Yes, a lifetime REI membership is worth $20.
REI is a great company. Along with Backcountry, they tend to have the best online selection of hiking footwear. And their prices may be more affordable than you think. That is, if you know how to make the most of your membership perks.
I know that from personal experience.
For years, my wife and I have been scoring heavily discounted–even free–hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners from REI. No joke. And so can you, once you figure out the company’s member benefits, dividends, and sales calendar.
Are looking to save money at REI? Would you rather buy the best hiking boots and shoes at budget prices than settle for the budget brands? Here’s how you can crush your REI membership and afford the best hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners for your hikes.
About REI
REI has grown into the dominant outdoor gear shop in the U.S. As a member-driven Co-op, REI re-directs 70 percent of its profits back into the outdoor community through annual dividends to REI members, employee benefits and profit-sharing, and investments in outdoor nonprofits.
That’s pretty cool.
And their industry-leading return policy takes away much of the risk of buying hiking footwear online. (That’s why I include REI prices in my boot and shoe recommendations at Hiking Feet.)
I’m an REI fan now. But my first REI experience was pretty intimidating. There was plenty of sticker shock when I started looking at their price tags. But that’s because companies like REI (and Backcountry) only carry the good stuff, the better stuff, and the best stuff. (No, they don’t jack up their prices.)
Now that I’m an REI veteran–and know when to buy outdoor gear on sale–I can afford REI (without much of a paycheck). Here’s how REI can be more accessible and affordable to the average hiker and backpacker:
REI membership tips: REI Garage
To save the most money at REI, you should start at REI Garage–the company’s online outlet store. The garage is home to end-of-season closeouts and past seasons’ models at steep discounts. That makes REI Outlet one of the best places online to find the best hiking footwear at 30-50% off its regular price. (Click here to browse the current collection of hiking footwear on sale at REI Garage.) You don’t need an REI membership to shop REI garage. But that’s where smart REI members start their shopping if they’re scoping out the best prices on hiking footwear and outdoor gear.
REI Garage Sales
You can also score premium used gear at REI Garage Sales. REI unloads plenty of return merchandise at periodic “Garage Sales” held at the company’s brick and mortar stores. The condition of items varies–from mint condition to damaged (sold as is). But you can find some treasures, including hiking footwear. (My REI Garage Sale spoils include $200 Vasque backpacking boots for $70 plus a free pair of $150 Salomon hiking shoes.) If you find an REI Garage Sale near you, plan to arrive early. The good stuff will get picked up in a hurry!
REI Used Gear
REI Used is another way to buy the good stuff for less than you’d pay for the cheap stuff. That’s where REI members can trade in used gear for a Gift Certificate and purchase other hikers’ used gear at a steep discount. (Check out these terms and conditions.) You can win both ways–as a buyer and seller–while keeping used outdoor gear out of landfills. This can be a great way to build up your gear closet or save on the gear that you don’t use all the time.
REI Dividends
For little kids, December may be the best time of year for presents. But for REI members, it’s late March–when we receive out annual REI dividends!
REI members typically receive 10% back on eligible REI purchases plus any rewards from purchases made on their REI Co-op World Elite Mastercard. Your annual dividend (each member’s share of the co-op’s annual profit) will hit your account right as the new spring and summer gear hits REI’s shelves and website. (Tip: wait a few weeks for the 20% off coupon to drop in April before you spend that dividend credit.) Many REI members save their annual dividend for a bigger purchase (ideally in combination with one of the sales below). For me, that’s usually a new pair of hiking boots each spring.
REI Mastercard Rewards
As noted above, your annual REI dividend includes 10% back on (qualifying) REI purchases plus rewards from your REI Mastercard. The REI credit card has been a good deal for me (as someone who burns through a lot of footwear hiking 1200 miles/year). That credit card earns me an extra 5% back on REI purchases (on top of the 10% member dividend) and 1% back on everything else (gas, groceries, etc). That cash back leaves me a fat credit in my REI account each spring that I can use to replenish my gear closet. That’s a big reason why I can afford the best hiking boots and shoes on a low salary.
Interested? REI members can apply here.
REI Sales Calendar
Day in, day out, you’ll find REI’s best prices at the REI Outlet (aka “REI Garage”). But you’ll always find a few sales at the main REI website: REI Co-Op. (Here are the current deals on hiking footwear at REI.) The key is planning ahead, so you don’t need to pay full-price at peak season.
Here’s a rough planning guide for the best times to shop REI (online or brick and mortar stores):
- February: great closeout prices on past year’s colors and styles as new spring and summer styles get shipped to retail stores
- Late March: REI members receive their annual dividends
- April: 20% coupons for most new items
- REI Anniversary Sale (Memorial Day): best in-season summer sale
- ~September: end of summer clearance sales and close outs
- November: 20% codes and Cyber Week sales
make the most of REI membership
That, my friends, is how you can crush your REI membership and buy the best outdoor gear without breaking the bank.
REI doesn’t have to be intimidating and exclusive.
If you follow these leads above, most hikers and backpackers can afford to shop at REI and REI Garage for hiking footwear and outdoor gear. You may even save money, in the long run, by buying good gear that lasts–and used gear that’s much better than the cheap stuff you’d buy at discount stores and sporting goods chains.
