Dress Code: American South West

First off, leave the back woods-no one around for miles-solo hike idea at home. Find at least one friend to go with you or stay in areas where there are plenty of people incase injury, or you get a little lost.

Second, bring water water water.

I’m telling you, the sun in this part of the country has no mercy.

Take gallons of water in the car and always have a smaller personal bottle to refill at spickets at the designated areas in the different parks.

Top Must Haves

SPF

Get yourself a facial SPF. I like to use at least SPF30 or higher on my face. When I was out here I used Eucerin SPF30 and it kept my face 100% sunburn free without breaking out my combination skin.
SPF lip balm I like Sun Bum Tinted Lip Balm SPF30. I am sure most brands are doable, Just as long as you are sure there is SPF in it.
Body Protection sunscreen that stays put while your sweating and active is important out here. I used an spf that was at least 35, I didn’t care what brand it was. I went out there with Neutrogena and ended up buying more of what was on sale at walmart.
Lotion always moisturize in the desert, whether you use shea, cocoa butter or a lotion. I put hemp oil on my body and sealed it in with jergens moisturizing lotion.

Boots

You need hiking boots for this part of the USA, there is no way around it. you can wear regular sneakers, but when they get wet, they wont dry and feel the same after.

I ended up purchasing a pair of waterproof hiking boots that fit me perfectly by adidas.

They were sturdy around my ankles which is very important, and they dried fast when they got wet. Never had any blisters, even when I was breaking them in.

Honestly, you having hiking boots out here is probably the only shoe you really need.

Hiking Sneakers

However, if you want to have options, there are hiking sneakers.

I have a pair of New Balance hiking sneakers and they do not play, I wear them when I am at work as well, being that I move around a lot.

The hiking sneakers are not as big and bulky as the boots and they are cute and sporty if that is a look you are going for. Just keep in mind these ones do not have any support for your ankles, and trust, when you are slipping around or slightly jogging down ankle support is something you ARE thinking about.

Converse

All around go to, if you already have them, go ahead and put them on the list for ANY DESTINATION

Chuck Taylors are great for just getting around out in the South West. You can wear them on lazy days or nice strolls, out to eat, to the store, around around around.

super simple.

I noticed that people were hiking in their chucks at Zion Park, but I honestly wouldn’t recommend. You never know what you are going to get yourself into, its best to stick to AT LEAST the hiking sneakers if not the boots.