Products You May Like
Once a year, the REI Labor Day Sale happens which offers huge savings on some of the top outdoor gear and apparel. With this year’s sale taking place from August 26 – September 5, we joined forces with REI and handpicked our favorite items so you can snag them while they’re on sale. Make the most of the rest of summer, prepare for future adventures, and score up to 75% off with these savings. Act fast – quantities are limited!
Pro-tip: REI members also get an extra 20% off any outlet item using the code LABOR22 (if you’re not already, here are 12 reasons why you should become an REI member).
Here are the best deals on our favorite gear and apparel in the 2022 REI Labor Day Sale.
Best Deals on Apparel
REI Co-op Lightweight Base Layers – 30% off
Quality base layers are key for staying warm in chilly temps. The REI Co-op Lightweight Base Layer Top and matching Lightweight Base Layer Tights are essential for outdoor activities from skiing to backpacking to cold weather camping. Made of a soft polyester blend that wicks sweat and dries fast to keep you warm, snag these staples for 30% off during REI’s Labor Day Sale. You can also find men’s versions of the Lightweight Base Layer Top and Lightweight Base Layer Bottoms.
The North Face Aphrodite Motion Shorts – 30% Off
The top-rated North Face Aphrodite Motion Shorts are some of our favorite hiking and everyday shorts. With deep, zippered pockets, and a flattering fit, these are also perfect for everyday outings and shorter walks around the neighborhood. BFT Founder Kristen wore these shorts on a camping trip to Maui and loves how lightweight and breathable these shorts are. These are also a go-to for BFT Director Linda who wears them on nearly all camping and backpacking trips. The wide waistband stays in place and the material is stretchy and comfortable yet durable.
REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket – 30% off
The REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket is one of the most versatile, lightweight, and budget-friendly rain jackets out there. This is BFT Director Linda’s go-to shell for dicey weather because it’s durable, windproof up to 60 MPH, waterproof, and has pit zips for ventilation. Plus, it packs down into its own pocket making it compact and easy to throw in your day pack or backpacking pack. The Rainier can be found on our list of best lightweight rain jackets and you can pair it with the Rainier Rain Pants (also on sale). The Rainier is best-suited for light rain showers, so if you’re looking for a more heavy-duty rain jacket, the REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket is a great option that’s also on sale.
REI Co-op Hyperaxis Fleece Jacket 2.0 – 30% off
The REI Co-op Hyperaxis Fleece Jacket isn’t your traditional fleece – it’s made for movement. This is a 4-way stretch jacket made of quick-dry, moisture-wicking material that still manages to be soft and cozy, making it the perfect fleece for any outdoor activity. It has a flattering fit and comes in some nice colors for casual everyday wear too.
Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2 Ankle Pants – 25% off
The Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2 Ankle Pants have been one of Kristen’s staples for hiking and backpacking trips for several years now. The elastic waistband is super comfortable, and because there is no button, drawstring, or zipper, they work really well when you’re wearing a backpack with a hip belt since there is nothing that will cause rubbing or discomfort. You can find the Dynama pants on our list of best women’s hiking pants.
REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie – 30% off
We’re big fans of sun protection, and the REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie is one of the best outdoor sun shirts we’ve tried. Kristen wore it for a week straight in Maui without washing it and found that it didn’t stink, and the loose fit kept her surprisingly cool even in warm weather. Check out our full sun protection for hiking guide for more product recommendations and tips.
Darn Tough COOLMAX Micro Crew Cushion Socks – 25% Off
We’ve tried many hiking sock brands over the years and Darn Tough is by far our favorite. These socks stay in place all day, with no slipping, bunching, blisters, or hot spots – even on long backpacking trips. The COOLMAX socks (available in both women’s and men’s) are engineered to move moisture away from your skin so your feet stay cool in the heat. During REI’s Labor Day Sale, you can score 25% off all Darn Tough socks, which is perfect for stocking up before fall hiking season.
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out of Pocket High-Waisted Midi Leggings – 25% Off
The Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out of Pocket Leggings are buttery soft, have a wide waistband for a flattering fit, and are perfect for those fall shoulder-season adventures and for lounging around the house. There are two deep pockets on the sides to hold your phone, keys, wallet, and other essentials on hikes or walks around the neighborhood. During REI’s Labor Day Sale, all Beyond Yoga is 25% off.
