Blog Home > Clothes, Gear 30 Best REI Anniversary Sale Deals For Your Explorer Chick Trip Courtney Stephenson May 16, 2025 Share The REI Anniversary Sale is huge… like, “57 tabs open and still scrolling” huge. And with your next Explorer Chick adventure on the horizon, the last thing you need is to waste time looking at your Packing List, wondering which brand is actually worth buying. Our team dove headfirst into REI’s biggest sale of the year to dig out the real gems, like the hiking boots that won’t murder your feet, the rain jacket that survived Iceland’s sideways rain, and the day packs that won’t tweak your back. And we compiled everything you’ll really want to know in one easy list! (You’re welcome 😉) Every pick here is something our team actually wears and loves. No fluff. No overhyped gear. Just solid, trail-tested gear favorites… that just happen to be on sale May 16-26! Because if there’s anything we love almost as much as adventure, it’s scoring a sweet deal on gear for our next adventure. Shop smarter. Pack better. Adventure bolder. Let’s get you ready for your next Explorer Chick trip. NOTE: Explorer Chick participates in affiliate programs with a variety of retailers. We independently choose all products and stand behind our recommendations. When you buy from product links in our posts, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thanks for your support! 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Click the number above to jump down to a category. Hiking Boots & Socks Hiking Shirts Hiking Pants & Shorts Layers Rain Gear Daypacks Hiking Accessories Travel Bags 1 Hiking Boots & Socks Keen Targhee Mid – 25% Off EC Destination Manager Amy has worn variations of these hiking boots for over 10 years, and they’ve never let her down! She’s worn these on our trips to Alaska, Patagonia, and the Smokies without any blisters or wet feet…impressive! Altra Lone Peak 9 Waterproof Hiking Boots – 25% Off Lightweight, waterproof, and built with a roomy toe box. As someone who typically prefers to hike in trail runners, EC Guide Christina found these were all the best features of a trail runner, but with sturdier ankle support. EC Guide Kayla also loves them for dry, warm climates (just maybe not your pick for cold-weather hiking). La Sportiva Mutant – 25% Off EC Guide Mary swears by these trail runners—lightweight, agile, breathable, and built for scrambly terrain. The Mutants excel in the desert, as the shoes breathe well but aren’t so porous that they let lots of sand in. We’d recommend these for any of our Southwest trips! Smartwool Socks – 25% Off Moisture-wicking, blister-resistant, and built to last. Our team won’t hike in anything other than wool socks, and Smartwool is the top choice by many women on our team. Superfeet Insoles – 25% Off If you’ve got high arches or struggle with foot fatigue while hiking like Content Manager Courtney, the extra support and cushion of insoles are worth every penny, especially on sale. Read Our Complete Hiking Boot Guide 2 Hiking Shirts Smartwool Classic All-Season Tee – 25% Off EC Founder Nicki swears by Smartwool tees — and recently wore them up Kilimanjaro! If it can handle that, these shirts can handle your next big adventure. Lightweight, moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and way softer than your average tee. Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Sun Hoodie – 25% Off This sun protection hoodie is our guide team’s most recommended item. EC Guide Kirstie’s run 100 miles in it. EC Guide Katie lived in it while guiding through Belize. And Mary’s hiked all over Utah and beyond wearing it. Plus, it’s unbelievably lightweight and breathable, and comes in a bunch of fun colors and patterns. 3 Hiking Pants & Shorts PrAna Halle Pants – 25% Off Nicki wore these up Kilimanjaro. Enough said. Durable, stretchy, and great for all kinds of hikes. These have been fan-favorite hiking pants for years for good reason! Mountain Hardwear Dynama Pants – 25% Off These are your “live in them all week” kind of hiking pants, recommended by Christina. High-waisted, great pockets, quick-drying, and stretchy in all the right places. REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants – 30% Off Zip-off pants, but make them functional. These are a solid choice if you want versatility when there are drastic temperature swings. They’re breathable, lightweight, and perfect for changing weather and lightweight packing. REI Active Pursuits 4.5 Hiking Shorts – 30% Off Stretchy, quick-drying, and comfy…what else can you ask for? These are Kirstie’s go-to shorts for hiking in warmer temps! Note: the inseam is on the shorter side, in case that’s not your thing. Kuhl Freeflex Shorts – 25% Off Soft, stretchy, and a longer length to prevent thigh chafing. Bonus: they’ve got pockets for your must-haves, like your phone or trail chapstick! 