Gear & Prep for the Western US

The West rewards preparation and punishes the absence of it. The good news: you don't need a lot of gear to travel here safely and comfortably. You need the right gear, in good condition, and the knowledge of how to use it. Here's what actually matters.

The Ten Essentials (Western Edition)

The classic Ten Essentials list exists because people die without these things. In the West, where conditions change fast and help is far, they matter more than anywhere.

1.

Navigation — Offline maps downloaded before you lose cell service (Gaia GPS and AllTrails both work offline). Know your trailhead coordinates.

2.

Sun protection — SPF 50+ sunscreen, UV-blocking sunglasses, and a wide-brim hat. Altitude and reflective surfaces make the sun brutal.

3.

Insulation — Temperatures can drop 30–40°F between midday and evening in the desert, and afternoon storms blow through fast in the mountains. Always carry a layer you didn't think you'd need.

4.

Illumination — A headlamp with fresh batteries. Not your phone flashlight. Headlamps are hands-free, brighter, and don't drain your communication device.

5.

First aid kit — At minimum: blister treatment, wound closure strips, an ace bandage, and any personal medications. Know basic wound care.

6.

Fire starting — Lighter plus waterproof matches or a firestarter. Even if you don't plan to build a fire, an emergency bivouac is a different story.

7.

Repair tools and knife — A multitool earns its weight. Duct tape wrapped around a water bottle takes up no space. Gear fails in the field.

8.

Nutrition — Extra food beyond what you plan to eat. If your trip goes sideways, your blood sugar shouldn't.

9.

Hydration — More water than you think you need, plus a filter or purification tablets so you can refill from natural sources if necessary. In the desert, plan your water sources before you leave the trailhead.

10.

Emergency shelter — A lightweight emergency bivy or space blanket. They weigh a few ounces and can be the difference between a bad night and a life-threatening one.

Water

Underestimate water and the West will correct you fast. One liter per hour is a baseline for active desert hiking in heat. For a full day, that means carrying or planning to filter 3–5 liters minimum.

Know your water sources in advance. Many desert trails are dry except seasonally, and "seasonal" is optimistic in drought years. Apps like Water Report and Gaia GPS let other hikers flag current conditions at springs and tanks. In alpine areas, water is usually plentiful — filter it anyway.

A filter or purification system (Sawyer Squeeze, Katadyn BeFree, or iodine tablets as a backup) is not optional on any multi-hour backcountry outing in the West.

Footwear

The right shoes depend entirely on terrain. For maintained trails on solid ground, a well-cushioned trail runner is faster and lighter than a boot and offers plenty of support. For technical terrain, scree, talus, or heavily loaded backpacking, a mid or high boot with ankle support earns its extra weight. For slot canyons and desert washes, you'll often wade — neoprene socks and grippy shoes beat hiking boots that take days to dry.

Break in any new footwear before a long trip. Blisters that start on mile two turn into emergencies by mile ten.

Sun Clothing

In the West, sun-protective clothing is not optional — it's more effective and more comfortable than repeated sunscreen application over a long day. A lightweight long-sleeve sun shirt (UPF 50+) keeps you cooler than a tank top in direct sun by blocking radiant heat. Convertible pants give you options. A wide-brim hat is worth every awkward photo.

Road Access and 4WD

Many of the best spots in the West — particularly in Utah, Nevada, and rural Colorado and Arizona — sit at the end of unpaved roads that range from "a little washboarded" to "actively impassable without a high-clearance 4WD." Know before you go.

Check road conditions at the relevant land management agency (BLM, USFS, or the park itself) before heading out. Don't assume a rental car can handle it — most standard rentals are prohibited from unpaved roads per the rental agreement. If you're planning a trip with significant dirt road access, a Jeep, truck, or high-clearance SUV is the right tool.

Carry a basic vehicle kit: jumper cables or a jump pack, a traction board or tow strap, a full-size spare, and a tire plug kit. Cell service for roadside assistance is not a plan in most of the rural West.

Drone Regulations

If you fly, know the rules. Drones are prohibited in all National Park Service land — no exceptions, no gray areas. They're also prohibited over many state parks and in specific wilderness areas. BLM and National Forest land generally allows recreational drone flying, but check local regulations as they vary by forest and district.

The FAA Part 107 license is required for any commercial drone use, including content creation for paid partnerships. Even without 107, recreational flyers must register their drone with the FAA if it weighs more than 0.55 lbs, fly below 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace, and follow the B4UFLY app guidelines for airspace restrictions.

Cell Service and Communication

Assume you won't have it. Download offline maps, save PDFs of permits and reservations to your camera roll, and let someone know your itinerary before you go.

If you're heading into genuinely remote terrain, a satellite communicator is worth considering. Devices like the Garmin inReach Mini and SPOT X let you send SOS signals and two-way texts from anywhere on earth, regardless of cell coverage. Rent before you buy if you want to test it first — many outdoor retailers offer daily or weekly rental rates.

Arizona Time Zone Note

This one catches people every year. Arizona does not observe daylight saving time — except for the Navajo Nation, which does. When the rest of the US springs forward, Arizona stays put, which means in summer, Arizona is on the same time as Pacific (rather than Mountain). If you're moving between states or crossing the Navajo Nation, double-check your clocks. Missing a timed entry reservation or a guided tour because of a time zone mix-up is a fixable problem — as long as you know about it in advance.