The Ultimate Guide to Gifts for Desert Hikers (2025 Edition)
Desert hiking has its own challenges. This guide covers the best gifts for desert hikers: sun protection, hydration gear, cooling accessories, and lightweight essentials.
Smart, sun-ready, adventure-proof gifts for hikers who explore the desert.
Desert hiking is its own kind of beauty here in the Southwest. Towering saguaros, endless slickrock, sandstone canyons, wide-open mesas, and glowing sunrise-to-sunset light. But it also means heat, intense UV, dry air, cactus spines, and some pretty unforgiving terrain.
So when you’re shopping for a desert hiker, you don’t want random “outdoorsy” gifts. You want desert-specific, sun-ready, hydration-smart, and ultralight items they’ll use on every trail.
This guide highlights the best gifts for desert hikers: gear that solves real problems and makes desert adventures safer, easier, and even more magical.
Best Gifts for Desert Hikers (Top Picks for 2025)
Sun Hoodies: Non-Negotiable for Desert Hiking
Sun hoodies are practically a desert hiker’s uniform. Designed to keep hikers cool and protected, a good UPF-rated sun hoodie is one of the best possible gifts.
Why these make amazing gifts:
- UV protection
- keeps skin cool + covered
- essential year-round
- works for Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, SW Colorado, etc.
Stio Divide Hooded Pullover Men's | Women's
This sun hoodie is great in extreme heat, like in the Sonoran Desert in the late spring and long summer.
Ridge Merino Solstice Lightweight Wool Hoodie Men's | Women's
This is a great do-it-all sun hoodie, for most places in the Southwest during most of the year.
Outdoor Vitals Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie Unisex
If you want a solid very lightweight sun hoodie, then the Tern is a perfect pick. It's great in most Southwest conditions year round, but prepare to layer in the winter months!
Lightweight Trekking Poles (For Sandstone + Slickrock)
Desert terrain is generally rugged! Loose gravel, extremely rocky, steep sandstone slabs, dry washes, and uneven layers. Trekking poles offer stability and confidence.
Why they’re a top gifting choice:
- reduce impact on knees
- help with scrambles
- improve balance on slickrock
- perfect for slot canyons and long mesa hikes
LEKI Makalu FX Carbon Trekking Poles Direct | REI
These durable trekking poles are phenomenal for backpacking, hiking and trail running. They're comfortable in the hand and pack down super small, and super quick!
Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles Direct | GGG
Featuring a simple and streamlined build, these are perfect for backpackers and folks looking for a more simple trekking pole design. They're comfortable in hand during super long and brutal days!
Cooling Bandanas + Accessories
When temps hit triple digits, cooling accessories are lifesavers. They weigh practically nothing but deliver huge comfort.
Perfect as: small gifts, stocking stuffers.
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear REI | Amazon
The Buff is a classic piece of sun protection for literally any outdoor pursuit. It's a lightweight accessory that can block sun, while also keeping you cooled down. The trick is to keep the Buff wet.
Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Ultralight Sun Umbrella Direct | GGG
For serious hikers, this small silver umbrella is a real game-changer. It blocks out harmful UV rays and intense heat. Best of all, it can be hands-free because it affixes to shoulder straps on backpacks!
Wide-Brim Hats + UPF Caps
Shade = survival in the desert. Wide-brimmed hats and UPF caps are staples for every desert hiker. Period.
Why they’re always appreciated:
- protect face, ears, neck, and scalp
- needed on every hike
- easy one-size gifting
Outdoor Research Sunbriolet Sun Hat Direct | REI
Outdoor Research is basically a gold-standard company for sun hats made for adventurers. This is one of their classic sun hats. It looks nice, keeps sun at bay, and is super durable and washable.
Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap Direct | REI
This is another really great choice for a sun hat, particularly if a wide-brimmed hat is not appealing. This fits like a standard cap, and has a removeable cape that protects the neck, ears and sides of the face.
REI Co-op Sahara Bucket Hat REI
Coming in at a great price, this sun hat has a smaller brim than many, making it cute for general wear. Of course, it's also great at blocking out sunshine and comes in a few nice colors.
The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat REI | Amazon
This is a super popular pick for a sun hat! It has classic styling and is comfortable during long days out in the heat. It's machine washable, and holds up well to backpacking.
Electrolyte Drink Mixes + Hydration Boosters
The desert drains you fast. Electrolytes prevent headaches, dizziness, and heat fatigue. They are essential!
