REI's Labor Day Sale Is Live With Up to 40% Off The North Face, Exped, and More—These Are the 8 Best Deals
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REI is in the midst of a massive Labor Day sale, offering shoppers up to 40% off (or more, if you know where to look) over 3,500 newly marked-down products from breathable sun hoodies and fall-ready jackets to smartwatches and bestselling camping tents. The sale runs until Sept. 2, but some of the retailer's best gear is already starting to sell out.
Notable discounts run the gamut during REI's Labor Day sale, but campers will be delighted to see The North Face's bestselling Wawona tents and travel bags and Exped's ultra-comfortable sleeping pads marked down ahead of fall excursions. REI's house brand products are also front and center during the sale with a special 30% discount on dozens of the retailer's camping gear, apparel, and bicycles. After Men's Journal browsed through all this and more during the sale, we found 10 products that are worthy of an immediate add-to-cart.
The North Face Wawona 4 Tent in Agave Green/Asphalt Grey, $240 (was $400) at REI
The North Face's Wawona Tents are the most popular at REI. The 6-person model was so in-demand that it sold out just days into the Labor Day sale. Thankfully, the 4-person tent—which is the perfect size for 1-3 sleepers—is still available. It's not the cheapest, even at its sale price, but it more than makes up for it with superb features, like its large vestibule, inside storage and loop attachments, comprehensive waterproofing, and nearly 6-foot peak height. Shoppers say they can fit their entire families inside it and note how easy it is to pitch and pack up, and the whole thing weighs just around 13 pounds.
What Shoppers Are Saying: "Just finished using it for 10 days on a river trip. Everyone was jealous that I had so much space and could stand up in the tent. Did well in a 72-hour rain event, too."
Also Check Out:
- REI Co-op Skyward 6 Tent, $224 (was $449)
- Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P Tent, $375 (was $500)
Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp in Graphite, $37 (was $50) at REI
Black Diamond headlamps are some of the most popular at REI, and this one even won an REI Editor's Choice Award as an outstanding piece of gear. It puts out 400 lumens of brightness in a very compact package that's comfortable to wear and fully adjustable. It's equipped with both white and red bulbs and has an array of brightness and beam setting to use, depending on the task at hand. It can also conveniently run on both its rechargeable battery as well as AAA batteries, because headlamps tend to run out of juice at the most inopportune times—or is that just us?
What Shoppers Are Saying: "Light, bright, and comfy to wear. So many settings, meaning I have the perfect light for whatever the occasion."
Also Check Out:
- BioLite AlpenGlow 500 Lantern, $60 (was $80)
- Petzl Swift RL Headlamp, $105 (was $140)
REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair in Asphalt, $70 (was $100) at REI
A comfortable camp chair is a must-have for sitting around a fire or simply taking a load off after a long trek, and REI Co-op's Flexlite Air Chair is one of the best. It weighs but a single pound and has a weight capacity of 250 pounds, which means it's ideal for backpackers. But it's also great for packing into a car and hitting the camp site because it packs down into a stuff sack about the size of a large water bottle, leaving you room for other important gear.
What Shoppers Are Saying: "This chair has been used at camp to read by the fire in the evenings after dinner, on ridge tops for lunch with a view, and rocky outcrops (safely away from the cliff) for sunsets and sunrises. This thing literally goes everywhere with us so long as our day pack or backpack is with us!"
Also Check Out:
- Helinox Chair Zero, $90 (was $150)
- Kelty Low Loveseat, $97 (was $130)
Thule T2 Pro XTR 2-Bike Hitch Rack, $600 (was $750) at REI
Thule gear rarely goes on sale, but right now, you can score 20% off any of the brand's bestselling bike racks, roof boxes, and rack accessories, including the popular T2 Pro XTR hitch rack. This two-bike rack comes in 1.25- and 2-inch sizes and holds bikes of up to 60 pounds apiece. It's large enough to hold fat-tire e-bikes and comprehensive enough to hold small kids' bikes as well. It even has a tilting feature that allows you to access the trunk.
What Shoppers Are Saying: "This rack is easy to assemble and extremely sturdy. Once on the vehicle, bikes load easily and are very secure."
Also Check Out:
- Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 Mountain Bike, $479 (was $599)
- Thule Force XT L Roof Box, $600 (was $650)
REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie in Harvest Sage, $35 (was $50) at REI
When REI Co-op's Sahara Shade Hoodie went on sale earlier this summer, it was one of the fastest-selling items on the site—we're expecting the same during this sale. Sun hoodies are wildly utilitarian, offering breathability in the heat and sun protection without slathering goop all over your skin. REI's take on the style comes in nine colors and sizes small to 3XL with some tall sizes available. Grab two while they're still in stock—your gear lineup will thank you.
