I hike all over Arizona. Phoenix, Sedona, Tucson, Flagstaff—dry heat, monsoon mess, and even snow up north. I’ve made dumb choices. I’ve also found gear that just works. Here’s what I wear now, and why, with real trails and real sweat to back it up. For an even deeper dive into my gear picks, check out what I actually wear on Arizona hikes when I’m sweating buckets.
You know what? I used to hike Camelback in cotton. I learned fast. Don’t be me. Here’s a deeper rundown on choosing sun-smart, quick-drying layers for Arizona hikes.
If you want even more Arizona trail intel than I can cram into one article, browse the routes and insider tips over at Arizona Hiking Trails.
Quick context: where I tested this stuff
- Camelback (Echo Canyon) and Piestewa Peak in Phoenix, summer and shoulder season
- Peralta Trail and Flatiron in the Superstitions, spring and fall (read my honest take on hiking the Superstition Mountains if you’re curious)
- West Fork and Cathedral Rock in Sedona, spring and late summer
- Sabino Canyon and Saguaro National Park in Tucson, May and September (and here’s my honest, dusty, sunburned review of hiking in Southern Arizona)
- Humphreys Peak near Flagstaff, June with wind and early snow patches
Tops: sun shirts beat sunburns
My go-to hot day top is the REI Sahara Sun Hoodie (women’s). I wore it on a 98°F Camelback climb in June. It felt silly at first. A hoodie…in heat? But the fabric breathed, and the hood blocked the blaze when the sun bounced off the rock. No burn. No fried neck.
- The good: super light, UPF, hood stays put in wind.
- The not-so-good: it snags on prickly bushes. Mine has tiny pulls.
On milder days, I switch to a Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily shirt. Wore that on West Fork in Sedona, where shade helps. It dries fast after creek splashes.
- The good: soft, doesn’t smell awful right away.
- The bad: no built-in hood, so you need a hat or a Buff.
Cold morning up north? I layer a thin fleece like the Patagonia R1 (old but trusty) over a sun shirt. If there’s bite in the air, I toss a puffy in the pack. I learned that on Humphreys Peak when the wind cut through me like a sharp joke.
Bottoms: pants beat cactus (most days)
I love my prAna Halle pants (the old version) for desert hikes. I wore them on Peralta when cholla tried to hug my calves. The fabric brushed off the spines. Shorts wouldn’t have survived.
- The good: durable, stretch, not too hot if you keep moving.
- The not-so-good: they feel warm in June afternoons in Phoenix. I rest more.
I still wear shorts in Sedona if there’s shade or water. I like Rabbit EZ shorts for air and comfort. They feel like pajamas. But I’ll be honest: I got calf scratches from catclaw once on Cathedral Rock. Pants would have saved me.
One more trick: thin gaiters (Dirty Girl gaiters) over trail runners. On the Flatiron slog, they kept gravel out of my shoes. The prints are loud and fun. The velcro glue peeled after a year, though. I re-glued it.
Socks: wool, even in heat
Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew socks are my default. I wore them on Sabino in May. No blisters, even when my feet swelled. They last forever.
- The good: tough, comfy arch hug.
- The not-so-good: a bit warm in triple digits.
If the day is brutal, I switch to thinner Swiftwick socks. They dry fast. But I get a tiny hot spot on my big toe with those on steep climbs. A small trade.
Shoes: trail runners for most trails, boots for sketchy scrambles
I rotate shoes. It depends on the trail.
- HOKA Speedgoat 5: I wore these on long, rolling miles in Saguaro National Park. Cushy. My knees love them. But on Camelback’s rocky steps, that high stack felt wobbly.
- Altra Lone Peak 8: Roomy toe box. Great on West Fork and Sedona red rock days. I feel the ground more. On sharp lava rock near Flagstaff, I wished for a tad more protection.
- Salomon X Ultra 4 (low): My pick for steeper, rocky climbs like Piestewa. They grip well. Not as plush. A little stiff in the forefoot.
If your ankles roll easy, bring poles. I use Black Diamond Distance Z poles on steep stuff. They fold small and save my shins on the way down.
Hats, shades, and a neck thing that saves the day
I wear the Outdoor Research Sun Runner cap a lot. Yes, the drape looks dorky. But on Peralta, with the sun baking my neck, I did not care. The dark under-brim cuts glare.
- Goodr sunglasses are my cheap, cheerful pick. They don’t slip when I sweat. Drawback: the lenses scratch easy if you toss them in your pack. I learned that fast.
For my neck, I use a Buff CoolNet UV. During monsoon heat, I’ll dunk it and wear it wet. Pure relief. It smells a little funky by mile five, but it helps.
Sunscreen that didn’t sting my eyes (much)
I’ve tried a bunch. My face hates some of them.
- Supergoop Play felt great going on, but it ran into my eyes on Camelback. That burn is rude.
- Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 sticks better on sweaty days. It leaves a white cast. I’ll take ghost face over sunburn.
- Don’t forget your hands. Sun hits there hard while you hold poles.
Packs, water, and salt
For day hikes, I use an Osprey Tempest 20. It sits snug and has a stretchy pocket for snacks. On a long Tucson loop, the back mesh rubbed when I wore a tank. With a sun hoodie, no problem.
I carry a 2–3 liter reservoir (CamelBak Crux) on hot days. Plus a soft flask or two with electrolyte mix. Nuun tabs are light and not too sweet. Liquid I.V. tastes stronger but kept me from cramping on a long, hot climb in the Superstitions.
How much water? For me:
- Short Phoenix hike in heat: 2 liters, minimum.
- Longer desert loop: 3 liters, plus backup bottle.
- Sedona shade day: 1.5–2 liters is fine if it’s mild.
I also throw in a snack with salt—jerky, pretzels, or a PB bar. My mood changes fast when I forget salt. It’s not cute.
Little extras I still bring (and wear)
- Thin liner gloves for rough rock scrambles. Saved my palms on Flatiron.
- BodyGlide on toes and under bra strap on long climbs. Less rub, more smiles.
- A super light wind shell (Patagonia Houdini). On Humphreys, it cut the wind chill fast. It’s not a storm jacket, but it helps.
- Tweezers. Laugh if you want. Cholla spines happen.
After a big-mileage weekend, my quads feel like they’ve been tenderized by cactus. When I’m back east visiting family in Alabama, I hunt for a solid deep-tissue spot to loosen everything up. If you ever find yourself in the same boat, this guide to massage options in town—Rubmaps Tuscaloosa—lays out locations, hours, and unfiltered reviews so you can pick a therapist who’ll actually work the knots out of your post-hike calves.
What I wear by season
- Phoenix summer (honestly, be careful): sun hoodie, light pants, wool socks, trail runners, hat with drape, Buff, and 3 liters of water. I start before sunrise.
- Spring/Fall desert: sun shirt or tee, pants or shorts, light socks, trail runners, regular cap. I still pack a wind shell.
- Sedona summer: tee or sun hoodie, shorts or light pants, gaiters if sandy, shades, lots of water. Creek stops feel amazing.
- Flagstaff/High country: base layer, fleece, wind shell, pants, wool socks, grippy shoes or boots. The wind is real.
Things I got wrong (so you don’t)
- I wore black tights on a July Phoenix hike. The rock heat made my legs cook. Light colors are smarter.