My Favorite Hiking, Camping, and Backpacking Gear Available at REI Co-op
In this post, I share a list of some of my favorite hiking, camping, and backpacking gear that is currently sold at REI Co-op, just in case you have any member rewards or coupons to use and want some ideas! *Disclaimer: Not all items in this list are coupon eligible!
Also, if you aren’t already, I recommend purchasing the one-time $30 lifetime membership at REI Co-op! This gives you access to member-only coupons, discounts, gear, 10% back on eligible purchases, and more! I became a member back in 2018 and have no regrets. I always look forward to the coupons and receiving my annual rewards every year.
Just a note, this is not a complete list of my backpacking and hiking gear, it’s just what can be found at REI Co-op. To see a complete list and breakdown of my go-to hiking and backpacking gear, check out these blog posts:
Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on a link and purchase something, I receive a small percentage of the purchase at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.
My Favorite Gear that is Available at REI Co-op
Hiking, Camping, and Backpacking Clothes and Shoes
Hiking Shoes
Since 2019, my go-to trail runners for hiking and backpacking are the Altra Lone Peaks (Women’s / Men’s). If I want to wear boots, I’ve really been enjoying the Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boots (Women’s / Men’s).
Sun Hoodies
I love a good sun hoodie to protect myself from the sun when hiking and backpacking. These are my favorites:
Socks
My all-time favorite socks for hiking are the Injinji Ultra Run Socks (Women’s / Men’s), the Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks (Women’s / Men’s), and the Darn Tough Light Hiker Quarter Lightweight Hiking Socks (Women’s / Men’s).
Sports Bra
My favorite sports bras for hiking and backpacking are the Vuori Yosemite Bra and the Patagonia Active Mesh Bra. After wearing the Vuori Yosemite Bra for the entirety of both the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail and 800-mile Arizona Trail in 2022, it has become my everyday bra because I love it so much. Like, literally the same exact bra I wore on those thru-hikes because it has held up SO well, looks basically brand new still, and doesn’t smell at all. Plus, it’s super comfortable.
Shorts
I wore the Vuori Dash Shorts on the John Muir Trail and really loved them. They have become one of my go-to shorts for summer hiking because they’re super comfortable and have so many pockets!
Jackets
There are so many good jackets for hiking, camping, and backpacking! Some of my favorites are:
Arc’teryx Cerium Down Hoodie (Women’s / Men’s) *this is my all-time favorite!
Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Insulated Hoodie (Women’s / Men’s)
Leggings
Recently, I’ve really loved wearing the Outdoor Research Ad-Vantage Leggings. They have pockets, too, which is a plus.
Underwear
The Patagonia Active Hipster is my favorite underwear for backpacking and hiking. They’re super comfortable and don’t chafe after long days of hiking.
Beanies
I love a good beanie for hiking. The REI Co-op Logo Beanie, the Coal The Uniform Knit Cuff Beanie, and the REI Co-op Lightweight Logo Beanie can all be found at REI Co-op.
Gloves
The Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Gloves (Women’s / Men’s) are currently my go-to gloves for everything: hiking, backpacking, walking my dog, etc.
Sunglasses
I prefer to wear polarized sunglasses when hiking to help keep the sun out of my eyes and to block the glare of reflections. Goodr sunglasses are my go-to polarized sunglasses to wear hiking and backpacking!
Hiking, Camping, and Backpacking Gear
Day Hiking Backpack
My favorite day hiking backpack is the Osprey Hikelite. I like that it has a built-in rain cover, so I never have to worry about my gear getting wet if it randomly starts raining. It also has a spot for a water bladder, if that is something you like to use.
Tents
For car camping, I love the REI Co-op Half Dome Tent! For backpacking, my partner and I use the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 2 when we backpack together with our 45-lb dog. We’ve used this tent for years and love it. The Big Agnes Copper Spur (1-person, 2-person, 3-person) and Tiger Wall (2-person, 3-person) tents are also great options! You really can’t go wrong with anything from Big Agnes.
