It is practically summer season. The flowers are in full bloom, the birds are effectively north, and REI is kicking off its annual anniversary sale, the outside firm’s greatest sale of the yr. This yr’s REI sale begins Could 16 and runs by way of Memorial Day, Could 26. Many objects are as much as 30 % off, however REI Co-op members save as much as 20 % off any full-price merchandise of their selection and an further 20 % off any REI Outlet merchandise. To get the low cost, add the promo code ANNIV2025 at checkout.
A number of different retailers have additionally launched early Memorial Day gross sales, together with Backcountry and Public Lands, plus a few of our favourite smaller retailers like Sea to Summit and Zenbivy, together with many others yow will discover on Storage Grown Gear. We’ve highlighted some offers on gear we’ve cherished over our years of testing. There’s one thing for practically all our favourite summer season actions—tents, stoves, sleeping baggage, and loads of outside attire. You should definitely have a look at our guides to outside gear, just like the Greatest Day-Mountaineering Packs, Greatest Tents, Greatest Sleeping Luggage, Greatest Backpacking Sleeping Pads, Greatest Rain Jackets, Greatest Backpacking Water Filters, Greatest Merino Wool, and Greatest Binoculars.
Up to date Monday, Could 19, 2025: We have added offers from different gross sales, like Sea to Summit, Roark, Altra, and Six Moon Designs, together with some new REI offers on camp cookware and mountaineering attire.
WIRED Featured Offers
Backpack Offers
Do not forget to take a look at our information to the Greatest Day-Mountaineering Backpacks and the Greatest Journey Luggage.
{Photograph}: REI
The Flash 22 is presumably the best-value day pack in the marketplace, particularly on sale. I used to be stunned by how comfy this factor is, regardless of the light-weight straps and minimal padding. It carries hundreds as much as 15 kilos with out straining the shoulders, and the aspect stash pockets are fabulously giant—large enough for a Nalgene bottle or rain jacket. The Flash 22 is made from 70-denier recycled ripstop nylon, which is on the lighter aspect, however mine has held up effectively, even coming by way of some tough canyon hikes in Utah with none greater than mud stains.
The ultralight cousin to the Flash 22, the Flash 18 lacks the hip belt, aspect stash pockets, and floating lid. What you are left with is a stripped-down, bare-bones pack that is nice for touring, since you’ll be able to stuff it all the way down to nearly nothing, stash it in your carry-on, and have a pleasant backpack everytime you want it. Do not load it up with greater than 8 kilos of drugs although, and keep away from something with pointy bits, as there is no padding right here.
One in every of our favourite day-hiking packs, This Thriller Rack pack was my introduction to wider shoulder straps, which offer extra consolation with out the majority of additional padding. The result’s a snug pack that is gentle (1 lb, 6 oz) and packable, making it an incredible further pack when touring. The aspect pockets are large enough for a Nalgene water bottle and the 25-L capability carries every part you want for a day. It additionally matches below the seat of even small planes. This can be a nice little pack for hitting the path or simply strolling round city.
Our favourite day-hiking pack for the eco-conscious trying to journey gentle, Nemo’s Resolve pack is one hundred pc recycled, infinitely adjustable, and repairable, and as soon as it’s reached the top of its life, it may be despatched again to Nemo for complete recycling. The Resolve has a considerably unusual system of bungees and pull-tabs, as a substitute of straps or webbing, but it surely’s comfy, sitting good and excessive in your again. At 1 lb, 15 oz it is fairly gentle, contemplating all of the {hardware} that it has on it.
Path Working and Highway Working Offers
That is final yr’s model of my favourite Salomon X Extremely 5 mountaineering boots, which I simply examined over the weekend within the Columbia River Gorge. Salomon makes our favourite mountaineering boots—the corporate provides spectacular ranges of safety and traction, whereas being light-weight and remarkably simple to take off and placed on. I like how the heel grips so I do not smash my toes whereas going downhill, and it is so sticky that I can climb up rocks like an ant. —Adrienne So
I’ve worn the ladies’s model of this shoe for years and years. Altra is the greatest working shoe if you need a shoe that has a barefoot really feel (zero heel to toe drop, massive toebox) however retains traction and safety in opposition to rocks and prickers. —Adrienne So
These are Altra’s model of the Brooks Glycerin Max—a super-plush, comfortable highway working shoe. If you need a really cushioned shoe however are hooked on Altra’s massive toe field (no have to be embarrassed, I’m too), these are the footwear to get. Additionally, remember to take a look at our information to the Greatest Barefoot Footwear. —Adrienne So
Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Pad Offers
Confused by the choices? Take a look at our guides to the Greatest Sleeping Luggage and the Greatest Backpacking Sleeping Pads.
