REI Labor Day Sale: 8 Hiking Gear Deals
Backpacker editors picked eight discounted REI Labor Day sale items like tents, a water purifier, and hiking shoes, based on field testing.
Editors at Backpacker have identified eight top deals for hikers in REI's 2026 Labor Day sale. The selected gear includes shelters, a water purifier, and footwear, all tested by the publication's staff.
The sale coincides with the shift from summer to fall, a key time for hikers to prepare for variable weather. Retailers and brands across the outdoor industry are offering discounts, making it a convenient time to fill gaps in one's gear collection.
Shelter and Sleep Systems
Several deals focus on lightweight shelters and sleep systems for backpacking. The MSR Freelite 1 tent weighs 1 pound, 10 ounces and features two aluminum poles for stability in rain. It offers 20 square feet of floor space and an 8-square-foot vestibule. A two-person version with dual doors is also available.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur tent was named Backpacker's favorite backpacking tent of 2026. It weighs 3.8 pounds, provides 41 square feet of floor space, and is 90 inches long. Its 'Hyperbead' ripstop nylon fabric resisted wetting out during a rainstorm in Mount Baker National Forest.
For sleeping pads, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLITE NXT is highlighted. It has an R-value of 4.5, uses a stacked baffle system, and weighs 13 ounces. An editor found it kept them warm on a solo trip in Minnesota's Boundary Waters.
The Feathered Friends Vesper quilt, filled with 900-fill-power down, weighs 1 pound, 3 ounces. It includes a snap collar and a sewn footbox designed to block drafts on cold nights.
Hydration and Packing
The MSR Guardian water purifier can process viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. This pump-style model filters 2.5 liters of water per minute and uses a self-cleaning backflush system. It did not clog during testing in Jordan.
For carrying gear, the Osprey Traverse 60 backpack features an aluminum frame rated for loads up to 40 pounds. Its 210-denier nylon body showed no damage after 100 miles of testing. The pack includes multiple pockets and a hip belt with 4 inches of adjustability.
Footwear
The Altra Lone Peak 9 trail running shoe is noted for its popularity but modest lifespan, making the sale a good time to buy extra pairs. The model is 9 grams lighter in the midsole than its predecessor and uses a fully recycled upper. The Lone Peak 9+ variant substitutes the standard MaxTrac outsole for a Vibram MegaGrip sole.
All product information and testing claims are sourced from Backpacker's editorial team. The full sale details are available on REI's website.
