Cracking the Code: How I Save Over 60% on Outdoor Gear at REI
For outdoor enthusiasts, REI is a familiar name synonymous with quality gear. Yet, common perceptions in the outdoor community often revolve around the perceived higher prices for gear at REI. In this article, I'll unravel the secrets to not just navigating these prices but mastering the art of substantial savings. Through a combination of strategic purchases, discounts, and loyalty programs, I've managed to cut my outdoor gear expenses by over 60%.
A quick note on links
I'm including relevant links in the article. NONE are affiliate links and I don't get a thing if you purchase or not. I'm showing my results here and giving you the knowledge. I have another job, I don't need an additional ten cents if you click on a link.
Savings Breakdown
Let's get into the numbers. A meticulous analysis of my purchases from 2019 through November 17, 2023 at REI reveals a whopping $1,877.29 saved through a combination of coupons and sale prices. On top of that, I've received $404.40 in REI rewards credit and accumulated over $2,500 in gift cards. Being a member of the rewards program also means I've paid zero in shipping costs—an additional benefit worth noting.
Here's a summary of my savings from 2019 through November 17, 2023* (not including the purchase I review later in this article!):
| Year |
Items |
Subtotal |
Coupon/Sale Saving |
Shipping |
Taxes |
Gift Card |
REI Rewards |
Merchandise Credit |
Out-of-Pocket |
Savings ($) |
Savings (%) |
| 2019 |
6 |
60.00 |
12.80 |
- |
3.90 |
15.00 |
- |
- |
45.69 |
18.21 |
28% |
| 2020 |
13 |
160.39 |
11.08 |
- |
15.72 |
100.00 |
2.40 |
- |
62.63 |
113.48 |
64% |
| 2021 |
77 |
1,081.62 |
223.61 |
- |
93.96 |
753.00 |
9.63 |
6.31 |
288.39 |
887.19 |
75% |
| 2022 |
73 |
1,754.56 |
466.97 |
- |
127.13 |
685.83 |
189.55 |
25.90 |
536.49 |
1,345.20 |
71% |
| 2023* |
77 |
3,675.24 |
1,162.83 |
- |
229.38 |
946.86 |
202.82 |
- |
1,565.09 |
2,339.53 |
60% |
| Grand Total |
246 |
6,731.81 |
1,877.29 |
- |
470.09 |
2,500.69 |
404.40 |
32.21 |
2,498.29 |
4,703.61 |
65% |
How's that for some savings! That's 246 different items at a retail of $6,731.81 purchased for $2,498.28 out of pocket.
Strategic Purchasing
One key strategy involves choosing between sale items strategically. Take, for instance, the decision to own two bucksaws—one for home and one for camp. By capitalizing on sale timings, I managed to purchase both at discounted rates just by spacing them a few months apart, a move that highlights the importance of planning and outfitting lists in guiding your purchases.
I maintain a list of desired purchases and sort by vendor in a spreadsheet. Here's a sample. This list helps me to navigate sales and prioritize purchases to maximmize my gear load-out.
Maximizing Sale Prices, Coupons, and Rewards
Let's dissect a real-time purchase as an example. In May 2023, I bought an Eno Hammock Underquilt, a Hart pocket first aid kit, and four sturdy carabiners. The retail cost was $156.70, but with coupons and sale prices, I knocked off $38.96. Using gift cards totaling $122.45 and $6 in REI Rewards, my out-of-pocket expense was zero. Remarkably, I still had gift card funds left over for future purchases.
Here's another: In July 2023 I puchased a Silky Bigboy 2000 folding saw. Regular price, $80 but with a coupon I saved $12 and got it for $68. Sales tax added on $6.18. My total gift card and rewards made it so I purchased this saw for $5.54 out-of-pocket.
Sometimes REI coupons can be applied to already discounted sale prices, sometimes they are only for retail price items. Promotions vary.
Rewards programs
REI purchsing can be supplemented by a number of helpful rewards programs. I consider these programs to be "free money" and am happy to leverage these programs effectively. These programs can become even stronger as they are levereaged with strategtic shopping, sales, and coupons.
REI Membeship Rewards
Joining the
REI membership rewards program does cost a little money--presently it's $30 as a one time fee. I think it was $20 when I joined. There are some good benefits with the program, including the rewards points. But as a member, there are also exclusive deals, sales, and coupons that can make a difference.
Generally you will get 10% back of your purchase price in "points" that can be spent as money. This is processed annually and they usually send it out in February or March. The points/credit used for these purchases do not count toward next year's rewards...but it is helpful!
