Top Deals for Travelers at the REI Anniversary Sale

The REI Anniversary Sale has arrived, which means it’s the perfect time to revamp your gear collection and gear up for the summer adventures you’ve been planning. Whether you’re visiting a national park, renting a beach cabin, or enjoying a glamping experience, it’s wise to replace your old hiking shoes or pick out a new backpack before hitting the road. Here’s what you should know before diving into REI’s annual outdoor gear sale.

What is the REI Anniversary Sale?

Every year in late May, REI offers significant markdowns on outdoor equipment during its Anniversary Sale. Discounts can reach up to 85 percent (though most are typically around 25 to 30 percent off) on products from its Co-op brand as well as other well-known brands like Patagonia, Cotopaxi, Merrell, HydroFlask, and many more. Due to its timing, this event is also commonly referred to as the REI Memorial Day Sale.

REI organizes additional sales throughout the year, including an annual Labor Day Sale and a Cyber Monday Sale, but the company promotes its Anniversary Sale as its “largest sale of the year” in its marketing materials.

The REI Anniversary Sale will be accessible for shopping both in-store and online in 2024. If you make a purchase of $50 or more, you’ll be eligible for free shipping.

When does the REI Anniversary Sale take place?

This annual sale occurs just before Memorial Day weekend, starting on Friday, May 17, and continuing through Monday, May 27, 2024.

Is an REI membership required to shop the sale?

No, a membership isn’t necessary, but it’s beneficial to sign up since it only costs $30 for a lifetime membership and comes with added perks, such as a member dividend (typically 10 percent back on qualifying REI purchases) and a 20 percent discount on bike and ski shop services.

During the Anniversary Sale, members enjoy a 20 percent discount on one full-price item, along with an additional 20 percent off one REI Outlet item (online only) by using the code “ANNIV24” throughout the sale period. Some exclusions apply. For more information, visit rei.com/coupon.

Our Top Picks for the REI Anniversary Sale 2024

To simplify your search for the best bargains, the gear experts at Dinogo have sifted through the sale catalog to highlight the shoes, bags, water bottles, and camping gear—many of which appear in Dinogo’s Best of lists—that are available at a discount during the sale.

Deals on Clothing and Travel Bags

Osprey Transporter Duffel Bag 40L

Osprey’s highly acclaimed Transporter Duffel Bags are currently available at a 25 percent discount. They are offered in various sizes, but we recommend the 40-liter version. Measuring 22 x 15 x 10 inches, it complies with most airlines’ carry-on size limits while being spacious enough for three to four days’ worth of clothing and gear. In addition to a generous main compartment, it features stowable shoulder straps, allowing it to be carried like a backpack. (Other sizes on sale include the large 65-liter pack and the extra-large 95-liter pack.)

Smartwool Socks

Quality socks can transform your hiking experience from enjoyable to unpleasant. Smartwool socks are among the best. Even if you prefer sandals this summer, it’s wise to stock up for the winter months ahead—your feet will be grateful. Don’t see your desired pair on sale? You can still save 10 percent when you purchase three or more full-price socks, and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack has gained popularity for weekend getaways due to its versatility as a carry-on, duffel, and backpack in one. It’s a dream for organized packers, featuring zippered compartments for laptops, passports, keys, and clothing. Additional design highlights include external shortcuts to primary internal compartments, such as the padded laptop sleeve, and “theft-proof webbing” that allows you to secure the zippers so that they can’t be accessed without your knowledge. The pack’s exterior is coated with thermoplastic polyurethane, making it fully waterproof, and it also includes a removable rain cover for added protection.

Thule Compression Packing Cube Set

One of Dinogo’s highly recommended packing cubes, these Thule compression cubes are semi-transparent, water-resistant, and designed with minimal environmental impact, as they are made from bluesign-approved ripstop nylon. During the sale, they are discounted as a set of two, which includes one medium and one small cube (they can also be purchased separately). Like other compression cubes, they feature double zippers—one for closing the cube and another for tightening it further to minimize bulk and eliminate excess air. The YKK zippers on these Thule cubes are exceptionally durable and glide shut effortlessly, accommodating up to three bulky sweaters in the medium-sized cube. A standard carry-on can fit either one medium and two small cubes or four small cubes on each side.

