20 Scorching Offers at REI’s Vacation Heat Up Sale 2023

The unbeatable warmth-to-weight ratio of REI’s Magma 850 Hoodie (men’s / women’s) lands it a top spot on our list of the Best Down Jackets. This jacket is stylish, well-priced, and it conveniently packs down into its own pocket. This is one of the absolute best deals in the sale, and you shouldn’t pass it up if you’re in the market for a new puffy coat.

The REI Stormhenge (men’s / women’s) is a unique down coat/rain jacket hybrid that will keep you warm and protected from the elements on wet, chilly days. It’s a bit heavy for technical use and backpacking, but we love this jacket for everyday wear, day hikes, and car camping. The Stormhenge is our top pick for warmth and waterproofing on our lists of the Best Down Jackets and Best Winter Coats for Men and Women.

The REI XeroDry GTX Rain Jacket (men’s / women’s) is a solid budget-buy that doesn’t skimp on quality. It has a roomier fit than many other rain jackets, so it easily accommodates insulation layers underneath. The XeroDry Pants (men’s / women’s) are also a good alternative to spendier options if you need a complete set of rain gear. The XeroDry Jacket and Pants are some of the best value options on our lists of the Best Rain Jackets and Rain Pants.

We’ve used tops and bottoms from REI to keep us toasty on backpacking trips for years. The Midweight Top (men’s / women’s) and Base Layer Bottoms (men’s / women’s) are our favorites because they’re warm enough for active days in the winter yet breathable enough for casual hikes in the shoulder seasons. For more info on creating an effective backpacking clothing system, visit our Best Base Layers and Hiking Clothing 101 posts.

Several Smartwool items earn high marks on our list of the Best Base Layers for their quality, comfort, and warmth. The Classic All-Season (men’s / women’s) is a versatile layer for shoulder seasons that’s odor-resistant and moisture well. Those looking for more warmth should look at the Classic Thermal (men’s / women’s). This beefed up layer is perfect for winter when you really need a blend of insulation and breathability.

Merrell’s Thermo Chill Mid Boots (men’s / women’s) are some of our favorites for cold-weather hikes on muddy or snowy terrain. They have firm support in the midsole for supporting heavy loads of winter backpacking gear, but they’re lightweight overall which means less strain on your joints. The synthetic fleece lining keeps your feet warm but also helps wick sweat away to keep them dry. Learn more about the boots on our lists of the Best Winter Boots for Men and Women.

REI gloves are an excellent value if you’re looking for quality without breaking the bank. The touchscreen-friendly Fleece Gloves (men’s / women’s) are warm yet breathable, so they’re a practical option for everyday wear in fall and winter. We also love the ultralight Minimalist GTX Mittens which comfortably slip over gloves to add extra warmth and waterproofing in chilly weather, or you can use them by themselves as rain mitts in warmer months. Get more info on our list of the Best Winter Gloves.

Balega Hidden Comfort Socks are some of our favorite no-shows because they have cushy tabs at the ankle that keep them from sliding down. The plush padding across the entire sole makes them great for hiking in rocky areas or for running, and they’re an excellent affordable choice for those looking for low-cut socks for everyday use. See how they compare to other socks on our list of the Best Hiking Socks.

We almost always bring a Buff on our cold-weather adventures because it can be used for warmth, sun protection, or as a rag. Buffs come in a wide variety of colors and styles, but are favorites are the Lightweight Merino Buff for warmth and the Coolnet UV Buff for hikes with a lot of sun exposure.

The small, simple REI Flash 22 is one of our go-tos for short day hikes with a lightweight load. The Flash has convenient pockets and enough structure to feel comfortable during long carries. The affordability and minimal, yet effective design of the Flash 22 earned it a top spot on our list of the Best Hiking Daypacks. This pack also comes in a smaller Flash 18 model that’s also on sale, but we prefer the Flash 22 because of its water bottle and top lid pockets.

The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket is a cozy, down-filled comforter that’s made for the outdoors. It’s highly resistant to moisture and dirt, so it easily sheds spills, debris, or pet hair with a quick shake. All of the Original Puffy Blankets with a National Park print are on sale right now, so you can rep your favorite outdoor spaces while staying cozy. The Original Puffy is our top pick on our Best Camping Blankets list because it’s a great value and it’s exceptionally warm.

One of our favorite cooksets from Sea to Summit is the Alpha Set 2.1. It’s small and lightweight, so it makes packing for trips and storing it at home very easy. The Alpha set includes two insulated mugs and two bowls, as well as a 1.9L pot that the cups and bowls nest in. The Alpha Set ranks highly on our list of the Best Camping Cookware. And if you’re looking for a good stocking stuffer for the avid backpacker in your life, the Sea to Summit Alpha Light Long Spoon is always a hit.

The Sea to Summit Telos TR2 is an innovative tent with a lot of unique features. It has more headroom than any 2-person backpacking tent in its weight class, so it feels a lot more livable than many others. Creature comforts, like the light-dispersing Lightbar and adaptable ventilation, provide luxurious and practically condensation-free nights in the backcountry. See all the things we love about the Telos on our Best Backpacking Tents list.

The Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated pad is one of the best value buys on our Best Sleeping Pads list. This pad is designed with “air sprung cells” that do a surprisingly good job of mimicking the feel of a normal mattress without being bulky. Because this pad is a little thinner than many others, it works best for back-sleepers. Side-sleepers will be more comfortable on the Sea to Summit’s Etherlight Insulated XT pad since it’s 2 in. thicker than the Ultralight.

The Sea to Summit’s Spark 18 and Flame 15 are exceptionally warm for the weight thanks to their full-length draft tubes, down collars on the hood and neck, and box baffles that eliminate cold spots. These sleeping bags are more expensive than many others on our list of the Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags, but they’re also among the lightest and most packable. If you’re in the market for an ultralight sleeping bag, this is a deal you won’t want to pass up.

The convenience of the Platypus GravityWorks is tough to beat – especially for groups – since it allows you to filter four liters of water at a time. To use this filter, you simply fill up the “dirty” water bag, hang it above the “clean” bag, and let gravity do its thing. No tedious pumping or squeezing required. See how the Gravityworks compares to other water filters on our Best Water Filters list.

The Platypus QuickDraw MicroFilter is one of the most durable squeeze filters on the market, so it’s a great choice for thru-hikers or anyone who’s tough on gear. The reservoir that comes with the QuickDraw is sturdier than other filter bags, doesn’t impart any flavor to your water, and it has a convenient handle to make scooping water easy. Its tough build, fast flow rate, and premium reservoir earned it a spot on our list of the Best Water Filters.

The AMK Ultralight/Watertight .7 is one of the most popular first aid kits among backpackers because it’ll keep you prepared for most minor incidents on trail, but it’s very light. This kit has pretty much everything we’d put in a DIY kit, but without the expense or work of buying all the supplies individually. AMK kits make great gifts for hikers, and they’re also featured on our list of the Best First Aid Kits.

Wanna save even bigger? Past season items are going on clearance to make way for new releases, and that means you can score awesome gear at unbeatable prices. If you don’t mind being a little behind on the latest fashion trends and gear updates, this is the perfect time to grab some big ticket items – like footwear and tents – at a deep discount.