I’m Christine Ryan, Wirecutter’s outdoor-gear editor. With any luck, you’ve been able to spend at least some of this summer outside. Now, before you put your hiking and camping and cycling equipment away for the season, take a close look at it all. What’s still in good shape? What’s worn out? What turned out to be not quite right for your needs?
Once you’ve identified the weak spots in your gear closet, think about investing in next summer’s adventures. This is a good time to do so—end-of-season sales usually are—and REI’s ongoing Labor Day sale offers bargains on many of our picks. Our deals team has gathered the very best sales below. These include a few items you can use right away, such as bike lights, base layers, and insulated lunch bags. After all, summer will be here again before you know it.
(You don’t need an REI membership to access these deals, but you may want one anyway—members do get an extra 20% off items in the REI Outlet during this sale, among other benefits. Read our breakdown of whether the one-time $35 membership fee will be worth it for you.)
