REI Anniversary Sale 2026: Best Outdoor Gear Deals

The REI Anniversary Sale 2026 runs May 15–25, and it’s the biggest outdoor gear sale of the year. If you’ve been sitting on a gear upgrade, waiting for a new tent, or are finally ready to invest in that piece of kit you’ve been researching for months, this is the week to pull the trigger. I’ve gone through the full sale and organized the best deals by category, with notes on who each piece is for and whether it’s actually worth buying.

One thing to do before you shop: REI members get 20% off one full-price item and 20% off one REI Outlet item via coupon during the sale. Save that coupon for your most expensive purchase; it stacks serious savings on already-discounted gear. Not a member yet? The $30 lifetime fee pays for itself almost immediately, and you get 10% back on eligible purchases year-round.

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REI Anniversary Sale 2026: Car Camping & Overlanding Deals

Car camping and overlanding gear tends to be bulky and expensive, which makes the sale season the smartest time to buy. You’re not obsessing over weight here; you’re after comfort, durability, and features that make basecamp feel like home. This year’s deals cover everything from the kitchen to the campsite.

Best Deals on Camp Kitchen Gear

• 25% off Coleman stoves and grills: Coleman is the workhorse brand for car camping cooking. Reliable, widely available, and easy to use. A solid buy for anyone just getting into camp cooking or replacing aging gear.
• 25% off Hydro Flask drinkware, kitchenware, and accessories: Hydro Flask keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. If you don’t already own one, the Anniversary Sale is consistently one of the only times these go on sale.
• 25% off OXO cookware, kitchenware & accessories: OXO makes some of the best camp kitchen organization tools around. Great for overlanders who want a clean, functional setup.

Best Deals on Coolers & Hydration

• 20% off Dometic coolers: Dometic makes premium electric and passive coolers built for overlanding and van life. These don’t go on sale often, so 20% off is worth paying attention to.
• 20% off the Dometic Rechargeable Faucet & Go Hydration Jug: a genuinely useful piece of kit for van life and overlanding setups where you want running water without a plumbing system. Fill it up, pressurize it, and you’ve got a portable faucet for handwashing, cooking, and rinsing gear.

Best Deals on Car Camping Tents

• 25% off 4–6 person tents, including the REI Westward 6, Kelty Daydreamer 4P, and NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P: all roomy, well-built base camp tents designed for groups and families.

Best Deals on Car Camping Sleep Pads

25% off the Exped MegaMat sleeping pad

The Exped MegaMat is one of the best car camping and overlanding sleeping pads on the market, and is now available at 25% off. This is a self-inflating foam pad with a 4-inch (10cm) thickness. It feels closer to a mattress than a sleeping pad, which is exactly the point. If you’re sleeping in a truck bed, a rooftop tent, or a large base camp tent and you’ve been tolerating a thin foam pad or a cheap air mattress, the MegaMat is the upgrade you didn’t know you needed. It comes in several versions to fit your setup:

• MegaMat for solo sleepers (available in 2 sizes)
• MegaMat Duo for couples (available in 3 sizes)
• MegaMat Max in Long X-Wide for bigger sleepers (77.5 x 30.5 x 6 inches)
• MegaMat Max Duo in Long Wide Double for two people who don’t want to compromise on space (77.6 x 52 x 6 inches)
• MegaMat Auto is designed specifically for car sleeping setups and fits many midsize trucks, compact SUVs, wagons, and Tesla models. (77.6 x 52/41 (head/foot) x 4 inches)

Best Deals on Camp Chairs & Hammocks

• 25% off the REI Westward Padded Folding Chair: a comfortable, well-padded chair built for long evenings at camp. Great all-rounder.
• 25% off the Kelty Low Loveseat: a two-person camp chair that’s genuinely fun to own. Great for couples or anyone who wants to share a seat around the fire.
• 25% off the NEMO Stargaze Evo-X: NEMO’s reclining camp chair is one of the most comfortable chairs you’ll sit in outdoors. The reclining feature is not a gimmick.
• 25% off all ENO hammocks, accessories, and furniture: ENO makes the most popular entry-level hammocks on the market. If you’ve been thinking about getting into hammocking, this is a good time to start.

