REI Members Get 20% Off March 14-24, 2025

REI Membership

If you’ve been using your parents’ membership until now, no worries! You can snag your own lifetime membership for $30 at checkout and be eligible for the 20% off coupon – it pays for itself with one big purchase. It comes with a boatload of valuable extras for the outdoor enthusiast. Here’s why we love it:

• Knowledgeable & friendly staff – We always have an awesome experience with the sales and customer service staff. They’re friendly and helpful, and they really know their stuff!
• Save money – There are so many benefits to membership, but some of our favorites include access to 20% off coupons a few times a year and 10% dividend back on full-price purchases (usually distributed in March of the following year).
• Get store credit at Re/Supply – Members can trade in lightly used gear for an upgrade and get store credit in exchange. See what your old gear is worth! During this sale, you can also snag a piece of Re/Supply gear for 20% off!
• REI brand products are a great value – The REI brand typically strikes a solid balance between quality and cost. Our list below has quite a few so check ’em out.
• An excellent return policy – If you make a purchase and it doesn’t quite work out the way you were expecting, you have a full year to return or exchange items.
• REI carries some niche ultralight brands – The company is now stocking formerly cottage industry brands such as Hyperlite Mountain Gear, as well as upgrading many of their REI brand product lines to focus on fast and light gear.

BIG AGNES Copper Spur UL2 Tent – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Backpacking Tent Overall
The Copper Spur HV UL2 is one of our favorite lightweight backpacking tents. Its freestanding design is a great balance of convenience, weather protection, and livability. Its durable materials make it resilient over long distances, and the bent-pole structure gives it nearly vertical sidewalls that maximize interior space. For those needing more room, there’s the HV UL3 or Long version, with a 96-inch floor length for taller hikers.

Find more tents in our Best Backpacking Tents Guide.

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4-Person Tent – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Camping Tent Overall
The NEMO Aurora Highrise 4 stands out for its spacious interior, durable build, and easy setup, making it a great choice for couples or families. Its giant front door tucks neatly away, the smaller rear door doubles as a large vent, and the white mesh provides visibility and privacy even in the rain. While the stuff sack is a bit snug and a footprint isn’t included, the Highrise offers excellent value with its roomy design and long-lasting construction.

Find more tents in our Best Backpacking Tents Guide.

REI Wonderland 4 – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Luxury Camping Tent
The REI Wonderland 4 is a spacious, well-designed luxury tent with a tall peak height, giant doors, and plenty of storage to keep gear organized. Despite its hefty 21-pound weight, it sets up quickly, provides excellent weather protection, and holds up well in strong winds. With durable materials and smart design features, it’s a top choice for campers who prioritize comfort and convenience.

Find more tents in our Best Camping Tents Guide.

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Tent – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Semi-Freestanding Tent
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is an ultralight, semi-freestanding tent that balances weight, space, and weather protection, making it a great choice for solo hikers or ounce-conscious pairs. Its wider ridge pole provides more headroom than many ultralight tents, and a mezzanine pocket helps maximize floor space. The Tiger Wall has proven durable over thousands of miles, with only minor wear despite its lightweight materials. For those needing extra room, the Tiger Wall 3 offers additional floor space and peak height while remaining lighter than many 2P tents.

Find more tents in our Best Backpacking Tents Guide.

NEMO Disco 15 Endless Promise Down Sleeping Bag – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Extra Wide & Comfy Backpacking Sleeping Bag
The NEMO Disco 15 Endless Promise stands out for its roomy spoon shape, making it a top choice for side sleepers and a versatile option for both backpacking and car camping. While its extra space sacrifices some heat efficiency features like a pillow pocket and “Thermo Gills” for ventilation adds to its comfort. Plus, it’s part of NEMO’s Endless Promise program, designed for durability, easy repairs, and full recyclability to reduce environmental impact.

Find more sleeping bags in our Best Camping Sleeping Bags Guide.

NEMO Jazz 30 Double

Comfortable & Durable Sleeping Bag for Two
The NEMO Jazz 30 Double is a super cozy car camping sleeping bag with a roomy design, integrated bedsheet, and excellent warmth, making it one of the most comfortable options available. Thoughtful details like a full-size pillow pocket, smooth double zippers, and compatibility with the NEMO Roamer sleeping pad create a luxurious sleep system that feels like home. Though it comes at a high price and has a large packed size, its quality, durability, and comfort make it a worthwhile investment for campers who prioritize a cozy night’s sleep.

