Desert Wear and Hiking Essentials for the American Southwest

Desert wear and hiking essentials for the American Southwest regions can be a bit more specific than a typical hike in the outdoors. As someone who has spent time in deserts all over the world, as well as lived in both Arizona and California, I’d like to share with you the essential desert hiking gear that you need in the American Southwest! We’ll cover what to wear in the desert, desert hiking essentials, and desert hiking gear below.

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The desert is such a wildly misunderstood region of the world! It gets a bad rap for being dry and lifeless, boring and empty. Well, I say that’s simply not the case.

Deserts are my favorite climate regions in the whole world. All types of deserts – from the unbelievable and vast Arabian Desert with it’s endless orange dunes to the otherworldly and alien-like landscapes in California’s Mojave Desert. I love them all.

For me the open space is beautiful. The prickly plants and wild animals that thrive in these harsh conditions are fascinating. I never tire of the desert!

Though their landscapes can be vastly different, one thing that all deserts have in common is the lack of water they receive – less than 10 inches per year, by definition. Because of this, if you plan on hiking in the desert, you need to be prepared.

I’ve written about important desert safety tips for hiking, but I’m going to take it one step further and talk about specific desert wear and hiking gear that are essential for any trek through the dry climate – particularly those found in the Southwestern USA.

I’ve recently returned from a multi-day trip to Joshua Tree National Park in southern California, where temperatures are typically above 100 degrees in summer months. This can be miserable, and even life threatening… but – it doesn’t need to be.

Hiking in the desert can be a magical experience, as long as you plan ahead and set yourself up for success. Below are the desert hiking essentials that you should never leave home without!

Desert Wear and Hiking Gear Essentials

1. A Dual-Function Daypack

I’ve previously written about my love for Camelbak backpacks, and that is probably due to how much time I spend hiking in the heat. If you’ve never used one, it is basically a normal backpack which also holds a plastic container or “bladder” for water, and a long tube that acts like a straw that slings over the shoulder strap.

During a desert hike, a Camelbak backpack can be the difference between quitting after one torturous mile or making it the length of your eight-mile trek, hydrated and happy.

I personally own two of them; a small pack which holds little else than the water bladder, and a larger Camelbak backpack, which is ideal for packing the additional gear below.

For the desert I highly suggest the larger one, as you can store all of the upcoming hiking essentials in the pack as well. I’m all about a piece of gear that is dual-function and keeps my hands free as I hike.

2. Moisture Wicking Top Layers

If you have a long desert hike planned, you will definitely want a shirt that doesn’t hold onto your sweat but instead wicks moisture and will keep your body cool and dry. Luckily, these types of shirts have become more common over the past several years, so you have tons of options.

One thing that might surprise you, wool or synthetic fibers are more ideal gear for hiking than cotton. This is because cotton holds onto moisture and takes some time to dry. So check all labels before you buy!

3. Good Hiking Shoes

Any desert hike would be miserable without a sturdy pair of shoes to walk in. I have two go-to hiking shoe choices, depending on the specific landscape I am headed.

For colder months, and deserts with lots of pokey things – think cactus spikes, dry sticks, sharp rocks, or all of the above – I typically go with hiking boots or trail shoes that offer a lot of support, but are no higher than the ankles. And, in the summer months, I prefer rugged trekking sandals so my feet can breathe.

Choose wisely. Wear what makes the most sense. Either of the options above can and do work, but I typically choose one versus the other based specifically on what terrain I’ll be trekking on.

4. Pants that Breathe

I absolutely hate wearing stiff hiking pants. Such as, those convertible hiking pants that transform into shorts – I have never owned them and likely never will. Though many hikers and top hiking brands stand behind those pants, they are a no-go for me.

Instead, I always opt for thick fabric workout pants that are breathable and – you guessed it – as moisture-wicking as possible. I own about a zillion pairs of workout pants so I typically grab one of these for my hikes.