REI Anniversary Sale 2026: Backpacking Gear Deals

The REI Anniversary Sale is the best time of the year to stock up on your backpacking gear and not have to wait months before you can use it. You’ll find 25% off across tents, sleep systems, stoves, and packs from the brands that matter most: NEMO, Big Agnes, Osprey, Therm-a-Rest, and more. Whether you’re building a first kit or dialing in a specific piece, there’s genuinely good value here.

Best Deals on Backpacking Tents

• 25% off REI Half Dome tent & footprint: a spacious tent for backpackers who prioritize livability over weight.
• 25% off NEMO Dagger OSMO 2P: one of NEMO’s most popular tents. Excellent livability for two people, with NEMO’s OSMO fabric that handles condensation better than standard nylon.
• 25% off Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2: The Copper Spur UL2 is one of the most respected backpacking tents ever made. It weighs around 1kg (2lb 3oz), pitches fast with color-coded clips, and gives you surprisingly livable space for two people: two doors, two vestibules, and enough headroom to sit up and change without contorting yourself. The Copper Spur hits the sweet spot between ultralight performance and real-world durability, which is why it consistently shows up on best backpacking tent lists year after year. If you’ve been on the fence about this tent, the Anniversary Sale is the time to buy it.
• 25% off NEMO Hornet OSMO Ultralight 2P: for the weight-conscious backpacker. One of the lightest two-person tents in its class.
• 25% off The North Face Stormbreak 2: a budget-friendly, durable option for backpackers who don’t need ultralight specs.
• 25% off REI Flash tents & footprints: one of the best entry-level ultralight tents on the market. If you’re putting together your first lightweight backpacking kit, the Flash is a great place to start

Best Deals on Backpacking Packs

• 25% off the REI Flash 55: a lightweight, affordable 55L pack that’s hard to beat at this price point for beginners.
• 25% off the Osprey Eja 58: one of the best women’s-specific backpacking packs available, and at 25% off, it’s worth serious consideration if you’ve been shopping for a backpack. What sets the Eja apart is its Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt, which lets you adjust the fit on trail without removing your pack, a genuinely useful feature on longer trips when your body fatigues and shifts. The 58L capacity is perfect for 3–5 day trips, and Osprey’s build quality means this pack will outlast most of what’s in your kit. If you’re currently hiking with a pack that doesn’t fit well, this is the upgrade that will change your experience on trail the most.

Best Deals on Backpacking Sleep Systems

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your sleep system or get one for the first time, the anniversary sale brings 25% off across every major sleep brand:

• Big Agnes sleeping bags, pads & quilts
• NEMO sleeping bags, pads & pillows
• All REI brand sleeping bags & pads
• Therm-a-Rest sleeping bags, pads & quilts

For me, the standout is the NEMO Tensor All-Season Insulated sleeping pad. If you backpack in three seasons or cold conditions, an insulated pad is one of the most important pieces of gear you can carry. more so than your sleeping bag in many cases, because you lose more heat through the ground than through the air. The Tensor Insulated All-Season has an R-value of 5.4, making it genuinely warm enough for shoulder season and winter use. It’s also one of the quietest inflatable pads on the market, a detail that matters more than you’d think when you’re trying to sleep. Read my review and comparison of Nemo Tensor sleeping pads here.

Best Deals on Backpacking Stoves

Jetboil stoves are 25% off during the REI Anniversary Sale. Jetboil’s integrated canister system is the fastest, most foolproof way to boil water on trail: no separate pot, no fiddling with a lighter, just click and cook. Here are three worth looking at:

• MicroMo (12 oz): a full integrated cooking system with precise simmer control, which makes it the pick for backpackers who actually want to cook real meals on trail, not just boil water.
• MightyMo (3.3 oz): the ultralight option. Just a burner head that screws onto a canister, no integrated cup. Best for weight-conscious backpackers who already have a pot they love.
• Stash (7.1 oz): a minimalist integrated system that packs incredibly small. A good middle ground between the bare-bones MightyMo and a full cooking system.