Find more sleeping bags in our Best Camping Sleeping Bags Guide.

REI Magma 15 – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Warm Sleeping Bag with Inclusive Sizing
The REI Magma 15 offers an inclusive size range and a refined fit that suits various body shapes. With a 21°F comfort rating and a highly efficient mummy design, it provides excellent warmth for cold sleepers and winter adventures. This lightweight, compressible sleeping bag is a top choice for backpackers needing reliable insulation in freezing conditions.

Find more sleeping bags in our Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags Guide.

NEMO Tensor Trail Ultralight Insulated – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Ultralight Rectangular Sleeping Pad
The NEMO Tensor Trail is impressively light for its comfort, offering a thick, quiet, and spacious sleeping surface in both rectangular and mummy shapes. It stands out for its extra cushioning, well-designed valve for quick inflation/deflation, and an excellent pump sack that makes setup a breeze. With an R-value of 2.8, it’s best suited for summer backpacking, and its ultralight build makes it a great option for thru-hikers.

Find more sleeping pads in our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads Guide.

Exped MegaMat Sleeping Pad – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Camping Mattress Overall
The Exped MegaMat is one of the most comfortable camping mattresses available, with four inches of foam and air providing excellent support on uneven ground. Its high R-value of 8.1 ensures warmth on cold nights, and the easy self-inflation system makes setup a breeze. Though it’s bulky and pricey, the MegaMat’s durability, smart storage bag, and exceptional comfort make it a worthwhile investment for campers who prioritize quality sleep.

Find more camping mattresses in our Best Camping Mattresses Guide.

NEMO Tensor All-Season – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pad Overall
The NEMO Tensor All-Season improves on an already great design with a higher R-value, added thickness, and impressively quiet materials, making it one of the best all-around sleeping pads for backpacking. It balances warmth, comfort, and low weight while offering excellent packability and a user-friendly valve system for quick inflation and easy adjustments. Compared to its main competition, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, the Tensor is warmer, more affordable, and just as convenient, making it a top choice for three-season and mild winter trips.

Find more sleeping pads in our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads Guide.

Osprey Talon 22 / Tempest 22 – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Daypack Overall
The Osprey Talon 22 and Tempest 22 are exceptionally comfortable and versatile daypacks, featuring padded straps, ventilated back panels, and an adjustable torso harness for a customizable fit. With plenty of storage options, including large hipbelt pockets and a helmet attachment clip, they’re well-suited for hiking, biking, and everyday use. While they’re a bit heavier and bulkier than minimalist options, their durability, smart design, and all-around functionality make them a worthwhile investment for those who want a reliable, do-it-all pack.

Find more packs in our Best Hiking Daypacks Guide.

REI Flash 22 – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Minimalist Daypack
The REI Flash 22 is an affordable, lightweight, and versatile daypack that’s great for everything from short hikes to fastpacking adventures. While it lacks structure and heavy padding, its smart pocket layout, removable sit pad, and easy-access water bottle holders make it a convenient choice for minimalists. At just 14 ounces, it’s one of the lightest options available, packing down small for travel while still offering enough comfort for all-day wear.

Find more packs in our Best Hiking Daypacks Guide.

REI Flash 55 – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Backpacking Backpack Overall
The REI Flash 55 is a lightweight, budget-friendly backpacking pack with a unique modular “Packmod” system that allows hikers to customize straps and pockets or remove them to save weight. It’s comfortable and well-designed, with forward-facing water bottle pockets and thoughtful storage, but it’s best suited for loads under 30 pounds. For budget-conscious backpackers who prioritize versatility and low weight, the Flash 55 is an excellent choice.

Find more packs in our Best Backpacking Backpacks Guide.

Osprey Atmos / Aura AG 65 Pack – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Backpacking Backpack for Carrying 35+ lb.
The Osprey Atmos AG 65 and Aura AG 65 are exceptionally comfortable and supportive when carrying 35-50 pounds, thanks to their comfy padding and AntiGravity suspension system. With multiple access points and plenty of storage, they’re ideal for beginners or those who prioritize comfort over weight savings. For a lighter alternative with a similar fit, the Atmos LT and Aura LT streamline features while maintaining excellent carry support.

