How To: Shop REI on a Budget
Tired of paying for "Patagucci" instead of Patagonia?
Join the Co-Op as a Member
REI is known for being expensive, but after becoming a member I discovered a few genius ways to leverage their wide selection of premium gear and still avoid breaking the bank.
My Top Finds: 3 season / 2 person backpacking tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad set all for $120
REI Member Dividend
You earn a 10% dividend towards store credit on all eligible purchases (mostly full-price items). I plan on only making one or two big purchases each year on items I know I will need to count on for more technical activities like backpacking.
My Top Finds: I invested in a new Eureka two burner stove after my Coleman stopped working
I save my 10% dividend to spend at the end of the year in one of two ways:
Smaller pieces of gear that go on sale during the holidays (Nalgenes, utensils)
Replace my supplies (dehydrated meals, camp fuel, first aid)
REI Member Garage Sale Items
REI re-sells returned items at heavily discounted prices; usually in the back corners of every REI store. More often than not the full-priced item at the front of the store is 50% off in the garage sale section because someone didn’t like the color and returned it. Garage Sale items have a manilla paper tag attached to them with the reason for the return (most are like-new!) and they are marked with an “x” in silver sharpie.
My Top Finds: 2 garage sale backpacks $100 cheaper than the price of 1 new pack
You can’t return Garage Sale Items so double check they will work for your needs since all sales are final. You can return new items you buy at full price for almost any reason and that saves money if what you bought isn’t working out how you want.
The Best Time to Buy
Shop online and watch their “deals” tab on the REI Garage website. I typically find the biggest discounts in December - January, but you can find savings year-round. As a bonus, you can ship to an REI store close to you for FREE.
My Top Finds: I bought my 4 season tent on clearance in July for a trip to Iceland
