Best Deals for Backpackers from the REI Member Moment Sale

The following is a sponsored post brought to you by REI. Shop the REI Member Moment Sale through 3/29/21.

The REI Member Moment Sale kicks off today. During the sale (3/19 – 3/29), Co-op members can save 20% off one full-price and one outlet item online or in stores. (If shopping online, use the coupon code MEMBER21 to snag your discount). That means that if you’re not already a member, now is a prime time to join.

If you’re not sure whether an REI membership is really worth it, we wrote an entire post about the many benefits of joining the Co-op. If you’re already a member, congratulations! That means you’ll have unfettered access to the Member Moment Sale and can immediately partake of glorious savings on expensive outdoor gear.

Almost all full-price inventory (excluding a few adventure sports items and techno gadgets) is eligible for the discount. (Note: if you’re buying more than one item in each category, the discount will automatically apply to the highest-priced items). Here are some of our favorite deals from the sale.

Head over to REI.com to shop the Member Moment Sale.

The Best Deals for Hikers from the REI Member Moment Sale

REI Half Dome 2 SL Tent + Footprint

• Sale Price: $223 (Reg. $279)
• Weight: 4 lb 13 oz

The dual-door Half Dome 2 SL (superlight) is far from the lightest two-person backpacking tent on the market, but we think it’s a phenomenal starter model. It’s still light enough to be realistic for backpacking when split between two people, it’s easy to set up, and the relatively luxurious dimensions are perfect for backcountry newcomers and seasoned glampers who would prefer a little extra head and shoulder room. We love the fact that the Half Dome is sold with the footprint included. Too often, you have to buy the footprint separately (for a steep upcharge), adding both dollars and ounces to your already-pricey, already-heavy purchase. This is one of the most straightforward, affordable backpacking tents on the market (especially during the Member Moment Sale).

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2

• Sale Price: $320 (Reg. $400)
• Weight: 2 lb 8 oz

Big Agnes is one of the leading names in ultralight freestanding tents. Their two-person Tiger Wall model is undoubtedly one of the most popular (semi) freestanding backpacking tents on-trail today. We say semi-freestanding because Big Agnes saved weight on this design by leaving the bottom corners of the tent unsupported, so you have to stake them out to give them structure. The Tiger Wall is a narrow tent. It’s wide enough for two people to sleep side by side but doesn’t leave much elbow room on either side. However, it’s got two spacious vestibules and a luxurious amount of headroom to make up for it—not to mention a scant 40-ounce weight penalty. The latest version of this tent also uses a cutting-edge solution dying technique that uses less water and energy than traditional dying, a win for sustainability.

REI Co-op Traverse 60L Backpack

• Sale Price: $183 (Reg. $229)
• Weight: 4 lb 3 oz
  

The 60L Traverse is a great starter pack for anyone just getting into backpacking, as well as for seasoned hikers who prefer to carry a little extra. This sturdy load-hauler is tricked out with all the bells and whistles you could hope for, including a mesh exterior pocket, top lid (brain), sleeping bag compartment, and luxurious padding on the back, shoulder straps, and hipbelt. A well-designed pack like the Traverse can accommodate a 50-pound load easily, transferring the weight to your hips so that the burden is barely noticeable. OK, fine, less noticeable.

Osprey Exos 48

• Sale Price: $160 (Reg. $200)
• Weight: 2 lb 9 oz

We consider the Exos one of the best backpacking packs out there, thanks to its ultra-comfy trampoline suspension system, streamlined design, and reasonable weight penalty. The brain is removable on this pack if you’d like to shed additional ounces, and there’s ample storage in the external mesh pockets for anything that doesn’t readily fit into the main compartment. Osprey removed the hip belt pockets when they redesigned this pack several years ago, a controversial but weight-saving measure that’s mitigated by the large and easy-to-access water bottle pockets that sit just above the hips. Most thru-hikers will find that 48 liters is more than enough capacity for all their gear, but if that sounds like a stretch to you, check out the Exos 58 instead.

REI Co-op Magma 15 Down Sleeping Bag

• Sale Price: $311 (Reg. $389)
• Weight: 2 lb 4 oz (women’s)
  

The Magma 15 is REI’s premier sleeping bag, stuffed with a generous 23 ounces of luxurious 850-fill goose down. This is a no-frills design. Not many bells and whistles to point out here, just a really warm, high-quality mummy bag. The women’s version has a lot more down fill than the men’s, so (assuming you fit) we recommend opting for the women’s Magma if you want a really, really warm bag, or the men’s Magma if you want to save half a pound.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad

• Sale Price: $152 (Reg. $190)
• Weight: 12 oz

Therm-a-Rest dominates the backpacking sleeping pad market, and the distinctive, lemon yellow NeoAir XLite is the brand’s premier ultralight pad. Two-and-a-half inches of thickness provides plenty of comfort and support, and an integrated layer of reflective foil helps boost the R-value to a toasty 4.2, which is more than adequate for three-season use. Therm-a-Rest’s WingLock valve toggles for one-way inflation, making it far easier to blow up.

