REI’s First Big Sale of the Year is Here. These Are the Deals Our Experts Love.
The best cooler with wheels
Campers, tailgaters, and cool enthusiasts: The Yeti Tundra Haul is the coolest wheeled vehicle we’ve ever used. The roto-machined body keeps the contents ice cold, and the thick gauge aluminum arm is designed to handle the weight of a fully loaded cooler for years.
Other things you should know: There’s no internal divider, and the contents may shift a bit when marked at an angle. Five year warranty. We’ve seen single colors drop here and there, but this is a solid discount across the board. Sold by REI members with code MEMBER 26.
Read more: Best Coolers
A beach chair built to last a lifetime
This ultra-comfortable beach chair is a real dream to use, with four sleeping positions and plenty of room to accommodate a range of body types. It offers all-day support thanks to its sturdy fabric seat, rock-solid frame, and wide, shallow feet on the sand.
Some things you should know: It is heavy, so it is not suitable to carry long distances over sand. The most expensive of our picks, so this deal helps. Sold by REI members with code MEMBER 26. On Public Lands, a single-use discount shows cart if you’re signed in with a free Hub membership.
Read more: Best Beach Chairs
A brilliantly large tent that is a family favourite
This spacious stroller-shaped tent has a large interior, two large doors, and a room divider for added privacy, so it’s perfect for families with older children. The revised design provides more stability against the wind, and in our testing handled 35 mph winds without issue.
Some things you should know: Redesign of REI’s popular Empire 6. Imperfect fly. There is no vestibule, but an attached mudroom is sold separately. An already large tent may not be suitable for campsites with limited space. REI membership required.
Read more: The Best Camping Tents
A stylish and rechargeable solar lamp
This packable, bright outdoor light is easy to use: Just charge it via USB or its built-in solar panel, turn it on, and let it light up your gathering place or campsite. It is water and dust resistant, and can charge phones and other devices.
Other things you should know: Breathing moisture during inflation leaves mud inside. There is a risk of tearing or puncturing the equipment. One year warranty. Sold by REI members with code MEMBER 26.
Read more: Outdoor and Backyard Lighting We Love You
A really high quality knife
We tested about 30 pocket knives and found that this investment-worthy model is the best in almost every way. It’s fully ambidextrous, and nails every detail, with a silky release, superior blade steel, top-notch ergonomics, and a better locking system than other models.
Other things you should know: It is expensive; some of our choices are cheap. It has a long standing reputation as one of the premier EDC folding pocket knives. Benchmade will clean, oil, repair, and resharpen it at no charge (you pay to ship it to the company). Sold by REI members with code MEMBER 26.
Read more: The Best Pocket Knife
Our selection of classic multi-tools
Fix things quickly with our selection of top quality small and lightweight tools. It’s easy to carry and built to last, and has all the essentials you might need on a day-to-day basis – including pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, and a functional carabiner clip – with no padding.
Other things you should know: Asymmetrical design, but works well ergonomically. Some tools, such as scissors, are not included. Pricey, but a worthwhile investment. 25 year warranty. REI members can use a promo code MEMBER 26. On Public Lands, the deal price is visible in the cart when you’re signed in with a free Hub membership.
Read more: The Best Multi-Tool
Budget walkie-talkies punch above their weight
These small walkie-talkies perform almost as well as our top picks, and at a fraction of the price. They maintained a strong signal in our backwoods tests, are incredibly bright, and offer niche features like accessing NOAA weather alerts.
Other things you should know: Their only issues are slightly shorter battery life and range, but they still outperform many more expensive radios. Use three AAA batteries each. Sold by REI members with code MEMBER 26.
Read more: Best Walkie-Talkies for everyday use
An outstanding bike rack that is easy to use
Of all the tray-style hitch racks we tested, this was one of the easiest to install and use. Its lightweight yet sturdy structure securely holds a bike or two, and even when full, it slides out of the way to allow you to reach your car.
Other things you should know: Available for 1.25-inch and 2-inch drawbars. It folds together. Not suitable for other specials and electric bikes. 40-pounds per bike. Choose in-store pickup to avoid the $30 plus size shipping fee. Sold by REI members with code MEMBER 26.
Read more: Best Racks for Cars and Trucks
Ideal bike storage for those without free wall space
This tension-mounted column allows you to store bikes without drilling holes or using nails – you simply screw it into place between your floor and the ceiling. It’s solidly built and can hold two bikes, and its support arms are adjustable to fit different types of frames.
Some things you should know: The assembly instructions make it look harder than it is. Column height is adjustable from 84.75 inches to 121 inches. Sold by REI members with code MEMBER 26.
Read more: Best Bike Storage Ideas
A stellar hand warmer that fits in your pocket
This powerful hand warmer heats up in just 15 minutes and is small enough to hide in your jacket pocket. It has six heat settings, a working time of about six hours, and a lot of useful features – it can charge a phone and work as a flashlight.
Some things you should know: Pricey, and not sold in pairs. It takes about two hours to recharge. REI members get free shipping; others may add to a larger order or choose in-store pickup to avoid shipping costs.
Read more: Best Hand Warmer
