Prices for everything are on the rise, including outdoor gear. If you’ve been eyeing a special piece of gear or need a new outfit for summer hikes, there is no better time to stock up than now.
The REI Anniversary Sale is happening through May 25th, and there are some amazing deals to be had. These are some of our favorite pieces of gear we would definitely buy again if we didn’t already have them. We’ve also included a few wishlist items we’re putting in our shopping carts before the sale is over.
Note: The links below are affiliate links. If you choose to use them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we use ourselves and love. This helps keep us on the road and making content. We appreciate your support!
Outdoor Safety Essentials
Before going on any adventure, whether camping, hiking, backpacking, or something else, it’s important to make sure you have what you need to stay safe away from services.
MEDICAL KIT: This Medical Kit has saved us more than once when blisters, minor cuts, and burns happened in the front or backcountry. It’s lightweight and has all the essentials organized, so you can quickly and easily find them in case of emergency.
SATELLITE COMMUNICATION: If things require a little more help than a medical kit can provide, having a Garmin InReach Mini can literally be a lifesaver. You can choose from monthly plans tailored to your needs and turn on/off when you’re not exploring the backcountry.
RECHARGEABLE HEADLAMP: Being able to see at night is essential, but constantly spending money on batteries for headlamps is annoying and expensive. We love these Black Diamond rechargeable headlamps for doing things around camp, exploring caves, and hiking at night.
Footwear
HIKING BOOTS: Not to be dramatic, but these hiking boots changed our lives. The Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX come in both men’s and women’s and we’ve each had several pairs. These boots have kept us comfortable and dry from trails in Alaska to the Southwest.
HIKING SOCKS: Aside from having proper boots, wearing Smartwool wool socks is one of the best ways to keep your feet comfy on hikes and at camp. They dry quickly, resist odor, and have cushion in just the right places.
Clothing
ACTIVE SHIRTS: A good breathable shirt is so important on the trails and around camp. These Active Pursuits T-shirts come in both men’s and women’s, and we wear them multiple days in a row when laundry isn’t an option. Don’t judge us.
SUN HOODIE: This is a staple in any outdoorsy wardrobe. The Sahara Shade Hoodie comes in both men’s and women’s, and it provides protection from the sun while still keeping you cool.
HIKING PANTS: Wishlist item! We’re both in need of some new hiking pants, and these look like the perfect fit. We love that they come in men’s and women’s, and are made with durable yet breathable material.
SHORTS: Wishlist item! We also both need some new trail shorts this year. These men’s and women’s shorts look super practical and stylish, and we also love all the colors they come in.
RAIN JACKET: Wishlist item! One jacket you don’t want to get caught without during the summer is a rain jacket. We’ve tried the Rainier Rain Jackets on before, and they fit great, have practical pockets and vents, and look good, too.
Van Life & Car Camping Gear
PORTABLE FIREPIT: With fire bans more and more common, having a portable firepit is less of a nice-to-have and more of a necessity if you want a campfire. The Ignik Firecan is our favorite for staying warm and cozy at camp.
PROPANE GROWLER: To fuel our firepit and cooking devices, these Ignik propane growlers come in clutch. We fill them for about $5 each, and they last a few weeks. Way cheaper than a bundle of wood!
QUICK-DRY TOWELS: Towels can take up a lot of space in a van or camper. These Nomadix lightweight and quick-dry towels are not only super practical, but they also come in some really cool colors and prints.
PACKING CUBES: I don’t know how we would keep our clothes organized without these. Packing cubes are the best way to keep our clothing bins tidy and quickly find what we’re looking for.
CAMP DREAMER CHAIR: Every campsite requires a comfy chair to kick back in. We’ve had these chairs for years and love the headrest and double drink holders.
JETBOIL: Being able to boil water as fast as a Jetboil is a major flex. In just a few minutes you can have a hot cup of joe, instant noodles, and our favorite part, enjoy them all in the backcountry.
FOLDING SAW: Wishlist item! We are eyeballing one of these folding saws for trail maintenance and grabbing some quick kindling at camp.
OUTDOOR TUMBLER: Wishlist item! There’s nothing like a cold drink on a hot summer day. We love everything we’ve tried from Hydroflask and have no doubt that these tumblers would be the perfect thing to have around camp.
Adventure Pup Gear
BASECAMP DOG BED: Making sure our pup is comfortable at camp is one of the most important things. He (and we) love this bed because it provides a comfy spot for him. It’s also super easy to roll up and throw in the back of the van when we’re on the move.
PACKABLE DOG BOWL: Wishlist item! Dog bowls can be bulky and take up a lot of room. This dog bowl is packable and easy to stash in your camper or backpack on adventures.
Final Thoughts
We want you to have the best season possible on the trails and at camp. If you’ve been thinking about adding a piece of gear, now is the perfect time to make that purchase and save a little of your hard-earned cash.
For a complete list of all our REI favorites, click here for our gear drop.
We hope to see you on the trails this year. Happy camping!
Leave a Reply