{Photograph}: Scott Gilbertson
REI Co-op’s Magma 15 is our favourite bag for shoulder-season journeys when the temps would possibly drop greater than anticipated. It has a superb draft collar that’s superb at conserving out the chilliness. The surface is a 15-denier nylon ripstop (Bluesign-approved, with a non-fluorinated DWR coating to maintain moisture at bay). Baffles are variably spaced and never stitched by way of, which helps the fill keep put and minimizes chilly spots. The Magma does not have plenty of frills; it simply will get the job finished.
Our favourite summertime car-camping sleeping bag, the REI Siesta Hooded 20, is loads heat and inexpensive. It is also not a mummy bag, since you’re not climbing Denali; why cramp your self if you do not have to? The Siesta’s rectangular minimize makes for a a lot roomier, extra comfy bag. The Siesta’s 20-degree ranking makes it sufficient for three-season journeys, and in contrast to most rectangular baggage, the Siesta has a hood, which helps on these chilly nights.
Nemo’s Forte 20 is a 20-degree synthetic-fill sleeping bag, however the consolation ranking is 30 levels. In my testing, this feels extra like the place you’d wish to keep temperature-wise with this bag. The outer shell makes use of a 30-denier recycled polyester ripstop with an inside liner created from 20-denier recycled polyester taffeta. It does a superb job of holding again the moisture that usually varieties inside a tent, which I found after one very soggy evening of testing. The fill is what Nemo calls Zerofiber insulation, which is created from one hundred pc postconsumer recycled content material fibers. The Zerofiber packs down remarkably small—that is essentially the most compact synthetic-fill bag I’ve examined on this temp vary—and it retains its capacity to lure heat even when moist.
{Photograph}: Scott Gilbertson
Our favourite backpacking sleeping bag, the Bishop Cross 30 provides the most effective warmth-to-weight ratio whereas additionally managing to pack down small and never be too costly. It is not good, but it surely strikes the most effective compromise for many backpackers. I’ve slept on this bag for greater than two weeks, with nighttime temps starting from 28 to 65 levels Fahrenheit, and, sure, it was an excessive amount of within the warmth, however on these hotter nights, I unzipped it and lined myself like a heat blanket. It is a versatile bag. Word that for the boys’s bag, solely the lengthy model is on sale. Each the lengthy and common measurement girls’s 30 baggage are on sale.
I have not had an opportunity to put in writing about it but, however I examined the Bishop Cross 0 over the winter and was pleasantly stunned at how heat it was. I took it out on a number of nights the place temps dipped into the only digits (under the consolation ranking of 13 Fahrenheit) and stayed heat. I did put on some merino base layers and a wool hat, however sleeping bag consolation rankings assume this. Should you want a colder-weather bag, with out dipping into excessive temps (and very dear sleeping baggage), this can be a good choice.
The Zenbivy Mattress 25 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is hands-down essentially the most comfy backcountry sleeping expertise I’ve ever had. It would not be my prime choose for excessive conditions, however as long as your anticipated temperatures slot in Zenbivy’s vary (the consolation ranking is 35 levels Fahrenheit), it does not get extra comfy than this. The Zenbivy is not only a sleeping bag. It is a sheet, hood, and quilt-style bag that may be mixed in varied methods.
Zenbivy’s Mild Mattress is a brand-new choice that takes the essential clip design of different Zenbivy beds and lightens up the load. I have been testing this bag for a number of months, and it’s every part I cherished concerning the authentic above, however lighter weight. I am going to have a full evaluate very quickly, however when you’ve been tempted by the Zenbivy, however wished to maintain your base gear weight down, that is the choice you have been search for. The value I’ve put right here consists of each the mattress/sheet portion and the quilt. Word that Zenbivy is having a 25 % off sale on nearly every part on its web site proper now.
Nemo’s new 2024 Tensor-insulated sleeping pads (8/10, WIRED Recommends) have the most effective R-value-to-weight ratio of something I’ve examined, and the All-Season is our prime choose for backpacking journeys. It has an R-value of 5.4 and weighs 18.2 ounces. That alone is spectacular, however what I like concerning the Tensor is that it is thick, comfy, and most significantly, practically silent. The marginally lighter Path mannequin can be on sale, as is the Excessive Situations pad, which is the lightest, warmest sleeping pad in the marketplace.
The darling of ultralight hikers in every single place, the XLite NXT is our choose for backpackers trying to shed pack weight however protect some margin of consolation. The XLite delivers a snug evening’s sleep whereas remaining effectively below 1 pound for the common measurement. At 3 inches thick, it is loads of safety from the bottom, and the R-Worth of 4.5 means it’s going to be loads heat in most three-season circumstances.