Astral TR1 Loop Water Shoes – 25% off
Gone are the days of ugly, technical water shoes! The Astral TR1 Loop Shoes are grippy enough for slick and uneven terrain, while the engineered mesh uppers provide a breathable, comfortable shoe. These shoes are perfect for water hikes, such as The Narrows in Zion, or anywhere where you don’t want heavy, waterlogged hiking boots. Kristen took these shoes on her Maui trip and they were the perfect companion for slick waterfall hikes.
Icebreaker Underwear – 25-50% off
Icebreaker is known for its high-quality merino wool outdoor apparel, and they also make some of our favorite hiking underwear. BFT team member Courtney loves the Icebreaker Siren Hipkini Underwear because they stay in place and don’t ride up while hiking, plus they’re softer than synthetic fabrics. Right now you can score 25% off all Icebreaker underwear during REI’s Labor Day Sale, including their thong and bikini cuts.
KUHL Freeflex Roll-Up Pants – 30% Off
The KUHL Freeflex Roll-Up Pants are highly-rated convertible hiking pants with UPF 50+ sun protection. These versatile pants can be easily rolled up into capris, which is great for those fall season hikes that can have varying temperatures. The Freeflex pants are stretchy, but won’t sag over time and are made of quick dry material – all things we love in a hiking pant!
Cotopaxi Teca Calido Hooded Jacket – 20-50% Off
Cotopaxi is a brand we love because they’re always doing good. They are a certified B Corp and they allocate 1% of their annual revenues to the Cotopaxi Foundation, which supports non-profit partners that work to alleviate poverty, provide education, and support refugees around the world. The Teca Calido Hooded Jacket is one of our favorite synthetic jackets on the market because it’s fully reversible, with cute color blocking on one side and solid color on the other. With tons of pockets (on both sides of the jacket), it’s extremely functional and a great value buy, especially at 25% off during REI’s Labor Day Sale.
Best Car Camping & Van Life Deals
REI Co-op Siesta Hooded Double Sleeping Bag – 75% off (Members Only)
Having a warm sleeping bag is essential to sleep comfortably on a car camping trip. The REI Co-op Siesta Hooded Double Sleeping Bag is already a great value bag if you want to snuggle up with your sweetie while camping, and during REI’s Labor Day sale, you can score an additional 75% off! The hood is perfect for staying cozy on chilly nights, and the dual 2-way zippers let you unzip the foot sections separately for customized ventilation. Camping solo? Check out the single Siesta Hooded 25 Sleeping Bag, also 75% off during REI’s Labor Day Sale.
Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Sleeping Pad – 25% Off
Having a solid sleep system is a must for getting shut-eye on a camping trip. The Exped MegaMat Duo 10 is nearly 4 inches thick, so you won’t be feeling the ground, and with an R-value of 8.1, you won’t have to worry about staying warm throughout the night. The MegaMat is way more reliable and less bulky than using a traditional blow-up mattress on camping trips, and way more comfortable than using lightweight inflatable sleeping pads – once you try this sleeping mat, you won’t go back. If you’re headed on a solo adventure, there is a 1P version available too.
Eureka Ignite Plus Camp Stove – 25% off
A camp stove might just be the most important piece of equipment in your camp kitchen. We love the Eureka Ignite Plus Camp Stove for whipping up delicious meals (it’s what Kristen uses in her van!). It has two powerful burners, auto-ignition, great simmering capability, and its solid construction that will help you cook up delicious camp meals for years. The Plus size allows you to fit two 12-inch pans side by side and is great for cooking up big meals. If you’re looking for a smaller, standard-sized 2-burner stove, the regular Eureka Ignite (which fits two 10-inch pans) is also on sale.
NEMO Helio Portable Camp Shower – 25% Off
Looking for an easy way to shower when you’re camping? The NEMO Helio Shower heats up water under the sun throughout the day or you can fill it directly with hot water. The tank is pressured with a foot pump and the hose is long enough to take a standing shower. BFT Director Linda uses this on camping trips and loves that it packs down small and light making it easy to bring along and that it makes taking a shower while camping so simple. Right now you can score 25% off the Helio portable shower during REI’s Labor Day sale.
