The ZionCozy Chat

While the heart of my travels lies in wandering at my own pace and discovering hidden gems along the way, that doesn’t mean guided tours don’t have their place. Sometimes, getting off the beaten path requires more than a curious spirit and a sense of adventure. It requires a vehicle that can handle some serious off-roading, which my rental car certainly cannot!

When I chose Zion as one of our destinations, I knew I wanted to experience a side of southern Utah that most visitors don’t get to see. A Jeep tour seemed like the perfect way to do that. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans, and our original tour was canceled due to rain. Thankfully, Zion Jeep Tours was able to reschedule us for another day, and what a wonderful experience it turned out to be!

Our guide, whose ancestors were among the early settlers and explorers of southern Utah, was a wonderful storyteller and a wealth of knowledge about the region’s history and geology. We ventured across rugged terrain, exploring places we never could have reached in our rental car and discovering landscapes we otherwise would have missed.

For two and a half hours, we were treated to fascinating stories about the land, its people, and the geological forces that shaped this extraordinary corner of the American Southwest. It gave us a much deeper appreciation for the landscape and provided a solid foundation (pun intended!) for our visit to Zion Canyon later in the trip.

I’ve always believed that meandering is as much about curiosity as it is about independence. Sometimes, the best way to satisfy that curiosity is to let someone else take the wheel. This was certainly one of those times.

One of the best clothing purchases I made for this trip was, surprisingly, a waterproof jacket from Costco, of all places! I’m always on the lookout for jackets that are both waterproof and wind-resistant. With the weather becoming so predictably unpredictable, a reliable rain jacket has become a staple on every trip I take. And somehow, it almost always rains wherever I go!

This particular jacket turned out to be a fantastic find. It’s fully lined with soft velour, has a hood, zippered exterior pockets, and an interior pocket (a bonus for keeping valuables safe from pickpockets). It’s also surprisingly warm on its own. I sized up so I could comfortably layer my Patagonia Nano Puff and a merino wool base layer underneath. The combination kept me wonderfully warm and comfortable, and I loved having one versatile outer layer rather than packing a separate rain jacket.

One thing I wish I’d packed? Better cold-weather pants for Zion National Park. I actually wore fleece-lined leggings, thinking they would be warm enough, but I underestimated just how cold and damp the canyon would be. Heavy rain and flooding the day before had left a lingering damp chill, and morning temperatures, factoring in the windchill, were in the 30s. With little sunlight reaching the canyon floor, even a two-mile hike wasn’t enough to warm me up.

Ironically, I had ordered a pair of fleece-lined joggers with water-repellent fabric specifically for this trip, but they hadn’t arrived before I left. Those would have been a much better choice for the conditions. Lesson learned: when hiking in cold, damp weather, insulation alone isn’t always enough. Having an outer layer that helps block wind and moisture can make all the difference.

As for my tried-and-true travel favorites, these are a few pieces of gear that have earned their permanent place in my suitcase:

Kari Traa 100% Merino Wool Base Layers

Why should base layers always be boring black or gray? I absolutely love Kari Traa’s playful colors and beautiful designs. They’re wonderfully warm, stretchy, and move with you rather than feeling restrictive. The slim fit makes them easy to layer, and the moisture-wicking merino wool helps keep me comfortable throughout the day.

I love them so much that I own four! I always wait for a good sale before buying, and they come along on practically every trip where cold weather is in the forecast. They’re not exclusively travel gear, either. I wear them constantly at home during the winter.

Salomon Waterproof Hiking Shoes

I’ve had my Salomon hiking shoes for over five years, and they’re still as good as new. They’re incredibly lightweight, comfortable, and supportive, even on long travel days when I’m on my feet for hours. I’ve walked and stood in them all day without ending up with sore feet, which is no small feat!

What I love most is that they’re fully waterproof and have a convenient quick-lace system, so there’s no fussing with traditional shoelaces. They’re one of those purchases that have proven their worth over and over again.

Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks

I LOVE Darn Tough socks. They’re pretty much the only socks I own, and yes, I think they’re superior to Smartwool. I said what I said!

I’m particularly devoted to their cushioned socks because my feet tend to get sore easily, especially after long days of walking. The cushioning makes a noticeable difference in my comfort, and the merino wool is another bonus.

What really sets Darn Tough apart, though, is their lifetime guarantee. I’ve actually used it! When one of my pairs developed a hole, I sent it back and received a gift card to purchase a replacement. No questions asked. It’s rare to find a company that stands behind its products like that, and it’s one of the reasons I’ll continue buying their socks.

Matador Refraction Packable Backpack

Another longtime favorite is my Matador Refraction backpack. It’s lightweight, packs down small, and is incredibly useful when I need an extra daypack for sightseeing, hiking, or carrying a few essentials. I’ve gotten so much use out of it that it’s become one of those things I rarely travel without.

These are the pieces I reach for again and again, not because they’re the newest or trendiest, but because they’ve consistently performed well over years of travel. And when something works this well, I’m more than happy to recommend it to everyone I know.