REI Labor Day Sale: The 10 Best Backpacking and Camping Deals [2024]

It’s that time of year, again! Time for the annual REI Labor Day Sale! Which means tons of camping and backpacking gear is on sale! So we rounded up 10 items we think are worth a look AND can be bought with a solid discount this Labor Day. Bonus: these items are also more sustainable options. So if you need some new gear, now’s the time. Just make sure to shop between August 23-September 2 for the best deals.

Note: We’ve tested most of these items, have seen them in use, or would genuinely want to get our hands on them ourselves. That’s how we picked what made this “best deals” list!

The 10 Best Backpacking and Camping Deals at the REI Labor Day Sale

Dometic Electric Coolers: 20% Off

We love a good, long road trip. We love them more when we don’t have to worry about constantly refilling our cooler with ice or half of our food going bad. Which is why we take our Dometic CFX3 35 electric cooler on all extended road trips and camping trips. There’s plenty of room for the necessities, it keeps everything we need cold, and there’s no ice required. Check out our full review of the Dometic HERE.

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Altra Lone Peak: 25% Off

The first pair of hiking shoes we fell head over heels for was the Altra Lone Peak. They’re zero-drop, have a wide toe box, just a touch of cushioning, and keep feet comfy while promoting natural form and function. They were our gateway drug to barefoot shoes and we’ve never looked back. While they’re not made of particularly sustainable materials, we still love these shoes and the brand for making foot-friendly shoes that are perfect for hiking or backpacking and the brand is committed to diversity and inclusion.

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GSI Cookware: 25% Off

There’s so much GSI Cookware to love we couldn’t choose a favorite. After all, we’ve used the Halulite Minimalist Cookset, Pinnacle Canister Stove, Mini Espresso Set, and the Halulite Dualist, which is our go-to for car camping. Gear is durable, well-made, cooksets are often stackable, and they’re functional as all get-out. So if you’re looking to upgrade your camp kitchen, now’s the time.

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Ignik Gas Growler and Portable Fire Pit: 25% Off

We’ve reviewed plenty of Ignik gear before, including the Gas Growler and Fire Pit, so we were stoked to see both items included in the REI Labor Day Sale. We love the Gas Growlers because it means we don’t have to buy those wasteful green propane canisters (learn more about their huge negative impact in this video) plus they’re super cheap and easy to fill. And we love the Portable Fire Pit because it means we can have mini camp fires and even grill some veggie burgers in regions where fire bans are in effect!

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Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter: 25% Off

We’ve never been bigger fans of Sawyer than when we went with the brand to hike part of the PCT with them in Southern California. It was there we learned that these filters have a lifespan of 10+ years if you take care of them, which keeps tons of spent filter waste out of landfills, the brand donates 90% of profits to supply communities around the world with clean water, AND the classic Squeeze has a fast flow rate while filtering out all the crap you don’t want in your water (minus viruses, of course). Win.

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REI Flash Air 50: 30% Off

Full disclosure: We haven’t tested this pack yet, but with a discount this deep, we think it might be time. It’s a solid-looking pack that’s also tolerably ultralight, by which I mean it feels like a solid option that bridges the gap between true UL backpacks and overbuilt, heavy, traditional backpacks. As in, you can still comfortably carry a comfort item or two without regretting a few extra ounces but you also get the benefit of trimming a pound or two off your base weight.

FYI, REI tents, sleeping bags and furniture are also 30% off!

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Nemo Moonlite Elite Reclining Backpacking Chair: 25% Off

Just as good for backpacking as camping, this streamlined, breathable, compact camp chair is impressively comfy, especially thanks to the patented reclining system that lets you kick it in style in the outdoors. We’re quite taken with it. Bonus: It’s made of partially recycled and Blueish Approved materials. The carry case even doubles as a platform of sorts so you can pitch it in sand or soft dirt!

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Yakima Exo System: 20% Off

Love to road trip and camp? So do we. Never have enough space inside your car? Neither do we. That’s why we love our Yakima EXO System. One mount allows us to customize our hitch-mounted carry system depending on the trip: we can load up the cargo box full of camping supplies, the bike rack to travel with our mountain bikes, or, thanks to the stacking capabilities, both! Yup, you can have a hitch-mounted bike rack AND cargo box in one! Love.

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Darn Tough Socks: 25% Off

While most Darn Tough socks are made of wool, the brand offers several synthetic versions for our fellow vegans (check out even more wool-free sock options in this post). They’re comfy, stretchy, available in some fun colors, and come with a lifetime warranty, which means if you wear through a pair, they’ll replace them for free!

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Osprey Stratos and Sirrus Daypacks: 25% Off

If there’s a more comfortable and well-structured daypack than the Osprey Stratos (for men) and Sirrus (for women), we don’t know what it is. In fact, the Sirrus 24 was one of the first serious, high-quality daypacks we ever bought and it’s still kickin’! The back panel is airy and the mesh Uber-comfy, there are plenty of pockets, it’s stupendously feature-rich, has adjustable shoulder straps, a comfy hip belt, and the packs are available in multiple sizes to suit plenty of hiking adventures.

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Bonus: Up to 50% off Clearance Clothing and Gear

Wanna save even more? Check out REI Outlet for deep discounts on clearance outdoor clothing and gear, including hiking shoes, camp gear, summer styles and more! REI Co-op members even get a coupon for 20% off one Outlet item!

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Bottom Line: REI Labor Day Sale and Clearance

While we never encourage fellow outdoorists to over consume and buy a bunch of stuff they don’t need just because it’s on sale, if you’re in need of anything from rain jackets to tents to clothing and everything in between, the REI Labor Day Sale is a good time to replace worn gear and clothing (after you’ve repaired it a few times, of course…). Don’t forget to check for great deals on used gear and clothing year-round on REI Re/Supply! Then get out there and wander on!