One of REI’s best sales is happening right now through 4/6/20, but the items included in the sale will rotate. In light of COVID-19, I want to be supportive and sensitive to the businesses I love as an outdoor enthusiast. There are many outdoor retailers in my local community who are suffering, and I will do my best to support them in the best way I can. But I have always been impressed with REI’s ethics and business model, so I plan to support them as well by sharing my favorite finds during this sale.
During this sale, you can get 20% off one full-priced item, on both the regular REI site as well as REI-Outlet, by using coupon code MEMPERKS2020 at checkout. I’ll have a future post about my top picks to use for these coupons.
You have to be an REI member to take advantage of the code, but REI membership is the best thing going for $20, and I promise you that it will pay you back and then some with the savings you’ll glean over the years by using these coupons (which are offered several times a year). Here’s where you can sign up to become a member, if you’re not already.
In addition, since their stores are currently all closed due to the pandemic, REI is offering FREE SHIPPING on any size order through 3/27/20.
Also, you can use the coupon codes above for more than one item. You do have to make a separate order to use it, but with free shipping over $50, you really don’t have much to lose when you’re looking at big ticket items (or you could always get orders <$50 sent to your local REI store for free, if you live near one).
Finally, a huge thank you if you use these links and purchase something at REI. I receive a small affiliate commission for it if you do. My blog is my primary source of income right now, and the income I receive from these links supports my family during this time.
My top pick right now, in addition to using the coupon code mentioned above, is receiving 25% off REI branded products. My picks will change as the sale evolves. REI will release new items in the sale throughout the duration so check back in a few days if you want to see the new things I post. Here are the specific REI branded items that I either own and love or know are well-reviewed and loved elsewhere. These will all be on sale through 3/26/20.
REI Flash Air Tents
REI Flash Air Tent
REI is finally tapping into the scene of lightweight trekking pole supported tents and it’s very exciting since they’re incredibly affordable! As with most ultralight gear, there is usually an inverse relationship with price and weight. In other words, if the price goes up, the weight goes down. So something like a ZPacks Duplex is going to win with weight savings over this tent, but you’ll pay well over twice as much.
The 2-person REI Flash Air Tent comes in at just under 2 pounds if you use your trekking poles instead of the poles the tent comes with, which is a fantastic savings with weight. And at the price of $224.19 during the sale, it’s hard to beat.
The 1-person Flash Air Tent is also on sale for $186.69 and if you use your trekking poles as support, it comes in at a low 20 oz. for weight!
REI Kingdom Tents
My family owns the REI Kingdom 6-Person Tent and we absolutely love it for our front country car camping adventures! It’s incredibly spacious, easy to set up (the first time is more challenging, as you’re learning the order of the steps, but after that it’s not a big deal), and from everything I’ve read about it, it will stand the test of time.
This is a solid line of tents with a solid reputation. Definitely a great buy right now, in any of the size configurations.
REI Kingdom Tent
REI Half and Quarter Dome Tents
Finally, the REI line of Half and Quarter Dome Tents are a great buy right now as well at 25% off. The REI Quarter Dome SL 2 is my top pick in the bunch, as it’s a quality but much less expensive freestanding tent option compared to comparable MSR and Big Agnes tents.
REI Quarter Dome SL 2 Tent
REI Magma Sleeping Bags and Quilt
The cream of the crop from REI’s line of down sleeping bags. Both 15 and 30 degree versions are included in the sale as well as the newer Magma Trail Quilt. Both men’s and women’s versions are on sale for any of the options, and this line is known for quality. It was even a 2017 Backpacker Editor’s Choice.
REI Magma Trail Quilt
The Magma line isn’t the only line of REI sleeping bags though. There are plenty of others, with both synthetic and down fill, that you can find right here.
REI Flash Backpacks
REI Flash 22L Backpack
With everyone doing their best to “shelter in place” but still getting outside for some much needed Vitamin D (which has immune boosting properties, by the way), the REI Flash Pack line is a great pack to take with you on a short hike. Remember to practice all the recommended guidelines though, such as no carpooling to get to a trailhead, maintaining “social distance” of 6 feet, etc.
Speaking of hikes, as a SAR team member who can assure you that SAR personnel is stretched thing these days in many areas (many SAR team members’ paying jobs are working in emergency services and some have even been recruited for the FEMA efforts), please do your best to use sound judgement on your hikes and avoid needing a SAR team to come help you. This is something we should do on each and every hike, but right now, it’s even more important. Here’s my collection of articles on safety and preparedness topics.
REI Rain Jackets
REI XeroDry GTX Rain Jacket
Spring is one of the most important times to gear up for rainy weather. As temperatures still fluctuate wildly in many parts of the world during this period, it’s easy to get caught in a rainstorm on a windy day with temperatures hovering in the upper 30’s and 40’s which are conditions ripe for hypothermia, the biggest killer in the backcountry.
REI has a great collection of rain gear that’s all 25% off right now. My top pick for a fantastic buy on a jacket loaded with features like 2-layer Goretex is the REI Xerodry GTX line (which includes both pants and jackets). If you’re interested in something a little less expensive with fewer bells and whistles (but it’s also lighter, which is great), the REI Rainier collection of jackets and pants is my top recommendation.
Side note: Here’s a comprehensive article I wrote on hypothermia, if you’d like to learn more about how to avoid becoming hypothermic, how to recognize the early signs before its too late and you become your own worst enemy unknowingly, and how to treat it.
REI Merino Wool Base Layers and Socks
REI Merino Wool Top (it comes in solid colors too).
I am a big fan of Smartwool products, so I can’t personally speak to the quality of REI merino wool products; however, the reviews are very favorable. Brands like Smartwool are typically more expensive, so in more challenging economic times ahead, REI products are a great alternative.
All of the REI line of merino wool products (base layers and socks) are 25% off right now, just like everything else that’s REI branded.
If you’re not familiar with merino wool and the benefits of it over synthetic fibers, here’s something I wrote on the topic.
REI Down Jackets
REI Down Jacket
Finally, the REI line of down jackets are great buys. The 650 jacket is a bit heavier than the 850 fill, but it’s also half the price. That’s a pretty big perk right now, in my opinion.
P.S. Want to find out about hiking and camping gear deals the quickest way? I invite you to join my Facebook group, Hiking and Camping Deals, where I post the best deals and sales in the industry as as soon as I find them. We are a lively group of outdoor enthusiasts, willing to help newbies with gear choices and feed the addiction of seasoned pros. You can also subscribe to my daily deals digest via email below!