Sleeping Pad
My go-to sleeping pad is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad, which comes in various lengths depending on how tall you are. It has a great R-value (4.5), which makes it great for three-season backpacking and provides good insulation from the ground. If you prefer a closed-cell foam sleeping pad, I recommend the Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sol Sleeping Pad or the NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad.
Pillow
My favorite camping and backpacking pillows are the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow (2 oz, regular size) and the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow (2.5 oz, regular size).
Water Bottle
On day hikes, I always take my Nalgene Water Bottle with me to make sure I stay hydrated!
Water Filters
I always bring either the Sawyer Squeeze or Sawyer Micro Squeeze backpacking. I generally bring the Sawyer Micro Squeeze because it is a bit lighter, but the Sawyer Squeeze has a better flow rate. I also bring Aquamira Water Treatment, which I prefer to use when the water is flowing really well and is clear (meaning no floaties or bugs).
Head Net
Mosquito season comes every summer hiking season (unfortunately), so I always make sure to have my Sea to Summit Head Net with me to help ward off the pesky bugs.
Satellite Communicator / Emergency Device
My go-to satellite communicator is the Garmin inReach Mini. This is a GPS device that allows my family to track my location when I’m hiking and also send messages back and forth if needed. It also has an SOS button that contacts search and rescue should I get into an emergency. I like how small and lightweight it is.
Stove
The stove I use for backpacking is the MSR PocketRocket 2. I like how light and small this stove is (2.6 oz). Another stove that I’ve enjoyed using, but is a heavier and bulkier option at 13.1 oz, is the Jetboil Flash Cooking System, which has an integrated pot and push-button igniter. The Jetboil is a great option for camping!
Pot
For backpacking and camping, I always take the TOAKS Light Titanium 550ml Pot because I don’t need anything larger since I typically don’t boil a lot of water. The TOAKS Light Titanium 550ml Pot is super lightweight at only 2.6 oz. TOAKS also has a 650ml, 750ml, and 900ml pots if you need a slightly larger pot.
Backpacking Spoon
For backpacking meals, I love my Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spoon - Long! But if you prefer sporks, there is also the Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spork - Long. The “long” part is key - it allows you to get every last piece of food in the bag without getting your hand dirty.
Backpacking Food
My absolute favorite backpacking meal is the Backpacker's Pantry Three Cheese Mac & Cheese. Backpacker’s Pantry also has a ton of other options available that are also delicious!
Food Storage
When backpacking, I always use an OPSAK Odor-Proof Barrier Bags for food storage when bear canisters are not required. Unfortunately, these are no longer sold at REI, but the Smelly Proof Reusable Bag is a good alternative that REI does sell. If you are looking for a slightly more substantial food bag, then the Ursack Major Bear Sack is a good option. When a bear canister is required, I use the BearVault BV450 (which also comes in the following sizes: BearVault BV425, BearVault BV475, and BearVault BV500)!
Snow and Ice Traction
The Kahtoola MICROspikes have made hiking on snow and ice SO much nicer and really help me get outside during the winter and springtime.
Camera Gear
Camera Clip
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “How do you attach your camera to your backpack strap like that?” The answer: the Peak Design Capture Clip. It clips onto your bag strap and holds your camera, allowing quick and easy access to your camera while out on adventures. I’ve been using this for about four years now and it is easily one of my favorite accessories to use while hiking and backpacking.
Tripod
My main tripod for hiking is the Peak Design Carbon Travel Tripod. I love how lightweight this tripod is, weighing in at only 2.8 lbs. This tripod is perfect for taking on hiking trips and folds up small enough to fit in the side pocket of a daypack. If you’re okay with a bit of additional weight, the aluminum version of the Peak Design Travel Tripod is a bit cheaper.
Final Thoughts
REI Co-op has so many good options for hiking, camping, and backpacking gear! My list of favorites is just a small fraction of what’s available at REI Co-op. If you aren’t an REI Co-op member already, I highly recommend becoming a lifetime member as it gives you access to member-only coupons, discounts, gear, 10% back on eligible purchases, and more!
