REI's Biggest Sale of the Year: Anniversary Sale 2023
the 22 items in rei’s sale we think are worth your attention
May 20th, 2023
REI is celebrating its 85th anniversary with their Biggest Sale of the Year. We spent hours scanning what's on sale to highlight the 14 gear models we recommend and sales worth your time.
Update for the 2024 sale is here!
Additionally, REI Co-op members get 20% off one full price item and 20% off one REI Outlet item with code ANNIV23 at checkout.
See all our favorite sale items on our Deals Page, updated daily.
1. Garmin inReach Mini 2
The overall winner in our Best Satellite Messengers and Personal Locator Beacons, we carry the Garmin inReach Mini 2 on every trip we go on–from day hikes to multi-month adventures. It allows two-way texting and has an SOS button, even without cell service. It weighs 3.5 oz and the newest version has impressive battery life. This is the best deal we've seen yet.
2. ExPed Megamat Duo 10
25% off the winner of our Best Camping Sleeping Mattress for Couples, the ExPed Megamat Duo makes camping as comfortable as being on your bed at home. It doubles well as a guest bed or for van-lifing and road-tripping.
3. Garmin fenix 7 solar:
This is the best price we’ve ever seen on the Garmin Fenix 7, the Upgrade Winner in our Best Hiking and Backpacking GPS Watch story. It’s pre-loaded full-color maps, on-board music, and superior performance tracking. Sale applies to all versions, including those with smaller wrists, solar versions, and even the high-end upgraded scratch-proof glass.
4. Oru Folding Kayak
At 20% off, this is the best deal we’ve ever seen on an Oru Folding Kayak. We love these lightweight kayaks so much we dedicated a whole article to them: Should you buy an Oru folding Kayak? Quick answer: if you’ve always wanted a kayak but want something easier to put in your car, carry into the backcountry, or even check as luggage on a plane, this is your boat. All models on sale, including our favorite for difficult water, the Bay.
The beginner-friendly Lake Folding kayak is now less than $400 on sale—making it an incredible deal.
Available in solo and tandem versions.
5. Kuhl Renegade Rock Pants
25% off the winner in our Best Men's Hiking Pants guide, hikers LOVE the Renegade and they rarely go on sale. These functional and comfortable pants look great on testers of all sizes and shapes and are comfortable, breathable, and durable on hikes and backpacking trips in all sorts of climates. Did we mention they look great?
6. Goal Zero Nomad 50
The best deal we've seen since Black Friday on the winner for multiple awards in our Best Solar Chargers guide. The Nomad 50 is our recommended Solar charger for car camping, basecamping, and our recommended upgrade solar charger, especially for folks who are full-time traveling or vanlifing.
7. Garmin instinct S
Our overall winner in our Best Hiking and Backpacking Watches guide and focus of our long-term in-depth review, the Garmin Instinct Solar 2S has nearly unlimited battery life with all the features we love in a GPS watch. At 20% off, this is the first deal we’ve seen on this highly recommended watch.
8. REI Half Dome SL 2 tent
30% off this best-selling tent and winner in our Best Backpacking Tentsstory AND our Best Camping Tents story, it's incredibly easy to set up and sturdy. We like that this tent is spacious enough for car camping but lightweight enough for backpacking. When one item can do things well, it makes the outdoors more accessible.
9. REI Magma 30
A rare 30% off the winner in our Best Sleeping Bags guide for best budget bag, the Magma uses the same high quality lightweight materials as more expensive brands. We were impressed by the value of these bags. Sale applies to men’s and women’s bags in 15F and 30F options.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
10. Biolite 330
We’ve searched for years for the perfect headlamp and this is it. Sale applies to the newest version of our favorite overall winning headlamp in our Best Headlamps guide. This headlamp is comfortable for hiking and running with a sleek design that doesn’t cause headaches like other headlamps. The BioLite 330 survived and thrived one of our writers over 7,000 miles of backpacking.
