The Best Deals From REI’s Annual Member-Only Sale 2022 | Reviews by Wirecutter

2022-03-22 06:48:46 By : Ms. Amanda Zheng

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Spring is around the corner. Soon the cold, dark days of winter will give way to warmer sunshine. And just as sure as the coming of the spring equinox is the arrival of REI’s annual member-only sale. Beginning on March 18 and lasting through March 28, the sale is an opportunity for members to revamp their camping and outdoor gear in preparation for the warmer months ahead.

As in years prior, REI’s member-exclusive sale gives members the chance to save 20% on one full-price item and one REI Outlet item by using the single-use code MEMBER20 (the two items must be in your cart at the same time for the code to apply to both). This year, there are a couple of new things to note. First, the fee for REI’s lifetime membership has increased from $20 to $30. The new plan grandfathers in preexisting members, and the fee includes no-minimum shipping—previously, REI charged $6 for sub-$50 purchases. Time will tell if REI offsets those additional costs elsewhere, but for now $30 is a relatively low price to pay for free shipping and a lifetime of benefits. Non-members will have another opportunity to save in May during REI's yearly anniversary sale, but this event is the best chance for members to get an early start on upgrading their gear.

Rumpl Original Puffy Throw Deal price: $79 with code MEMBER20 plus REI membership; street price: $100

The season of picnics, outdoor movie nights, and long days at the park has arrived. You can upgrade your lounging experience with a lightweight, puffy blanket like the Rumpl Original. It’s enhanced with a nylon shell that’s densely knit yet still breathable and quick-drying—and it’s perfect for the outdoors with its resilience to the elements. The synthetic polyester fill makes the Original blanket slightly less comfortable and a bit stiff compared with our top pick (the Rumpl Down Puffy), but the Original is half the price and comes in more patterns and colors. We’ve seen better deals in the past, but this is the first notable discount we’ve seen for the Original this year.

Read our review of the best puffy blanket.

Camp Chef Mountaineer Deal price: $280 with MEMBER20 plus REI membership; street price: $350

There’s nothing quite like camp cooking—it captures a certain flavor that can be replicated only in the great outdoors. But it isn’t always easy or feasible to start a fire. That’s where a good camp stove comes in. If you’re looking to go gourmet on your next camping trip, we recommend the Camp Chef Mountaineer. Our new upgrade pick is heavier and requires a bit more finesse than our top-pick camp stove, but it’s more powerful and the most durable two-burner stove we’ve tested. It’s probably overkill for your average camping trip, but if you want to bring something close to the cooking power of your home stove to the outdoors, the Mountaineer is the stove to beat.

Read our review of the best camping stove.

Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boots (Men’s) Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boots (Women’s) Deal price: $145 with MEMBER20 plus REI membership; street price: $180

With these all-leather hiking boots, style is paramount. They take longer to break in than your average boot, but once they do, they mold to your feet and keep them cozy with cushioned OrthoLite footbeds. These Danner boots are not without flaws—suede leather isn’t all that breathable or stable on wet terrain—but they’re lighter than our top picks and great for day hikes on moderate terrain. If you want to try a pair, we recommend ordering your street-shoe size (versus sizing up).

Read our review of the best hiking boots.

Gerber Gear Armbar Drive Deal price: $30 with MEMBER20 plus REI membership; street price: $37

A multi-tool is a pocket-sized problem solver. For folks seeking something basic but still well-rounded, we like the Gerber Gear Armbar Drive. It doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as the illustrious ​​Leatherman Skeletool CX, but it is functional, affordable, and compact. The Armbar Drive includes a knife, screwdrivers, a package opener, scissors, and a bottle opener (which is cleverly designed for single-handed use). If you just want the basics at the best price, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better multi-tool than the Gerber Gear Armbar Drive.

Read our review of the best multi-tool.

Ooni Fyra 12 Wood Pellet Pizza Oven Deal price: $279 with MEMBER20 plus REI membership; street price: $350

Not to throw shade on delivery (or your oven), but if you want to make the absolute best pizza at home, consider a dedicated pizza oven. The small but mighty Ooni Fyra 12 gets just as hot as our top pick and gives you a little more control over fuel usage. Although the Fyra 12’s smaller size makes it lighter overall, it also makes maneuvering your pies as they cook a little trickier, and the hopper holds enough pellets for only about 15 minutes. But if you’re just planning to turn out a couple of pies for your family, the Fyra 12 is a nice, slightly more budget-oriented option.

Read our review of the best pizza oven.

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket (Women’s) Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket (Men’s) Deal price: $119 with MEMBER20 plus REI membership; street price: $149

It may be warming up, but rain is still very much on the forecast this spring. If you plan on hitting the trails or even the ski slopes this season, we like the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket. It has a deep hood and long sleeves that will keep the rain out. It’s also easy to layer over other clothing for added warmth and made of more durable material than its predecessors. We’ve seen better discounts on some discontinued colors, but this is a rare chance to save on the more popular color selections.

Read our review of the best rain jackets and raincoats.

Purist Mover Water Bottle (18 ounces) Deal price: $40 with MEMBER20 plus REI membership; street price: $50

The Purist Mover is a sleek, premium water bottle with style. It has a vacuum-sealed design that keeps beverages at their ideal temperature for hours (hot for 12, cold for 24), and a non-breakable glass interior that prevents odor and flavor transfer. Although it’s on the pricier side for water bottles, it delivers a refined all-in-one experience that’s worth the investment. That said, we recommend purchasing the spout lid or Scope cap for a less clunky drinking experience.

Read our review of the best water bottles.

REI Co-Op Screen House Shelter Deal price: $239 with MEMBER20 plus REI membership; street price: $300

Spring isn’t all sunshine and daisies—familiar pests are also making their post-winter debut. A good canopy tent not only shelters you from unwanted bugs such as mosquitoes but also provides shade and shelter from sun and rain. Our top pick is easy to set up and creates an airy, high-ceilinged canopy that feels roomier than other similarly sized options. The Screen House Shelter no longer comes in the brighter, beachy shades we once praised, but it is still a great portable option for your next adventure.

Read our review of the best canopy tent for camping and picnics.

Spurcycle Original Bike Bell Deal price: $39 with MEMBER20 plus REI membership; street price: $49

If you’re a cyclist, a bell is a must-have safety accessory for your ride. Small and unobtrusive, the Spurcycle Original bell has been a Wirecutter favorite for years. It’s expensive (even on sale), but the Spurcycle’s chime is clear and melodic, and it fits on any size handlebar. The Spurcycle also has a simple and sleek aesthetic that’ll satisfy the style-conscious.

Read our review of cheap essentials for getting back on your bike.

Goodr The OGs Sunglasses Deal price: $20 with MEMBER20 plus REI membership; street price: $25

These versatile, unisex glasses look good on just about any face, and almost all of our testers loved them. They’re comfortable and built to last, and they’ll stay in place while you’re running around town (and look good doing it), all for a pretty low price. The pair comes with a yearlong warranty, too. We’ve typically seen deals around 15% off in the past, so this 20% savings plus free shipping is a great chance to snag this Wayfarer-style pair for less.

Read our review of the best cheap sunglasses.

This article was edited by Ignacia Fulcher and Nathan Burrow.

Jordan Thomas is a deals writer for Wirecutter. When she’s not scouring the web to find the best deals for the site and the daily deals newsletter, you can usually find her cooking elaborate meals or losing magnificently at trivia.

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