REI best products | CNN

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Summer is here, and if you’re trying to enjoy the great outdoors, you’re probably going to take a trip to REI. Going to the store quickly because you’ve just decided that you’re going camping this weekend is kind of a rite of passage, and whether you’re hiking, camping, rock climbing, skiing, kayaking, or hiking. bike, you’ve probably already ridden one at some point.

As more and more people come out, we’ve decided to put all of our years of shopping at REI to good use and showcase some of our all-time favorite purchases. Below you will find equipment that we have personally used (some of our items are not available or are no longer available, in which case we have found a similar item from the same brand) for hiking, climbing, camping and more.

Eno SingleNest Hammock ($ 49.95; rei.com)

We are always looking for opportunities for a good hammock session, and whether on our balcony or at the campsite, there is nothing like dozing off in a hammock. This one from Eno is super sturdy, holding up to 400 pounds, and it’s available in a variety of solid colors. If you want even more space, go for the larger Eno DoubleNest hammock, which has enough room for two people.

Eno Atlas Hammock Hanging System ($ 29.95; rei.com)

The only downside of the Eno hammock is that its suspension system is not included. The straps are absolutely necessary to hang the hammock, but they are very easy to install and store very small.

Camp Chef Teton 2-Burner Range ($ 149; rei.com)

We have a Camp Chef stove that has been abandoned for a little over a year now, and that has definitely been a game-changer. Having a stove large enough to handle two full-size pots or pans was essential when we were cooking for 10 people on a week-long trip. This Teton stove is a scaled-down version of the one we have, but it still has plenty of room to fit your standard pans. Plus, the stove is super light and portable, so you can use it in the backyard if you want to get some fresh air at dinner time.

GSI Outdoors Glacier Camping Stove ($ 27.95; rei.com)

While the Camp Chef stove is great if you have to cook a lot of food, if you’re camping on your own or with just one other person, it’s a bit of a stretch. For smaller scale camping kitchens, we love this GSI stove. It’s not as small as an MSR Pocket Rocket, but its large burner gives you enough space to balance your cookware. Plus, you can adjust the flame level so you can do anything from boiling water in a few minutes to simmering over low heat.

GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Frying Pan ($ 39.95; rei.com)

If you plan to cook at the campsite, you can certainly bring your cookware from home, but it will likely take up a lot of space and could wear out a bit more. That’s why we think it’s a good idea to have a separate pot just for camping. The GSI saucepan we have is no longer transported to REI, but it does have a foldable handle like this, so it takes up a lot less space when you are packing.

REI Co-op Flash 18 Pack ($ 39.95; rei.com)

This is one of our favorite backpacks because whether you use it for a day around camping or for a strenuous hike, it has everything you need. It opens and closes in an instant with a quick drawstring, it has a chest strap, and it even has a sleeve for a water tank so you can stay hydrated without having to stop and run. take out your water bottle every 10 minutes.

TheTentLab The Deuce # 2 UL Backcountry Trowel ($ 19.95; rei.com)

If you stay in the woods long enough, you’re going to have to poop. And while many campsites have restrooms, sometimes nature calls unexpectedly and you have to dig a hole. That’s why it’s always a good idea to keep toilet paper and a trusty trowel in your backpack, because trust us, it’s much better than the alternative. This ultralight trowel is extremely thin and can fit virtually anywhere in your backpack so you’re always ready.

Osprey Men’s Aether 65 Pack ($ 280; rei.com)

We love to hike, but if you are going for a hike in the middle of the woods and camping, you will need a good backpack. We love this one from Osprey because it has tons of storage, it distributes the weight in an incredibly comfortable way, and the top of the bag even detaches and converts into a small backpack.

