Southwest Hikes

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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

Bakcou’s biggest eBike deals are live! Save 20% on Mule Jager models and 15% on Scout full-suspension bikes. Built for rugged terrain, hunting, and off-road adventure. Limited-time savings you don’t want to miss.

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

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

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

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

We put the La Sportiva Bushido III to the test on rugged Southwest terrain over years: see why it’s a favorite for fast hiking and technical trails in 2026!

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

a backpacker on a hike wearing the best skyGOAT grid fleece camp jacket in the southwest on a cold morning in 2026.

Gear Review: SkyGOAT Grid Fleece CAMP Jacket

Collage of men wearing Wiley X protective sunglasses in lifestyle, construction, law enforcement, and military environments sunglasses, on the job, on duty, RX ready, and ballistic rated.

Wiley X Sunglasses Brand Spotlight: Protective Eyewear Built for Real Adventure

Hiker ascending steep red rock slickrock terrain wearing Salewa Puez 2 Mid Powertex hiking boots under clear blue desert skies

Gear Review: Puez 2 Mid Powertex Boot by Salewa

Gear News

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

Bakcou’s biggest eBike deals are live! Save 20% on Mule Jager models and 15% on Scout full-suspension bikes. Built for rugged terrain, hunting, and off-road adventure. Limited-time savings you don’t want to miss.

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

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

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