ENO Lounger DL Chair – 25% Off
The ENO Lounger DL Chair is extremely comfortable and ergonomic – in fact, it’s almost like sitting in one of ENO’s hammocks but with a pillow and back support. Kristen traveled with these in her camper van for a long time and never had any lower back pain after sitting for long periods. They aren’t the most compact when packed away, but the loungy comfort they provide is well worth the room they take up for camping and van life. That’s why these are on our list of the best camp chairs.
MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights – 25% Off
Up your camp ambiance game with the solar-powered MPOWERD Luci String Lights. They require no batteries and charge from the internal solar panel – just flip it upside down during the day to recharge. Camping in the shade? You can also recharge these string lights via USB cable. There is also a color string version available.
Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Power Station – 20% Off
If you need a way to power your electronics while car camping, the Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Power Station (505Wh) is a portable charging station that can charge your devices such as a laptop, phone, or camera.
To recharge, you can plug the unit into a 12V cigarette outlet (perfect while driving), buy a solar panel to recharge while off-grid, or plug it into an AC wall outlet to charge before heading out. Right now, you can save 20% off this Goal Zero Power Station!
ENO Doublenest Hammock – 25% Off
What’s better than lounging in a hammock after a nice long hike or after setting up camp? ENO helped pioneer basecamp relaxation, and we love using their DoubleNest Hammock on trips because it has ample room for two but packs down super small. You can easily toss it in your daypack to string up for a mid-hike nap! ENO hammocks also come in fun prints and some even give back to important causes.
BioLite AlpenGlow Camp Lantern – 25% Off
Everyone needs a portable camping lantern, and we love the BioLite AlpenGlow. Instead of relying on batteries, this small lantern recharges via micro-USB, and it has a USB-A port to charge or power your other devices. It comes in two sizes and has tons of different light modes including cool, warm, flicker, and color party. It’s packable and has an internal loop so you can easily hang it from your tent, and it makes a great nightlight whether at home or outdoors as well.
Best Deals on Hiking & Backpacking Gear
Gregory Jade 28 Daypack – 25% Off
The Gregory Jade 28 is the current daypack BFT Founder Kristen uses and she loves that she doesn’t get any fatigue in her neck or shoulders when wearing it. It’s well cushioned, comfortable, and the load lifter straps can be pulled in tight so the load is close to your back. Plus the torso is adjustable based on your torso length and the waistbelt pocket is spacious enough for the new normal-sized iPhone so you won’t have to struggle to get it in and out every time. Right now you can snag this daypack for 25% off!
REI Co-op Trail 5 Waistpack – 30% Off (Members Only)
From day hikes to overseas travel, the REI Co-op Trail 5 Waistpack is the perfect size for carrying your essentials. The 5L bag can hold all your day hiking essentials and has a secret back compartment for storing any valuables. This fanny pack also includes dual water bottle pockets that are designed to securely hold 1-liter water bottles for hands-free hiking. This is a great option for anyone with back issues or if a backpack simply isn’t your jam. Looking for a smaller fanny pack? There is also a 2L version on sale.
Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles – 25% Off
A pair of lightweight trekking poles, like the Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles, is a must for hiking and backpacking, especially on trails with lots of uphill and downhill to protect those knees and joints. These are what BFT Director Linda uses on the trail and she loves them. They are collapsible which makes packing these super easy, and they’re also lightweight, durable, and comfortable yet budget-friendly. For reference, Linda is 5’3″ and uses the 100cm size while her husband is 6′ and uses the 130cm size.
All Black Diamond trekking poles are 25% off during REI’s Labor Day Sale, and we recommend several others in our roundup of best trekking poles in case you’re looking for a different type.
Therm-A-Rest ProLite Sleeping Pad – 25% Off
The Therm-a-Rest ProLite is designed with comfort in mind, and it’s Kristen’s personal sleeping pad of top choice for the best backpacking sleeping pads. It provides enough padding that you can’t feel the ground or little rocks that you might have set your tent up on top of yet it’s still lightweight. If you’re looking for a different style of sleeping pad, all Therm-a-Rest pads are 25% off during REI’s Labor Day Sale and they make some of the best sleeping pads out there.
NEMO Forte 20 Sleeping Bag – 50% off (Members Only)
If you’re a side sleeper or toss and turn a lot, you’re not going to want to pass up this REI Labor Day sale deal. The NEMO Forte 20 Sleeping Bag was built with side sleepers in mind, allowing roominess for movement and added padding at the elbows and knees for maximum comfort. Right now, REI members can score this sleeping bag for 50% off – finding a quality backpacking sleeping bag at this price doesn’t happen very often, so definitely check out this bag! There is also a men’s version and 35F version available.
