Desert day hike
Shade, salt, and more water capacity than a forest walk.
Who it is for. Day hikers on exposed, dry trail who will turn around on purpose.
- The shoe is optional if your usual shoe fits.
- Write the water plan down.
- A headlamp still belongs in the pack if the day might run long.
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Packing list
From this kit on Amazon: HydraPak Seeker 2L.
Check current price on the listing.
Sun hoodie
Outdoor Research Echo Hoody
A sun hoodie is the most useful shirt in a lot of western kits. The hood fits under a hat or instead of one. It is not a warm layer at camp. Rinse salt out of it. A bug-proof weave is a different product if mosquitoes are the actual problem.
Who should buy it. Exposed trails in sun.
Pros
- UPF
- Hood
- Breathable
Cons
- Not warm
- Can feel clammy in humidity
Not sold on Amazon US.
Closest on Amazon: Outdoor Research Astroman Air Sun Hoodie (men's). A hooded sun shirt from Outdoor Research. The men's Echo Hoody is not listed on amazon.com, so this is the closest hooded option from the same brand.
Check current price on the listing.
Hiking umbrella
Gossamer Gear Liteflex Umbrella
An umbrella is a regional tool. In the desert it can replace some of the sun hoodie duty and keep you cooler. In wind it becomes a sail. Do not lash it to a trekking-pole tent pitch and expect a stormproof system. Silver exteriors reflect more sun.
Who should buy it. Desert and open-country hikers.
Pros
- Shade
- Light rain
- Packable
Cons
- Wind
- Not a shell replacement
Not sold on Amazon US.
Closest on Amazon: EuroSCHIRM Swing Liteflex Trekking Umbrella. The trekking umbrella from EuroSCHIRM, the maker of the Liteflex design. Like the Liteflex, it is a sun and light-rain tool, not a storm tool.
Check current price on the listing.
Soft flask for storage
HydraPak Seeker 2L
Use it as storage after treatment, or as a dirty reservoir only if you are disciplined about which cap is which. A soft bottle in a pack needs a little care so it does not burst on a sharp edge. Two liters is a useful camp size for one person.
Who should buy it. Backpackers who cache water at camp.
Pros
- Light
- Packable
- Useful volume
Cons
- Can puncture
- Easy to confuse dirty and clean
Check current price on the listing.
Electrolyte tablets
Nuun Sport tablets
Use them when you are a salty sweater or the day is hot and long. They are not food. They are not a reason to skip a salty snack. If they upset your stomach, try a different brand before a trip, not during one.
Who should buy it. Hot-weather hikers.
Pros
- Light
- Portioned
- Palatable to most people
Cons
- Cost over time
- Flavor fatigue
Check current price on the listing.
Best daypack
Osprey Talon 22
Most day hikes do not need a commuter bag or a 65-liter backpack. The Talon 22 sits in the middle: a hip belt that takes the water weight off your shoulders, a place for bottles or a bladder, and enough room for a shell and a layer. It is not an overnight pack. A sleep system will not fit, and forcing it in is how people buy a pack that is too small and then hate it. The REI Trail 40 is the neighbour when a long day needs more water and layers, or when a first overnight kit is compact. The Atmos AG 65 is the neighbour when the trip is multi-day and the load needs a real frame. The Tempest is the women's counterpart of this daypack. Put the rain shell in it even when the morning looks clear.
Who should buy it. Day hikers who are tired of shoulder-only bags.
Pros
- Real hip belt
- Stable
- Right size for a day
Cons
- Too small for a sleep system
- Not ultralight
Check current price on the listing.
Wide-friendly trail shoe
Topo Athletic Ultraventure
Use this when the Lone Peak feels too floppy and a KEEN feels too warm. It is still a shoe. If your ankles roll, a boot is the honest answer. Wide feet should try it late in the day.
Who should buy it. Hikers who want cushion and a wider toe box without zero drop.
Pros
- Roomy toe
- Cushion
- Moderate drop
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Not a heavy-pack boot
Check current price on the listing.