Salomon Sense Ride 4 Trail Runners

• Sale Price: $96 (Reg. $120)
• Weight: 1 lb (women’s); 1 lb 5 oz (men’s)
  

Deep lugs enhance traction on the Sense Ride, while a breathable mesh upper keeps them from getting swampy and gross during long hikes/runs. Zero-drop, minimalist trail runners are all the rage these days. But for heel strikers and anyone who prefers more support, this shoe’s cushioned midsoles, snug fit, and relatively dramatic 8mm drop will give you a smooth ride.

La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II GTX Mid Boots

 

• Sale Price: $140 (Reg. $175)
• Weight: 1 lb 7 oz (women’s); 2 lb 1 oz (men’s)

La Sportiva’s Ultra Raptor trail runners are popular among thru-hikers. They’re simultaneously insanely durable and more affordable than most other models, a happy combination. Do you love the idea of hiking in trail runners but worry about downsizing so dramatically from traditional boots? The mid boot, waterproof version of these shoes will provide plenty of stability, ankle support, and protection from moisture, making a perfect transition to a lighter, more breathable style of hiking footwear.

Cotopaxi Dorado Half-Zip Fleece Jacket

• Sale Price: $80 (Reg. $100)
• Materials: Recycled polyester

The Dorado half-zip is a lightweight polyester fleece that would be perfect as a standalone midlayer on warm summer trips or as a secondary midlayer for a boost in warmth year-round. We love the classic color blocking of this fleece almost as much as its functionality. The collar and cuffs are elasticized to seal out cold drafts, the half-length zipper can be used for quick temperature adjustments, and three pockets (including a zippered chest pocket) can stash small belongings.

Check out the men’s Dorado half-zip here.

Patagonia Nano Puff Hoodie

• Sale Price: $200 (Reg. $249)
• Weight: 10.8 oz (women’s); 12.8 oz (men’s)

This lightweight, synthetic midlayer is a common sight on America’s long trails. It’s ideal for three-season hikers who value lightweight warmth and don’t want to fuss with expensive down. Unlike down, the Nano Puff’s synthetic PrimaLoft insulation isn’t vulnerable to moisture, and a DWR finish on the recycled polyester shell adds another line of defense against moisture. The jacket’s slim fit and helmet-compatible hood make it ideal for multi-sport use as well.

Cotopaxi Bataan Fanny Pack

• Sale Price: $24 (Reg. $30)
• Weight: 4 oz

Fanny packs are all the rage in the hiking community these days—and with good reason. Ultralight storage that’s accessible even when your pack is on? Yes, please. Plus, you can throw your trail wallet, phone, and other essentials in there on zero days when you’re zipping around town running errands (beats the heck out of lugging your smelly pack all over the place). Cotopaxi’s Bataan waist pack is trail-worthy with three liters of storage capacity and durable repurposed nylon construction.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

• Sale Price: $56 (Reg. $70)
• Weight: 2.8 oz
  

The Actik Core stands out from other headlamps because it can be powered interchangeably by AAA batteries or a rechargeable Petzl Core battery. The rechargeable feature is really nice, but sometimes it’s very convenient to keep AAA batteries on-hand as a backup if the battery craps out in the middle of nowhere. We love the versatility this affords, and at 2.8 ounces, the Actik Core is still competitive weight-wise. At maximum power, this headlamp can throw a whopping 450 lumens, far more than most headlamps and beyond adequate for all your backcountry illumination needs.

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles

• Sale Price: $104 (Reg. $130)
• Weight: 1 lb 2 oz

Trekking poles might look a tad nerdy to the uninitiated, but they’re dead useful on the trail. Most importantly, they improve stability and balance. They’ll also save your knees on the downhills (your joints will thank you one day) and can be used to give structure to ultralight tents and tarps. Black Diamond’s Trail Ergo poles are made of sturdy aluminum (less expensive and less brittle than carbon fiber, though marginally heavier). They telescope so you can adjust them to whatever height you want and have luxurious cork handles that help prevent unpleasant hand blisters.

Members can take 20% off nearly any full-price item and 20% off an outlet item at REI during the Member Moment Sale through 3/29/21. Use the coupon MEMBER21 to get your discount. Not an REI member yet? Click here to learn more about the benefits of membership and how to join.

Featured image: Photo by Mika Matin. Graphic design by Libby Thompson (@libby.des)