Best Deals on Backpacking Chairs

• 25% off the REI Flexlite Chair at 25% off: I’ve owned this chair fro a few years now, and I recommend most often to backpackers who are on the fence about carrying one. It weighs around just 1 pound, packs down small, and is comfortable enough to actually want to use at camp. The Flexlite hits the right balance of weight, packability, and comfort for most three-season backpackers. (Read my REI Flexlite Chair review)
• 25% off Helinox Chair Zero LT(1 lb 1.4 oz): slightly heavier than the Flexlite but arguably more stable on uneven ground. Worth comparing both if you’re deciding between them, and that’s exactly what I did in my review below!

Bear Canisters & Safety

The BearVault BV475 at 20% off is one of the most user-friendly bear canisters on the market. THe BV475 is easy for humans to open, with a simple screw-on lid that snaps shut in 2 clicks and doesn’t need overtightening or any tools to operate, which sounds minor until you’re fumbling with it at 6am in the dark. At 9.3 liters (565 cubic inches) it holds 5–6 days of food and fits sideways into most packs, making it a solid choice for longer trips and group adventures. The clear polycarbonate sides let you see exactly what’s inside without digging around, and the wide opening means you can actually reach everything in it. It’s also been tested and certified bear-resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC), meaning it’s approved for use in most parks and wilderness areas that require a bear canister, including Yosemite, the High Sierra, and parts of the Adirondacks. Bonus: it doubles as a camp stool. Made in the USA, weighs 2 lbs 4 oz.

Best Deals on Backpacking Headlamps

25% off Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp: a reliable, versatile headlamp that works equally well on trail and at camp.

Best Deals on Satellite Communicators

If you spend time in the backcountry, a satellite communicator is the single most important safety tool you can carry — full stop. The good news is that the entire Garmin inReach lineup is on sale right now. Here’s the breakdown:

• inReach Messenger: 33% off, down to $199.99. The most affordable entry point into two-way satellite messaging.
• inReach Mini 2: 28% off, down to $249.99. The most popular model in the lineup is compact, lightweight, and proven on trail.
• inReach Messenger Plus: 25% off, down to $299.99. Adds more features over the standard Messenger.
• inReach Mini 3: 11% off, down to $399.99. Garmin’s latest compact model.
• inReach Mini 3 Plus: 10% off, down to $449.99. The most feature-rich option in the lineup.

The best value right now is the inReach Mini 2: it’s the sweet spot between price, size, and proven reliability. (Read my Garmin inReach review and comparison here)

Hiking Gear & Apparel Deals During REI Anniversary Sale 2026

Good trail apparel makes a bigger difference than most people expect, and the REI Anniversary Sale covers all the major categories: footwear, sun protection, base layers, outerwear, and accessories. Whether you’re refreshing your entire kit or just filling a gap, there’s a lot worth buying this week.

Best Deals on Hiking Footwear

25% off KEEN, Merrell, La Sportiva, Altra, Topo, and more hiking boots: one of the broadest footwear discounts of the year, covering most of the major hiking and trail running brands in one shot. If you’ve been eyeing a specific boot or trail runner, check the sale page before buying anywhere else.

• KEEN: great option for hikers who want durability and ankle support. I wore the KEEN Ridge Flex Mid Waterproof for years before switching to trail runners and loved every mile in them.
• Merrell: I reach for Merrell hiking sandals every summer, both on trail and around camp. Comfortable, reliable, and a great warm-weather pick.
• Oboz: I wore the Oboz Sawtooth Low for years and loved how they fit. A solid choice for hikers who want a low-cut shoe with a natural feel.
• Altra: I’ve owned the last four versions of the Altra Lone Peak and love them all. If you’re curious whether Altra is right for your foot, read all my Altra Lone Peak reviews here
• Topo: Topo are a great Altra alternative if Altra aren’t right for your foot.

