REI Is Kicking Off the Weekend With Up to 70% Off on Outdoor Gear — Shop a Former Full-time Camper’s Top Picks

My first night camping in a travel trailer was the beginning of two years spent living full-time on the road in a vintage 1969 Airstream Overlander. I rolled all the way from Florida to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, from Austin to Arizona, and spent a spring camped out steps from the crisp rushing water of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest. I never considered myself a rugged outdoorsy type, but after jumping in head first to the van-lifer lifestyle, I picked up a few skills, hacks, and gear tips that made life on the road a lot more comfortable. 

As an RV camper, I chased an endless summer, following fair weather in order to camp comfortably year round. But for most of North America, spring and summer are peak camping seasons and great times to take stock of your camping gear as REI drops prices to make room for new inventory. You’ll find normally pricey outdoor gear with major markdowns (think: up to 70 percent off) that will delight any camper, hiker, and adventurer, as well as last-chance savings on winter apparel essentials and ski accessories. But, you'll have to act fast to snag the best deals; they're selling out fast. Read on to see what one former full-time camper recommends picking up from this limited time REI sale. 

Best Overall Deals

When I started camping, I was as far from Bear Grylls as you could get. I didn’t grow up camping and the hobby felt intimidating, but I soon learned that you don’t need to have all of the high-tech gear and equipment to have fun exploring the great outdoors. I started building my outdoor gear kit with the basics: a quality puffy jacket, base layers, a headlamp, and long-lasting boots, and made sure to rent a simple and compact four-person tent — but you can get this Northwood backpacking tent for 60 percent off, bringing it down to about the same price as a two-day rental.

However, the most important thing to have with you on a camping trip is a curious mind and a love for the surprises of nature. After that, you’ll want dry socks, plenty of layers, a raincoat, and extra water — don’t forget the extra water, even if you don’t think that you’ll need it. Whether you’re an avid outdoorsy type, or just want to be prepared for anything, these top REI spring deals will set you up for a summer season of well-traveled adventures.

• Flylow Women's Sarah Insulated Jacket, $150 (originally $300)
• Smartwool Outdoor Light Cushion Ankle Socks, $16 (originally $20)
• Flylow Women’s Micropuff Insulated Jacket, $69 (originally $230)
• Wallace Women's Lake Flannel Shirt, $22 (originally $75)
• Mazama Designs Intake LT Water Reservoir, $13 (originally $25)
• REI Co-op Men's XeroDry GTX Jacket, $52 (originally $179)
• Picture Organic Clothing Women's Face It Insulated Jacket, $140 (originally $280)
• Patagonia Women's Wind Shield Pants, $84 (originally $169) 
• The North Face Base Camp Voyager Roller Bag, $169 (originally $240)
• Northwood Series II 4-person Backpacking Tent, $113 (originally $285)

Patagonia Women's Wind Shield Pants

Best Travel Bag & Luggage Deals

Tactical outdoor bags are designed for usability and durability, making them a carry-all that can withstand all kinds of adventure. Many are equipped with features that come in handy no matter how you travel: waterproof exterior, RFID-protected pockets, ripstop fabric, washable interiors, alternating carrying straps, water bottle pockets, and collapsible capabilities. 

When I traveled to Paris last year, I packed my collapsible REI duffel (now 30 percent off), folded compactly in its carrying envelope, in my carry-on. By the time I made my way back home, I had acquired so many souvenirs, vintage clothes, and French pharmacy beauty essentials that I filled up the duffel and checked it on my way back. On my next trip, I’ll be packing this on-sale convertible tote so I can transform it into a backpack when I need to hop on an e-bike to zip around.

