Summer trail and beach season is upon us. This weekend you can take advantage of a massive sale at REI Outlet to ensure you’re stocked and dressed for success this year, with massive discounts on name-brand outdoor gear and clothing from companies including PrAna, Vasque, and Outdoor Research. Check out the full rundown. Also available through April 29, REI members can take advantage of a free $20 digital gift card when they buy a gift card of $100 at REI.com right now. That quick math you just did in your head is correct – buy a gift card for yourself, and get $20 more for free. Here are Matador’s top picks from the sale (and check out the full rundown).
We hope you love the deas at this REI Outlet Sale! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purcahse. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Getting a new tent at the start of camping season is the perfect way to motivate yourself to actually get out there this summer. If car camping with a family or small crew, this tent from Alpine Mountain Gear is perfect – it can fit up to six people, but is perfectly comfortable for three to four people with gear. The 2-pole quick-up design sets up in a few minutes and that includes adding the rainfly. Even if you have a full family, the gear loft ensures everyone has space to put their pack and basics – you’ll just have to ration time on the included power port.
Dragon is a top name in winter eyewear, and the brand’s Eden Glasses extend that reputation throughout the year. The frame is made of Injection-molded recycled PET and the lenses offers 100 percent UV protection. These sunglasses actually look good on both men and women, and are designed to pair well with outdoor clothing and gear. You’ll not only see well, you’ll feel just as smooth.
The Vasque Torre AT GTX hiking boots are waterproof and lightweight, designed for comfort and performance. They are made of suede leather and mesh. Of particular note are the All Terrain Compound mid-soles with cushioning pods that allow you to step with confidence whether on a damp trai in the Pacific Northwest or a rocky outcropping in the Utah desert. TheVibram® Wavelength II outsoles feature extra grip designed specifically for loose terrain, so even if you’re hiking in the spring or fall when various types of moisture keep trais inconsistent, the boots will help you climb and descend at a steady rate with confidence.
A two-pound sleeping bag is a win for camping trips. Finding one that is rated to 41 degrees (lower if you add a liner) that is also anatomically shaped with a full-length zipper is a season-changer. The Mountain Equipment Starlight I ticks all those boxes. It also looks good, in case you find yourself cozied up adjacent to a striking morning view and your camping partner can’t help but to take a photo of you sleeping with the sun rising beyond. Don’t worry – the mummy top will mask your ragged hair.
A wind hoodie built for activewear should do three things quite well. First, it should fit tight to the body so that it moves with you. Second, it should have adjustable straps, hood, and other doo-dads so that it’s easy to fit it properly. Lastly, it should do all of this without sacrificing comfort, style, or its ability to be waterproof. The Helium Wind Hoodie from Outdoor Research does all these things, with the current bonus of being severely discounted. It’s on closeout at REI, so snag this jacket now before it’s sold out.
When it comes to practical uses in the wilderness, this hat won’t top your list. But for chill beach days, trailhead beer sessions, and travel days, it’s as useful an accessory as any. It has an elasticized COOLMAX sweatband, after all. Tommy Bahama knows a thing or two about the beach, so it’s no surprise that REI looked its way when in need of a solid lifeguard hat. Grab it now while it’s on clearance.
Outdoor Research Astro Shorts are pull-on shorts made from the brand’s lightweight, stretchy, and durable Astroman and Ferrosi fabrics that makes them suitable for various environments and weather conditions. There’s also UPF 50 sun protection included. Fortunately, they also look pretty darn cool and match with plenty of outdoor clothing, so you’ll look as good on the trail as you do at happy hour afterward.
Joggers (yoggers, as they’re known around here — it’s a “soft J”) are useful for so many things. Jogging, of course, but also gym sessions, chilling on the porch, and other casual revelry where the intended goal is function and comfort over strict fashion. These PrAna joggers are super comfy, stretchy, and not too thick, so you won’t be sweating into your socks the entire time you’re out on the run. The UPF 50 sun protection and water-repellant surface are a nice finishing touch.
It’s officially flip flop season. If you’re like this Matador editor, you work through a pair each year, and while end-of-season sales are often a good time to pick up a pair for next year, this year you don’t have to get down on yourself for missing out last fall. Grab these Becca Print Flip-Flops and stroll in style all summer long.
