REI's annual anniversary sale, running from May 15 to May 25, offers 25% discounts on over 6,000 outdoor products from elite brands. REI members also receive a 20% coupon for any full-price item. An outdoor writer shares personal recommendations for top gear, including sleeping pads, footwear, base layers, and more, to help you refresh your outdoor essentials.
With warm, sunny days filling the forecast, many of us are digging through long-neglected bins of outdoor gear … to discover the hole-ridden hiking socks, worn out boots and broken camp chairs we vowed to replace over the winter and then totally forgot. You’re just in time: REI Co-op is holding its annual anniversary sale. Running from 15 May to 25 May, the outdoor retailer’s biggest sales event of the year includes generous 25% discounts on more than 6,000 products, many from elite brands that seldom go on sale. REI members also get a 20% coupon applicable to any full-price item, which can save hundreds of dollars applied to big-ticket purchases such as bikes and kayaks. As an outdoor writer who hikes, runs, bikes and camps as often as possible, I frequently rush into my local REI to grab a last-minute item: blister-proof socks for a mountain footrace, soft water flasks for my hydration pack, extra layers for a chilly backpacking trip. Many of the anniversary-sale products are ones that I’ve personally used and have been thrilled with, from tough-as-nails footwear for long hikes, to a comfy camp chair made for cozying up with your favorite adventure partner. Get inspired by my favorites, and go discover new ones of your own – you have 11 days to stock up on some of the best gear made for getting outside. 25% off Kelty Low Loveseat Kelty Low Loveseat $112.39 $112.39 at REI Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $112.39, originally $149.95 at REI My husband and I are that couple: the ones holding hands on every walk and sitting as close together as possible at the campfire. The Kelty Low Loveseat allows us to continue disgusting everyone with our affection as we relax at camp (it’s great on our patio, too). Plenty of other attached-at-the-hip duos are fond of this seat made for two – it’s a bestseller in the Kelty line. 25% off Exped MegaMat Sleeping Pad Exped MegaMat Sleeping Pad $194.89 $194.89 at REI Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $194.89, originally $259.95 at REI When camping, your sleeping pad will make or break how much quality shut-eye you get each night. I’ve found that Exped makes great ones: easy to inflate, wide enough for wiggle room, with the perfect level of cushion between my back and the rocky ground. 25% off all Gregory Alpaca gear boxes, pods and baskets Gregory Alpaca Gear Boxes and Pods from $24.69 $52.39 at REI (gear boxes) $24.69 at REI (gear pods) Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $52.39, originally $69.95 at REI (gear boxes) Now $24.69, originally $32.95 at REI (gear pods) I use almost everything in the Gregory Alpaca line, which is specially designed to store excess stuff. The sturdy Gear Boxes keep my outdoor equipment neatly stacked in the basement, while the Gear Pods (with zips!) help maintain order in my suitcases every time I travel. 25% off all Oboz footwear Oboz Bridger Mid Boots from $164.99 $164.99 at REI $164.99 at REI Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $164.99, originally $220 at REI Now $164.99, originally $220 at REI Oboz makes the rare hiking boots that are comfy right out of the box and built for the long haul. The Bridger Mid Boots were the hikers of choice for my husband on our South Dakota backpacking trip – despite daily downpours, these waterproof boots kept his feet warm, dry and comfortable. 25% off all Buff neckwear and headbands Buff CoolNet UV Multifunctional Neckwear $18.69 $18.69 at REI Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $18.69, originally $25 at REI Shoutout to Buff’s CoolNet UV Multifunctional Neckwear for saving my neck, quite literally, from sunburn. It was indispensable during a 14-mile mountain race, when I ran long hours under the high-elevation Colorado sun. It’s amazing, and a bit counter-intuitive, how this little neck scarf keeps skin safely covered without heating me up. 25% off all Icebreaker base layers Icebreaker Icebreaker Merino Base Layers from $89.99 $89.99 at REI (women’s) $89.99 at REI (men’s) Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $89.99, originally $120 at REI (women’s) Now $89.99, originally $120 at REI (men’s) I wore the Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Long-Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top, along