Whether you plan to use a coupon or not, REI’s member-only sale is a great time to pick up a wealth of tech-y outdoor gear.
Whether you plan to use a coupon or not, REI’s member-only sale is a great time to pick up a wealth of tech-y outdoor gear.
by
Image: Garmin
is a senior editor overseeing deals, gift guides, and commerce. He spent six years spearheading buying guides and consumer tech coverage at Digital Trends.
REI’s latest sale is in full swing. The outdoor retailer’s exclusive shopping event runs through Monday, March 23rd, bringing with it a batch of discounts on Garmin watches, tents, portable stoves, and a slew of Verge-approved goodies. As expected, most deals are available only to REI members; however, you can still join the co-op for $30. Members will also receive 20 percent off one full-priced item — or 20 percent off one REI Outlet item — with promo code MEMBER26, meaning you can essentially save on just about any piece of gear.
With the exception of a few, the deals themselves aren’t quite as steep or as all-encompassing as what we might see during the retailer’s bigger Labor Day and Memorial Day sales. But with warmer weather already hitting many parts of the US, reservations opening up, and summer fast approaching, it’s never a bad idea to plan ahead.
Featured Products
$250
The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music lets you download songs from Spotify, Amazon Music, and more. It also provides in-depth training metrics; however, it leaves out some of the more advanced features in exchange for a more affordable price. Read our review.
$439
The Pocket 3 features a 1-inch CMOS sensor, three built-in microphones, and a 2-inch rotatable screen. If you’re unhappy with the video your phone captures, DJI’s compact cam makes it easy to get high-quality, stabilized footage, whether you’re vlogging your adventures or filming a wedding. Read our impressions.
- No REI guide would be complete without a sleeping bag. While there are plenty of great options on sale, REI Co-op’s Trailmade 20 Sleeping Bag is down to just $82.93 (about $36 off) at REI. The sleeping bag is rated to keep you warm in temperatures as low as 21 degrees Fahrenheit, with a quilt construction, face muffler and draft tube, and a contoured hood that fits snuggly over your head. It also features a durable water repellent finish and includes a stuff sack, so you can pack it down and throw it in your bag.
- You can get the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol for as low as $37.39 (about $13 off) at REI right now. It’s a relatively lightweight, compact sleeping pad with an accordion-style design that lets you attach it to your backpack. The closed-cell foam also provides comfort after a long day of hiking, while the sleeping pad’s surface helps reflect radiant heat back to your body, so you can stay warm in the fall.
$20
Mpowerd’s solar-powered string lights are perfect for camping or a backyard shindig. The 18-foot string can display six colors and last up to 15 hours on a single charge; the case also doubles as a charger, allowing you to top off your phone in a pinch.
$135
JetBoil’s cooking systems aren’t for ultra-light backpackers; however, the MiniMo is incredibly straightforward to use, comes with a 1-liter pot, and heats water in as little as two minutes, making it suitable for everything from freeze-dried meals to a well-deserved cup of cocoa.
- If you’re looking for a picnic-friendly Bluetooth speaker, then consider the JBL Flip 7, which has returned to $109.95 ($40 off) — its second-best price to date — at Amazon, Best Buy, and REI. The portable gadget features several upgrades over its predecessor, including a more rugged design, an enhanced tweeter, and an additional two hours of playtime. It also features JBL’s AI Sound Boost technology, which can boost the speaker’s volume without introducing distortion. An IP68 rating, meanwhile, means you can use it by the pool, while a PushLock system lets you attach interchangeable accessories like the included wrist strap.
- A small, compact chair is nice to have for lounging by the campfire. REI’s Flexlite Camp Chair is a great option now that it’s down to $66.93 (about $23 off) at REI. It features an aluminum frame, a stable four-leg design, and a ripstop polyester seat with water and stain resistance. When you’re done, it can also quickly fold down into a drawstring bag, so you can throw it in your car or tent.
$160
The Charge 6 is a robust, IP68-rated portable speaker with up to 28 hours of battery life and support for lossless audio over USB-C. Like the JBL Flip 7, it can also analyze your audio to deliver clearer, louder sound and reduce distortion at higher volumes.
$139
Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffel features a spacious 70-liter capacity, making it an ideal choice for extended trips. The bag features a durable construction that can withstand everyday wear and tear, while padded shoulder straps allow you to carry the bag like a backpack.
$140
The OpenSwim Pro offers up to nine hours of battery life, a robust IP68 rating, and a unique triple-sealed design that lets you use the open-style headphones both above the water or up to 2 meters below.
- The JBL Vibe Beam 2 have returned to around $39.95 ($25 off) at REI, Amazon, and Best Buy, matching their all-time low. The affordable pair of wireless earbuds feature active noise cancellation and a helpful transparency mode that allows outside noise to pass through, so you can remain aware of your surroundings. Meanwhile, their IP54 rating provides water and dust resistance, while the wireless earbuds promise up to 10 hours of continuous listening, or 30 hours with the included charging case.
- Everyone could use a reliable light source to navigate their campsite at night. The Nite Ize Radiant 314 — which is currently down to $31.73 (about $13 off) at REI — provides 314 lumens of brightness, an impact-resistant design, and an IPX4 rating for water resistance. The rechargeable lantern can also last up to 96 hours on a single charge, while the built-in power bank can provide an extra boost of power to your phone in a pinch.
$35
Zippo’s rechargeable, IP57-rated hand warmer offers three heat settings and up to six hours of runtime. It can also serve as a 24-lumen flashlight or a 5,200 mAh power bank in a pinch, though, unlike most warmers, it’s only sold as a single unit.
$299
REI’s Wonderland 6 is a no-frills, family-friendly tent with a large awning, a partial fly, and enough room to sleep six people. It also features a room divider, just in case you’d like some privacy.
- If you own an older iPhone with a Lightning port, you can grab InfinityLab’s InstantGo 10,000 Power Bank for just $41.93 (about $28 off) at REI. The portable battery features a 10,000mAh capacity and a built-in Lightning cable, making it a solid all-in-one option for days when you won’t be near an outlet. It also supports passthrough charging, allowing you to charge your phone and the power bank simultaneously.
- If you’re planning to go on a night hike, you’re going to need a headlamp. Luckily, the Petzl Tikka Headlamp is on sale at REI for $27.73 (about $7 off). The headlamp is a great basic option that features a max output of 350 lumens, tilt functionality, and an IPX4 rating, making it safe to use in light rain. It also features a lock function that prevents it from accidentally turning on when packed.
- It’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but the GoBites Bio-Uno Long spork is on sale at REI in multiple colors for a cool $5.93 (about $3 off). I’ve used the sturdy, BPA-free utensil in the backcountry numerous times over the years, mainly because it’s relatively lightweight and saves you from having to pack more than one tool for devouring whatever freeze-dried concoction you opted for.
$200
The Hopper Flip is a waterproof, soft-sided cooler that can hold up to 24 cans or 16 pounds of ice, making it the perfect companion for a day at the beach.
$465
The Insta360 X5 is a powerful 360-degree camera that offers a larger sensor and new image processing. It can capture 4K footage at up to 120fps or 8K footage at up to 30fps, producing sharp video with rich colors. It also features more durable lenses than prior models, which you can swap out if they get damaged. Read our review.
Former commerce writer Brandon Russell also contributed to this post.
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