Big Agnes Mica Basin Camp Chair ($ 129.95; rei.com)

Camping chairs are a must have when going out in the woods for a long time. Sure, you can find a rock or log to sit on, but it’s often uncomfortable and the lack of back support isn’t ideal after a long day of hiking. We use a slightly smaller, lighter version of this camping chair which is currently out of stock, but this one is just as easy to set up and super light, so carry it in your backpack or down the block. from houses to the beach is a breeze. Plus, there’s even a version with a cup holder to keep your drink close at hand.

Men’s Altra Lone Peak Hiker Hiking Boots ($ 140; rei.com)

After embarking on hiking in 2020, we spent a lot of time trying to find the perfect hiking shoe. In the past, we’ve used traditional hiking shoes, but never liked the heavy, clunky design. Trail running shoes were tempting, but carrying a heavy bag made ankle support somewhat necessary. Next, we found the Altra Lone Peak Hikers which are a perfect combination of hiking shoe and trail runner. They’re lightweight, they’re super comfortable, and they have an oversized toe cap so that when your feet swell up after a long day on the track, your toes stay roomy.

Nemo Dagger 2 Tent ($ 429.95; rei.com)

This is by far the best tent we have ever owned. It’s perfect for backpacking, weighing less than 4 pounds, but doesn’t sacrifice space. Sometimes two-person tents aren’t as spacious as they look, and if two people were actually sleeping in them, you’d be cuddling all night long. The Dagger, however, has more than enough room for two people to sleep comfortably and even has extra room for equipment. Plus, it has two huge vestibules for the rest of your stuff so you can protect it from the elements, and setup is incredibly quick and easy.

Black Diamond ReVolt 350 Headlamp ($ 64.95; rei.com)

We love this headlamp for a big reason – it’s compatible with both a rechargeable battery and traditional AAAs. This feature is so great because by using a rechargeable battery you don’t have to waste batteries all the time, but if your headlamp runs out of juice in the woods, you can insert AAAs and not have to worry about recharge the battery immediately.

Scarpa Drago Men’s Climbing Shoes ($ 189; rei.com)

As an avid climber we loved using these shoes from Scarpa. They are soft and relatively comfortable for such an aggressive shoe. If you’re new to rock climbing, take a look at La Sportiva Finales, a more spacious and much more comfortable shoe.

Patagonia Men’s Torrentshell 3L Jacket ($ 149; rei.com)

Our winner of the best rain jacket of 2021, the Patagonia Torrentshell is an incredibly waterproof, compressible and durable jacket. We have been using it for months and have no complaints.

Yeti Rambler Vacuum Bottle with Chug Cap ($ 40; rei.com)

During the hot months, we really can’t stand drinking hot water or room temperature. Especially when you are hiking outdoors, there’s nothing like a sip of ice water to cool you off. This is why even when we are hiking and it is essential to gain weight, we carry a Yeti double insulated water bottle. At the end of a long, hot day, you’ll still have ice, and we’ve found the Rambler bottle to be more durable than other double-wall insulated options.

Rumpl Original Puffy Recycled Blanket ($ 99; rei.com)

We recently reviewed the Rumpl Adventure Blanket and love its warm, durable construction. Even when we’re not camping, the Rumpl is our go-to for a movie night on the couch.

Swiss Army Explorer Knife with Pouch ($ 52; rei.com)

A Swiss Army Knife is a must for us. Even though the knife blade isn’t that big, you can’t beat the number of useful tools you’ll find on this nifty little thing. Our favorite tools are the can opener, the corkscrew (you never know when to open a bottle of wine!) And scissors.

Ruffwear Grip Trex Dog Boots ($ 37.50; rei.com)

Of course, if you are going outside, you will want to bring your puppy. We use these dog boots not only for the hikes but also for the dirty streets of New York.

Ruffwear Highlands Dog Sleeping Bag (from $ 99.95; rei.com)

This sleeping bag can keep your puppy warm and cozy in the woods, but honestly our dog uses it more frequently as a second dog bed in the house. It’s durable and water resistant, so you don’t have to worry about your furry friend ruining it.