with the matching leggings, while snowboarding in Breckenridge, and they became an instant favorite. These base layers provided just the right amount of warmth and didn’t get stinky after a full day of playing in the snow. 25% off selected La Sportiva footwear La Sportiva Prodigio Trail Running Shoes $114.93 $114.93 at REI (women’s) Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $114.93, originally $165 at REI (women’s) Lightweight and fast, La Sportiva shoes are my go-tos for speedy training runs on trails. The Prodigios are highly supportive and stable and they offer reliable traction on roots and rocks. Aside from their excellent performance, I like the bold and sleek design that make the shoes stand out. 25% off all Smartwool socks Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Mid Crew Socks from $17.99 $17.99 at REI (women’s) $17.99 at REI (men’s) Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $17.99, originally $24 at REI (women’s) Now $17.99, originally $24 at REI (men’s) You just can’t go wrong with Smartwool socks – they’re soft yet durable, warm yet breathable, and they can (miraculously) endure long sweaty hikes without smelling like … well, feet. I love the Performance Hike Light Cushion Mid Crew Socks that feel great in any shoe during any activity. 25% off all Black Diamond clothing Black Diamond Dogma Pants from $74.19 $74.19 at REI (women’s) $74.19 at REI (men’s) Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $74.19, originally $99 at REI (women’s) Now $74.19, originally $99 at REI (men’s) Anyone who climbs, or just enjoys roughing it in nature, will appreciate Black Diamond’s rugged apparel. My favorite pieces from the brand are the Dogma Pants, which look great and are tough enough for scrambling up rocks (and the occasional tree). 25% off all Salomon Clothing Salomon Sense Aero Shorts from $56.19 $56.19 at REI (women’s) $56.19 at REI (men’s) Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $56.19, originally, $75 at REI (women’s) Now $56.19, originally, $75 at REI (men’s) Staying cool on warm-weather runs is critical and Salomon has really nailed it with their featherlight and breathable running apparel. I love their breezy T-shirts, and the Sense Aero shorts have that barely-there feel. 25% off selected Altra footwear Altra Experience Flow 2 Road Running Shoes from $109.73 $109.73 at REI (women’s) $109.73 at REI (men’s) Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $109.73, originally $140 at REI (women’s) Now $109.73, originally $140 at REI (men’s) Altra shoes are consistently kind to my feet. The wide, roomy toe box is one of their defining features, allowing toes to splay naturally. For road runs, the Experience Flow is a solid choice; for trails, I favor the grippy and durable Lone Peak 9. 25% off all Rumpl blankets Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket $74.89 $74.89 at REI Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $74.89, originally $99.95 at REI An extra blanket is a must for chilly evenings around the campfire, or more warmth in your tent when nighttime temps get colder than expected. I enjoy my Rumpl puffy blanket’s packability and beautiful design – the pop of color makes camping even more fun. 30% off all The Landmark Project T-shirts for adults The Landmark Project T-shirt $25.19 $25.19 at REI Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $25.19, originally $36 at REI A significant chunk of my closet space is devoted to T-shirts from The Landmark Project. They’re made with soft cotton and feature nostalgic outdoor graphics that quickly identify you as an outdoor enthusiast. Besides making really fun clothing, the brand partners with conservation organizations to support wildfire prevention, habitat restoration and accessibility of national parks and forests. 25% off all Petzl lighting Petzl Actik Core Headlamp $65.89 $65.89 at REI Photograph: Courtesy of REI Now $65.89, originally $87.95 at REI Petzl headlamps have lit my way on all kinds of outings, from night hikes in Costa Rica to 1am bathroom trips into the woods (when I reluctantly need to venture out of my tent). They offer a snug and comfortable fit on my head, provide a powerfully illuminating beam of light and are easy to turn on with the click of a button. Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things: The best cordless leaf blowers in the US to cut down time without bothering neighbors Travel essentials: eight items to pack for your next trip – and what to leave at home The 20 best gifts in the US for people who love the outdoors, tested in nature by our expert
