Summer’s around the corner. Is your gear closet in need of an upgrade? Whether it’s a packed-out pair of trail runners, a leaky tent, or a sleeping bag that never fit quite right, we’re guessing there’s something in your collection that’s in need of replacement. If so, now’s the time to do it: Through May 25, REI is holding its Anniversary Sale, with both big items like tents and quilts and smaller accessories available at up to half off. We did the hard work for you, combing through what’s on offer and picking the most promising Backpacker-tested deals out of the pack. Need something that’s not on the list? REI members can take 20 percent off one full-price item and another 20 percent off an REI Outlet item with code ANNIV26.
(Photo: Courtesy Merrell)
Do-it-All Hiking Shoes: SpeedARC Matis
$90 (50 percent off) at REI—Women’s
$90 (50 percent off) at REI—Men’s
“They look like moon shoes,” one tester remarked after checking out these chunky kicks. They kind of feel like walking on the moon, too: The ridiculously thick EVA foam underfoot felt cushy but never squishy, and kept our feet comfortable mile after mile, while still drying quickly after immersion in streams.
(Photo: Courtesy REI Co-op)
Durable Pack: REI Co-op Traverse 60 Pack
$202 (25 percent off) at REI—Men’s
$202 (25 percent off) at REI—Women’s
Know someone shopping for their first pack, or want to pick up a reliable workhorse for your collection? This full-featured 60-liter hauler is a solid buy, with a breezy ventilated back panel, a rock-solid aluminum frame, and a toplid that converts into a daypack for quick summit missions and other explorations from basecamp.
Ultra-Sil Dry Bag (Photo: Courtesy)
Lightweight Rain Protection: Sea-to-Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag
Starting at $18 (25 percent off) at REI
Less fiddly than a pack cover and less crinkly than a trash compactor bag, these lightweight stuff sacks are perfect for keeping precip from soaking your gear. (They’re not designed for full immersion, though, so don’t go dunking them in a river.) With sizes from 3 liters to 35 liters available, they can protect everything from your small electronics to, well, everything else.
(Photo: Courtesy REI)
Versatile Bedding: REI Co-op Magma 30 Sleeping Bag
With 9 sizing options available, from short narrow to long wide, you’re all but guaranteed to find a version of the Magma 30 that fits for you. At a compact 1.6 pounds, this 850-fill down bag is almost as comfortable to carry as it is to sleep in.
Fly Creek Zip Quilt (Photo: Big Agnes)
Comfy Quilt: Big Agnes Fly Creek UL Zip Quilt
Looking to make the leap into a quilt? Try this hoodless model, which can transform into a sleeping bag thanks to a full-length zipper up the side. Four sewn-in loops allow restless sleepers to attach a pad.
The REI Half Dome 2 (Photo: Nathan Pipenberg)
Reliable Shelter: REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Tent with Footprint
The Half Dome 2 has been a go-to tent for generations of backpackers over its 45-year history. The dome-style design proved rugged through late-season snowstorms and blasting winds, while dual doors and dual vestibules make both entry and gear storage easy.
Copper Spur UL2 (Photo: Big Agnes)
Lightweight Classic: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent
The Copper Spur series of tents have earned more than their fair share of laurels from the Backpacker editors over the years, and its not hard to see why. At just 2 pounds, 10 ounces, the Copper Spur UL2 still packs in 29 square feet of floor space and dual 9-square-foot vestibules, with the 40-inch peak height providing enough headroom for most hikers to sit up comfortably.
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