• Mountain Hardware AMG 55 Pack, $290 (originally $420)
• REI Co-op Pack-Away 45 Tote, $40 (originally $80)
• Osprey Arcane Roll Top Pack, $59 (originally $110)
• Patagonia Fieldsmith Roll-Top Pack, $70 (originally $129)
• Sherpani Cabo Convertible Pack, $52 (originally $75)
• Outdoor Research Field Explorer Pack 20L, $59 (originally $99)
• The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel 32L, $89 (originally $125)
• Mountain Hardware Camp 4 Duffel 95L, $112 (originally $160)
• Eagle Creek Tarmac Wheeled Luggage $225 (originally $319) 
• Osprey Arcane Crossbody Bag, $48 (originally $65)

The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel 32L

Best Travel Accessory Deals

When I was camping in the Airstream, I’d always have a “setup beer” and “breakdown coffee.” In the afternoon, once I arrived at a new campsite, I’d crack a cold one and pour it into an insulated thermos to keep it chilled while slowly setting up camp. In the morning, a piping hot coffee would go in the same stainless steel thermos so it stayed warm as I broke down and packed up. All that to say, a versatile beverage bottle that can do it all — for both hot and cold drinks — is a camper’s right-hand. REI sources some of the best brands for insulated drinkware, like Hydro Flask, whose Coffee Cup travel tumbler has been marked down to $26 this weekend.

But the retailer has more than just bottles on sale right now; REI’s other travel accessories are designed for smart, savvy adventures — like this Sherpani Women's Lima Shoulder Bag that's perfect for any outing and 30 percent off, or the Thule Subterranean PowerShuttle Travel Case that'll make packing a breeze.

• Hydro Flask Coffee Cup With Flex Sip Lid, $26 (originally $35) 
• MicroLite Flip Cup Vacuum Water Bottle, $14 (originally $28)
• Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack 3-pack, $42 (originally $60) 
• Yeti Daytrip Lunch Box, $64 (originally $80) 
• Sherpani Women's Lima Shoulder Bag, $42 (originally $60)
• Eagle Creek Packable Waist Bag, $22 (originally $30)  
• Thule Subterranean PowerShuttle Travel Case, $21 (originally $30)
• REI Trail 2 Waist Pack, $21 (originally $30)
• Sunday Adventures Adventure Stow Hat, $32 (originally $42) 

Thule Subterranean PowerShuttle Travel Case

Best Apparel Deals

In the spring, retailers make massive markdowns on last-season’s stock in order to make room for new season colors and styles. Fluffy fleeces and layerable flannels come in handy on chilly camp mornings, which are common in the summer if you’re pitching a tent in destinations like Michigan’s Upper Peninsula or the Rockies. And you might not need these high-tech insulated running leggings now, but you’ll be thanking yourself for jumping on their discounted price come those chilly fall mornings (which are just a few months down the road).

• Smartwool Men's Merino Plant-Based Dye T-shirt, $60 (originally $80)
• Flylow Lupine Women's Insulated Jacket, $69 (originally $230)
• REI Co-op Women's Trailsmith Fleece Jacket, $22 (originally $90) 
• Patagonia Men's 8-inch Multi Trails Shorts, $47 (originally $79)
• Patagonia Women's Long-sleeve Flannel Shirt, $29 (originally $99)
• Kuhl Women's Freeflex Cargo Shorts, $40 (originally $89)
• Patagonia Women's Wind Shield Pants $84 (originally $169)
• Pearl IZumi Women's Attack Cycling Tights, $30 (originally $100) 

REI Co-op Women's Trailsmith Fleece Jacket

Best Active Footwear and Hiking Shoe Deals

If you want to instantly blend in with the camping crowd, grab yourself a pair of Blundstone Classic Chelsea Boots (currently marked down by a rare 50 percent in select colors and selling out fast). The Tasmanian-made boots are on the feet of mountain town residents everywhere. But more than just a fashion statement, the fan-favorite boots are simply well-made and incredibly versatile as an everyday shoe. I’ve worn my Blundstones with a silk skirt and cashmere sweater, and also hiked them across muddy Appalachian trails and streams — they’re simple boots that can do a lot.

Now’s also the time to get your hands on the Nikes of the outdoor gear world: Chacos. The best (in my opinion) hiking sandal brand, Chaco's new-and-improved Z/Cloud 2 Sandals are 25 percent off ahead of all of your summer hikes. 

