I’m an Outdoor Expert at Wirecutter. Here Are the Best Deals We’ve Found From REI’s Big Sale.
By Christine Ryan and Kaitlin Mahar
I’m Christine Ryan, Wirecutter’s outdoor-gear editor. I know that the best time to get great deals on good equipment tends to be late in any given season. Want new ski boots or gloves? Don’t start shopping till March!
That’s what makes REI’s annual Anniversary Sale a pleasant anomaly: It comes at the start of the summer, not at the end. Through the end of the day today, REI’s Anniversary Sale offers some deep discounts—for members and non-members—on equipment, clothing, footwear, accessories, and more.
It can pay to have an REI Co-op membership, though. Beyond nabbing the typical discounts from the retailer’s self-described biggest sale of the year, members can save an extra 20% on a full-price or REI Outlet item with the single-use code ANNIV24. (Note: The code will apply to one regular and one outlet item if they’re in your cart at the same time.) Members also get a year to return gear they don’t want, whereas non-members have just 90 days.
Some of the items in REI’s sale are off-season deals, meant for winter play—down jackets and base layers, for example. Yet I also see plenty of our warm-weather picks that would serve you well in the next couple of months: Tents, for instance, and hiking boots. Headlamps and camping stoves. Sleeping bags and sleeping pads. (Trust me, you do not want the first without the second!)
Now, I’ll step aside and let Kaitlin Mahar of the Wirecutter Deals team tell you more about what’s on sale.
Hiking boot deals
Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boots
Ideal for carrying a heavy pack during cold-weather hikes, these boots provide good ankle support and traction, even when trekking over loose, rocky terrain. The lacing system locks your heels in place, and the tongue comes up high enough to prevent dirt from getting in your shoe.
Buying Options
These boots aren’t as well ventilated as our picks, but they offer excellent traction—even over loose rocks—and good ankle support if you’re carrying a heavy pack. The lacing system locks heels in place, and the tongue reaches high enough to keep debris from spilling into your shoe.
Buying Options
Other things to know: An all-leather upper and insulated insoles make these boots too hot for hiking in warmer temperatures. Multiple testers reported these boots were stiff out of the box and required a lot of breaking in.
Read more: The Best Hiking Boots
Danner Trail 2650 Hiking Shoe
A low profile and mesh exterior make these lightweight hiking shoes ideal for shorter day trips, when you don’t need full-on boots that lace up to the ankle. The toe box isn’t overly narrow or restrictive, and there’s zero break-in time, so you can jump feet-first into warm-weather adventures.
Buying Options
Ships free for Danner members (free to join)
Great for situations when you don't need full-on hiking boots that lace up to your ankle, these hiking shoes have a wide, roomy toe box, and no break-in time is needed. With a low-top style and mesh exterior, they’re ideal for warmer weather.
Other things to know: Low-top style is ideal for shorter day hikes and situations when you don’t need full-on hiking boots that lace up to your ankle. Available in multiple colors and sizes.
Read more: The Best Gear to Bring to a National Park
Clothing deals
Outdoor Research Swift Training Cap
This running cap offers more than a comfortable, secure fit and a sleek silhouette. Our fitness experts swear by the protective, cooling design of this hat: It has a ventilating mesh liner, UPF 50 fabric along the crown, and a brim that provides solid coverage from the sun.
Buying Options
Other things to know: Made to fit heads 21.5 to 24 inches in circumference. Available in three color options. Opt for store pickup or use REI membership to avoid shipping fees.
REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Crew Top
Made from a blend of polyester and spandex, this synthetic long-sleeve thermal underwear top is a great option for those who prefer to avoid merino wool. Whether you layer it or wear it on its own, this shirt is soft and fitted, without being too tight for all-day wear.
Buying Options
REI Co-op Midweight Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top - Men’s
Our budget pick for the best thermal underwear top
For those who prefer to avoid merino wool, this synthetic long-sleeve thermal underwear top is soft enough to wear all day. It’s fitted without being too tight, and you can layer it or wear it on its own.