What Shoppers Are Saying: "It is extremely comfortable and breathable. I’ve worn this on long backpacking trips and for yard work in the heat of the summer and it performs amazingly. I typically run hot and I never wear long-sleeved shirts in my normal life, but this shirt is a game changer."
Also Check Out:
- Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoodie, From $41 (was $59)
- Fjallraven Abisko Sun Hoodie, $70 (was $95)
Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Sleeping Pad in Green, From $210 (was $350) at REI
Most Exped sleeping pads have been marked down for REI's Labor Day sale, and several have already sold out. The MegaMat Duo 10 is, by far, the greatest thing we've ever slept on outside. It's one of the few inflatable sleeping pads we've used that didn't slowly sink to the ground overnight, even on 40-degree winter nights in the desert, when inflatables typically lose their luster. Two sizes—Medium Double and Long Wide Double—are 40% off still in stock as of now. We were lucky enough to use the Queen size (now sold out), which has ample space for two people, but any of these will offer you some of the best sleep of your camping life.
What Shoppers Are Saying: "I got this for a car camping trip and it has changed camping for me forever. It's comfier than any air mattress, stays inflated, and you can set the air to your level of softness."
Also Check Out:
- Exped Widget Pump, $37 (was $50)
- Exped DeepSleep 7.5 Sleeping Pad, $114 (was $190)
Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket in Sage Khaki, $167 (was $239) at REI
A Patagonia icon, the Nano Puff Jacket is the ultimate fall-weather pick-up during REI's Labor Day sale. This water-repellent jacket is insulated with lightweight but warm insulation that won't weigh you down or restrict your motion. It's the perfect jacket for autumnal hikes, skiing, and commuting, and it's a wonderful option for travel because it packs down into its own pocket—convenient for storage and lumbar support on a plane. It's on sale right now in five colors and is still available in sizes small to 3XL in most, but they're starting to sell out.
What Shoppers Are Saying: "Great lightweight jacket that I use on all my vacations since it is very packable and versatile for all types of weather. This is my second one and I'm still loving it!"
Also Check Out:
- Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoodie, $150 (was $300)
- Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket, $206 (was $295)
Keen Targhee IV Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots in Bison/Black, $127 (was $170) at REI
Keen's Targhee hiking series is renowned for its durability, waterproofing, and comfort—trust us, they're one of our go-to styles for rocky and creek-filled hikes. But this is the very first time we've seen the Targhee IV—the latest release—on sale. Available in four colors and sizes 7 to 14 (including wide sizes), this tank of a hiking boot received an upgraded TPU sole that's been injected onto the upper to decrease the rate of delamination with numerous recycled components featured throughout the shoe.
What Shoppers Are Saying: "These bad boys are true to size. They are comfortable right out of the box and take very little time to break in. Sturdy is an understatement. These boots hug your feet and support your ankles while being comfortable."
Also Check Out:
- Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots, $112 (was $150)
- Danner Trail 2650 Mid GTX Hiking Boots, $140 (was $200)
Garmin Forerunner 265 in Black, $350 (was $450) at REI
If you're looking for a smartwatch or activity tracker for running, cross-training, or just everyday wear, Garmin's Forerunner 265 is a superb choice. This versatile tracker monitors heart rate, is GPS-connected, and can help guide you through fitness routines. It even tells the time. In this price range, you won't find many other products loaded with as many useful features—like Spotify connectivity and contactless payments—with the supreme battery life that's baked into Garmin products. This watch, along with the Forerunner 265S and 965, are $100 off during REI's Labor Day sale.
What Shoppers Are Saying: "I looked at a lot of watches, read the reviews, and selected the Forerunner 265. I am very happy with it. It has all the features I could want as a runner. Instantly syncs with the satellites, and has very good battery life."
Also Check Out:
- Garmin Venu 2, $320 (was $400)
- Garmin Forerunner 965, $500 (was $600)
Prana Stretch Zion Slim Pants II in Sepia, $67 (was $95) at REI
Prana fans have something to cheer for during REI's Labor Day sale because all Stretch Zion styles are 30% off, including these beloved hiking pants. We've been wearing Stretch Zions for years and, in our experience, this second iteration offers a ton of upside. They're hard to rip, they come with great utility pockets, and the fabric is insanely breathable and makes for a great three-season hiking pant. Find them in waist sizes 28 to 42, three inseam lengths, and in six great colors.
What Shoppers Are Saying: "Fabric is super stretchy and comfy with a nice slim (but not too slim) fit. The pants are lightweight and breathable, great for hiking in the desert."
Also Check Out:
- REI Co-op Trailmade Pants, $35 (was $70)
- Kuhl Renegade Rock Pants, $74 (was $99)