Southwest Hikes

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Two outdoor adventurers sitting on a rocky mountain summit beneath the words “2026 REI Holiday Gift Guide,” with rugged peaks in the background.

Best REI Gifts: 2026 Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor Lovers

Looking for the best gifts from REI? Our evergreen holiday gift guide features 12 outdoor gear picks for hikers, backpackers, campers, and adventure lovers, from practical trail essentials to premium equipment upgrades.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 ultralight fastpacking backpack with water bottles and trail snacks on a rocky Sonoran Desert hiking trail surrounded by saguaros.

Gear Review: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28

Two hikers wearing sun hoodies, sunglasses, and backpacks on a sunny Sonoran Desert trail, with text reading Best Gifts for Hikers & Backpackers 2026 Gift Guide.

Best Gifts for Hikers & Backpackers: 2026 Holiday Gift Guide

Hiker using KUIU camouflage gear and backpacking gear in the mountains during KUIU’s 2025 Biggest Sale of the Year, offering up to 50% off and free shipping over $149.

KUIU’s Biggest Sale of the Year: Up to 50% Off + Free Shipping

Garmin fēnix 9 Pro inReach GPS smartwatch worn during a hike in Arizona's Sonoran Desert, displaying distance, pace, elapsed time, and heart rate against a desert trail backdrop.

Gear Review: fēnix 9 Pro inReach by Garmin

Hiker wearing a pale yellow hoodie and backpack, sitting on a sandstone ledge with arms outstretched beneath a towering red rock overhang.

Best Wool Hoodies for Hiking & Adventure in 2026

REI Co-op Holiday Sale 2026 promotional graphic with bold white lettering, orange background, and decorative stars.

REI Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale 2026: Deals, Dates & Member Coupons

Gear

Two outdoor adventurers sitting on a rocky mountain summit beneath the words “2026 REI Holiday Gift Guide,” with rugged peaks in the background.

Best REI Gifts: 2026 Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor Lovers

Looking for the best gifts from REI? Our evergreen holiday gift guide features 12 outdoor gear picks for hikers, backpackers, campers, and adventure lovers, from practical trail essentials to premium equipment upgrades.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 ultralight fastpacking backpack with water bottles and trail snacks on a rocky Sonoran Desert hiking trail surrounded by saguaros.

Gear Review: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28

Two hikers wearing sun hoodies, sunglasses, and backpacks on a sunny Sonoran Desert trail, with text reading Best Gifts for Hikers & Backpackers 2026 Gift Guide.

Best Gifts for Hikers & Backpackers: 2026 Holiday Gift Guide

Garmin fēnix 9 Pro inReach GPS smartwatch worn during a hike in Arizona's Sonoran Desert, displaying distance, pace, elapsed time, and heart rate against a desert trail backdrop.

Gear Review: fēnix 9 Pro inReach by Garmin

Hiker wearing a pale yellow hoodie and backpack, sitting on a sandstone ledge with arms outstretched beneath a towering red rock overhang.

Best Wool Hoodies for Hiking & Adventure in 2026

the hoodie by paka being worn by an adventure backpacker on a hike in the southwest due to its breathable wool insulation properties

Gear Review: The Hoodie by PAKA

Woman wearing Ibex Mammoth Full-Zip Hoodie on a mountain ridge, smiling with sunglasses and braided hair.

Gear Review: Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie by IBEX

Gear News

Hiker using KUIU camouflage gear and backpacking gear in the mountains during KUIU’s 2025 Biggest Sale of the Year, offering up to 50% off and free shipping over $149.

KUIU’s Biggest Sale of the Year: Up to 50% Off + Free Shipping

KUIU’s Biggest Sale of the Year runs Oct 22–28, 2026! Save up to 50% on ultralight hunting apparel, rain gear, and packs, plus more! This is your best chance of the year to stock up on high-performance backcountry gear. Learn more here!

REI Co-op Holiday Sale 2026 promotional graphic with bold white lettering, orange background, and decorative stars.

REI Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale 2026: Deals, Dates & Member Coupons

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Black Friday Sale 2026 featuring ultralight backpacking gear.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Black Friday Sale 2026: Deals, Dates & Cyber Monday

Ombraz armless sunglasses featured for the 2026 Built With Purpose sale, running October 6–8.

Ombraz Built With Purpose Sale 2026: Save Up to $35 on Select Sunglasses

KUIU Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale graphic featuring KUIU hunting gear.

KUIU Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale 2026: Dates, Deals & What to Know

Close-up of a hiker wearing a black PAKA alpaca wool base layer outdoors.

PAKA Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale 2026: What to Know + Best Deals

Hiker carrying ultralight backpacking gear with text reading “Built With Purpose Sale” for Built With Purpose Week 2026.

Built With Purpose Sale 2026: Outdoor Brands, Dates & What to Know

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

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