Spoiler alert: we really dig the REI Co-op Flash 2. This tent is ultralight, has a convenient design, and is very well-priced for the specs and quality. Read our full review to find out why this tent is earning high marks on our list of the Best Backpacking Tents.

The snow is melting and the parks are opening - it’s time to get outside! We’re just as stoked as you are for summer hiking and backpacking season, and REI has you covered with some great deals on gear to get you on the trail. REI’s 4th of July sale runs from June 23rd - July 4th. 

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite has been one of our favorite backpacking sleeping pads for years, and the best just got better with the introduction of the new XLite NXT version. This pad is still made with the high-quality construction that Therm-a-Rest is known for, but it’s warmer and much quieter than its predecessor.

The REI Co-op Trailmade 2 replaced one of REI’s best-selling tents, the Passage 2, earlier this year. With a similar design, a very affordable price point, and exceptional durability, we decided to put the new Trailmade to the test to see how it stacks up against the competition.

Father's Day (Sunday, June 18th) is the perfect time to show your dad (or the father of your children) some love. If the special guy in your life loves hiking, backpacking, or camping, we’ve got you covered with plenty of outdoor-inspired gift ideas your old man will dig.

The REI Half Dome SL 2+ is one of the absolute best value tents money can buy. It’s easy to set up, spacious, and made with high-quality materials, yet it costs significantly less than most tents in its class. We think one of the Half Dome’s best assets is its versatility - it’s large enough for car camping and light enough for backpacking.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for all of us adventure seekers - REI’s Anniversary Sale! May 19th-29th is REI’s biggest sale of the year, and it includes deep discounts on some of our favorite backpacking, camping, and hiking gear.

CleverHiker Tested - Foil packet meals (aka campfire meals) make it easier than ever to enjoy real, hearty food outdoors with good company and on a budget.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better pad than the Big Agnes Zoom UL in this price range. This rectangular sleeping pad is plenty warm for most three-season adventures, and its compact, ultralight design will help keep your pack weight and bulk to a minimum.

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is one of our all-time favorite backpacking tents and one of Big Agnes’ best selling designs. The Copper Spur strikes an excellent balance between weight, livability, convenience, and weather protection. It’s an excellent choice for backpackers wanting to keep their packs light without giving up convenience and comfort.

The MSR Habiscape was designed for families and groups who want solid weather protection and convenience for their frontcountry camping trips. It’s spacious without being overkill, easy and intuitive to set up, and has an excellent pocket arrangement to keep you organized.

Made with thru-hikers in mind, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40 backpack is everything you need and nothing you don’t. This pack is essentially waterproof, incredibly durable for the weight, and has convenient pockets galore. We put our Unbound pack to the test over hundreds of miles in the Sonoran Desert, and we think it’s a big win for long-distance hiking and ultralight backpacking.