I grew up hiking in the mountains of Scotland and a long-distance trip across Lapland when I was teenager secured my love of walking. I moved to the Rocky Mountains in my twenties where I explored big mountains for over a decade and I've hiked all over the world, from Europe to Asia. So needless to say, REI's annual Labor Day sale is one of my favorite events.
Each fall, the retail giant slashes the prices on some of the best gear around, which makes it possible for , and backpackers on various budgets to get their hands on high-tech gear without breaking the bank and revitalize their kit for the coming year. This year, I've combed through the deals and pulled together some of my top picks for you. This gear is all highly rated by customers (and me), with a discount of at least 25% and not restricted to odd sizing.
Scroll down for deals on the , , and more, but don't delay – sale prices end on Monday, September 2 with stock selling fast. I've also rounded up my favorite if you're planning on spending the night in the wild..