My favorite hiking, backpacking, and outdoor items in the REI Winter Sale!
I always like to start off these sale lists with the caveat that – if you don’t need something, don’t take this as your sign to buy it! If you already have something that works, there’s no need to constantly upgrade to the newest, shiniest toy.
However, if you are looking to treat yourself, send a gift to a backpacker in your life, or replace some gear that has seen one too many miles, my favorite time to do that is while it’s on sale! Plus, reading these lists from people I trusted is what helped me outfit my gear closet for far less than buying everything at full price. So, here are some of my favorite hiking, backpacking, fishing, skiing, and other outdoor gear that is on sale in the REI Winter sale.
Members, use the code Winter24 to save an extra 20% through 11/25.
These links are affiliate links, which means I earn a commission if you use them to purchase, at no cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Bundled up in the San Juans, rocking the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork poles and Altra shoes.
Altra Olympus — 30% off ($70 off with coupon through 11/25)
Members, use code WINTER24 to save an extra 20% on this item, thru 11/25.
I have worn Altras for several thousand miles, but was starting to feel like my original choice (the Lone Peaks) were not providing enough cushion. Enter, the Olympus’s. I started incorporating them into my rotation at the end of my Ultramarathon training and have been wearing them on runs and hikes ever since. The wide two box is great for my wide feet, the tread is phenomenal, and I really love the extra cushion the Olympus’s provide.
Nemo Tensor Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad — 25% off
This super comfy blow up pad can be as light as 13 oz. Josh, my fiance, purchased this pad on the CDT after he had trouble with blown baffles and holes in other sleeping pads. This one gave him no problems, and the customer service is excellent. I gashed a hole in mine in the Tetons and they replaced it under warranty. It’s easy to blow up with the included stuff sack and this is a great deal.
Wearing the Echo Hoodie and staying cool in the Gila River on the CDT.
I wore the Women’s Echo Hoodie for a huge chunk of the CDT as well as many of my long runs during ultramarathon training. It’s a great, super lightweight and breathables un hoody. Light colorways have a UPF of 15 while darker colors have a UPF of 20.
Garmin InReach Mini 2 - $100 off (sale ends 12/2)
The Garmin InReach Mini 2 is currently $100 off at REI! I talk more in depth about my use of the Garmin InReach Mini in several of my videos (here too). While the SOS feature is great by itself, I like the Garmin Inreach Mini for several other uses: checking the weather, communicating with hiking partners while in the backcountry, and as a navigation backup. Phones with satellite capabilities may eventually phase out it’s usefulness, but for now the InReach still win in overall features and I’ll keep bringing it with me for the foreseeable future.
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles - $50 off
These trekking poles have appeared in many of my gear reviews, because I have used them for well over 5,000 miles of hiking and backpacking. I bought them before the PCT in 2019 and have used them ever since (including on my 2022 CDT thru-hike). They have also been used to pitch my tent every night on those thru-hikes. You can elongate their life by replacing the tips when they get worn down, which I have done 2 or 3 times.
The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles are currently on sale through REI for $50 off.
Garmin Instinct Solar 2 GPS Watch — 25%, $100 off (sale ends 12/31)
LOVE this watch. Josh, my fiance, converted me into being a watch person and I used this to track my entire CDT thru-hike, plus every training run for my first ultra, and a bunch of other activities in between.
The solar makes the battery last way longer. I can track two full hiking days (24+ hours of tracking) before I need to charge. If I’m not actively tracking, the battery seemingly never dies.
I talk more in depth about this watch in this video.