• REI Co-op Women's Swiftland MT Trail-Running Shoes, $39 (originally $130) 
• Chaco Women's Z/Cloud 2 Hiking Sandals, $75 (originally $100) 
• REI Co-op Men's Flash TT Hiking Boots, $85 (originally $170)
• La Sportiva x Janji Jackal II Trail-Running Shoes, $70 (originally $175) 
• Altra Women's Lone Peak 7 Trail-Running Shoes, $105 (originally $130) 
• Hoka Men's Arahi 6 Road-Running Shoes, $113 (originally $140) 
• REI Co-op Men's Swiftland MT BlueSky Trail-Running Shoes, $75 (originally $150)
• Keen Women's WK400 Leather Walking Shoes, $80 (originally $160)
• Merrell Men's Moab Speed Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots, $128 (originally $170) 
• Sorel Men's Mac Hill Lite Mid Waterproof Boots, $87 (originally $175) 

REI Co-op Men's Flash TT Hiking Boots

Best Camping and Hiking Deals

Headlamps may look goofy, but they’re incredibly useful at the campsite. When you’re camping you always need your hands free, so things like flashlights actually aren’t super useful. The best headlamps have various light intensities (like your car’s headlights), and a red-light setting so you’re not blinding your fellow campmates and you can better view Dark Sky parks. This Snap Solo Headlamp from Princeton Tec has an articulating and removable lamp head and its 48 percent off. 

Don’t forget to pack a small gas canister or portable stove, which are absolutely essential for boiling water — and most importantly, making coffee. Speaking of this essential elixir, don’t be caught on the trail with coffee grounds and no way to use them. Have a collapsible pour-over that lives in your camping kit, like this one from Pourigami that's 26 percent off. 

• Alps Mountaineering Dash Chair, $45 (originally $120)
• MPowerd Luci Pro Series Inflatable Solar Lantern, $35 (originally $50) 
• Alpine Mountain Gear Weekender Tent 4, $65 (originally $150) 
• Mountainsmith Antero Sleeping Bag, $65 (originally $120)   
• IceMule Clear 15L Cooler, $55 (originally $110)
• Trekmates Bomberlite Sleeping Pad, $54 (originally $119) 
• Big Agnes Goosenest Inflatable Cot, $163 (originally $300) 
• Coleman OneSource Heated Stadium Seat, $61 (originally $140) 
• Miir Pourigami Coffee Maker, $22 (originally $30) 

Trekmates Bomberlite Sleeping Pad

Best Winter and Ski Gear Deals

It doesn’t have to be ski season to have a chilly morning at camp, where you need some extra comfort. If you’re camping in the Southern Hemisphere in the summer months (say Patagonia or Australia), then you can hit the jackpot on winter apparel before your trip. But even summer Alaska cruises call for insulated layers. 

Winter gear is notoriously expensive, so spring sales are the best time to get good deals. Start with staple base layers that both insulate and wick away moisture, like this core base layer top from REI Co-Op that's 30 percent off. The gold standard of cold weather gear is a “puffy,” or down jacket. This Lole puffy (now 59 percent off) is a jacket that you can wear down to the threads. Still not warm enough? Stock up on Ignik's hand and toe warmers (one pack is currently less than a dollar), so you always have some on hand (pun intended). 

• Flylow Women's Laurel Down Vest, $45 (originally $150) 
• Picture Organic Clothing Men's Testy Bib Pants, $125 (originally $250) 
• REI Co-Op Men's Midweight Base Layer Bottoms, $27 (originally $55) 
• Anon Women's WM1 Snow Goggles and MFI Face Mask, $140 (originally $280) 
• Lole Women's Piper Insulated Jacket, $90 (originally $219) 
• Burton Women's Gore-Tex 3-in-1 Mittens, $59 (originally $85) 
• The North Face Women's Freedom Insulated Snow Pants, $140 (originally $220)
• REI Co-op Women's Merino 185 Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top, $56 (originally $80)
• Smith Method Mips Snow Helmet, $84 (originally $140) 
• Salomon Men's S/PRO MV 100 GW Ski Boots, $350 (originally $500) 
• REI Co-op Women's Powderbound Insulated Bib Snow Pants, $99 (originally $199) 
• Sorel Women's ONA Rmx Glacy Waterproof Boots, $75 (originally $150)

Sorel Women's ONA Rmx Glacy Waterproof Boots

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