What’s something that every outdoors lover with too much gear needs? A gear wall! My gear collection has grown exponentially since making my way into the outdoors world. Working in the outdoor industry and being exposed to new and fancy upgrades to everything tempts me…
It’s that time of year again – REI Co-op’s Biggest Sale of the Year! The Anniversary Sale runs from Friday, May 15 – Monday, May 25, 2026 and is always packed with the best deals for summer hiking and camping gear and you can save…
I remember one of my first winter hikes. I was in college and it was deep winter in Washington and my friends wanted to go to an ice cave. And I definitely did not have the highly specific winter hiking gear that I now have….
When I first started hiking, I didn’t own a single piece of real hiking gear. My trail shoes were old Nike gym shoes with zero traction. I was wearing cotton leggings, an oversized cotton sweatshirt, and the same school backpack I used in college. I…
Struggling to find the perfect gift for the outdoorsy person who already seems to have everything? You’re not alone, and you’re in the right place! After working at REI for over six years, I’ve helped hundreds of people find gifts that actually get used: not…
Do you feel like packing for backpacking trips is overwhelming? Are you always trying to figure out what you really need to pack for backpacking? Are you a woman who is tired of reading what men think women should pack on their backpacking trips? Whether…
