We really like shopping at REI. Maybe a little too much…. Luckily for you, we’ve spent a lot of money at REI over the past few years, so if you’re wondering what to buy at the REI Labor Day Sale (now through September 4, 2023), here are some of our favorite REI items we use in our adventures that are on sale this week. We have taken advantage of REI’s sales regularly over the years to stock up on high-quality travel and outdoor gear, so if you’re looking to do the same, this week/weekend is a great opportunity!
REI Co-op members can save an extra 20% on one eligible REI Outlet item through September 4 with coupon code LABORDAY23. Not an REI Co-op member? Join today for lifetime benefits!
Note: We use affiliate links in this article, which means if you purchase something from REI through our links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, this post is not sponsored by REI and we only recommend items in this article that we own and love! Thank you for supporting Tristao Travels.
Clothing (Travel + Outdoors)
Merino Wool Base Layers
Merino wool is expensive (which is why the REI Labor Day Sale is the perfect time to upgrade your base layers), but it’s also moisture-wicking, odor-resistant and temperature-regulating. This makes it the perfect material for not only outdoor adventures but also for wearing during long travel days and/or rewearing multiple times on a trip when you can’t do laundry.
Megan says: My favorite base layer top is actually the most inexpensive merino one I have: the REI Co-op Merino 185 Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top. The Artilect Boulder 125 Crew Base Layer Top is another favorite that I wore to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. (That one is pricey, so if you don’t want to pay $110 for it, now’s the time to snag this shirt! Plus the matching base layer bottoms are also on sale.)
Black Diamond HighLine Stretch Shell Jacket (Men’s)
Jonathan says: Everyone needs a solid rain jacket, and I love this one from Black Diamond (pictured above). It has all the essential features I was looking for (zippered chest pocket, pit zips, higher waist pockets for use with a backpack hip belt), plus the fabric has a little stretch to it.
REI Co-op Rainier Full-Zip Rain Pants
Jonathan says: For those days when only your rain jacket isn’t enough, you’ll want a pair of these pants handy (also pictured above). The full-zip sides make access easy, and these pants are great for keeping out the wind as well! (Also available in women’s sizes, pictured on Megan above.)
ExOfficio Underwear (Women’s)
Megan says: I don’t know if I should feel weird about the amount of times I’ve recommended ExOfficio underwear on this blog … but I really do love it. Comfortable + easy to hand wash = perfect for both travel and camping trips.
prAna Stretch Zion Pants II (Men’s)
Jonathan says: I really dig these pants from prAna. They fit great, have a built-in pull tab to cinch the waist tight, and the roll-up cuffs with a button are great for when you’re at camp or near the water (as pictured above).
REI Co-op Activator 3.0 Pants (Women’s)
Megan says: These are far and away my favorite hiking pants. I’ve tried many pairs over the years and now these are my go-to. They are stretchy and comfortable and I can wear them without a belt, which is especially useful when I’m wearing a heavy backpack with a hip belt.
Allbirds Sneakers
Megan says: When we left for our round-the-world trip in 2019, one of the clothing items I thought longest and hardest about was my shoes. What could I wear that would be comfortable for walking miles every day, not take up too much room in my backpack, and look at least halfway decent with all my clothes? Allbirds won on all counts, and I haven’t looked back! I have the Wool Runners, but I’ve also heard great things about the Tree Runners (both on sale now!).
Find more deals on women’s and men’s clothing during the REI Labor Day Sale.
Hiking & Camping Gear
Gregory Zulu 30 Pack* (Men’s)
Jonathan says: A good daypack is worth its weight in gold! I got this daypack (pictured above) and put it to the test on Mt. Kilimanjaro earlier this year, and it’s become my go-to bag for day hikes. (Megan’s 28-liter Gregory Jade daypack* from Kili is also on sale.) *Members, log in and use code LABORDAY23 to save an extra 20% on this item through 9/4.
CamelBak Crux 3L Reservoir
Megan says: Hopefully you take really good care of your water bladders and nothing has mold in it, but if you need to replace yours … now’s the time! And if you don’t use a water bladder (a.k.a. hydration reservoir) yet, we love the convenience for hiking.
REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent with Footprint
This was our first tent we owned together, and we still have it almost 10 years later (pictured above in 2022). Ours is an older version of the Half Dome 2+, but the current one is “superlight,” which is even more exciting for backpackers! It comfortably fits both of us at around 6’2″ and 5’6″. We use this tent for all our camping trips, whether we’re car camping or backpacking. And the 30% off sale price means you’ll save $100 on just this one item!
MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights
Jonathan says: These string lights add a nice ambiance and just the right amount of light to any campsite. We use these ALL THE TIME (pictured above). Nice compact package, easy to use, and has a solar panel so you can charge it in the sun during the day. Also great for highlighting that one guy line on your rainfly that everyone always trips on while walking through camp.
Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 Lantern & USB Power Hub
Jonathan says: This lantern is super bright, has both 360-degree and directional light settings, comes with a crank if you run out of juice, and you can even charge devices from it.
Stanley Adventure Base Camp Cookset 4
Jonathan says: Every camping setup needs a cookset and we love this nesting set from Stanley (at use in the photo above right). All the basics in a compact setup. (For backpacking, we just use a simple cup—not currently on sale but still pretty affordable at $13.95—and two sporks.)
MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove
Jonathan says: We love this compact backpacking stove (pictured above left). Super sturdy and compact with a good-sized burner surface. If you want to save a few bucks and bring your own lighter, you can opt for the regular model, which doesn’t have the built-in igniter. (Megan says: In addition to camping, this backpacking stove is great for long or strenuous day hikes where we might want a hot meal at the top!)
AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press
Jonathan says: “Roughing it” doesn’t mean you need to do anything too wild (such as skip a good cup of coffee). Get the best of both worlds with super easy cleanup with this travel coffee press.
Find additional camping & hiking deals at the REI Labor Day Sale 2023 here.
Generally Useful Gear (Travel + Outdoors)
Black Diamond LED Headlamps
We mostly use our headlamps for hiking and camping, but they come in handy during long-term travel, too! Jonathan specifically loves his Cosmo 350 Headlamp.
REI Co-op Drawcord Stuff Sacks
We typically use packing cubes in our travel backpacks (not available at REI), but we find these stuff sacks are much more efficient for organizing items in our hiking backpacks. Bonus: You can use a stuff sack filled with clothes or a jacket as a pillow while backpacking!
Klean Kanteen Water Bottles
We got our Klean Kanteen bottles for our honeymoon to Southeast Asia back in 2014, and they are still serving us well almost a decade later! (Now covered in tasteful stickers, of course.) The 27-ounce Klean Kanteen Recycled Stainless-Steel Water Bottle with Loop Cap is the most similar model to ours that’s on sale at REI now.
Find more travel gear deals at the REI Labor Day Sale 2023 here.
One Last Deal
For those of you who are not REI Co-op members yet, you can earn $30 toward your next purchase when you become a lifelong REI Co-op member.
How it works:
1. Through September 28, 2023, make a $50 purchase at REI
2. Add a lifetime membership for a one-time $30 fee to your cart
3. A bonus card will be emailed for use on a future purchase
Terms and conditions apply. Details can be found at https://www.rei.com/member-thanks#redeem-terms.
Feature image: Jonathan with our car camping setup at Convict Lake, California (September 2022)