Best Deals on Hiking Clothing & Apparel

The Sahara Shade Hoodie at 25% off is one of the best sun hoodies available for hiking, paddling or any other activities where you’re going to spend time outdoors in the sun. UPF 50+ protection, lightweight, and breathable enough to wear comfortably in high temps, it’s the kind of piece that becomes a non-negotiable part of your kit once you’ve hiked in one. If you spend time on exposed ridgelines, desert trails, or anywhere the sun is relentless, a sun hoodie protects you better and more comfortably than sunscreen alone. (Read more about my Sahara Shade Hoodie review)

• 25% off select Mountain Hardwear clothing: a wide selection on sale including jackets, shirts, pants, fleece, rain gear, sweaters, shorts, and more
• 25% off all Beyond Yoga clothing for women: bottoms, tops, shirts, pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, underwear, jackets, and sweaters.
• 25% off REI brand pants & shorts: I practically live in my REI Sahara Convertible pants on and off trail. My favorite part is that they come in tall sizes, so the legs are nice and long! If you haven’t tried REI’s own clothing line, this is a great time to start.
• 25% off Outdoor Research pants & shorts: Outdoor Research makes some of the best technical clothing in the game. I’ve owned their fleece sweaters in every color and can personally vouch for the quality.
• 25% off REI brand outerwear: a good time to pick up a rain jacket or insulated layer before your next trip.
• 25% off Outdoor Research outerwear: if their fleece is anything to go by, their outerwear is worth every penny.

Best Deals on Base Layers

25% off Smartwool merino base layers: The Smartwool Merino 250 Classic Thermal base layer is the one I’d start with: warm enough for cold mornings, breathable enough to wear while moving, and doubles as camp pajamas on backpacking trips so you’re not carrying separate sleep clothes. At 25% off, it’s one of the best value purchases in the entire sale. (Read my Smartwool base layer reviews here)

Best Deals on Socks

• 25% off Smartwool socks: merino wool hiking socks that regulate temperature, resist odor, and outlast synthetic alternatives. Grab multiple pairs while they’re discounted. Pro tip: buy 3 or more full-price socks and save an extra 10% in your cart.
• 25% off REI socks: a more affordable entry point into quality hiking socks. Same deal applies: buy 3 or more full-price pairs and save an extra 10% at checkout.

Best Deals on Hiking Accessories

• 25% off Cotopaxi Hats and Headwear: bucket hats, 5-panel hats, trucker hats, beanies and more
• 25% off Buff Beckwear and Headbands: A buff is such a great versatile piece of gear! sun protection, sweat rag, neck gaiter, hair tie, eye mask, a Buff does all of it in a 30g tube of fabric.
• 25% off REI Traverse trekking poles: a solid, affordable entry point if you want poles without spending premium prices

The Black Diamond Distance Z trekking poles at 25% off are the poles I reach for on every fast-and-light trip. They use a Z-pole folding design, collapsing into three sections that pack flat against your bag, making them far more packable than twist-lock or flick-lock poles. Depending on the size, they weigh between 9 oz (255g) and 10.4 oz (295g) per pair, light enough to justify carrying on trips where you might not have wanted poles before. The tradeoff is that Z-poles aren’t adjustable in length, so sizing matters: make sure you order the right size for your height. (Read my Black Diamond Distance Z trekking poles review here)

Best Deals on Hiking & Trail Running Packs

• 25% off Osprey Talon and Tempest backpacks, and there are more sizes and models on sale beyond just these two. The Talon Velocity 20 (men’s) and Tempest Velocity 20 (women’s) are both standouts: lightweight, reservoir-compatible day packs built for fast hiking and trail running. If you’ve been looking for a pack that keeps up with you on the trail without weighing you down, this is a great time to grab one. Check the full sale page for all available Talon and Tempest sizes and styles.
• 25% off Gregory’s Zulu and Jade packs: The Zulu 24 LT and Jade 24 LT are well-built day hiking packs. Gregory is known for its fit and suspension systems, and the Zulu and Jade are no exception. Like the Osprey Talon and Tempest, there are more sizes and models on sale beyond these two so check the full sale page for the complete lineup.

Best Deals on GPS & Hiking Watches

• $250 off Garmin Fenix 8 smartwatches: The Fenix 8 is Garmin’s flagship outdoor smartwatch: GPS, heart rate monitoring, topographic maps, satellite messaging compatibility, and battery life that outlasts most multi-day trips. If you’ve been eyeing a Fenix 8, this is the discount to act on.

