Women's Hiking Gear

I really recommend going to a good outdoor store to buy hiking boots. Mine are Raichle and I'm very happy with them but more to the point, in a good store you'll be able to try them on and walk around in them. My store had a little incline set up so I could try them uphill and downhill. Same goes for a daypack, try it on and make sure the backstraps don't rub on the sides of your neck. Also get one with a hip and breast strap, everything else will get painful after a couple of hours.

If you do a lot of hiking, what kind of gear do you like best?

Women's hiking boots?

Women's hiking pants?

Hydration day pack?

Anything else (besides the obvious first aid kit, etc.)?

The one thing you shouldn't skimp on is the boots. Splurge if you must. Get good soles, good fitting, boots. If you're in the desert, try to avoid big heavy leather ones.
I really like prana's pants, but they don't work for everyone and are expensive (I hunt for them on sale).
I use an REI daypack that I got on sale for $20 like, six years ago, that has a hydration area for my camelbak. I love this pack so much, but they don't make that exact model anymore. REI does tend to make very solid packs though. In a place like AZ, I would make sure whatever pack you got had a separate water holder - you want to be carrying about 4 L of water on you (some combo of hydration pack and bottles) and you'll need that for the bottles. I also really liked nuun hydration tablets when I was in the desert and one of my L was always electrolyte water (also, they're not sugary and only 12 calories).

I really like ex officio for wicking underwear and I find that sort of thing important when hiking.

A bandana that you can wet and then put around your neck was great when I was hiking in the Grand Canyon last month. Also, a hat. Even a goofy one - big brimmed - to have your own portable shade.

Oh, and I really like smart wool for socks. Even in the desert, although wool seems counterintuitive.

Go to a place like REI or your local outdoor store and talk to the people there and actually get fitted for boots and a pack. They're usually really knowledgeable. Yes, they want to sell you stuff - but (like my sister, who works in a local NC outdoors chain) - they're also people who spend almost every free moment outdoors and know their *kitten*.

If you do a lot of hiking, what kind of gear do you like best?

Women's hiking boots?

Women's hiking pants?

Hydration day pack?

Anything else (besides the obvious first aid kit, etc.)?

The one thing you shouldn't skimp on is the boots. Splurge if you must. Get good soles, good fitting, boots. If you're in the desert, try to avoid big heavy leather ones.
I really like prana's pants, but they don't work for everyone and are expensive (I hunt for them on sale).
I use an REI daypack that I got on sale for $20 like, six years ago, that has a hydration area for my camelbak. I love this pack so much, but they don't make that exact model anymore. REI does tend to make very solid packs though. In a place like AZ, I would make sure whatever pack you got had a separate water holder - you want to be carrying about 4 L of water on you (some combo of hydration pack and bottles) and you'll need that for the bottles. I also really liked nuun hydration tablets when I was in the desert and one of my L was always electrolyte water (also, they're not sugary and only 12 calories).

I really like ex officio for wicking underwear and I find that sort of thing important when hiking.

A bandana that you can wet and then put around your neck was great when I was hiking in the Grand Canyon last month. Also, a hat. Even a goofy one - big brimmed - to have your own portable shade.

Oh, and I really like smart wool for socks. Even in the desert, although wool seems counterintuitive.



Go to a place like REI or your local outdoor store and talk to the people there and actually get fitted for boots and a pack. They're usually really knowledgeable. Yes, they want to sell you stuff - but (like my sister, who works in a local NC outdoors chain) - they're also people who spend almost every free moment outdoors and know their *kitten*.

This ^^^^^ I would have the same socks that you are going to buy or wear when you try them on. It makes a huge difference. REI, Cabella or one of the good outdoor stores also have great hiking pants. You can also try them on and sometimes find them on line at better prices. Patagonia tends to have great sales on line.

Skip boots. 1 - your not carrying extreme weight to need the potential greater stability. 2 - they are hot and your in AZ. 3 - there is studies that show that boots lead to more injuries.
Wear either running shoes or trail runners.
I then wear running socks.

I would be interested in your citation for boots leading to more injuries.

Myself, I found the terrain out west to be a bit rough and appreciated the extra stability of boots vs. what running shoes would give me. And I roll my ankle all the damned time, even as an experienced hiker - my boots offer extra support in that regard. I can only imagine injury wearing running shoes.

They do make hiking shoes that would be worth checking out for desert hikes without a lot of weight. This link might also be useful for you, OP - http://www.backcountry.com/explore/how-to-choose-the-right-hiking-shoes-backpacking-boots

I would always carry a walking pole when hiking. :-) have fun!

I love my Columbia hiking pants, and the ones with zip-off lower legs seem like they'd be great in the desert (pretty damn handy even in New England). I've learned to hate hiking in jeans now that I've gotten used to wicking fabric.

As an aside, I like pants with enough pocket space I can carry keys, my phone, and my rescue inhaler in easy reach. Even if I'm carrying a pack, which I often don't for short hikes, I like those things where I can grab them, especially the inhaler, without having to fumble in my pack.

I've been hiking for a while in just normal workout clothes: running shoes, running capris, and a "technical" fabric shirt (hikes up to 10 miles). I have a Nathan hydration vest for water. I recently switched to Merrell Siren Sport 2 hiking shoes, but I think the improvement is minimal over ordinary running shoes. The stability and thicker sole help on longer hikes or rocky trails, but it's a trade off for the flexibility of the running shoes.

Oh and I have some hiking pants, which can be nice if there's brush and you need long pants to cover your legs. I've never been able to find zip-off hiking pants that are comfortable--the zipper part tends to hit at the fattest part of my thighs and chafe.

You only really need boots if the terrain is rough (rocks or mud particularly), you're carrying a heavy pack, or if you have weak ankles. I personally prefer trail runners for hiking unless I'm carrying a pack and my feet have always been happy. Try REI and get some help getting outfitted.

A pocket folding knife is good. Odds are you'll never need it but you'll be glad you have it when you do. (this might cause some people to laugh because I've just been banging on about this on my wall)