Buying Options
Other things to know: A good choice if you aren’t ready to invest in wool thermal underwear, though you may need to wash it more often. Free shipping for REI members. Non-members can opt for store pickup or get free shipping on combined orders over $60.
Read more: The Best Thermal Underwear
REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Bottoms
REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Tights - Women’s
The matching bottoms for our thermal underwear budget pick
These stretchy, ultra-comfortable leggings are made from a blend of polyester and spandex, so they’re form-fitting without feeling overly tight. They’re substantial enough to be styled on their own, but you can also layer them under your clothes for extra warmth on chilly days and nights.
Buying Options
REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Bottoms - Men’s
The matching bottoms for our thermal underwear budget pick
Stretchy, form-fitting, and extremely comfortable, these base-layer bottoms deftly transition between outdoors and indoor activities. They also have a fly, which is something even pricier leggings often don’t have.
Buying Options
Other things to know: No longer a formal pick, but we did test and do recommend these bottoms. None of our testers had anything bad to say about this option, but we think merino base layers are a better investment. Opt for store pickup or use REI membership to avoid shipping fees.
Read more: The Best Thermal Underwear
Tent deals
Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 Tent
Durable, lightweight, and spacious, this tent offers ample protection against the elements for three seasons of multipurpose camping. It has a full mesh dome that allows for a closer connection to nature, though we recommend sleeping with the adaptable fly secured.
Other things to know: Easily fits two people at 42.5 square feet. Comes with only six ground stakes.
Read more: The Best Camping Tents
Coleman Cascade 222 2-Burner Camping Stove
We recommend this camping stove for its greater precision control over cooking temperatures. It boils water a bit faster than our top pick and has a handle, so it’s easier to carry.
Other things to know: Heavier and more expensive than our top pick. Has a piezo electric ignition, which tends to break over time. Three-year limited warranty.
Read more: The Best Camping Stove
Sleeping bag deals
Nemo Disco 30 Sleeping Bag
Ideal for side-sleeper backpackers, this sleeping bag’s zippered “thermo gills” provide ample ventilation for those who tend to sleep hot. It was a solid performer during our tests, and we particularly liked the giant draft collar and stretchy hood cinch cord.
Buying Options
In our testing, we liked the giant draft collar and stretchy hood cinch cord of this sleeping bag. Its zippered “thermo gills” offer plenty of ventilation for side-sleepers who get warm easily.
Buying Options
May be out of stock
Other things to know: We couldn’t lie comfortably in a fetal position, and the exterior zippered pocket barely fits a phone. Available in regular and long lengths.
Read more: The Best Sleeping Bags
Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Sleeping Pad (Medium)
A wilderness luxury, this astonishingly comfortable couple-sized sleeping pad accommodates side-sleepers’ hips and shoulders while providing good lower-back support for stomach- and back-sleepers. It’s the largest and warmest option we tested, and it also self-inflates.
Other things to know: Somewhat cumbersome to pack, inflate, and carry. 3.9 inches thick. Weighs about 7.5 pounds. Deal price is for the medium double size.
Exped MegaMat 10 Sleeping Pad (Regular Wide)
Ideal for three-season camping, this sleeping pad is self-inflating, durable, and well insulated. It provides optimal cushioning and warmth while you sleep, and it can also be used as an exercise mat, if you need to stretch during the day.
Buying Options
Other things to know: 4 inches thick. Comes with a carrying pack. Deal is for the regular wide size.
REI Co-op Kindercone 25 Kids Sleeping Bag
Our kid testers loved this sleeping bag the most—and the adults did, too. It has a recycled polyester shell and lining to insulate against the cold, and it’s coated with a durable water repellent. An added bonus is the handy cinch feature, which customizes the sleeping area based on your child's size.
Buying Options
Other things to know: Bulky when packed, making it better suited to car-camping and sleepovers than backpacking. Stuff sack is permanently attached to the foot of the bag, making it easy to pack and keep track of. Available in limited colors.
Read more: The Best Kids Sleeping Bags
REI Co-op Kindercamp 40 Kids Sleeping Bag
This rugged rectangular sleeping bag has a polyester construction that’s similar to that of our top pick. But it lies flat when unzipped, so it can double as a comforter at camp or at home.