Find more packs in our Best Backpacking Backpacks Guide.

Ultraventure 4 Trail-Running Shoes – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Balance of Weight, Support & Breathability
The Topo Ultraventure 4s are lightweight, breathable, and grippy, making them a favorite among our team for versatile hiking. They balance a natural foot shape with ample cushioning, blending the best of trail runners and hiking shoes. While the higher stack height can feel unstable on technical terrain, they’re exceptionally comfortable for long miles on well-established trails.

Find more shoes in our Best Hiking Shoes for Women and Best Hiking Shoes for Men Guides.

HOKA Speedgoat 6 – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Hiking Shoes Overall
The HOKA Speedgoat 6 is a lightweight, ultra-cushioned shoe that excels at absorbing impact and keeping feet comfortable on long hikes. Its durable CMEVA foam, woven upper, and dual-gusset tongue enhance longevity, weather resistance, and stability. While the taller stack height can feel unstable under heavy loads, the updated lugs and rockered sole provide excellent traction and efficiency on the trail.

Find more shoes in our Best Hiking Shoes for Women and Best Hiking Shoes for Men Guides.

Lowa Renegade EVO GTX – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Hiking Boots Overall – Women’s
The Lowa Renegade EVO GTX is a durable, high-quality boot designed for rugged terrain and heavy loads. Despite the steep price, its tough Nubuck leather, supportive polyurethane midsole, and Vibram outsole make it a worthwhile investment. With a comfortable fit after break-in, varied sizing options, and excellent traction, it’s a reliable choice for demanding hikes.

Find more shoes in our Best Hiking Boots for Women and Best Hiking Boots for Men Guides.

Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Hiking Boots Overall – Men’s
The Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 GTX is an exceptionally lightweight and comfortable hiking boot that requires little to no break-in time. It strikes a balance between the agility of a high-top trail runner and the stability of a mid-height boot, making it ideal for backpackers carrying up to 35 pounds. While it sacrifices some durability and support compared to heavier boots, its comfort, grip, and waterproofing make it a great choice for fast-moving hikers on well-maintained trails.

Find more shoes in our Best Hiking Boots for Women and Best Hiking Boots for Men Guides.

REI Trailmade pants – EDITOR’s PICK

Best Affordable Lightweight Hiking Pants
The REI Trailmade pants are an affordable, lightweight option for warm-weather hiking, with excellent breathability and quick-drying performance. The pants have five spacious pockets, a tapered athletic fit, and stretchy nylon construction, they provide comfort and flexibility on both short and long hikes. While they aren’t built for extreme weather or rugged terrain, they’re a great choice for hikers looking for a budget-friendly, stylish, and functional pair of pants.

Find more pants in our Best Hiking Pants for Women and Best Hiking Pants for Men Guides.

KUHL Renegade Convertible – EDITOR’s PICK

Durable Convertible Pants with Practical Shorts Mode
The KÜHL Renegade Convertible Pants are durable, feature-rich zip-offs with excellent pocket organization and adjustable ankle snaps for ventilation and debris protection. They convert smoothly into comfortable, natural-looking shorts, avoiding the bulky seams common in convertible pants. While heavier and less breathable than some competitors, they’re a top choice for shoulder-season hikes with wide temperature swings.

Find more pants in our Best Hiking Pants for Women and Best Hiking Pants for Men Guides.

Patagonia Quandary Pants – EDITOR’s PICK

Comfortable, Lightweight Hiking Pants with a Simple Pocket Design
The Patagonia Quandary pants are lightweight, functional, and comfortable for both trail miles and casual wear. With a well-designed fit, gusseted crotch for mobility, and a zippered thigh pocket, they offer practicality without bulk. Their breathable fabric, quick-drying performance, and durable water repellent (DWR) coating make them a solid choice for summer hikes and everyday adventures.

Find more pants in our Best Hiking Pants for Women and Best Hiking Pants for Men Guides.

This post is sponsored by REI, but our commitment to honest, unbiased gear reviews remains unchanged. Sponsorship does not influence the products we choose to review or how we evaluate them. All opinions expressed are our own, and we maintain full editorial independence to ensure our readers receive fair and transparent gear reviews.