Paddleboarding & Other Watersports Deals

• 15% off all BOTE paddleboards, inflatable kayaks & accessories
• 15% off BOTE inflatable belt PFD: This inflatable belt PFD is great because it’s so slim and lightweight, and literally could save your life. No reason not to wear it.
• 25% off Sea to Summit dry bags: These are great for kayaking and paddling, but also to keep your gear dry when backpacking and hiking!
• 25% off Ruffwear dog life jacket: don’t forget the pup

Road Trip & Transportation Deals

• 20% off all Yakima racks, roof boxes & rack accessories: whether you’re hauling bikes to a trailhead or packing out a full car camping setup for four, this is a great time to invest in a roof system

Not an REI Member? Here Are Your Options

If you don’t have a membership, you can still get these deals. You have two main paths to save, but one has a very strict deadline:

Option 1: Become an REI Member & Get a $30 Bonus Card (Ends Tonight!)

If you plan on shopping at REI even once or twice a year, the membership pays for itself immediately.

• Join once for just $30. Adventure for life. Buy a membership and get an annual 10% back on all eligible purchases. Plus, you get lifetime benefits like access to the REI Re/Supply shop and free shipping with no renewal fees.
• Want a $30 bonus card? Thru May 14, 2026 (Tonight!), make an eligible $50 purchase at REI and buy a $30 membership in the same order.
• The Reward: Check your email for a $30 bonus card to use on your next purchase. It expires 30 days after it’s issued, so it’s perfect for grabbing extra gear during the rest of the Anniversary Sale.

Option 2: Other Buying Options (No Membership Required)

If you don’t want to join the Co-op or REI is already sold out of your size, you can find the third-party gear mentioned in this post at the following retailers. Most are running parallel Memorial Day sales and price-matching discounts:

Category	Product(s) Mentioned	Where Else to Buy
Car Camping	Coleman Stoves & Grills	Amazon, Backcountry
	Hydro Flask Drinkware & Kitchen	Hydro Flask, Amazon, Backcountry
	OXO Kitchenware & Tools	Amazon
	Dometic Coolers, Faucets & Jugs	Backcountry, Amazon
	Exped MegaMat (All Sizes)	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver
	Kelty Low Loveseat	Backcountry, Amazon
	Kelty Daydreamer Tent	Backcountry, Amazon
	NEMO Aurora Tent	Amazon,
	NEMO Stargaze Chair	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver
	ENO Hammocks & Accessories	Amazon
	Yakima Racks & Roof Boxes	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver
Backpacking	NEMO Tents (Dagger, Hornet)	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver
	NEMO Tensor All-Season Pad	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver, Feathered Friends
	Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver
	Osprey Packs (Eja, Talon, Tempest)	Amazon, Osprey, Backcountry
	Therm-a-Rest Bags & Pads	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver
	Jetboil Stoves (MicroMo, Stash)	Backcountry, Amazon, Dicks Sporting Goods
	Helinox Chair Zero LT	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver, Dick’s Sporting Goods
	BearVault BV475 Canister	Backcountry, Amazon
	Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp	Backcountry, Amazon, Campsaver, Dicks Sporting Goods
	Garmin Fenix 8	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver
	Garmin inReach Mini 2	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver
Apparel	Altra Lone Peak	Altra, Amazon, Zappos, Backcountry
	Merrell Boots & Sandals	Merrell, Zappos, Backcountry
	KEEN Hiking Boots	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver
	La Sportiva Footwear	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver
	Topo Athletic Trail Runners	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver, Zappos
	Oboz Hiking Footwear	Amazon, Zappos, Backcountry, Campsaver
	Mountain Hardwear Clothing	Amazon, Backcountry, Campsaver, Zappos
	Patagonia Gear	Patagonia
	Smartwool Base Layers & Socks	Backcountry, Amazon, Campsaver
Water/Misc	BOTE Boards, Kayaks & PFDs	Backcountry
	Sea to Summit Dry Bags	Backcountry, Amazon
	Ruffwear Dog Life Jackets	Backcountry, Amazon

Final Thoughts on REI Anniversary Sale 2026

Whether you’re getting gear for the first time, replacing aging gear, or dialing down your pack weight to go more ultralight, the REI Anniversary Sale 2026 is the perfect opportunity to get everything you need before summer at a discounted price. With 25% off across tents, sleep systems, packs, footwear, and apparel from the best brands in the outdoor industry, there’s something worth buying in every category.