Buying Options
Other things to know: Temperature rating of just 40˚F, not as warm as our top Kindercone 25 pick. Roomier than a mummy-shaped sleeping bag.
Read more: The Best Kids Sleeping Bags
Travel deals
REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set
Don’t break a sweat cramming that last T-shirt into your bag. These lightweight ripstop-nylon cubes held the most of any set we tested, while taking up the least amount of space when fully compressed. They have two zippers for you to adjust their size, so you may even have extra room for souvenirs.
Buying Options
Other things to know: Compression zippers can be finicky. Set includes three cubes—small, medium, and large. Opt for store pickup or add to an order of $60 or more to avoid shipping fees. REI members get free shipping.
Read more: The Best Packing Cubes
Outdoor and camping-gear deals
Black Diamond Spot 400
Whether used indoors or outdoors, this reliable headlamp is bright enough to light the way in most situations. On top of its easy-to-navigate buttons and a long-lasting battery life, it also features a bright beam, with the option of two beam shapes and two colors.
Other things to know: You’ll have to experiment with clicking through the various modes, but the learning curve is fairly quick. REI members get free shipping. Otherwise, opt for store pickup to avoid shipping charges. Available in multiple colors.
Read more: The Best Headlamp
Black Diamond Astro 300
This inexpensive yet reliable headlamp is just as bright as our top pick—but it’s half the price (and it weighs less). With a 10-hour battery life when used on high, this lamp is a solid choice for tinkering around a campsite or your house.
Other things to know: Not quite as comfortable to wear and lacks some useful features. No battery light indicator or red light. REI members get free shipping, but others can opt for store pickup.
Read more: The Best Headlamp
Osprey Poco Baby Carrier
Hit the trail with your tot—and the roomiest seat of any hiking carrier we tested. This carrier is a great choice for anyone with a kid who likes to take frequent trail breaks to explore. Plus, you’ll appreciate how the attached sunshade folds into its own pocket so it doesn’t get lost.
Other things to know: We wish it had more padding on the hip belt. New low price. Choose black or blue. From REI, opt for store pickup to avoid $30 oversize shipping fee. Other retailers offer free shipping.
Read more: The Best Hiking Baby Carriers
Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker Kit
Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker Kit
The best first aid kit for hiking and the outdoors
This compact first aid kit is well-stocked with clearly labeled pockets and high-quality supplies. Great for weekend campers and hikers, it offers a wide range of items to address common first aid needs.
Other things to know: Unique organizational system is odd but makes finding items easier than with any other kit we tested. Opt for store pickup to avoid shipping fees or add to order over $60. REI members get free shipping.
Pet deals
Ruffwear Front Range Harness
This dog harness proved to be sturdy, lightweight, and comfortable, and it didn’t twist or slip around on our canine testers’ bodies. Its head-in design includes several built-in safety details, like reflective stripes and an ID pocket.
Other things to know: Fits most dogs with chests ranging from 13 to 42 inches, but it might be too bulky for some smaller dogs. Six colors. Select store pickup or use REI membership to avoid shipping fees.
Read more: The Best Dog Harness
Editor’s note: The photo at the top of this article may reflect previous deals that are no longer valid and have been removed. Check out our Deals page for more great discounts on Wirecutter’s expert-approved picks.
This article was edited by Janie Campbell and Nathan Burrow.
Meet your guides
Christine Ryan is a senior editor at Wirecutter overseeing the teams that cover travel, outdoors gear, beds and linens, home decor, and more. (She also edits and writes about cycling equipment, which gives her an excuse to sneak away from her desk and go for a ride.) Previously, she was an editor at European Travel & Life, Gourmet, and Sunset.
Kaitlin Mahar is a staff writer for Wirecutter’s Deals team. Her byline has appeared in Delish, Esquire, and Town & Country. When she’s not hunting for deals and fiercely defending the Oxford comma, she’s a proud cat parent, an avid yogi, and a co-producer and co-host of the podcast Crime Culture. Please tell your pets and grandparents she says hi.