REI Co-op Labor Day Sale 2019

School is back in session and summer is coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean that gear-buying season is over. From Friday, August 23rd to Monday, September 2nd, REI Co-op is hosting its annual Labor Day Sale, which is a great opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to score discounts on big-ticket items from tents and sleeping bags to backpacks, footwear, and more. Whether you plan to continue adventuring through the winter or are stocking up for next year, it’s a great time to save some serious cash. Below we outline dates and details of REI’s Labor Day Sale, our favorite discounted items, and how to shop both in-store and online.

Dates and Details: August 23-September 2, 2019

From August 23rd through September 2nd, you can shop in-store or online at REI.com and save up to 40 percent on products from top brands like Big Agnes, Patagonia, Arc’teryx, REI Co-op, and many more. In addition, there is a 20-percent-off coupon that can be used on one item at the REI Outlet (online only). As far as inventory goes, we often see popular items sell out fairly quickly, so it’s best to do your research ahead of time and make your purchases early. Below we outline some of our top picks for on-sale gear, including backpacking and camping tents, sleeping bags, footwear, and more.

Top Picks for Discounted Gear

Big Agnes Copper Spur Backpacking Tents: 25% Off

The Big Agnes Copper Spur tops our list of backpacking tents for its impressively low weight, roomy interior, and easy-to-pitch freestanding build. Put simply, we think it’s the most well-rounded backpacking design currently on the market. We like the HV UL3 (three-person) version best, which is an extremely spacious and comfortable option for two campers plus gear (we review the 2P model in-depth here). To complete your kit, Big Agnes’ popular Air Core Ultra and Q-Core Deluxe sleeping pads are similarly discounted at 25 percent off during the sale.

REI Co-op Magma 15 Sleeping Bag: 30% Off

Our favorite sleeping bag for 2019 is REI Co-op’s own Magma 15, which features premium 850-fill down at a competitive 1-pound-12.2-ounce weight. Like a lot of REI’s in-house offerings, the Magma is already a great value at $369 full retail price—much lower than its direct competition—but the 30-percent-off sale saves you a good chunk of change. If you don’t need the warmth of a 15-degree bag, REI expanded the Magma lineup earlier this year to include a 30-degree bag and the ultralight, 1-pound-3-ounce Trail Quilt 30.

REI Co-op Half Dome Plus Backpacking Tents: 30% Off

When it comes to value, it’s hard to beat REI’s iconic Half Dome tents. Ranging from one- to four-person models, the Half Domes are well-built, durable, fully featured, and incredibly spacious (REI moved the entire line to roomier “Plus” versions last year). Not to mention, we really like that the Half Dome can effectively pull double-duty as a backpacking and car-camping option with a reasonably light build (when compared to true camping models) and ultra-roomy interior. REI’s entry-level Camp Dome 2 (regularly $100) will also be discounted during the sale for a bargain-basement $69.

Patagonia Torrentshell Rain Jacket: 30% Off

Patagonia’s Torrentshell has been a mainstay in the company’s rain jacket lineup for years, and for good reason. In particular, we like the jacket’s clean and functional styling that works well for both everyday and backcountry use, reliable weather resistance, and solid feature set including a generously sized, adjustable hood. It’s worth mentioning that Patagonia plans to swap the 2.5-layer build for a hardshell-specific 3-layer construction early next year, which will boost the jacket’s overall weather protection, breathability, and durability. However, the Torrentshell is nevertheless one of our favorite all-time rain jackets, and the 30 percent off makes it even more appealing.

Thule T2 Pro XT Hitch Bike Rack: 20% Off

When it comes to hitch bike racks, Thule’s T2 Pro XT sits at the top of the pack for its premium build quality and all-around performance. After putting the rack through nearly two years and 20,000 miles of testing, we came away thoroughly impressed by its ability to accommodate a wide range of bike sizes, full feature set, and easy-to-use design (see our in-depth review here). Price is often the biggest downside to this high-end rack, but at a significant $120 discount during the Labor Day Sale, the T2 Pro XT is worth a serious look. Thule makes a number of different models—you can find some of them in our round-up here—which will also be discounted by 20 percent.

Cannondale Bikes: 20% Off 

Cannondale has assembled an extensive lineup of bikes across almost every discipline. The biggest news from the brand for 2019 was their revamped full-suspension Habit, which we found to be a solid all-rounder that excelled on a wide variety of trails and terrain. We’ve also thoroughly enjoyed our time aboard their budget-friendly Trail 6 (we review it in-depth here). The best part is the sheer variety of options, with everything from kids bikes and entry-level hardtails to premium gravel and full-suspension rigs, and 20 percent off can add up to substantial savings on higher-end models.

Arc’teryx Alpha SV and Beta AR Hardshell Jackets: 25% Off

Arc’teryx’s Beta AR and Alpha SV take spots #1 and #2 in our hardshell jacket round-up respectively, which is no easy feat. What sets them apart is Arc’teryx’s unparalleled durability, performance, and craftsmanship. The Beta AR is a do-all hardshell that works well for everything from ski touring to backpacking, while the Alpha SV is purpose-built for truly severe weather and tough alpine conditions. Both shells are made with durable, 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro that’s both waterproof and breathable and include all the trimmings you’d expect in this price range. It’s important to note that Arc’teryx products rarely come cheap, so 25 percent off is big.

La Sportiva Hiking, Running, and Climbing Footwear: 25% Off

La Sportiva is one of the biggest names in outdoor footwear, and we’ve been consistently impressed by everything from their trail runners to climbing shoes. For example, their Bushido II and TX4 sit at the top of our trail-running and approach shoe articles respectively. We also recently tested their Trango Tech GTX lightweight mountaineering boot, which proved itself as an impressively capable companion on an ambitious and demanding trip into the rugged Alaska Range. During REI’s Labor Day sale, all of the brand’s footwear is 25 percent off.

Peru’s Ausangate Lodge-to-Lodge Trek: $1,000 Off

We’d be remiss not to mention this hefty discount on one of REI’s newest additions to its Adventures excursions: the Ausangate Trek in Peru. We were recently invited by REI as part of a media trip and can’t sing its praises enough (you can read about our full experience here). In short, the Ausangate is a world-class and challenging route with dramatic alpine scenery, few crowds, and a strong cultural component. You also get the chance to explore some of the iconic and awe-inspiring destinations that Peru is known for, including Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu. The trip is 10 days total and normally costs $4,950 for members ($5,450 for non-members), so saving $1,000 is pretty significant.

In-Store, Online, and through the REI Outlet

As we touched on above, there are two ways to shop REI’s Labor Day Sale: in-store or online. If you live near a brick-and-mortar REI, it best to try on gear and clothing in person to ensure you’re getting the right fit. If an item is out of stock, you can ask an employee to place an order for you online and then either pick it up in-store or have it shipped to you. Alternatively, you can access REI’s sale online through REI.com—shipping is free over $50 (with some exceptions with oversize items), or you can have your order sent to your local store for free (no matter the order amount or size). As a reminder, the 20-percent-off coupon can only be used online at the REI Outlet. Regardless of where and how you choose to shop, all products are covered by REI’s 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, and most can be returned within one year of purchase (with a few exceptions).
Shop the 2019 REI Co-op Labor Day Sale