Summer Hiking Essentials for Zion National Park

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We are back from an epic summer vacation at Zion National Park in Utah. From horseback riding to hiking to canyoneering, we had all kinds of crazy fun. Adventures like these require proper gear. Before heading to Zion, I did plenty of research and spoke with friends who’d gone before me in order to formulate my packing list. Here are my favorite summer hiking essentials that really performed well.

Summer Hiking Essentials for Zion National Park

Light layers. Overnight temperatures in Zion were in the mid-50s when we were there in late June/early July, and the highs of the day approached 90 degrees. I packed a sweatshirt and light windbreaker for the cool mornings and late nights. I also brought sweat-wicking tanks, tees and light long-sleeved shirts. As it warmed up, I’d peel off a layer (or two) and stow it in my backpack.

Abrasion-Resistant Hike Shorts and Pants: I wore Prana Shorts for our hikes, including when we hiked The Narrows on the Virgin River. I love that they are light, stretchy, quick drying, abrasion-resistant and have zipper pockets. Since we’d spend the majority of our time in the water, we rented neoprene socks, boots and a wet pack from a local outfitter. Unless you plan to spend a very short time in The Narrows, I highly recommend this. I thought the wet pack might have been overkill but the water got chest deep in a couple of spots, so I was glad I had it!

I saw many people trying to navigate The Narrows in Crocs or tennis shoes and let me just say, it was not ideal. At all. You’ll want as much traction as possible for the slippery/loose rocks. Too many people were losing their shoes and falling down.

I wore Prana Hike Pants for our day on Horseback and for our Canyoneering adventure. I highly, highly recommend long pants for both Horseback Riding and Canyoneering, as the trails are VERY rugged, with lots of opportunity for scratches and abrasions. When rappelling, I also highly recommend long pants as there are plenty of opportunities to scrape against the rocks, which I did…often. Look for pants that are stretchy, moisture wicking, and abrasion resistant. A zipper pocket or two is nice as well.

Wildfeel Trail Shoes from lululemon. These shoes were rockstars. I wore them on all of our hikes and we were hiking on average 10 miles each day. I wore them for horseback riding and they were amazing. The ultimate test was our 7-hour Canyoneering adventure, where I was negotiating sheer rock faces and some very spicy hiking. The Wildfeels performed optimally for everything Zion National Park dished out.

You’ll want a shoe with lots of traction, as dusty, wet or loose rocks are challenging to navigate. The Wildfeels are very breathable to keep feet cool. They also feature a knit “collar” around the ankle that keeps out gravel and trail debris.

Gordini Hiking Socks. I tested both the Light-Cushion and Medium-Cushion socks. Both models were great. My feet felt cool and comfortable on even the most challenging terrain, and I came away with zero blisters. Gordini Hike Socks are made of merino wool blend to keep feet cool and comfortable, even in extreme weather. The Orbit-Fit technology uses 3D mapping to give you cushioning where you need it most. The rib-knit cuff keeps dirt out and it’s super lightweight to keep you cool. It’s snug enough to keep the sock from slipping or bunching, but it never squeezes too tight.

I wore Gordini socks all week long and really never thought about them once. They delivered total comfort at all times. One less thing I had to worry about!

Sweat-wicking Hat. I just wore one of the hats I wear for running. Make sure yours is sweat-wicking, quick-drying and stays on well. It got pretty windy on some of the climbs we did.

Sunglasses. I wore Tifosi Swank Lifestyle Sunglasses. They’re my favorite for pretty much everything, including running, pickle ball, golf and everyday fun. They’re shatterproof, scratch resistant with an ultra-light frame for all-day comfort. I wore them constantly in Zion, because we lucked out with 100% sunshine every day. They were perfect!

Lightweight Hydration Backpack. We wore hiking backpacks at all times. They’re crucial for stowing layers, sunglasses. phones, valuables and more. This one features a 2L bladder so you have access to water at all times. Zion is hot and dry, so dehydration sneaks up on you quickly.

Trail Snacks. None of the activities we did supplied fuel or water of any kind so go prepared! Trail mix, beef sticks, gummy candies and dried fruit are all great options. Stick with things that won’t melt or be crushed easily.

Electrolytes. We used LMNT Electrolyte Packets. They contain zero sugar and all the sodium, potassium and magnesium you need for a long day on hot trails. The tiny packets are easy to keep in your pocket or backpack. Just add one to your water and you’re good to go.

Okay there you have it! What are some of your go-tos when you head out on an active, outdoor adventure? Are you a minimalist or maximalist packer?

I’m linking up with My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, and Runs with Pugs,  for Fit Five Friday.