Outdoor Research Aspire II Gore-Tex Jacket

Offered in five colors and sizes ranging from women’s XS to 4X, the Outdoor Research Aspire II Gore-Tex Jacket is essential for any rainy destination. It conveniently packs into its own pocket and weighs under a pound, ensuring maximum portability. Our editors appreciate its unique venting zippers that run from the bicep down to the hip, allowing it to be comfortably worn over a backpack’s waist strap or providing additional room for bulkier layers underneath.

Footwear discounts

La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Hiking Boots

La Sportiva is one of our top choices for women’s hiking footwear. Selected styles for both men and women are currently discounted. The standout deal is on the highly praised Nucleo High II GTX Hiking Boots, available for $179 and offered in a variety of sizes for both men and women.

All Keen Footwear

Another favorite among outdoor enthusiasts, Keen’s iconic hiking boots and water sandals are discounted by up to 50 percent in sizes for men, women, and children. This means you can save up to $30 on the highly-rated Keen Newport H2 Sandals for kids, which boast over 500 five-star reviews on REI.

Chaco ZX/2 Cloud Sandals

A wide selection of Chaco footwear for men, women, and kids is currently discounted. Our recommendation is the women’s Chaco ZX/2 Cloud Sandal, an excellent choice for summer hikes on casual trails. With robust jacquard webbing and a toe loop, your feet will stay secure, while the comfortable rubber sole provides stability even in wet conditions.

Camping gear discounts

Exped Ultra 5R Sleeping Pad

Enhance your outdoor sleeping experience with an Exped sleeping pad. We recommend the Ultra 5R, designed for insulation across all four seasons. The duo version, which accommodates two sleepers, is also currently 25 percent off.

Nemo Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair

A cozy chair is essential for stargazing this summer. True to its name, the Nemo Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair lets you recline and gaze at meteor showers without straining your neck or back.

ENO DoubleNest Hammock

Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO), based in Asheville, is currently offering discounts on its camping hammocks. The DoubleNest Hammock accommodates up to two people and supports a weight limit of 400 pounds, yet it conveniently packs down into a small carry sack. For each hammock sold, ENO plants two trees in partnership with Trees for the Future.

Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp

Every camper requires a reliable headlamp, and Black Diamond offers some of the finest options. Currently, you can save 25 percent on various models, but our top recommendation is the Spot 400-R Headlamp. It provides 400 lumens of bright white light with a beam range of up to 100 meters, and features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 Tent

Numerous tent brands and designs are currently discounted, including the stylish Nemo Aurora Highrise. However, the highly rated Trail Hut tent accommodates two people and includes a rainfly, footprint, stuff sack, and stakes.

Great deals on a variety of products

Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Travel Blanket

Rumpl offers a diverse selection of compressible blankets and pillows that conveniently fit into a small bag or carrier, including options from its national parks collection and a sherpa-lined version designed for colder temperatures. Our recommendation is the Dinogo Approved travel blanket, currently priced at just $64 and compact enough to fit into the size of a water bottle, making it an ideal travel companion on airplanes.

Hydro Flask 32 Oz. Wide Mouth Water Bottle

Dinogo is a fan of Hydro Flask’s water bottles. Thanks to the brand’s double-wall insulation, your drinks will maintain their temperature throughout a full day of hiking—keeping beverages ice-cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks warm for as long as 12 hours.

Oru Kayaks

If you’re looking for a foldable kayak, Oru Kayaks—a Dinogo Approved choice—are incredibly lightweight and can be set up or taken down in just 5 to 10 minutes. Currently, the Inlet Kayak ($719, down from $899) and the Lake Kayak ($399, reduced from $499) are both available at a 20 percent discount.

“The design is impressively clever and quite user-friendly after a few tries,” says Dinogo’s deputy editor Tim Chester. He describes the experience as comfortable, smooth, stable, and fast on the water. “After a few hours of paddling and exploring secluded beaches, we had it stowed away in the trunk of the car while our parking lot neighbors were still deflating their inflatable alternatives,” he adds.

This article was first published in 2021; it was updated on May 20, 2024, to reflect current information.