Best Backpacking Gear Deals from the REI Anniversary Sale

This is a sponsored post brought to you by REI. The REI Anniversary Sale runs from May 20th to May 30th.

Every year, REI celebrates another trip around the sun with its annual Anniversary Sale. The time has come, and now through May 30th, hikers and backpackers can score sweet deals on gear and apparel during the Co-op’s biggest sale of the year. Brands including Osprey, NEMO, Garmin, Big Agnes, MSR, and Ursack all feature prominently.

Whether you’re looking to update your setup or you’re gearing up for the very first time, you might not get a better opportunity all year. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill sale, y’all. The markdown list is HUGE, and it’s absolutely jam-packed with sweet deals for thru-hikers. Here are our top picks.

BEST OF ALL: Members score 20% off one full-price at REI and the REI Outlet.  Use code “ANNIV22” at checkout to get the savings! Altra Lone Peaks, Big Agnes Tiger Wall, Darn Tough socks…you name it.

Shop the REI Anniversary Sale

Best Deals from the REI Anniversary Sale

Osprey Levity 60 (Men’s) / Lumina 60 (Women’s) Backpack | 25% Off
Sale $202.49 (Reg. $270 )

• Weight: 31.2 oz (Levity) | 30 oz (Lumina)

The Levity and Lumina are Osprey’s lightest-ever backpacks. Despite featuring Osprey’s airy trampoline-style suspension system and a removable brain, these packs both weigh in at less than two pounds. For those with more compact gear and a burning desire to save weight, the 45L Levity and Lumina are also 25% off during the sale.

Gregory Maven 55 (Women’s) / Paragon 58 (Men’s) Backpack | 25% Off
Sale $187.39 (Reg. $249.95 )

• Weight: 54 oz (Maven) | 55 oz (Paragon)

For those who want more cushioning and structure than an ultralight pack can provide, Gregory’s Maven and Paragon backpacks are a solid choice. We love that these packs come with built-in rain covers, something you don’t often see that makes the price and weight seem all the more reasonable.

Cotopaxi Bataan Fanny Pack | 25% Off
Sale $22.49 (Reg. $30)

• Weight: 4 oz
• Capacity: 3L

Fanny packs are rapidly becoming the ultimate thru-hiking fashion statement—plus they make it SO much easier to reach your snacks while you’re hiking! All Cotopaxi fanny packs are 25% off during the sale, but the Bataan has the best weight-to-volume ratio for thru-hikers.

NEMO Disco 15 Sleeping Bag Men’s / Women’s | 25% Off
Sale $230.49 (Reg. $307.34 )

• Weight: 43 oz (men’s) | 49 oz (women’s)
• Materials: 650-fill down, 30D ripstop nylon shell, 30D nylon taffeta lining

Featuring NEMO’s signature spoon-shaped cut, Thermo Gill vents, and a generous draft collar, the Disco offers all the coziness of a mummy bag without the claustrophobia. Great choice for side sleepers. The men’s and women’s Disco 30 are also 25% off during the REI Anniversary Sale.

Big Agnes Torchlight 20 Sleeping Bag | 25% Off
Sale $239.89 (Reg. $319.95 )

• Weight: 43 oz
• Materials: 600-fill DownTek water-resistant down, ripstop nylon shell

This mummy bag stands out from the crowd thanks to the expandable panels on either side. Zip them up to cinch the bag snugly around you or unzip them to create more room in the interior—it’s up to you.

ZOLEO Satellite Communicator | 25% Off
Sale $149.99 (Reg. $200 )

• Weight: 5.3 oz

This lightweight satellite communicator offers SOS, location sharing, and two-way texting via the Iridium satellite network. The ZOLEO is remarkably affordable considering all that it offers, especially right now when it’s on sale for $50 off.

Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp | 25% Off
Sale $33.69 (Reg. $44.95 )

 

• Weight: 2.7 oz (with batteries)
• Lumens: 400 (high) | 200 (medium) | 6 (low)

This headlamp can be powered either by three AAA batteries or Black Diamond’s own rechargeable lithium battery, giving you maximum flexibility in the field. Speaking of flexibility, you can also choose between three different levels of light output, three strobe patterns, red light mode, and flood or spot beam patterns.

REI XeroDry GTX Rain Jacket Men’s / Women’s | 30% Off
Sale $111.29 (Reg. $159 )

• Weight: 12.5 oz (men’s) | 10.6 oz (women’s)
• Materials:

These beefy Gore-tex Paclite rain jackets boast a sleek, articulated design complete with waterproof zippers. For a more economical alternative, check out the REI Rainier Rain Jacket, which is also discounted during the Anniversary Sale.

REI 650 Down Jacket 2 Men’s / Women’s | 30% Off
Sale $69.89 (Reg. $99.95 )

• Weight: 11 oz (men’s) | 10.8 oz (women’s)
• Materials: 650-fill down, recycled nylon taffeta

A high-quality down midlayer for backpacking doesn’t have to break the bank. REI’s 650 Down Jacket is even more ridiculously affordable than ever during the Anniversary Sale. You’ll never go cold on the trail again with this straightforward, silky-soft quilted puffy.