Gift ideas:
- multi-flavor packs
- “desert hydration kit” gift
- affixed to the bigger gift instead of a bow
Skratch Labs Sport Hydration Mix Amazon | REI
This is a really solid electrolyte mix and is often recommended by industry experts and coaches due to its formulation. It's fast-acting and each flavor tastes great!
SaltStick FastChews Electrolyte Tablets Amazon | REI
These are an ultralight and ultra easy form of electrolytes, because you don't need to carry water to consume these. They're another really popular option for dependable hydration.
SGC HydraFuel Hydration Gummies Amazon | GGG
A mix of quick hydration and a water-free electrolyte option, these gummies were new to Southwest Hikes this summer, and they have become a fast favorite for us! They hydrate quick and taste great!
Desert-Friendly Socks + Gaiters
Sand, stickers, goatheads, prickly plants: desert hikers know the struggle. Trail gaiters and durable socks are incredibly useful.
Why they’re desert gold:
- keep out sand + debris
- reduce blisters
- protect from sharp vegetation
Darn Tough Run No-Show Ultralight Socks REI | Amazon | Direct
When choosing socks for the desert, it's key to remember that gaiters will likely go over them, which is why we like no-show and low cut socks. These come with a lifetime warranty, and are really comfy.
Kahtoola RENAgaiter Low Gaiters REI | Amazon | Direct
These gaiters are durable AF, lightweight and super comfortable. In our books, they're one of the best gaiter options out there! For a desert gaiter, they are perfection, balancing breathability and cactus-proof.
Ultra Gam Ankle Gaiters GGG
These little gaiters are great for folks who like neat patterns and don't need super durable gaiters. They're nice for dayhikes and for more casual adventures! They're so lightweight that they're a no-brainer to toss in a backpack!
Desert Books + Trail Guidebooks
Every desert region has iconic books and maps. Guidebooks are thoughtful, practical, and last forever. They also inspire adventure, which is great!
Some perfect gift picks:
- Southwest Road Trips Amazon | REI
- Utah Moab & Arches Hikes Amazon | Moab Area Maps REI
- Tucson Hiking Amazon | Saguaro National Park Map REI
- New Mexico Trails Guide Amazon | New Mexico Summits REI
- Mojave Hiking Guide Amazon | Mojave Trails Map REI
- Glen Canyon and Grand Staircase Escalante Amazon | REI
Perfect for hikers planning trips, and for those dreaming up big adventures. Of course, there are a plethora of guide books and maps for specific locations and parks. We curated our picks on popular areas and more general adventure.
Bonus Gift Ideas
These gift ideas don't necessarily fit in a category. They are great picks for stocking stuffers, and small gifting.
- Sun gloves: These are low-key one of the best pieces of gear for desert hiking. They prevent hands from being fried by the sun while using trekking poles. We really love Outdoor Research's ActiveIce line.
Amazon | REI - UV-blocking sunglasses: It's easy to lose sunglasses, forget them at home, or whatever else! So having extra pairs is always nice. This pair from Knockaround are durable and inexpensive! Best of all, they look great on everyone.
Amazon | REI - Trail-ready desert skincare: Skin protection is so vital for exploring the deserts of the Southwest. A good SPF can go a long way to staying safe and comfortable. Sun Bum's Mineral SPF 50 is perfect for all desert adventures!
Amazon | REI
How to Choose the Right Gift for a Desert Hiker
Choosing the right gift for a desert hiker comes down to understanding the unique challenges of the environment they love. Desert trails demand smart, sun-protective gear that keeps hikers cool, covered, and hydrated in places where shade is scarce and temperatures can swing wildly. Anything that helps them manage intense UV exposure, carry enough water, or stay comfortable on long, sun-baked miles will instantly become a favorite piece of gear.
The best gifts are also lightweight, breathable, and durable enough to handle sandstone, cactus, and rugged terrain. Think items that make desert adventures safer and more enjoyable; gear that solves real problems like heat, dryness, and tricky footing. If a gift helps a hiker go farther, stay safer, and feel more confident exploring the desert’s wild landscapes, you can be sure it will be used on every single outing.
Packing It Out
The deserts of the Southwest are some of the most iconic hiking landscapes in the world, but they require a unique set of tools to explore safely and comfortably.
These gift ideas are practical, thoughtful, and perfect for anyone who loves red rock trails, saguaro forests, sandstone canyons, and the unforgettable magic of the Southwest.
This article is independent of the supplier and reflects my own opinions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at no additional cost to you.
