Hiking within the desert is an effective way to see and expertise unbelievable landscapes, geology, crops, and even wildlife. But guests to arid climates have to pack the suitable desert mountain climbing garments and equipment to remain snug and secure in excessive temperatures – cold and hot!
I’ve spent plenty of time mountain climbing across the deserts of the Southwest and with the suitable gear, clothes, solar safety, and hydration, you’ll be well-prepared for a tremendous desert journey, too. In this weblog publish, I share my high ideas for all of this and extra whether or not you’re visiting Southern Utah’s National Parks, Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, or one other wonderful desert vacation spot.
Important Reminder: As it goes in the entire locations we share, please follow good path etiquette and keep in mind to Leave No Trace. This means packing out your whole rubbish (together with bathroom paper) and following the established guidelines. In the desert, this additionally means studying methods to defend cryptobiotic soil and the way it has a big impact on our ecosystems.
Desert Hiking Tips
Before I get into my desert mountain climbing garments and equipment ideas, I need to share a couple of essential issues to concentrate on as you pack on your journey.
Pack For Hot and Cold Temps
Desert evenings can truly get fairly chilly. Deserts are recognized for being excessive, and it’s not unusual to have actually excessive temperatures and actually low temperatures on the identical day. So, it’s a good suggestion to pack additional layers to throw on after the solar goes down.
This is very true within the colder months when the climate within the desert might be surprisingly wintery. Don’t be shocked if the temps dip into the 30s (or beneath!) within the desert.
Don’t Skimp On Sun Protection
It’s good to be ready with ample solar safety, particularly should you’re visiting in the summertime and plan on spending your days out having enjoyable within the solar. Rather than lacking out on stunning desert locations, my recommendation is to pack loads of sunscreen and put on clothes that reduces your publicity to the solar.
Stay Hydrated
It’s straightforward to get dehydrated within the desert as a result of sweat tends to dry shortly because of the arid local weather, so you might not notice how a lot fluid you’re shedding. Always carry a hydration pack full of water or a big water bottle with you on any tour out into the desert.
>> Read Next: Best Hiking Daypacks for Women
Choose Light Colors
Light clothes colours akin to white, beige, and pastels will assist hold you cooler on desert hikes since these colours don’t take up the solar’s warmth as darker colours do. Also, go for loose-fitting garments so you will get good airflow when you hike.
Get An Early Start
Hiking within the desert might be HOT – spring, fall, and winter are the most effective seasons to go to the Southwest when daytime temps are milder. If you do plan to go to throughout summer season, keep away from mountain climbing through the warmth of the day (11am-4pm). Heat can flip harmful shortly, so we all the time advocate beginning at dawn, or heading for a sundown hike.
Desert Hiking Clothes
Short Sleeve Hiking Shirt
Pack a light-weight mountain climbing shirt that wicks moisture, dries shortly, and can hold you cool. The Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt is one in every of our favorites. It does the entire above whereas being tremendous light-weight and packable, plus it doesn’t wrinkle. It’s very best for any desert hike as a result of it has nice air flow and odor management, making it good for warm days and lengthy hikes. Plus it’s Fair Trade Certified and makes use of recycled supplies.
Check value: REI | Patagonia | Backcountry
Long Sleeve Hiking Shirt
For additional solar safety, go together with the Patagonia Capilene Cool Long Sleeve Shirt. I’ve honest pores and skin and have not too long ago gotten into the behavior of carrying lengthy sleeves after I hike within the desert, even on hotter days, with a view to defend my pores and skin.
This shirt is quick-drying, prevents odor, and is rated for 50+ UPF solar safety. It additionally breathes rather well, so that you gained’t get too sizzling even within the solar. Safe to say, you possibly can put on this in your complete journey and hand-wash it when you have to freshen it up. Plus, just like the Patagonia tee above, this piece is constructed from recycled supplies and is Fair Trade Certified.
Check value: REI | Patagonia | Backcountry
Hiking Shorts
You’ll need a pair of snug mountain climbing shorts for these heat desert days. We love The North Face Aphrodite Shorts as a result of they’re tremendous comfortable and light-weight and so they have a large waistband and simply the correct amount of stretch to them.
They’re additionally an ideal size and have pockets that are all the time helpful, plus they dry shortly. We’ve worn these mountain climbing, rafting, and lounging and so they’re all the time an incredible alternative.
Check value: REI | Backcountry
Hiking Pants
On cool desert days or when the solar goes down, you’ll need to placed on one other layer like these prAna Halle II Hiking Pants. They’re mild and stretchy sufficient so that you can hold transferring on the path however sturdy sufficient to face as much as the weather.
These pants layer nicely over a pair of lengthy underwear should you’re visiting within the winter or the desert temps actually drop at night time.
Check value: REI | Backcountry
>> Read Next: Best Women’s Hiking Pants & Leggings
Light Warm Layer
No matter what time of yr you’re heading to the desert, packing a flannel or light-weight heat layer is all the time a good suggestion. When you have to add a layer, the REI Wallace Lake flannel is a stable alternative. It’s tender in your pores and skin, but sturdy for mountain climbing and tenting. And, it’s obtainable in seven totally different colours, so take your choose.
Check value: REI
Warm Jacket
If you might be touring within the shoulder season, nights within the desert can get fairly chilly and also you’ll seemingly want a heat jacket (you may skip this should you’re visiting in mid-summer). I all the time have an insulated puffy jacket with me, and one in every of my favorites is the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket. It’s tremendous light-weight, heat, and made with eco-friendly supplies (recycled ripstop nylon on this case).
