Looking down into Larch Valley from Sentinel Pass in banff.

The 20 Best Items on the 2026 REI Anniverary Sale

Here it is! The 2026 REI Anniversary Sale kicks off Friday, May 15th, and runs through May 25th. If you need new hiking, backpacking, camping, running, or road trip gear, this is the week to save money and gear up.

Below are what I think are the best deals of the REI sale. I’d also take a look at the sale yourself and browse, as REI usually targets things you may have looked at before. Additionally, here is a link to REI Outlet for even better deals on last year’s items.

1-Minute Breakdown of the 2026 REI Anniversary Sale

  • Members will get one 20% off full price item and 20% off one Outlet Item (per usual for this sale)
  • Members get free shipping
  • 25% off most REI gear
  • 30% off Fjallraven Jackets
  • 25% off selected The North Face gear
  • 25% off a lot of hiking shoes/boots

The Best Deals During the 2026 REI Anniversary Sale

Let’s dive into some deals that I think are worth it and will save you some decent cash during the 2026 REI anniversary sale. I’m going to do my VERY BEST to recommend gear I own and use consistently.

Camping Items

Coleman Cascades 3-in-1 Camp Stove – 25% off

a man puts food on his camping plate
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Why you’ll like it: If you go camping a lot, having a reliable stove is a must. This one’s a little on the pricey side, but once you buy it, you probably don’t need another for 10 years. With the griddles, you can make some mean pancakes, over-easy eggs, or other goodies.

Grab it here.

Gregory Camp Box – 25% off

Why you’ll like it: I’ve been a HUGE proponent of a camping box for almost a decade now. Having everything in an easy-to-grab box makes packing for camping incredibly easy. Get two of these, and you’ll likely be set for life!

Grab it here.

Kelty Daydreamer 4P Tent – 25% off

Why you’ll like it: When it comes to car camping, weight doesn’t mean a thing! A 4P tent is perfect for a couple (or a family, I guess). But if you just have two, you can put a queen-size air mattress inside and sleep like royalty!

Grab it here.

Hiking/Backpacking Gear to consider during the 2026 REI Anniversary Sale

I’m a HUGE fan of Big Agnes. I’ve had their gear since 2018, and it’s still working great.

Big Agnes Copper Spur Tent – 25% off

a big agnes copper spur UL3 tent with hiking boots in front
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch/ @Alecoutside

Why you’ll like it:

Grab it here.

Big Anges Sleeping Pads – 25% off

Why you’ll like it: Want to sleep like a baby on a cloud of air? That’s what it feels like with a Big Agnes Sleeping Pad. They no longer make the one I still use that I bought in 2018, but they’re similar. At over 3 inches, you don’t feel the ground one bit.

Grab it here.

Big Agnes Sleeping Bag – 25% off

Why you’ll like it: Again, Big Agnes! While the 15F sleeping bag I bought 8 years ago may no longer be made, its quality still seems to hold up. These ones offer varied warmth levels, allowing you to sleep well throughout the night.

Grab it here.

Black Diamond Hiking Poles – 25% off

hiking ridgeline summiting mt daniel pnw
Climbers traverse a ridgeline in Washington. Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Why you’ll like it: For only $75, these are a perfect low-cost addition to your hiking gear. I know poles are controversial, but I’m also on team hiking poles. They protect my knees, let me transfer weight to my arms, and add stability going downhill.

Grab it here.

LOWA Renegade EVO GTX – 25% off

the author in a yellow jacket walks on the top of snow peak
Photo Credit: Gwyn Manser

Why you’ll like it: I’ve been wearing LOWA’s since 2019 and haven’t looked back. They’re great 4-season hiking boots that keep my feet dry. (I’ll note that they don’t do well in -25F… I learned that the hard way.) If you’re going snowshoeing or have a 40-mile backpacking trip, these are perfect.

Men’s here and women’s here.

Helinox Chair Zero LT – 25% off

a female hiker sits in a chair overlooking missouri lake, there's a red tent to her left
Campsite at Missouri Lake in Colorado. Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Why you’ll like it: I’m a sucker for a camping chair after a long day backpacking. At ~1 pound, it’s hardly an added weight to my pack, and figure, why not be comfortable in the backcountry? If you’re on the fence, this is the push you need to add this item to your backpacking pack.

Grab it here. (Or try the 1-pound REI chair that I actually prefer.)

Osprey Hiking Day Packs – 25% off

Why you’ll like it: Osprey offers some of the best quality day packs in the hiking market. Now, what size should you get?

  • Short hike or going lightweight with only water/snacks: 14-20L
  • Decent day hike, maybe need a jacket: 20-25L
  • Longer day hike or you think you’ll be packing more gear (rain jacket/down jacket, snacks, 2L of water, other gear): 25-35L

Grab it here.

Hiking Clothes

Fjallraven Jackets – 30% off

a hiker stands near the edge smiling at the camera
The author at White Rim Overlook in Canyonlands. Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Why you’ll like it: I know Fjallraven is expensive, so why not grab some gear when it’s 30% off? While not cheap, they also have one of the best repair warranties on the market. I have one of their synthetic jackets, and my wife has a down one as well. No complaints from us!

