The 16 Best Hiking Gear Deals from the REI Holiday Warm Up Sale

This is a sponsored post brought to you by REI.com. The 2023 REI Holiday Warm Up Sale runs from December 8th to December 18th.

Who says you can’t hit the trails just because it’s 20 degrees and snowy out? With the right clothing and equipment, every season is hiking season! REI’s annual Holiday Warm Up Sale is the perfect opportunity to save on backpacking gear and/or snag sweet last-minute gifts for the thru-hiker in your life. You can save on brands including Smartwool, Platypus, Lifestraw, Big Agnes, Sea to Summit, and (of course) REI Co-op through December 18th.

Here are our top picks from the sale.

Shop the REI Holiday Warm Up Sale

Altra Lone Peak 7 (Women’s | Men’s) | 30% off
Sale $104.39 (Reg. $150)

 

• Weight: 18.4 oz women’s | 22 oz men’s

The Altra Lone Peaks stand as the pinnacle of trail footwear, revered by thru-hikers as the most popular trail runner on both the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Renowned for their exceptional comfort, durability, and superior grip, these shoes have become the trusted choice of outdoor enthusiasts embarking on epic long-distance journeys.

Read our review of the Lone Peak 7s here.

Platypus Quickdraw Water Filter | 25% off
Sale $37.39 (Reg. $49.95)

• Weight: 3.4 ounces

In the world of squeeze-style water filters, the Quickdraw is easily one of the best. The thoughtful design increases compatibility, offers a faster flow rate (when new), and makes backflushing an easy chore. The included 1-liter soft flask is both durable and easy to use — a major advantage over the competition. While using one filter for more than one person is a recipe for dehydration and tired hands, the Quickdraw is an awesome solution to keeping the nasty stuff out of your water for individuals. It hardly weighs anything, so bring it along.

Read our review of the Platypus Quickdraw here.

REI Co-op Minimalist GTX Mittens 2.0 | 30% Off
Sale $34.89 (Reg. $49.95)

• Weight: 2 ounces

These waterproof rain mitts are loose-fitting and slip over your regular gloves to keep your hands dry in rainy weather. They’re also the perfect layer to add a boost of warmth and wind protection on chilly days. These are incredibly lightweight yet will make a huge difference when it matters. Check out other REI-brand gloves on sale during the Holiday Warm Up Sale.

Sea to Summit Spark Ultralight 28F Sleeping Bag | 30% off
Sale $286.29 (Reg. $409)

• Weight: 18 ounces
• Insulation: 850+ UltraDry Down

If your sleep system has been weighing you down, substituting in an ultralight sleeping bag is a great way to cut significant weight and bulk. Sea to Summit makes some of the lightest mummy sleeping bags and their Spark lineup has a temperature rating for every adventure. The Ultralight 28F is best for true summer, and you’ll likely want something warmer to handle the variable conditions of a longer thru-hike. No problemo, during the Holiday Warm Up Sale all Sea to Summit sleeping bags are 30% off.

Buff Original Multifunctional Headwear | 25% off
Sale $16.49 (Reg. $22)

• Materials: 100% recycled polyester

Versatility is the name of the game for thru-hikers. Gear that can perform multiple functions is a huge weight and space-saver. You can use your Buff as a headband, neck gaiter, hairband, and more—plus it’s UPF 50 for sun protection and is made with recycled polyester. Other Buffs, including merino wool and winterweight Polar Buffs, are also on sale.

LifeStraw Peak Gravity System Water Filter | 25% off
Sale $49.39 (Reg. $65.95)

• Weight: 8.1 ounces

Squeeze-style water filters are amazingly lightweight, but using them is a thru-hiker’s most hated chore. Slowly smooshing icy water through a clogged filter on a rainy day is the epitome of misery, so why not let gravity do the work? Not only is this easy on the hands, but the LifeStraw Peak Gravity System’s 3-liter reservoir makes collecting water easy. Grab one big scoop, then sit back and let the clean water flow. For groups, gravity filters are the only way to go, and even solo hikers will appreciate the extra leisure time. Oh yeah, the Peak filter will also thread onto standard bottles if you still want to get your hands working.

REI Merino 185 Long-Sleeve Crew (Women’s | Men’s) | 30% off
Sale $55.89 (Reg. $79.95)

• Materials: Ultrafine merino wool certified to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)

Merino wool is odor-resistant and helps you retain warmth when wet. Many wool and synthetic REI base layer pieces are 30% off during the Holiday Warm Up sale, including:

• Merino 185 Long-Sleeve 1/2 Zip Men’s | Women’s
• Merino 185 Short-Sleeve Crew Men’s | Women’s
• Merino 185 Long Bottoms Men’s | Women’s
• Midweight Long-Sleeve Crew Men’s | Women’s
• Midweight Long-Sleeve 1/2 Zip Men’s | Women’s
• Midweight Tights Men’s | Women’s

REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket (Women’s | Men’s) | 40% off
Sale $107.39 (Reg. $179)

• Weight: 10.9 oz women’s | 12.7 oz men’s

The Xerodry is the top high-performance REI rain jacket. It’s eminently functional with sleek waterproof zippers and breathable Gore-Tex without blowing up the scale. Other ultralight rain jackets lose a lot of nice features like pockets, but REI keeps them around because snacks matter.

