All the Arizona hiking items included in this story can be purchased at Just Roughin’ It Adventure Company (justroughinit.com) with locations in North Scottsdale and East Phoenix.
O.T.T.R.
Goodyear-based O.T.T.R. launched in 2021. The recreational clothing and gear company blends boots-on-the-ground outdoor experience with leading edge technology to produce quality, performance-ready products. ottr-inc.com
Trail-to-Town Jacket
$79.99
Not your typical bulky outer layer, the Flagstaff jacket by Goodyear-based gear outfitter O.T.T.R has slim-fit styling and on-trend colors that seamlessly adapt to the urban wilderness. The wind- and water-resistant, full-zip softshell moves with the body like a second skin. ottr-inc.com
Hoodie Hat Trick
$50
Made of super-soft poly/spandex, O.T.T.R. surf hoodies are lightweight essentials with triple-play benefits. They can be worn as an insulating base layer, quick-dry outer shell or cooling standalone for sun protection.
Head Warmers
$30
Extra warm, double layer O.T.T.R. Merino wool beanies are cozy, stretchy and come in 17 nature-inspired colors.
Canyon Coolers
Offering a full range of cold-preserving coolers, drinkware accessories and apparel, Flagstaff-based Canyon Coolersproduces ultra-durable chill products built to stand up to Arizona’s extreme desert conditions. canyoncoolers.com
Artsy Water Bottle
$45 for 36 oz., $40 for 18 oz.
With designs by Flagstaff artists Ashley Matelski and Duane Koyawena, these stainless-steel Artist Series insulated flasks from Canyon Coolers are rugged and pretty. The bottles are also vacuum-sealed, so they’ll keep your beverages icy all day. Available in Desert Cactus, Mountain Lupine (shown) or Hopi Pottery designs. canyoncoolers.com
PBD (Packback Designs)
Ultra-lightweight backpacking gets an Arizona-infused boost with these simplified, practical alternatives to big-box brands. Designed and manufactured in Arizona by PBD Ultralight (Packback Designs) the no-nonsense, feather weight packs, pouches and accessories double down on minimalism and sensible price points. pbd-ultralight.myshopify.com
Ultralight Backpack
$215-$240
Trim every last ounce of excess weight with the Ultralight Soolite34 series of backpacks from Arizona-based gear manufacturer PBD (Pack Back Designs). Made of durable 100-percent recycled materials, the roll-top, frameless packs weigh in at a scant 16.4 ounces, with roomy 34L capacity that holds up to 17-20 pounds comfortably. pbd-ultralight.myshopify.com
Grab and Go
$55-$60
This versatile 1-ounce ultralight tailgate pouch can be clipped to a pack, attached to a belt or worn as a shoulder bag. It’s perfect for stashing keys, cards, cash and personal items for easy, portable travel. etsy.com/listing/1294374395/pbd-tailgate-backpacking-pouch
Near Zero
Near Zero owner Scott Jensen was inspired to design quality outdoor gear by a lifetime of adventuring with his father and five brothers. The Mesa-based company designs approachable, reasonably priced packs, tents, tools, sleeping pads, quilts, hydration bladders and many gadgets for health and safety in the outdoors. nearzero.co
Uber Organized
$149- $1,004.57
No more digging around to find buried items or contorting to reach a water bottle. The DEAN backpacking system is all about lightweight efficiency. The 50L pack weighs only 3 pounds and features labeled compartments, organizational dividers and multiple peripheral pockets and access solutions – empowering even novice hikers to hit the trails with confidence. The DEAN is available as a standalone pack or bundled with five, 20 or 30 essential items.
Deluxe Digger
$19.50
Inspired by a lifetime of adventuring with his family, Mesa-based Near Zero owner Scott Jensen designs packs, tents, tools, sleeping pads, quilts, hydration bladders and various gadgets for health and safety in the outdoors – including the Near Zero titanium digging trowel. With its serrated edges, pointed tip and comfortable handle, the device is ideal for trenching around a tent or digging cat holes. It weighs less than 2 ounces and can pinch-hit as a tent stake and bottle opener. nearzero.co
Light the Way
$17.50
An emergency light source is an essential part of any hiking kit and the compact, lightweight Near Zero rechargeable motion sensor headlamp fits easily into any pack. With two brightness settings, an SOS feature and a run time of three to 15 hours, it’s great for both day hikes or multi-day excursions. Includes a mini-USB charge cable.
Bladder Care Gizmo
$19.99-$50.97
Hydration bladders and soft flasks are fantastic for carrying large amounts of water – but keeping them funk-free and dry between hikes can be a pain. The Bondry (say: “bone dry”) Hydration Bladder Dryer by Phoenix-based Fossil Outdoor, Inc. utilizes a reusable, sustainably sourced moisture transport technology that wicks away residual moisture, keeping bladders fresh and germ-free. fossiloutdoor.com
Pack Rash Balm
$6.99-$24.99
When hiking or backpacking, raw, blistering skin comes with the territory. Anti-chafing salves from Squirrel’s Nut Butter soothe and protect irritated feet, underarms, thighs and crotch with all-natural ingredients like beeswax, peppermint and coconut oil. The balm is produced in Flagstaff. squirrelsnutbutter.com
AZ Hike Guides
$19.95-$24.95
Hit the trail with PHOENIX magazine’s The Hike Book series. Volumes 1 and 2 feature trails all over Arizona, while Volume 3, City Summits, focuses on hikes in the Metro Phoenix area. More than 400 trails are profiled with trail stats, photos and detailed descriptions. cities-west-publishing.square.site
