Isn’t it remarkable how quickly summer flies by? The children are back to school, marking the start of the annual REI Labor Day Sale. This year’s sale begins today, August 22, and concludes on Labor Day, September 2. Many items are discounted by up to 30 percent, and REI Co-op members receive a 20 percent discount on any REI Outlet item. To apply the member discount, use the promo code SAVEOUTLET during checkout.
We’ve selected the best deals on our preferred tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, pads, cookware, outdoor clothing, and more. We’ve also included deals from competing sales at Public Lands, Backcountry, and various small retailers.
WIRED Featured Deals
Tent Deals
REI tents are some of the best deals available, especially during sales. For more information, refer to our guide on the best backpacking tents and best car camping tents.
[Image: Tent]
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
REI’s Base Camp tent is WIRED’s favorite car camping tent. It’s exceptionally well-designed and weatherproof in our tests. The traditional dome tent design, with two crossed poles and two side poles, withstands wind well, and the tent floor is high-quality 150-denier (150D) polyester. It boasts ample storage pockets, double doors, excellent vents, and large windows, making it comfortable even in summer heat.
The Wonderland 6 replaces REI’s Kingdom 6 and appears quite similar. We haven’t tested it, but my nearly 20-year-old Kingdom 6 is still going strong. It’s mostly made of the same ripstop nylon as the Wonderland. With plenty of mesh, it offers better ventilation than the Base Camp, though the rainfly doesn’t extend as low, and the hoop design isn’t as strong. However, it’s an excellent choice for summer camping.
REI’s Half Dome 2 is the best budget 2-person backpacking tent. We’ve taken it on numerous backpacking trips and found it sturdy, easy to set up, and spacious enough for two people and their gear. It even comes with a footprint (which I rarely use, but it’s handy if you encounter sharp objects or rocks). I appreciate the color options this year, which blend with the surroundings instead of standing out.
Day Hiking Packs and Backpack Deals
Be sure to consult our guide to day hiking packs. While we haven’t published our ultralight backpack guide yet, several of our recommendations are on sale and noted below.
[Image: Backpack]
Photography: Scott Gilbertson
I’m currently testing this pack as part of an upcoming ultralight backpack guide. It’s very comfortable, easily carrying a 25-pound load. I haven’t lived out of it for more than a night, but I like it, and it’s reasonably priced. Interestingly, an REI comment suggests opting for the Flash 55 and removing the top lid to save weight. The Flash 55 is also on sale for $150.
REI’s Flash 22 pack is unbeatable value. The 22L capacity is ideal for day hiking, and there are plenty of pockets to organize your gear. The side pockets accommodate Nalgene-size water bottles, and there’s a laptop-compatible hydration sleeve, making it suitable for everyday carry, too.
I’ve always viewed the Trail 25 as REI’s counterpart to the Mystery Ranch Rip Ruck packs. The access is similar, the capacity is comparable, and both are excellent hiking and everyday carry packs. The REI Co-op’s Trail 25 is just half the price when on sale.
Sleeping Bag Deals
Whether you need an affordable car camping bag or something sturdier for fall and spring trips, we’ve got you covered. Be sure to read our best sleeping bags guide for more options.
[Image: Sleeping Bag]
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
REI’s Magma line of down gear offers outstanding value. The Magma 15 sleeping bag has long been an affordable option, perfect for shoulder season trips with potentially lower temperatures than expected (comfort rated at 21F). It comes in three lengths and three widths, ensuring a perfect fit for your body, and the 850-fill-power goose down (bluesign-approved) packs down compactly. If you don’t need shoulder season coverage, the Magma 30 is also on sale for $262 ($87 off) and is an excellent summer sleeping bag.
I’m testing this as a budget option for ultralight quilts. So far, I’m impressed. Like the sleeping bag version, it offers 95 percent of what you get from pricier options. It’s light (20.3 oz. for the medium), packs down small, includes straps to keep it on your sleeping pad, can be fully unzipped and used like a comforter, or snapped into a footbox on cooler nights.
The Boost is a hybrid bag suitable for backpacking but can also be adjusted to a semi-rectangular shape for car camping comfort. It has armholes