And, it’s packable so it’s straightforward to carry alongside on any journey.
Check value: REI | Patagonia | Backcountry
>> Read Next: Best Women’s Synthetic Down Jackets
Desert Hiking Footwear
Hiking Shoes
The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid are good for mountain climbing within the desert. They’re sturdy and breathable, making them nice for desert mountain climbing when paired with light-weight mountain climbing socks (Darn Tough are our favourite).
The tempest outsole is tremendous grippy which is able to enable you to navigate throughout rocky and sandy terrain. The Oboz Sawtooth X is snug from day one, so that you gained’t have to endure a stiff break-in interval.
Oboz additionally has some waterproof mountain climbing boot choices that we love, though I personally advocate the non-waterproof for desert environments since they’re extra breathable. If you’d like extra information on the Oboz Sawtooth X’s you may learn my full evaluate right here.
Check value: Backcountry
>> Read Next: Best Women’s Hiking Boots & Shoes
Hiking Sandals
One of the most effective elements of visiting the southwest is attending to discover the distinctive waterfalls, rivers, and canyons. Rather than carrying your mountain climbing footwear or flip flops, I like to recommend packing a water sandal that may additionally double as a camp shoe.
These Teva Universal Trail Sandals are a sturdy choice that may carry you from the path to the river. They’re light-weight, snug, and supply nice traction with their Vibram soles to forestall slipping.
Even higher, the straps on these new sandals are made from 100% recycled plastic! Check out my full evaluate of those sandals for more information.
Check value: REI | Backcountry
Desert Hiking Accessories
Wide Brimmed Sun Hat
Wearing a well-brimmed hat within the solar will scale back your publicity and assist hold your head cool. The greatest hat on your desert mountain climbing journey is a hat you’ll truly put on, so choose one out based mostly in your model – the broader the brim the higher out within the desert.
My absolute favourite solar hat is the Wallaroo Women’s Sedona Hat pictured beneath. It’s crushable making for simple packing, doesn’t get too sizzling when mountain climbing, and it has a drawstring within the brim that lets you tighten the hat if it’s windy.
*DISCOUNT CODE: Save 20% on the Wallaroo Sedona hat while you use the code BEARFOOT20 at checkout.
Check value: Wallaroo Hats
Polarized Sunglasses
Another must-have merchandise for a desert mountain climbing journey is an efficient pair of sun shades. One of my favourite fairly priced pair of sun shades are the SunCloud Patrol Polarized sun shades. With 100% UV safety, these are nice sun shades for mountain climbing within the desert to guard your eyes from the solar.
Check value: REI
A Buff
Buffs are nice multi-functional items which are nice for retaining your neck protected in sizzling desert environments. We love the Buff CoolInternet UV+ as a result of it has a cooling expertise end and UPF 50+ solar safety. It’s additionally constructed from 95% recycled supplies.
If the temps are actually excessive otherwise you feeling some warmth exhaustion, moist your buff with water and put on it round your head. This will assist hold your physique temp cooler.
Check value: REI | Backcountry
Desert Hiking Gear
Day Pack
Once you get to your desert vacation spot, you’ll want a rugged, sturdy day mountain climbing pack, just like the Osprey Tempest 20. With simply the correct amount of room, it has a number of pockets to retailer every little thing you want for a day outdoors.
You can connect a helmet or trekking poles to the outside and combine your hydration reservoir. Overall, the Osprey Tempest 20 Pack is an efficient all-around day pack so as to add to your desert packing record.
Check value: REI | Backcountry | Osprey
Hydration Reservoir
One of crucial issues to recollect while you’re out exploring the desert is to keep hydrated. The Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir is a dependable, BPA-free reservoir obtainable in 1.5, 2, and three L.
I like to recommend the 3L reservoir should you’ll be heading out for a full day – water sources might be restricted mountain climbing within the desert. This hydration reservoir is designed to maintain a low profile, so your pack will nonetheless be snug.
Check value: REI | Backcountry | Osprey
Water filter
If you’re heading out on an extended hike and you understand there shall be water sources like a river or creek, it’s a good suggestion to pack a water filter so you may refill your hydration bladder and never fear about water. We love the LifeStraw Peak Squeeze 22 fl oz water filter as a result of it’s small and light-weight and really straightforward to make use of. Just fill it up and squeeze the water out into your bigger container or reservoir.
>> Read Next: Best Backpacking Water Filters
GPS & Satellite Communicator
Throughout a lot of the wild locations in distant desert areas, there’s very spotty cell service or none in any respect. You might need to contemplate carrying a satellite tv for pc communicator just like the Garmin inReach Mini 2-way Satellite Communicator.
This tiny handheld gadget has 2-way texting, SOS, and monitoring capabilities. It might be a life-saver (actually) should you need assistance and also you’re out of cell reception. I really feel just a little extra snug after I’m off-grid realizing I’ve an emergency gadget like this.
Check value: REI
Sunscreen & Lip Balm
Last, however undoubtedly not least, don’t overlook the sunscreen and lip balm. We’ve been loving Think Sport’s Naturally Tinted Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen as a result of it blends in nicely, doesn’t depart a white residue, and most significantly it’s eco-friendly, reef-friendly, and freed from dangerous chemical substances.
Also, make sure to again a tube of chapstick with SPF as a result of there’s nothing worse than sore and blistering lips!
Check value: Amazon
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I hope this helps you dial within the gear you want on your desert mountain climbing journey! What questions do you might have? Where are you most enthusiastic about visiting? Let us know within the feedback beneath.