Sea to Summit’s Ether Mild XT is just marginally heavier than the Therm-a-Relaxation above. The additional 4 ounces for the Sea to Summit pad will get you fairly a bit extra cushion too—this can be a 4-inch thick pad, in comparison with the three inches of the Therm-a-rest X-Lite, which makes this a greater ultralight choice for aspect sleepers. I additionally occur to love the baffle design higher too, and it appears to be somewhat extra sturdy, making this a superb different ultralight pad. Word that this one is an REI Outlet deal, the XT has been changed by a more recent mannequin.
Tent Offers
Take a look at our Greatest Tents information for extra WIRED-tested suggestions.
Our choose for Greatest Two-Particular person Backpacking Tent, REI’s Half Dome is rugged and light-weight (4 kilos), and provides beneficiant dwelling house for 2 with gear. The tent physique is made from 40-denier ripstop nylon for sturdiness on the base and on the ground, with 20-denier nylon mesh for the physique. The Half Dome comes with a footprint, which is a rarity lately, and good to have. The tent poles are aluminum and interchangeable, which makes them simple to arrange and take down.
Sea to Summit’s ultralight Alto (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is designed to maintain weight down in your solo adventures. At simply 33 ounces for a semi-freestanding tent, it stays one of many lighter choices in the marketplace, and at this worth it is laborious to move up. The mesh netting helps preserve weight down, although for one thing hotter, the Plus model, which has much less mesh, can be on sale for $275 ($275 off), an equally excellent deal.
Sea to Summit’s “3-plus season” tents are succesful sufficient in nearly any climate whereas staying loopy gentle—simply 3 kilos and 12 ounces for this three-person mannequin. I used it on a five-day journey to Loon Lake in northern California in early October, a real “shoulder season” journey with daytime highs within the 80s, nighttime lows within the 40s, and in a single day winds of as much as 60 mph. My favourite design element is that the pole bag is stored inflexible by an insert of opaque white plastic. Clip it to the tent’s ceiling, pop in your headlamp, and illuminate your abode. —Michael Calore
Nemo’s Dagger Osmo (8/10, WIRED Recommends) line of tents are moderately gentle with roomy interiors. The three-person model (additionally on sale) has lengthy been my tent of selection for journeys with my youngsters. Setup is straightforward because of the only principal pole design (which forks at every finish) with a cross pole within the center. There are two spacious vestibules for storing gear, and when you go away the rain fly off, the mesh room is superb for stargazing.
{Photograph}: Scott Gilbertson
The Nemo Mayfly (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a three-season backpacking tent with a path weight of three kilos, 8 ounces for the two-person model I examined. Cut up between two individuals, every is carrying below 2 kilos. The Mayfly saves on weight by utilizing a semi-freestanding design, which implies you need to partly stake it out. It is on the small aspect as effectively, at 27.9 sq. toes of dwelling house, with two 7-square-foot vestibule areas. I discover it loads livable for 2, and the cross pole provides you a wider roof space than most tents this measurement. I like the white mesh (as a substitute of black) and the tremendous easy clips that preserve the rain fly secured.
That is my favourite single-wall ultralight solo tent. I’ve a full evaluate coming later this month, however after spending fairly some time with this tent I am one thing of a convert, a minimum of for summer season tenting. The Lunar Solo makes it simple to fight the primary downside with single-wall tents: condensation. Due to loads of mesh, and a prime vent within the vestibule (like my all-time favourite backcountry shelter, the Hilleberg Akto (10/10, WIRED Recommends), I have not had a lot concern with condensation within the Lunar Solo. It is not with out its quirks (learn the pitching suggestions), however if you need one thing greater than a tarp, that also weighs simply 26 ounces (740 grams), this one is tough to beat.
Mountaineering Attire Offers
Yearly, I repurchase considered one of these rain jackets for every of my youngsters. It is laborious to seek out rain jackets which are higher worth than REI’s. The child’s model is a 2.5-layer shell with a non-fluorinated (learn: PFAS-free) sturdy water-repellent (DWR) coating, taped seams, and an adjustable hood. These will final all yr (a minimum of, so long as your child does not lose theirs). —Adrienne So
I purchased my father, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and husband every considered one of these shirts final yr. Roark Clothes is a small firm that makes a few of my favourite lively attire, and the Bless Up shirt is the right summer season shirt. It is perforated and created from artificial fibers, so it is good for super-humid seashore days when the temperatures are above 90 levels.—Adrienne So
I have not had an opportunity so as to add them to my Greatest Merino Wool Clothes Information, however these are the most effective merino ankle working socks I’ve tried. They don’t seem to be the very best merino content material (54 %, the rest is nylon and elastane), however they’re skinny, gentle, and work effectively with barefoot footwear (and different footwear). Additionally they resist odor surprisingly effectively for less than about half merino. —Adrienne So
I nonetheless favor Darn Powerful’s light-weight mountaineering socks, however these Smartwool socks are an in depth second, and effectively value shopping for at this worth. Are you able to ever have too many wool mountaineering socks? I would say no. These are 56 % merino wool, so there is a good little bit of stretchiness, but they keep fairly odor-free even after a pair days on the path. Seize two pair and rotate them to maintain your toes dry and pleased.