5. Electrolyte Supplements

If you’re feeling low energy or on the verge of dehydration, electrolyte tabs can be a life-saver in dry climates during physical activity. I’ve used them in the American Southwest during desert hikes and I’ve also taken them abroad.

6. Hat and Sunglasses

Even if you are not in the habit of wearing hats or sunglasses normally, you will absolutely want both of these when hiking the American Southwest. You are unlikely to encounter much shade at all in the desert, so it is imperative to create your own.

Be sure to stash your sunglasses in a sturdy case so they don’t get crushed in your day pack.

Hats and sunglasses are essential gear to wear on your desert hike! Don’t skip them.

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7. Bandana or Scarf

Dust-storms are a real thing. With no water to densely pack the earth down, windy days can create extremely dusty conditions in the desert. I used to live in Arizona and these could get intense!

Wear or pack a bandana or scarf that you can use to cover your face or neck if a dust-storm kicks up.

8. A Headlamp

Even if you don’t expect to be out past sundown, a headlamp is a very smart thing to have in your daypack. You never know what could happen or what could hold you up – an injury, getting lost, or just losing track of time while taking photographs. Trust me, it happens.

9. Sunscreen

While it may be obvious to use sunscreen before you head out for your hike, the desert will throw some ultraviolet curveballs your way. If you aren’t prepared to reapply, your skin will likely pay the price.

10. Tweezers or Swiss Army Knife

Have you ever gotten jabbed by a cactus? How about by one of the ones with tiny little spikes, that lodge into your skin and are hard to see let alone grip with your fingers?

If the answer is yes, then you know that these spikes can haunt you for days or even weeks to come. Take my advice and bring a tool to combat this.

11. Sweat-Removing Body Wipes

What to do about the sweat and dirt involved in a multi-hour trek in the triple-digits and hot sun? Things can get sweaty, exhausting, and – ahem – a bit stinky.

12. Emergency First Aid

One thing that I love most about the desert is the solitude. The peacefulness, away from crowds, is refreshing. You often walk long stretches of land without seeing another soul.

However, if you’re not prepared, this can quickly become a problem in an emergency. Never leave for a long-haul trek in the desert without packing the essential gear required in an emergency.

13. A Fire Starter

Have you ever heard the saying “better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it”? Well that saying applies to this desert hiking-gear item ten-fold.

The desert gets quite cold overnight, so if you do somehow get lost or stranded, this little guy could save your life.

Prepare for emergencies with this weather-resistant fire starter in your survival kit. While matches can become damp or blow out in the wind, this fire starter will work in all conditions.

14. A Pair of Binoculars

Especially if you are planning on a solo hike, you may want to consider packing a pair of compact binoculars. Not just for bird-watching, these can save your life in a pinch or if you get lost or veer off trail.

15. Snacks Galore

Don’t leave home without stuffing your daypack full of snacks.

Some of my desert hiking-favorites are fruit that is not easily crushed (think an apple over a banana) or small bags of trail mix or granola bars.

You want foods that will boost your energy without making you feel lethargic. Pack fruits, seeds and nuts. On longer hikes, I often pack a PB&J sandwich for extra fuel.

16. Water, Water, Water!

For anyone who doesn’t heed my advice about the Camelbak daypack, you are going to need to pack A LOT of water. Multiple bottles or one large jug, depending on the length of your hike.

I can’t be the only one out there who hates to carry their water by hand, am I? I seem to drink way more water than the average hiker and hate how lopsided it makes me feel (not to mention not having my hands free, as a frequent photographer.)

Basically, if I haven’t convinced you yet on the value of the Camelbak, be sure to set aside the water you think you need and then double it. Water is the most important commodity to have out there in the heat. It’s the one thing you definitely can’t get by without.

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So tell me – which items of the desert hiking gear mentioned above is the most essential for you?

Many of the above items would be useful on any hike, but are of particular importance in the desert. Everything listed here are among my most used desert wear and essential gear for hiking – particularly in the American Southwest desert regions.

Have fun, be safe, and stay hydrated!

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Let me know how it goes in the comments below! Is there anything you can’t live without when you hike the desert?