Southwest Hikes

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Hiker wearing Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 Fastpack on rocky desert summit trail with expansive Sonoran Desert landscape in background.

Gear Review: Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 Fastpack

Looking for the best fast hiking backpack? My Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 Fastpack review covers why this lightweight 30L pack has become a favorite for Sonoran Desert adventures, long hikes, and moving efficiently in rugged terrain.

Hiker unfolding LEKI Black Series FX Carbon trekking pole outdoors in mountain terrain, showing quick folding design and lightweight carbon construction.

LEKI Black Series FX Carbon Trekking Pole Sale 2026

BamBeds solo truck camping platform in Toyota Tacoma with open tailgate showing partial bed setup and extra cargo space.

Gear Review: BamBeds Solo/Full Sleeping Platform

The Wy'east Daypack by Six Moon Designs is a versatile lightweight backpack built for fun adventures! It's just the right size for a very full day of hiking.

Gear Review: Wy'east Daypack By Six Moon Designs

Rider on Bakcou Mule Jager eBike during 2026 sale, featuring 20 percent off Mule Jager and 15 percent off Scout eBikes for backcountry and trail riding.

Bakcou eBike Sales 2026: Save Big on Mule Jager & Scout eBikes Right Now

REI Trail Icons banner showing hikers overlooking a mountain valley.

Is REI Membership Worth It? The Ultimate Guide to Benefits, Savings & Why It Pays for Itself

Close-up of La Sportiva Bushido III shoes on rocky trail surface showing traction and terrain detail

Gear Review: Bushido III Shoes By La Sportiva

Gear

Hiker wearing Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 Fastpack on rocky desert summit trail with expansive Sonoran Desert landscape in background.

Gear Review: Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 Fastpack

Looking for the best fast hiking backpack? My Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 Fastpack review covers why this lightweight 30L pack has become a favorite for Sonoran Desert adventures, long hikes, and moving efficiently in rugged terrain.

BamBeds solo truck camping platform in Toyota Tacoma with open tailgate showing partial bed setup and extra cargo space.

Gear Review: BamBeds Solo/Full Sleeping Platform

The Wy'east Daypack by Six Moon Designs is a versatile lightweight backpack built for fun adventures! It's just the right size for a very full day of hiking.

Gear Review: Wy'east Daypack By Six Moon Designs

Close-up of La Sportiva Bushido III shoes on rocky trail surface showing traction and terrain detail

Gear Review: Bushido III Shoes By La Sportiva

hiker wearing Outdoor Vitals Pursuit Hybrid Fleece standing on desert trail with red rock formations and scrub vegetation

Gear Review: Pursuit Hybrid Fleece by Outdoor Vitals

Igneous Gear: Ultralight Backpacking Gear and the New Ultralight Water Bottle

Igneous Gear: Ultralight Backpacking Gear and the New Ultralight Water Bottle

Gear Review: Kakwa 55 Ultra200X Backpack by Durston Gear

Gear News

Hiker unfolding LEKI Black Series FX Carbon trekking pole outdoors in mountain terrain, showing quick folding design and lightweight carbon construction.

LEKI Black Series FX Carbon Trekking Pole Sale 2026

The LEKI Black Series FX Carbon trekking poles are now on sale for 2026 adventure. Lightweight, folding, and premium-built, this is a rare chance to save before the model sells out for the season.

Rider on Bakcou Mule Jager eBike during 2026 sale, featuring 20 percent off Mule Jager and 15 percent off Scout eBikes for backcountry and trail riding.

Bakcou eBike Sales 2026: Save Big on Mule Jager & Scout eBikes Right Now

REI Trail Icons banner showing hikers overlooking a mountain valley.

Is REI Membership Worth It? The Ultimate Guide to Benefits, Savings & Why It Pays for Itself

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Launches Its Biggest Sale of the Year: Save on Ultralight Packs, Tents & More

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 Vitals 100 Mile Challenge 2026

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

Expert Advice

hiking in extreme heat requires some expert advice. if you plan to hike in the desert or with saguaro advice is key 2026

How to Hike in Extreme Heat: Advice From An Expert

Stay safe while hiking in extreme heat with advice from an expert! If you can't resist the call of the desert in summertime, be sure to check out these tips! Refreshed for 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

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

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

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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

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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