Grab it here.

Fjallraven Vida Pro Ventilated Trousers for Men – 30% off

Why you’ll like it: Last summer was the first time I got to try out the Fjallraven Trousers on the Fjallraven USA Classic, and I loved them. I especially liked the ability to zip down the sides to get airflow to my legs. One mini downside is no back pockets. Not bad for the actual hiking day, but it limits their casual wear.

Grab it here.

Prana Stretch Zion Pants – 30% off

Why you’ll like it: Hands down, my favorite hiking pants. I have multiple pairs, and it’s basically all I wear (other than the above). They’re comfy, don’t tend to overheat, and allow me almost 100% flexbility as I hike/climb. Highly, highly recommend grabbing a pair for yourself.

Grab it here. (These are the classic men’s hiking pants that I love.)

two people on a glacier in alaska with snowy mountains behind them
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Smartwool Base Layers – 25% off

Why you’ll like it: If there’s wool in it, I’m there. Wool is a special material that keeps you warm or cool, depending on the conditions. It’s also great because it will still keep you warm, even if it gets wet. When I backpack, I sleep in a wool long-sleeved shirt and wool leggings. It’s super comfortable and doesn’t add much weight to my pack.

Men’s All -Season Merino Long Sleeve
Women’s All -Season Merino Long Sleeve

All Beyond Yoga Women’s Clothing – 25% off

Why you’ll like it: Ladies, if you’re looking for new yoga pants, bras, or tops, this is a great time to snag a few at a discount. My wife loves this brand, and if you haven’t tried it yet, I think you’ll find that you will too.

Grab it here.

Outdoor Research Outerwear – 25% off

Why you’ll like it: Outdoor Research is one of my favorite and most trusted brands. Hailing from Seattle, they know how to keep you dry and warm. This is a great time to snag a puffy or rain jacket at a discount before next fall and winter.

Grab it here.

What to use your 20% off coupon on

REI Members get 20% off one full-priced item. Here are a few things I’d consider.

Osprey or Gregory Multi-Day Backpack

I own both of these brands and find them to be excellent. For sizes, men: aim for 65L; women: 55L should be good. Here are the ones I recommend.

Anything Arc’teryx

These are the most expensive jackets on the market. If you want one, you might as well save 20%, which could be upwards of $75 or more.

Check them out here.

Garmin fenix 8 Solar Sapphire

Need a new hiking watch? Grabbing the best on the market, the Garmin Fenix 8, will lock you in for years of tracking your treks and knowing just how far and high you climbed. I love my Fenix 7, and it’s been crushing things for 5+ years now.

See it here.

Outdoor Research Astroman Air Sun Hoodie

a hiker walks on the trail in the forest.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

This is my FAVORITE sun hoodie on the market. It’s lightweight, doesn’t make me overheat, and offers UPF 30 or 50 sun protection.

Men’s here. Women’s here.

More About The 2026 REI Anniversary Sale

When is the 2026 REI Anniversary Sale?

The REI Anniversary Sale is running from May 15-26, 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to land gear at a discounted price and save some money. As we all know, outdoor gear has gotten pricier over the last 3-4 years, and focusing on buying during the sales is a great way to come out ahead.

Additionally, if you’re not already an REI member, you can get a lifetime membership for just $30, which gets you 10% dividends each year.

My Honest Assessment of the REI Anniversary Sale

Before we dive into the deals, I wanted to give you my honest assessment. This sale is fine. Nothing bad. Nothing great. I mean, sure, you’re saving money, but compared to years past, this basically maxes out at 25% off vs 30/40% off various gear.

Now, why is this? I believe it’s two-fold.

A) Post-COVID, REI purchased more gear than it sold, and it needed to get rid of it for new ones. This meant they put it on a serious discount. It was a huge boon for consumers.

B) REI has had ‘losses’ in the last two fiscal years, totaling $54.3M in 2025. Offering larger discounts reduces their profit. In their effort to be profitable, consumers lose out.

So if you’re thinking, hey, I remember bigger discounts in the past, you’re not crazy. I’m right there with ya!

Final thoughts on the 2026 REI Anniversary Sale

Another year, another sale. Unfortunately, this isn’t the huge money-saver it has been in the past… or at least not for the items I personally would want to grab. Still, a sale is a sale, and if you can find some good ones during the 2026 REI Anniversary Sale, I hope they bring you joy in the future!

Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.

Follow on social media: TikTok || Instagram || Facebook || Newsletter | YouTube

Author: Alec Sills-Trausch

Title: Founder of Explore with Alec

Expertise: Hiking, Backpacking, Photography, and Road Trips

Alec Sills-Trausch is a hiker, backpacker, landscape photographer, and syndicated travel writer. He enjoys showing off the beauty of the world through his photos, videos, and written work on ExploreWithAlec.com. Alec is also a 2x cancer survivor and bone marrow transplant recipient, showing the world that there is a future from this terrible disease.

He lives in Denver, where he gets to enjoy the stunning PNW mountains in addition to all the other places he attempts to visit each year! You can see more work on IG at @AlecOutside