Read our review of the REI XeroDry GTX Jacket here.

Big Agnes Sidewinder SL 20 Sleeping Bag (Women’s | Men’s) | 30% off
Sale $210 (Reg. $300)

• Weight: 42 oz women’s | 36 oz men’s
• Insulation: 650 fill-power down

The Sidewinder ain’t your typical sleeping bag. Nope, it was designed with side-sleepers in mind, who often wake up suffocated by a hood designed for back-sleepers. This hood fits more like a jacket, meaning that it will flip and roll with you, and the footbox is shaped to mimic side-facing feet. Big Agnes also added some extra padding to soften the pressure on your hips.

REI Co-op Flash 22 Daypack | 30% off
Sale $41.89 (Reg. $59.95)

• Weight: 14 ounces

Weighing less than a pound, the Flash 22 Daypack is a minimalist bag for your shorter adventures or for hanging around town. Despite the low weight, there’s plenty of space to stuff extra layers and food in the main pocket, while two side pockets keep your favorite hydrating beverage on hand. And now for the best part, the removable back pad doubles as a sit pad. Game changer? Depends on who you ask, but we like it.

Read our review of the Flash 22 here.

REI Co-op Camp Dreamer Booties | 30% off
Sale $48.89 (Reg. $69.96)

• Weight: 1 lb 7 oz per pair

These might be a hard sell for a longer backpacking trip when reducing weight is a main focus, but for a weekend getaway why not live it up a little bit? These booties make great camp, cabin, or hut shoes. The recycled polyester insulation keeps your tootsies warm and the rubber outsole is actually practical and grippy. Who knows, these are so comfy that you might end up wearing them to the club. We won’t judge.

REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket (Women’s | Men’s) | 30% 0ff
Sale $90.29 (Reg. $129)

• Weight: 10.2 oz women’s | 10.9 oz men’s
• Insulation: 650 fill-power down

One of the best deals for down jackets gets even better during this sale. Higher fill-power jackets might shave a few ounces in comparison, but the 650 fill-power down is still extremely lightweight for the warm while costing significantly less. If you want a lot of warmth for your buck, then look no further. This kind of heat for under $100 is unheard of.

Sea to Summit Cool Grip X-Mug | 30% off
Sale $11.79 (Reg. $16.95)

• Weight: 2.5 ounces
• Capacity: 16.2 fluid ounces

With a textured surface that provides a secure grip and separation from piping-hot food and drinks, this might be the perfect travel complement to your cooking kit. It also folds flat, so packing is convenient and easy.

Balega Ultralight Crew Socks | 25% off
Sale $13.49 (Reg. $18)

• Material: 52% Drynamix recycled polyester/44% nylon/4% elastane

Comfy socks are underrated and Balega makes some great socks for all activities. The Ultralight Crew Socks are great for warm-weather jaunts, and if these socks aren’t your speed, check out REI’s other Balega socks — they’re all 25% off right now.

Turtle Fur Comfort Shell Luxe Quantum Balaclava | 25% off
Sale $29.99 (Reg. $40)

• Material: 77% polyester/18% rayon/5% spandex

When the cold wind is howling do yourself a favor and wrap your head and neck in this luxurious balaclava. While lighter accessories like a buff or bandana are great during the summer, there’s no substitute for full coverage during the colder seasons. Ears are susceptible to frostnip, and the face covering can cut the unpleasantness of a lung-freezing inhale or the nose-roasting snow glare.

Retrospec Drifter Snowshoe Bundle | 20% off
Sale $71.89 (Reg. $89.95)

• Available sizes: 21″, 25″, and 30″ versions

If you’re not ready to stop hitting the trails even after they’re covered by snow, then a pair of snowshoes will help you see your favorite spots in their most pristine and quiet state. As long as you’re not planning a mountaineering objective with steep ice, these basic and capable snow floaties will keep you on top of the fluffy stuff so that you can enjoy yourself instead of post-holing miserably. Available in three lengths, make sure to consider not just your weight, but also that of your gear, when deciding which size is right for you.

Adventure Medical Kits UL/Watertight .3 First Aid Kit | 25% off
Sale $7.79 (Reg. $10.45)

• Weight: 2.32 oz

Because sometimes, you just don’t have the time to put together a DIY first aid kit. This kit has everything you need for basic backcountry first aid and weighs just 2.32 ounces. If you want a more comprehensive mix, then check out any of the Adventure Medical Kits. All of them are 25% off during the Holiday Warm Up Sale.

Don’t see what you’re looking for in the list above? Head over to REI to shop the full sale now through December 18th.

Shop REI Holiday Warm Up Sale

Featured image: Graphic design by Chris Helm