Three huge deals from REI’s Biggest Sale of the Year!

Every year in the run-up to Memorial Day and the beginning of summer outdoor season, REI runs their self-proclaimed Biggest Sale of the Year, and for 2026 it runs from May 15th through May 25th.

If you are an REI member, you can save 20% off a full-price item that’s not included in the sale, too – simply use code ANNIV26 at checkout to get your discount. Members can also use that same code for an additional 20% off any item, on sale or not, at REI Outlet. Membership comes with a one-time $30 fee to join, but you get 10% back off every full-price item purchased over the course of a year that comes in the form of a reward at year-end, and it also ensures you get free shipping to all US locations.

Enough about membership, for now – you’re here for the deals. I parsed through the thousands of items they’ve got listed in both the Hiking and Camping sections and highlighted three specific items I think are the best combination of quality gear and awesome discount and listed them for you below. For the record, I use each of these items in my own base setup (or a slightly older version of them), so these come with more than just a monetary recommendation!

Happy backpacking season!

Garmin inReach Mini 2

This second generation satellite communicator from Garmin gives you the ability to stay as connected to the modern world as much as you’d like while in the backcountry. With the ability to message friends and family, download maps and weather forecasts for precise locations, and even trigger an SOS signal in the event of an emergency, it provides both confidence and convenience in a tidy 3.5 oz package that can clip-on to just about anywhere. You can pair it with your phone via the Garmin app for even more features and usability.

Here’s the thing – it’s on sale for $249.99, down 28% from its usual $350 price tag. That’s due, in part, to Garmin having recently released the newer inReach Mini 3 and inReach Mini 3 Plus. Both of those come with minor upgrades, bells, and whistles, but the Mini 2 still provides every same vital service as its newer peers. Those typically retail for $450 and $500 and are on sale at REI right now, too, but the Mini 3 Plus is still $449.99 (10% off) and the Mini 3 is at $399.99 (11% off). So, the Mini 2 isn’t just a bargain usually, it’s got an extra-deep discount running for through May 25th, too.

I carry the Mini 2 with me whenever I’m in the backcountry, whether it’s a quick overnight to a Colorado Alpine Lake two hours from Denver or on a week-long salmon fishing float in remote central Alaska.

Nemo Hornet OSMO Ultralight 2P Tent

I’ve used a NEMO Hornet 2P tent for every significant backpacking trek I’ve taken since 2020, from the depths of Grand Canyon National Park to the remote northwest corner of Yellowstone. It packs down to right at 2 lbs, though it often feels even smaller than that, and has withstood sandstorms, hail, and snow.

It packs lighter than many of it’s 1P peers despite being extra-roomy if you are solo, but it’s comfy enough to fit two adults – and its Divvy Cube stuff sack divides so you can even split the weight with your partner on the trail. Also, NEMO didn’t skimp on vestibule size in order to save weight, so if you’re packing two people into this, there’s still ample room under the fly to keep your pack, shoes, etc. out of the elements.

(Full disclosure – I found a way to shave even a little bit more weight off this stock setup by swapping out the tent stakes that come with it for these Red Tough Titanium stakes from Zpacks. They even pack a little smaller, too!)

This NEMO Hornet 2P comes at a 25% discount off the usual asking price at just $359.89. More full disclosure – after six years and some 75 nights spent in my original, it still works like a dream.

Big Agnes Sidewinder 0 Sleeping Bag

Side sleepers unite!

For the longest time, those of us who prefer to sleep on our sides were faced with a conundrum at bedtime while in the backcountry – try endlessly to fall asleep on your back, or side-sleep only to wake up an hour later twisted and suffocating in the depths of your bag.

Sleep systems have improved a ton over the last decade, however, and Big Agnes has been front and center of that evolution. Their series of Sidewinders – I’ve got a 20 degree bag similar to this one that’s 25% off at REI Outlet – feature down fill with water-repellent finish, and are specifically designed to move with you as you sleep so comfortably on your side.

This 0 degree bag is build to keep you warm nearly year-round, ideal for either nights spent at high altitude or on those late fall trips when the leaves are turning. It’s also 25% off its base price, with the regular length on sale at $322.39.

You can find the full list of the thousands of items included in REI’s Anniversary Sale here.

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