Gregory Jade 63 Pack – 25% Off
The Gregory Jade 63 Pack is a lightweight backpacking bag that fits like a glove. It has a fully adjustable torso and the OpenAir ventilated back panel offers a customizable fit and incredible breathability. There are tons of compartments, pockets, and bungees to easily organize and store all of your gear. Looking for a men’s pack? The Gregory Zulu 65 Pack has a similar design.
REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL 2 Tent – 30% Off (Members Only)
The REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL2 Tent is one of the lightest freestanding 2-person backpacking tents on the market, and right now it’s 30% off for REI members. It’s comfortably sized for 2 and has two doors and two vestibules. The near-vertical walls provide more space for sitting up and the vents on the fly allow for breathability even in the rain. The large doors make getting in and out easier, and a variety of pockets and loops in the interior help with organization. We’ve taken this tent on numerous trips over the years, and you can find it on our list of the best backpacking tents.
Therm-A-Rest Vela 32 Double Sleeping Quilt – 25% Off
If you’re in the market for a lightweight 2-person sleeping quilt for backpacking, the Therm-A-Rest Vela 32 Double Sleeping Quilt is a highly ranked option. Weighing just 2 lbs 3 ounces (the same as many 1P sleeping bags!), this quilt takes up almost no room in your pack and allows you to easily snuggle up at camp with a partner. There is also a 20F version available.
JetBoil MiniMo Cooking System – 25% off
The JetBoil Mini Mo is great for car campers and backpackers alike and is one of our favorite camp stoves. The integrated cookware system efficiently transfers heat to the lock-on pot so you can enjoy a quick meal or hot drink when you wake up, without having to fumble around too much. It takes, on average, 4 minutes 30 seconds to boil 1L of water (but typically much faster if you are boiling less water). Looking for a larger size? All JetBoil products are 25% off during REI’s Labor Day Sale.
Best Deals on Travel & Outdoor Accessories
Osprey Porter 46 Travel Pack – 25% off
Travel is back in full swing so now is the time to find the perfect carry-on backpack for all of your adventures. We’ve been long-time fans of the Osprey Porter 46 because it has a full U-shape zip allowing you access the entire compartment (no more digging through your pack to find one item!) It also has tons of organizational pockets and a padded hip belt to evenly distribute the load and take the weight off your back and shoulders. You can find the Porter 46 on our list of the best carry-on travel bags.
Kokopelli Rogue-Lite Pack Raft – 20% Off
REI’s Labor Day Sale is the perfect time to save on big-ticket “toys”, like the Kokopelli Rogue-Lite Pack Raft. Kristen has taken an older model of the Rogue-Lite on many paddling trips over the years and loves how easy it is to inflate (under 5 minutes) and how relatively lightweight it is compared to similar packrafts.
Manduka PROlite Yoga Mat – 25% Off
Manduka makes high-quality, durable yoga mats that are perfect for yoga, stretching, and at-home workouts. Our favorite is the PROLite Yoga Mat which is a non-slip mat that’s thick enough that you won’t feel the hard ground and that can endure the sweatiest of sessions. Plus, Manduka has a lifetime guarantee, making this a great long-term mat.
REI Co-op Multi Towel Lite – 25% off
REI’s Multi Towels are the perfect on-the-go, multi-functional towel for van life, traveling, and camping. The material is soft, quick-drying, and absorbent and the towel itself is lightweight and packable — perfect for camping and backpacking trips, and even as a beach, shower, or dish towel. They come in multiple sizes to best fit your needs!
Grayl GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle – 25% off
We love the Grayl GeoPress for road trips, camping, and international travel and right now it’s 25% off. Using Grayl to treat local water (instead of buying bottled water when traveling) not only will save you money but reduce unnecessary waste from single-use plastic water bottles. To use this filter, simply fill up at any stream, lake, sketchy tap, or hotel sink, then press the filter down through the bottle. Voila! In 8 seconds, you’ll have clean drinking water that removes 99.99% of viruses, disease-causing bacteria, and protozoan cysts. The GeoPress is one of our favorite water filters and purifiers.
What’s on your wishlist for the REI Labor Day Sale? Leave a note in the comments below!