for backpacking and outdoor adventures

Gear Review: NovaPro Jacket by Outdoor Vitals

Hiker standing in wide alpine landscape with rocky tundra and distant mountain peaks under a blue sky

All About HIMALI: Mountain Gear Rooted in Purpose

Alpine mountain landscape at sunset in bear country where bear canisters like the Grubcan Wave are required for backpacking food storage

Gear Review: Wave Bear Canister by Grubcan

Backpacker hiking on an exposed desert trail while testing the best sun hoodies for hiking and backpacking in 2026.

Best Sun Hoodies for Hiking and Backpacking in 2026

a family with many kids going for a hike on a nice wild hiking trail and all the children look very happy.

How to Get Kids Excited for Hiking: Fun Tips and Trail Games

Outdoor Vitals 100 Mile Challenge 2026

Gear

Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultra Backpack standing upright beside a shallow rocky creek, with a roll-top closure and water bottle stored in the side pocket.

Gear Review: CS40 Ultra Backpack by Outdoor Vitals

The Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultra Backpack is a lightweight, weather-resistant pack built for fast, efficient backpacking. With Ultra fabric durability, smart storage, and a dialed carry, it’s designed for hikers who want simplicity without sacrificing performance.

Outdoor Vitals NovaPro Down Jacket worn by a hiker in desert mountains, showcasing lightweight insulation and fit for backpacking and outdoor adventures

Gear Review: NovaPro Jacket by Outdoor Vitals

Hiker standing in wide alpine landscape with rocky tundra and distant mountain peaks under a blue sky

All About HIMALI: Mountain Gear Rooted in Purpose

Alpine mountain landscape at sunset in bear country where bear canisters like the Grubcan Wave are required for backpacking food storage

Gear Review: Wave Bear Canister by Grubcan

Backpacker hiking on an exposed desert trail while testing the best sun hoodies for hiking and backpacking in 2026.

Best Sun Hoodies for Hiking and Backpacking in 2026

a hiker wears the 2.5L SwitchPack by Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear on trail in the high desert of the american southwest

Gear Review: 2.5L SwitchPack by Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear

Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus satellite communicator resting in a flowing stream, demonstrating its durable, water-resistant design for hiking and backpacking in remote terrain.

Gear Review: inReach Mini 3 Plus by Garmin

Gear News

Outdoor Vitals 100 Mile Challenge 2026

Learn about the Outdoor Vitals 100 Mile Challenge 2026! This is an annual challenge that is built for every kind of hiker out there, and is a ton of fun. Set goals, meet cool people and get your miles in!

Black Diamond outdoor gear featured during the New Year Outlet Sale with climbing, hiking, and winter equipment discounted up to 40 percent through January 31st

Black Diamond New Year Outlet Sale 2026

Flatlay of Sea to Summit camping gear including cookware, sleeping mat, and dry bags, highlighting the New Year Sale 2026 with 40% off sitewide and 50% off tents.

Sea to Summit New Year Sale 2026: 50% Off Tents + 40% Off Sitewide

a christmas tree and ornament set the tone of last minute gift giving in 2025 for hikers on amazon prime

Last-Minute Christmas Gifts for Hikers That Arrive Fast with Amazon Prime 2025

Traveler wearing a Helinox TERG everyday carry bag inside an urban architectural space, showcasing durable minimalist design built for city travel and daily use.

Helinox Introduces TERG: Everyday Carry Built with Outdoor DNA

Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus satellite communicator clipped to a backpack shoulder strap during a hike, showing compact size and hands-free backcountry safety use.

Garmin Launches the inReach Mini 3 Plus: Even More Power in a Compact Satellite Communicator

Outdoor gear and apparel displayed for the REI Co-op Last Minute Gifts Sale, featuring up to 30% off gifts available through December 22.

REI Co-op Last Minute Gifts Sale: Up to 30% Off Outdoor Gifts Through December 22

Expert Advice

a family with many kids going for a hike on a nice wild hiking trail and all the children look very happy.

How to Get Kids Excited for Hiking: Fun Tips and Trail Games

Ready to turn your next hike into a family adventure? Discover how to get kids excited for hiking with fun tips, engaging trail games, and simple strategies. Make hiking with kids a delightful adventure for the whole family!

Best electrolytes for hiking in heat, including Skratch Labs, LMNT, Liquid I.V., Nuun, and Ultima tested in desert conditions 2026

Best Electrolytes for Hiking in the Heat: A 2026 Guide

an ultralight backpacker heads up a steep section of slick rock, happy to hae minimal gear and a lightweight setup!

What Is Ultralight Backpacking? A 2026 Beginner’s Guide to Lightweight Adventures

hiking in extreme heat requires some expert advice. if you plan to hike in the desert or with saguaro advice is key

How to Hike in Extreme Heat: Advice From An Expert

Ultralight solo backpacking tent set up on an alpine ridge at sunset, showing a lightweight pyramid-style shelter designed for solo backpacking

How to Choose the Best Ultralight Tent for Solo Backpacking (2026 Guide)

Female hiker wearing Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights while climbing over rocky terrain with a large backpack in misty mountain conditions.

The Complete Guide to Fjällräven Trekking Tights (2026): What’s the Difference Between All the Abisko Tights?

Person lying inside a camping tent reading a book while wearing a knit beanie, with a forest visible through the tent opening.

Best Books for Outdoorsy People: Top Adventure Reads for 2025

Stewardship

More

How to Responsibly Hike and Backpack With a Dog: A Guide for Good Trail Manners

PACT One Kit: The Ultimate Leave No Trace Bathroom System for Hikers

Why I Always Pack a Kula Cloth: Gear with a Big Leave No Trace Impact

Protecting Cryptobiotic Soil: A Hiker’s Guide to Preserving the Southwest’s Hidden Life

Inspiring the Next Generation of Hiking Stewards

Bikes

More

Gear Review: 600ADX by Priority Bicycles

Gear Review: Bassett Base Layers by Wild Rye

Gear Review: Vacuum Insulated Cycling Bottle by tiibo

Wild Rye: Fun, Trail-Tested Clothing for Women Who Ride, Hike, and Adventure Hard

Explore Further with Bakcou: eBikes Built for the Wildest Trails and Off-Grid Adventures

Trail Reports

More

Trail Report: Salt Flat and Big Spring Canyon Loop in Canyonlands National Park

Trail Report: Cactus Wren Trail To Signal Hill In Saguaro National Park

Trail Report: Crystal Forest Trail In Petrified Forest National Park

Trail Report: Reservoir Hill Trail System

Trail Report: Treasure Falls Trail