Topo Athletic Trailventure Men’s / Women’s | 35% Off (Members Only)
Sale $90.99 (Reg. $140)

• Weight: 26.2 oz (men’s) | 20.8  oz (women’s)

For those who want the lightweight-ness, breathability, and affordability of a trail runner combined with the support and stability of a hiking boot, this mid-boot may be the perfect compromise solution. Featuring a grippy Vibram sole, drainage ports, and a wide toe box, the Trailventure has something for everyone. If you’re a Co-op member, you can get these boots for over a third off MSRP during the REI Anniversary Sale.

La Sportiva Bushido II Men’s / Women’s | 25% Off
Sale $97.49 (Reg. $130 )

• Weight: 21 oz (men’s) | 17.6 oz (women’s)
• Heel-toe drop: 6mm

We thru-hikers love our trail runners, but the cost of replacement shoes can add up over the miles. You can save 25% on the Bushido II, an ergonomically designed, moderately cushioned trail runner that’s popular among thru-hikers, now through May 30th.

Keen Targhee III Men’s / Women’s | 20% Off
Sale $139.89 (Reg. $174.95 )

• Weight: 34.8 oz (men’s) | 18.4 oz (women’s)

Keen Targhees are the quintessential hiking boot. They feature durable, oiled nubuck leather uppers with Keen’s proprietary waterproof treatment and sturdy, grippy outsoles. These shoes (and the brand in general) are best for hikers with wider feet or a preference for more room in their footwear. If the Targhees don’t float your boat, never fear: ALL Keen footwear is on sale for 20% off at REI during the Anniversary Sale.

Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV Sandals Men’s / Women’s | 25% Off
Sale $59.89 (Reg. $79.95 )

• Weight: 10.8 oz (men’s) | 8.6 oz (women’s)

Camp shoes are such a wonderful luxury after a long day in your hiking shoes. These minimalist, ultralight sandals are surprisingly comfortable and won’t take up a lot of room in your pack so you can join Team Camp Shoes guilt-free.

Superfeet Trailblazer Insoles Men’s / Women’s | 25% Off
Sale $41.89 (Reg. $54.94 )

These after-market insoles are worth their weight in gold. They provide far more structure and support than the flimsy inserts that come standard with most shoes and have saved many a thru-hike from foot pain-induced failure.

Leki Legacy Lite Trekking Poles | 25% Off
Sale $74.89 (Reg. $99.95 )

• Weight: 18 oz (pair)

A good pair of trekking poles saves your knees on steep downhills, helps you stay upright when your balance might otherwise fail you (happens to the best of us), and can even be used to pitch an ultralight tent. These aluminum poles feature an ergonomic cork/rubber hybrid grip and remarkably easy length adjustment.

MSR Windburner Stove System | 25% Off
Sale $127.39 (Reg. $169.95 )

• Weight: 15.5 oz

This integrated canister stove transfers heat efficiently from the burner to the lock-on pot so your water boils faster and your fuel lasts longer, even on blustery days. sure, it weighs almost a pound, but that’s actually not bad when you consider that this is an all-in-one setup including an integrated pot, cozy, stove, canister stand, and windscreen.

Snow Peak Titanium Trek 700 Mug | 20% Off
Sale $39.89 (Reg. $49.95 )

• Weight: 4.8 oz

This 700mL titanium mug is big enough for all your hot food and beverage needs. If you haven’t made the leap to titanium cookware yet, now’s a perfect opportunity. It’s so much lighter than aluminum and is very durable as well. The lid has a handy drainage slot that can also be used as spork storage and a clip that comes in handy for hanging the lid or securing a fuel canister during the day.

Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle | 25% Off
Sale $29.89 (Reg. $39.95 )

 

• Weight: 6.5 oz
• Materials: Hard-anodized aluminum base, food-grade, heat-resistant silicone walls

The 1.3L X-Pot Kettle is a collapsible silicone vessel for cooking and boiling water. It folds down to just over an inch thick, saving you tons of room in your pack—plus, no more annoying metal clanking sounds off your cookpot.

BearVault BV450 | 25% Off
Sale $57.69 (Reg. $76.95)

• Weight: 33 0z

Everyone’s favorite hard-sided, bear-resistant food container is on sale now through May 30th. For those with larger food storage needs, the BV500 is also 25% off.

Ursack Major | 30% Off
Sale $69.89 (Reg. $99.95 )

• Weight: 7.6 oz

The 10L standard size will be sufficient for most backpackers. REI says it will hold five days of food for one person, so maybe three days’ worth for a thru-hiker—either way, more than enough space. The 15L and 30L versions of the Major, as well as the beefier Ursack Allmitey, are also on sale.

Katadyn BeFree 1L | 25% Off
Sale $33.69 (Reg. $44.95 )

• Weight: 2.3 oz

Thru-hikers love this filtering water bottle because the flow rate is just so dadburn fast. Imagine hiking up to a stream crossing, whipping out your BeFree, scooping some water, and frolicking off again, drinking water in hand, without even having to stop and take off your pack. Katadyn makes water stops infinitely faster and less cumbersome.

Katadyn Steripen Ultra | 25% Off
Sale $89.89 (Reg. $119.95 )

• Weight: 5 oz

If you’re worried that your water sources may need a little extra purification, this USB-rechargeable UV purifier is the way to go. The Steripen can 99.99% of bacteria, protozoa, and viruses from a liter of water in just 90 seconds.

Featured image: Graphic design by Jillian Verner (@yourstrulyjillian).