11. Bote Aero sit on top inflatable kayak
50% off the inflatable kayak we recommend as the winner for Best Inflatable Kayak for the award for Most Versatile kayak. This lightweight kayak can be converted into a SUP (stand up paddleboard) or a solo or tandem kayak. At 50% off, this luxury boat is as affordable as our budget recommendations.
12. REI Swiftland Short
The REI Swiftland shorts are featured in our Best Men's Running trail running shorts and Best Women's Trail Running shorts guides. They weren't a winner because we thought there were better options at the price point—but at 30% -40% off for the REI Anniversary Sale, we'd whole heartedly recommend these as high-performing budget shorts. Plus, they come in fun colors and sizes from XS to 3X.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
13. REI Sahara Shade
We're big fans of sun shirts and while we're still testing the REI Sahara Shade Hoodie (spoiler alert), we think this sale is worth your attention. Available in kids, men's, women's, and plus-size options, this sale is yet another reminder to invest in good sun protection this summer.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
14. Altra Lone Peak 7
Featured in our Arizona Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail, and Continental Divide Trail guide, the Lone Peak is the only shoe that hasn’t given us blisters or foot issues on numerous long thru-hikes. It also wins awards in our Best Men's Trail Running Shoes and Best Women's Trail Running Shoes guide. This is your chance to stock up for backpacking season on a time-tested trail shoe.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
15. Amphipod Xinglet Optic Beam Lite Flashing Reflective Vest
If you do any running at night, you'll appreciate the safety of this lightweigh and unobtrusive lightup running vest. At up to 70% off in select colors, it's a favorite in our Best Reflective Gear for Running in the Dark guide and also made our Best Gifts for Runner Guide
16. Eureka Copper Spur Tent
If you want a tent that you can stand up in—a tent with live-able space big enough for a banquet table to stay free from bugs—the Eureka Copper Spur is our go-to tent. With a mesh roof perfect for looking at stars (in good weather) and a power port for charging electronics at campgrounds, this tent feels like luxury at a great price. Available in 4 and 6 person versions.
17. Nemo Disco 15
The Nemo Disco 15 is the best synthetic sleeping bag in the Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags guide. It has Thermogills to vent and allow more room for side sleepers. It's also one of the best plus size sleeping bag options out there right now. It's available in men's and women's sizing. We recommend the 15F degree temperature, but they also have a 30F temperature model.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
18. Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad
The winner of most comfortable sleeping pad in our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads guide, the Nemo Tensor is thick, surprisingly lightweight, and good for side sleepers, too. It's on sale, which is pretty impressive how high in demand this pad has been. We've had trouble finding it in stores in the last year, so this is good chance to snag one for yourself at a discount.
19. Deuter Kid Comfort Child Carrier
The winner of the Best Child Carrier Backpack for Toddlers in our Best Child Carrier Backpack guide, the Deuter Kid Comfort is especially made for balancing heavier children. We found that it was more comfortable when dealing with the torque of heavier load. It's rarely on sale so this is a good chance to get it at 20% off.
20. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL
The overall winner in our Best Backpacking Tents guide, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2 has it all–plenty of coverage, spaciousness, easy to set up, and lightweight. It rarely goes on sale, but at 20% off, this is a good chance to snag one for your own. This model has been a perennial favorite for good reason and it's hard to beat the long-term value this tent provides. Available in 2-person and 3-person versions
2-PERSON
3-PERSON
21. NEMO Hornet Osmo Ultralight Tent
If you want an even more lightweight tent, we loved the double-wall Nemo Hornet Omso. It won best lightweight tent in our Best Backpacking Tents. It's easy to set up and lighter than the Big Agnes Copper Spur. Made with eco-friendly Osmo materials, the Nemo tent has served us well on backpacking trips with a week of rain.
22. REI Wonderland Tent
If you're car camping and want the lap of luxury, the reasonably priced REI Wonderland Tent series is even more affordable. It's the winner of best family tent in our Best Camping Tents guide. This tent is tall enough to stand up in. You can store all your gear out of the rain in here. And unlike a lot of car camping tents out there, this one is weather-proof.
4-PERSON
6-PERSON
