Our Travel and Outdoor Writer’s Guide to the REI Anniversary Sale
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REI Co-op’s anniversary sale runs until May 26, and if you’re thinking of goinghikingorcampingthis summer, now would be the time to invest in any necessary clothing and gear. Items across a range of outdoor brands are up to 30 percent off, with REI’s own in-house line seeing the biggest discounts.
Below, I’ve found the best deals on lots of gorpy stuff that we’ve been testing and recommending for years, includingKeen hiking shoes, Altra trail runners,Hydro Flaskwater bottles, and Kelty camping chairs. It’s also worth noting that for the duration of the sale, REI Co-op members can take 20 percent off one full-price, non-sale item. So in the final section, I’ve highlighted a few big-ticket purchases thataren’tdiscounted for the general public but would certainly be worth flexing your membership benefits for. (Co-op membership costs $30 and lasts a lifetime.)
Updated on May 26, 2025
We checked prices and stock, and added a few new pick to replace a sold-out item.
Clothing and shoes
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Everything Smartwool is 25 percent off, including ourfavorite base-layer top.
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And here are the matching bottoms, for getting cozy at camp.
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If you’re wondering what I’ll be buying from the sale, it’s likely this fleece jacket for a trip I’ve got booked for the Peruvian Andes later this year.
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These convertible pants from REI’s reputable in-house brand are half-off. So you’re getting shorts and pants for the price of shorts.
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These crew socks are very solid dupes for our favoriteDarn Toughs. They’re made from merino wool, which is naturally moisture-wicking and ideal for both summer and winter hiking.
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Keen’s footwear might be trendy on the streets of New York City right now, but on the trail, its boots havealwaysbeen cool. Many, manyhikersI’ve interviewed over the years have recommended its sturdy Targhees, which are 25 percent off right now.
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I find Altra’s Lone Peaks to be unusually lightweight and bouncy, with much moretraction and toe protectionthan you’d get with a normal pair of running shoes.
Gear and accessories
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I’m always charmed by REI’s slightly retro Nalgene designs.
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Hydro Flask’s insulated vessels are also on sale. Lightweight yet durable, these are ourfavorite water bottlesfor a reason.
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This 11-ounce, two-in-one hammer and bottle opener would make a greatgift for an outdoorsy type.
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REI’s Helinoxcamping chairdupe packs up nice and small, and the slouching design is plenty comfortable.
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Kelty’s two-personcamping chairis Strategist associate editor Jeremy Rellosa’s go-to. “It feels lounge-y,” he explains.
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Jimmy the Hiking Nerdtold me that he has been using his Z-Seat for years — and not just for keeping his hiking pants clean: “Out in the backcountry, this Z-Seat has been my makeshift pillow, a windscreen for my stove, a fan to get the campfire going, and a barrier against the snow.”
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A cute little pack that’d make an excellentpersonal item for flying.
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Thule’spacking cubesare honestly remarkable in what they can achieve, squashing the air out of your T-shirts and allowing you to bring a zillion outfit options on your photography-heavy trip to Japan.
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A separate GPS rescue device “is a go-to standard these days for people in the backcountry,” Scott Wilkinson, communications director at thePacific Crest Trail Association,told me. The most advanced of these devices, like the Garmin inReach, can pair with a cell phone and send a text message even if it doesn’t have service.
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All Big Agnes tents are 25 percent off, including this two-person backpacking shelter in the brand’s signature cheerful orange.
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The above sleeping bag is ideal for summer, but this one’sour pick for all four seasons.
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At full price, this car-camping sleep system would be a luxury. Why not just bring a duvet from home? But at 50 percent off, I’m compelled.
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Once you go MegaMat, you never go back. Guests have told me that this inflatable mattress is more comfortable than their beds back home, and it feels particularly luxurious to use one in a tent.
Kids’ gear
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REI’s affordable Co-op REV range comes recommended by Natalie Martins, the owner of the kids’-bike review siteTwo Wheeling Tots. “In addition to being the lightest budget bike we know of,” she says, “the REV is backed by REI’s amazing return policy, making it a no-brainer.”
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And this very sweet little sleeping bag is now under $50.
Members-only deals
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Co-op members can save 20 percent on one full-price item for the duration of REI’s anniversary sale, which would bring the price of our favorite carry-on travel backpackdown to $180.
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Now would also be a good time to buy your next pair ofMerrells.
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Did you know that they sell Danskos at REI? I didn’t until just now, but they’re certainly a worthwhile use of your 20 percent discount.
More Memorial Day Sales
- Lots of Summery Alex Mill Things Are 50 Percent Off
- Lots of Apple Products Are on Sale for Memorial Day
- The Best Memorial Day Furniture Sales
- The 36 Best Under-$50 Memorial Day Deals
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
