Southwest Hikes

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Hiker wearing the pink PAKA SOL Sun Hoodie in the Organ Mountains desert landscape with hydration pack and braided hair.

Gear Review: SOL Hoodie By PAKA

Looking for a perfect sun hoodie for your next adventure? The PAKA SOL Hoodie blends lightweight performance with luxurious alpaca softness. Here’s how it held up on the trail!

woman in alpine hike wearing the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket

Gear Review: Torrid Jacket By Enlightened Equipment

Couple relaxing on a blanket in the grass wearing PAKA alpaca underwear, showing soft, breathable pieces from the Essentials 2.0 collection in a sunny natural setting.

PAKA Launches Essentials 2.0: Naturally Soft, All-Day Comfort Meets Sustainable Design

HydraFuel Hydration Gummies package held up in front of a frozen alpine lake and mountain landscape by a gloved hiker.

Review: HydraFuel Hydration Gummies by Seattle Gummy Company

Campers cooking dinner at dusk beside the glowing Zorali Summit-Seeker 2P Tent in the backcountry

Gear Review: Summit-Seeker 2P Ultralight Backpacking Tent By Zorali

Sunset over desert canyon with a tent and sleeping bag in the foreground, showing affordable camping gear setup.

Top Budget-Friendly Outdoor Gear Brands for 2025

RecPak meal replacement pouches arranged with backpacking gear in a rugged mountain setting.

All About RecPak: The Adventure Food Built for Big Days Outside

Gear

Hiker wearing the pink PAKA SOL Sun Hoodie in the Organ Mountains desert landscape with hydration pack and braided hair.

Gear Review: SOL Hoodie By PAKA

Looking for a perfect sun hoodie for your next adventure? The PAKA SOL Hoodie blends lightweight performance with luxurious alpaca softness. Here’s how it held up on the trail!

woman in alpine hike wearing the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket

Gear Review: Torrid Jacket By Enlightened Equipment

HydraFuel Hydration Gummies package held up in front of a frozen alpine lake and mountain landscape by a gloved hiker.

Review: HydraFuel Hydration Gummies by Seattle Gummy Company

Campers cooking dinner at dusk beside the glowing Zorali Summit-Seeker 2P Tent in the backcountry

Gear Review: Summit-Seeker 2P Ultralight Backpacking Tent By Zorali

RecPak meal replacement pouches arranged with backpacking gear in a rugged mountain setting.

All About RecPak: The Adventure Food Built for Big Days Outside

LEKI Skytera FX Carbon SL trekking poles stored on the side of a yellow backpack during an alpine hike in Colorado.

Gear Review: Skytera FX Carbon SL Trekking Poles by LEKI

Gossamer Gear Cima 15 backpack on the ground, highlighting its compact design and front mesh pocket.

Gear Review: Cima 15 Daypack by Gossamer Gear

Gear News

Couple relaxing on a blanket in the grass wearing PAKA alpaca underwear, showing soft, breathable pieces from the Essentials 2.0 collection in a sunny natural setting.

PAKA Launches Essentials 2.0: Naturally Soft, All-Day Comfort Meets Sustainable Design

The new Essentials 2.0 Collection from PAKA delivers sustainable comfort with upgraded fits, thermoregulating softness, and minimalist style. Made with alpaca, cotton, and TENCEL.

Three-panel collage of a woman bouldering and relaxing outdoors while wearing the PAKA SOL Hoodie in a light rose color, highlighting its performance and comfort in active settings.

PAKA's Fan-Favorite SOL Hoodie Is Back In Stock

Orange Bakcou Scout eBike staged in front of dramatic desert mountains under blue skies

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

Man wearing a brown PAKA SOL Hoodie and holding a water bottle labeled “Mountains Please,” standing in front of snow-covered peaks during a mountain expedition.

PAKA Memorial Day Sale 2025

Person walking toward a small plane with Mystery Ranch travel bags and a dog, set against a backdrop of mountains, highlighting durable outdoor gear in use.

Mystery Ranch Memorial Day Sale 2025: Save 25% on Packs Built to Go the Distance

Smiling backpacker with Hyperlite Mountain Gear pack and trekking poles in a mountain landscape with text overlay reading “Save 15%” and “Ditch the Noise.”

Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2025 Memorial Day Sale: Save Sitewide

Flat lay of PAKA’s 3-Pack Sock Gift Boxes showing three different sets of alpaca socks, each with custom packaging, stickers, and “Made in the Andes” cards.

PAKA Relaunches Limited-Edition Sock Gift Boxes—Just in Time for Father’s Day

Expert Advice

Sunset over desert canyon with a tent and sleeping bag in the foreground, showing affordable camping gear setup.

Top Budget-Friendly Outdoor Gear Brands for 2025

Looking for reliable outdoor gear that won’t drain your wallet? These budget-friendly brands offer quality hiking, camping, and backpacking gear at prices that make sense. Whether you're a weekend warrior or thru-hiker, we've got affordable picks that perform.

Woman sitting by a Dyneema ultralight tent at a high elevation lake, eating a backpacking meal at sunset.

Budget vs High-End Outdoor Gear: What’s Worth the Spend?

Camper packing up a Luno inflatable mattress and deflation valves into its storage bag after a night on the road.

Luno Life: The Best Car Camping Gear for Trailhead Sleepers and Road Trip Travelers

What To Expect Backpacking the Colorado Trail: Your Ultimate 2025 Guide

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

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

the view from inside one of the best ultralight tents for solo backpacking

How to Choose the Best Ultralight Tent for Solo Backpacking: A Complete Guide

Hiker Stories

More

Beer, Boots, and the Mighty Angels Landing

A Quick Escape: Two Days in the Chiricahua Mountains

Sky Island Traverse Thru-Hike: In My Pack

Through the Fog: A Hiker’s Tale

The Bright Angel Trail Hunger Scare

Stewardship

More

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

Pack It Out: How to Keep Southwest Trails Trash-Free and Beautiful

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