That is wildly inexpensive in comparison with the opposite solar hoodies we examined for our Greatest Solar Safety Clothes information. WIRED reviewer Jaina Gray discovered it tremendous gentle and breathable, with thumb holes to guard the again of your palms. It is UPF 50, and it might be rather a lot simpler to get your youngsters or delicate members of the family to put on clothes as a substitute of smearing sticky sunscreen throughout their our bodies. —Adrienne So
Tenting Offers
{Photograph}: MSR
We’re within the remaining stage of testing for a backpacking range information that can be up very quickly, and the MSR PocketRocket 2 can be our prime choose for propane canister stoves. It is easy to make use of and boils water rapidly (about 3.5 minutes for 1 liter at sea degree). It is also extra sturdy and subsequently extra dependable than the opposite ultralight stoves I’ve examined. And it weighs simply 2.6 ounces.
I’ve but to do a visit with a satellite tv for pc communicator, however I do perceive why individuals use them. If I had been to carry one alongside, that is the one I would get. It is tiny, gentle (3.5 ounces), and simply stashable. It makes use of the super-fast Iridium satellite tv for pc community, so you’ll be able to ship a speedy SOS from just about wherever. There are further options like waypoints and interval monitoring, and it performs good with suitable Garmin watches.
That is my very own private REI buy for this yr, which is a life jacket for my 1-year-old pet. We do plenty of boating throughout the summer season, and whereas my partner insists that canine can swim, I’m not fairly positive I belief her. On the very least, it provides my canine a couple of handles for me to seize if she will get swept away. —Adrienne So
Do you crave a chair if you’re backpacking? If that’s the case, that is one to get. It is simply concerning the lightest in the marketplace at 18 ounces, packs down very small, and solves the primary downside with all pole chairs: the included base pad retains it from sinking in gentle floor.
Nalgene water bottles for half off, what’s to not love? I’ve all the time most well-liked the timeless basic to the most recent fashion, which may be a part of why I’ve by no means used one other water bottle (effectively, not counting reusing Smartwater bottles when backpacking). Nalgenes are lighter than stainless-steel and, frankly, the one sane choice for mountaineering. Seize two of the massive 48 ounce bottles, stick them within the sides of your Thriller Ranch Coulee 30, and your loved ones won’t ever be thirsty once more.
That is the flamboyant model of our favourite camp range. Right here you get digital ignition and a pleasant pale inexperienced paint job. Is it value the additional $30? That is as much as you. If it isn’t, snag the much less fancy model for $59 at Walmart.
I am undecided this actually qualifies for the “ultralight” moniker, and these pots are sadly marred by having a ton of faux influencer critiques on the market, however they’re really fairly good. And when you’re cooking for a bunch, this 3-liter pot is about as gentle because it will get. That is my go-to pot for household backpacking journeys. The hard-anodized aluminum is sturdy and supplies good warmth switch. The ceramic nonstick coating makes for straightforward cleanup (particularly paired with the GSI scraper under). You can too nest the 2L model ($49) inside this one for extra cooking choices on the path. If you wish to go nuts with it, I have not tried it, however you’ll be able to theoretically additionally nest the 1.3L model ($49) contained in the 2L.
Sea to Summit’s Frontier pan is my all-time favourite backcountry cooking vessel. It is not ultralight to carry an 8-inch frying pan backpacking, however if you’re prepared to maneuver past boil-in-a-bag meals and no matter these disgusting gel tubes are, the Frontier pan is the best way to do it. If you wish to construct a cream sauce from dried milk (it may be finished!) or must sauté these brook trout, a superb pan that distributes warmth moderately evenly is indispensable. The Frontier manages to try this, and it has a pleasant curved edge, making it simple to work with and straightforward to scrub up. The Frontier pan checks all of the containers because of its nice design and ceramic coating, and it in some way manages to weigh simply 13 ounces.
No, it isn’t an earth-shattering deal, however that is presumably the most effective piece of backpacking gear I personal. GSI’s pot scraper is the unsung hero of backcountry cooking, turning cleanup from a tedious chore to a few seconds’ work. Now, when you severely burn one thing, this factor won’t prevent (boil water within the pan to loosen the burnt bits), however for each different state of affairs, scraping down your pot with this instrument will get you 99 % of the best way to a clear pot. I take into account this one indispensable; you would possibly as effectively seize one whereas it is a couple bucks cheaper.