4 Layers Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Puffy – 25% Off Kirstie’s ride-or-die puffy for everything from multi-day backpacking trips to everyday wear. It’s lightweight, packable, yet still warm enough to fight off that early morning chill. Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Crew Top – 25% Off Merino wool magical base layers: warm, cozy, breathable, and naturally stink-resistant. Nicki and many others on our team swear by Smartwool’s quality! Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Quarter-Zip – 25% Off Just like the crew, but with a little extra zip for ventilation or layering versatility. A smart, sleek midlayer that’s equal parts warm and functional and easy to stash in your pack. Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Bottoms – 25% Off Same cozy performance as their top, but for your lower half! Layer these under hiking pants on chilly days or wear them around camp when temps drop. 5 Rain Gear Outdoor Research Aspire 3L Rain Jacket – 25% Off Another trail-tested favorite from Nicki. This jacket is lightweight, breathable, and built with 3-layer waterproof protection you can count on when the skies open up. REI Co-op Rainier Rain Pants – 30% Off These kept Courtney dry during a drizzly 10-mile day hiking in California. Lightweight, packable, and wallet-friendly—they’re great for light sprinkles and drizzly conditions, but not downpour conditions. 6 Day Packs Osprey Mira 22 Hydration Pack – 25% Off This daypack comes fully loaded with a hydration bladder and a built-in rain cover. Comfy, organized, and ready to hit the trail straight out of the store. REI Co-op Trail 25 Pack – 30% Off A roomy, well-designed daypack with great pockets and a built-in rain cover—no need to buy one separately. Outside of trails, Courtney uses it as her personal item on flights, since it’s functional without screaming, “I just hiked a mountain.” REI Co-op Duck’s Back Rain Cover – 30% Off If your pack didn’t come with a rain cover, grab one of these. This size fits packs 18-30L, which should cover most hiking daypacks, but be sure to double-check your pack size to not end up with a soggy surprise! 7 Hiking Accessories Nalgene Water Bottle – 50% Off Lightweight, easy to store, and simple to clean—this water bottle is our top pick for hiking water bottles, and it’s a steal at half off! Osprey 2L Water Bladder – 25% Off A game-changer for staying hydrated on the go. This bladder fits into most backpacks and ensures you can drink hands-free while hiking. We typically pair a hydration bladder with a Nalgene to carry 3L of water. Smartwool Merino Bralette – 25% Off Nicki has worn the same Smartwool hiking bra for YEARS, and it’s still going strong. The merino wool is naturally moisture-wicking and odor-resistant, perfect for long days outdoors. Note: This is a low-support bra recommended for smaller cup sizes. Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles – 25% Off Our team loves using trekking poles for added stability and knee protection, especially on rocky and uneven terrain. These are lightweight and fold down extra small for stashing in your daypack and during travel. Black Diamond Astro 300 Headlamp – 25% Off Lightweight, compact, and perfect for any early morning or late-night adventure, this headlamp is simple and can be used with regular batteries or a rechargeable pack. Sometimes gear doesn’t have to be so complicated! 8 Travel Bags REI Co-op Big Haul 40 Duffel – 30% Off Carry-on size, can be carried as a duffel OR backpack, and Explorer Chick van-friendly. Easy to stash under seats—unlike hard-sided luggage. REI Co-op Big Haul 60 Duffel – 30% Off Like the duffel above, only larger (checked baggage size). Ideal for longer trips, this spacious duffel also fits under van seats with ease. A great no-frills option for all your gear on longer trips. REI Co-op Pack Duffel – 30% Off We recommend a pack duffel for anyone checking a travel backpack. It’s the perfect solution to protect your straps and zippers from getting damaged during transit. Have your eye on something not on sale? REI Members save 20% off any full-price item using the code ANNIV25 And hey, if the thrill of new gear has you dreaming even bigger, check out our upcoming trips at Explorer Chick. We’ll bring the adventure—you just bring your fabulous, deal-savvy self. 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