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My Top 18 Picks - REI Labor Day Sale (STARTS TODAY)!
Published 24 days ago • 6 min read
Hi there!
I don’t know about you, but this summer flew by in a blur. I’ve been a little quieter in your inbox while I’ve been soaking up the last few weeks in Quebec with Ryan and little Herbie (more on that in my next email). For now, I didn’t want Labor Day weekend to sneak past without letting you know about REI’s Labor Day Sale, which just kicked off today.
If you discovered this summer that some of your gear wasn’t cutting it, or you’ve been eyeing an upgrade, this is one of the best chances of the year to save. The sale runs August 22 through September 1, and it includes some of my most-loved tents, sleeping bags, clothing, and other essentials.
I always put these sale emails together because I know outdoor gear can be a big investment, and it’s nice to save when you can. Every deal I share here is based on gear I’ve personally used, tested, and loved, so you can feel confident in what’s worth grabbing.
And as always, if you shop through the links in this email, I earn a small commission (at no cost to you). That helps me keep creating helpful, honest content here at Bearfoot Theory. Thanks so much for supporting my work ❤️
Not a Member Yet?
You don't have to be an REI Member to shop the sale, but there are a lot of benefits to the $30 lifetime Membership that I talk about in this blog post. These include 10% back on your purchases in the form of Member rewards each year and a 1-year return policy on most items, even if you've tried the gear outside.
🏕️ 25% Off All REI Co-op Brand Tents, Sleeping Bags & Sleeping Pads
I’ve owned several REI tents and sleeping bags over the years, and I think they offer some of the best quality for the price. With 25% off, it’s a great time to upgrade. A few standouts from the sale:
REI Basecamp 4 Tent – Spacious for four, with plenty of windows and enough headroom that you can almost stand up inside. Perfect for car camping.
REI Siesta Hooded 20 Double – A 2-person sleeping bag that’s cozy for snuggling and a solid deal at this price point.
REI Basecamp 4 Tent
☀️ 30% off REI Sahara Shade Hoodies
The REI Sahara Shade Hoodie (comes in men's, women's, and kid's) is hands-down my favorite sun hoodie for fall. It’s a little warmer than some of my lighter sun shirts, but it still wicks sweat really well. I especially love the big hood, thumbholes, and the looser fit that makes it super comfortable. All other Sahara Clothing is also 30% off.
Pre-baby I was 135 lbs and wore a Medium (here). Now I'm 145 lbs and wear a large.
🧦 25% Off All Darn Tough Socks
I’m obsessed with Darn Tough hiking socks and have worn them exclusively since backpacking the John Muir Trail in 2014. They stay put in your shoes, helping to prevent blisters, and unlike some other wool socks, they’re not overly hot. That's why they’re the only hiking socks I recommend.
Darn Tough Lightweight No-Show hiking socks
🏃♀️ 30% Off All REI Co-op Swiftland Running Clothing
This men's and women's collection includes shorts, t-shirts, and jackets designed for movement in the outdoors, plus some warmer layers that are perfect for hiking as the weather cools. My top women's pick is the Swiftland 6 Running Tights. The waistband is super comfortable, and the deep, stretchy side pockets easily fit an iPhone Pro.
REI Swiftland 6" Running Tights. I'm a size 8 and wear a medium in these
👖 25% Off Mountain Hardwear Dynama Bottoms
The men's and women's Mountain Hardwear Dynama bottoms are lightweight, loose-fitting, and breathable with a stretchy waistband. The Dynama Ankle Pants are one of my go-to choices because they transition so well from trail to town.
One tip: they run a little large, so if you’re between sizes, I recommend sizing down.
I wear a medium in these
🌙 25% Off NEMO Moonlander Dual Height Table
This NEMO Moonlander Table is what we’re traveling with right now, and I love it. It’s super compact, sets up in seconds, and is surprisingly sturdy for how light it is. The dual-height design means you can use it low to the ground for kids or use it as a side table for drinks and food.
🏔️ 30% Off REI Flash 55 Pack
I used the REI Flash 55 backpack (men's version here) on my Paria Canyon backpacking trip and came away really impressed. It’s very lightweight at just 2 lbs. 12 oz., yet still has plenty of capacity and smart storage features. It's a great choice if you want a reliable pack without the high price tag of some ultralight brands.
😴 25% Off Select NEMO Tents, Sleeping Pads & Bags
NEMO makes some of the most innovative lightweight gear carried at REI, and a couple of my favorites are included in this sale:
NEMO Tensor Ultralight All-Season Sleeping Pad – My current backpacking pad designed to insulate in cold weather. I use the wide version for extra wiggle room, and it weighs a mere 19oz.
NEMO Hornet OSMO Ultralight Tent – This freestanding tent is impressively light without sacrificing livability - perfect for minimalist backpackers who still want headroom and structure.
NEMO Tensor All-Season Sleeping Bag paired with an REI quilt
☕️ 25% Off All Jetboil Stoves and Accessories
All Jetboil gear is 25% off. I've been using the Jetboil Flash for almost as long as I've been backpacking, and it’s hands-down the quickest, easiest way to boil water for dehydrated meals, morning coffee, or oatmeal.
💦 30% Off REI Multi Towels
These REI quick-dry towels are super versatile—I use them for everything from backpacking and drying dishes to toweling off after a swim (or even drying the dogs). Lightweight, packable, and a handy item to always keep in your gear bin.
We have a stack of these towels that we keep with us in our rig
💦 Up to 50% Off Clearance Hiking Apparel & Footwear
There are some really good clearance deals in this sale too, including a few of my personal favorites:
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Shirts (30% Off) - This is my most worn hiking shirt. They wick sweat really well, come in short- and long-sleeve versions, and can be worn multiple times without washing. Sizes and colors are limited, so act fast!
KUHL Vantage Dress (30% Off) - I think this dress is super flattering and easy to dress up or down. It doesn’t wrinkle easily, making it an awesome option for travel.
Patagonia Cool Capilene Daily Hoody in Large
🔥 Other Great Deals
On top of the picks I mentioned above, there are a ton of other great deals worth checking out:
That’s a wrap on my favorite REI Labor Day Sale picks! Hopefully this helps you snag some gear you’ll love for many adventures ahead. And once again, thank you for supporting Bearfoot Theory by shopping through my links. It shows REI that I'm worth collaborating with and helps me continue my mission of helping people get outside.
This email may contain links from Bearfoot Theory brand and/or affiliate partners. I only recommend products that I've used and love and think you'll love too. Thank you for your support!
Your go-to hiking, camping, and van life blog. Get real-world advice that motivates you to get outside, equips you with a robust outdoor skill set, and prepares you to face whatever challenges nature throws your way. Join 28,000 subscribers who get weekly outdoor travel tips and stories delivered to your inbox.