REI Co-op Mastercard
The
REI Co-op mastercard program is a big winner. The current program gives $100 gift card after the first non-REI purchase in 60 of opening the acount, gives 5% in rewards points on REI co-op purchases, 1.5% in rewards on all other purchases, and you can redeem the rewards points when earned. There are a number of other benifts with the card program too, so check it out and see if it is right for you. As an example for me, we bought a $700 bicycle for my son and that turned up an additional $35 in rewards cash. So far this year that has turned into over $100 of additaionl free money.
Since the rewards in this program are REI membership rewards points, they also do not count toward next year's rewards.
Discover Cash Back Rewards
The
Discover Cashback program provides a percentage cash back on purchases through their credit card into a rewards program. There are varioius redemption possiblities, but one of those is to exchange cash back for REI gift cards and recieve a 10% bonus. There are some restrictions--$25 minimum, $5 incriments, $200 maximum--but it's a good program. I use Discover for most typical purchases (yes, I pay it in full ever month). My records show that since September 2021 through October 2023, I've recieved $1,265 in REI gift cards from Discover.
Unlike the rewards points, these purchases are actual gift cards which spends as cash at REI. This means that the items purchased at REI with gift cards count toward next year's REI Membership Rewards. That's an additional 10% yield in the next calendar year.
Microsoft Rewards Program: Unlocking Savings Through Bing Searches
The
Microsoft Rewards Program offers a unique opportunity. Microsoft Rewards allows users to earn points by engaging in quizzes and utilizing the Bing search engine on both their PCs and handheld devices. Over time, these accumulated points can be redeemed for a variety of gift cards, including popular retailers like Amazon, Burger King, Wal-Mart, and notably, REI.
Participants (like me) find that dedicating a small portion of time each day leads to regular $10 REI gift card earnings, as $10 is the current minimum denomination. This consistent effort has allowed me to accumulate $335 in REI gift cards since October 2019, providing a steady stream of funds for my outdoor gear purchases.
Like the Discover program, these purchases are also gift cards and the items purchased at REI count toward next year's REI Membership Rewards. Like the Discover bonus program, that's an additional 10% yield that you realize in the next calendar year.
Even blood donations
Our local
community blood center has a program where you can recieve a $25 REI gift card (among the many choices) after a certain number of blood donations. It looks like it will take about 17 donations to get to that level. Donate blood, it's the right thing to do. Getting a gift card bonus is a nice bonus.
Additional Programs for Savings
Beyond conventional discounts, REI offers innovative programs such as the Used Gear initiative, allowing you to snag gently used gear for a fraction of the new cost. I always check the used gear and there's always a bargain or two--the question is do I want it? As an example, I picked up a $35 poncho for five bucks one time.
The REI Trailblazers Program is another avenue, offering free gear in exchange for honest reviews. This one is by invitation only and it's been nearly a year since I've recieved any promotions--but when I do get something it's usually been very nice. Two big items were the REI Flash Air 2 tent with ground cloth, and then a nice set of Leki trekking poles.
Warranty/returns
 |
This looks really awesome... so
Wolf and Grizzly--if
you've improved the design let me
know. I'll try it again! |
Not really a part of the discount program, but I do want to give a positive shout-out REI's exchange and customer service program. I can remember one particular product I was really looking forward to--it was a portable fire pit (
A Wolf and Grizzly Fire Safe that REI no longer carries) that looked so nice in the pictures, it folded up into a very nice little pad-folio size carrying case. I picked it up, tested it at home, and it did a very nice job holding the fire. I was really impressed, was really looking forward to having a fire pit in the back of my car I could pull out anytime and make a nice safe campfire!
But when I tried to put the kit away, the metal hinges had "sprung" and there was no way I could fold it back up into its carrying case. I took it back to REI, showed the team, and they said "That sucks, can we give you a gift card so you can go buy other gear?" They would have refunded to my card if I wanted, but I wanted more gear so we did that. I've had a number of other returns that worked out just as easy.
My November 20, 2023 purchase
I've been developing this article for several days, and on Saturday November 18 I start doing some purchase planning. It just so happens that November 20 is the date I get my Discover cash back, and November 20 is the last day of REI's GearUp2023 sale. Convenient!
 |
| my REI shopping cart... |
As of Saturday, I have a $10 REI gift card from Microsoft Rewards that I held on to for this date. I also have $9.99 of REI rewards from my REI MasterCard with Capital One. And it looks like I will have $66.45 in cash back balance on my Discover account. With the bonuses, that works out to having $70 from Discover, $10 form Microsoft, and 9.99 in rewards for a total "fun money" amount of $89.99. I start assembling my shopping list:
The GEARUP23 coupon code (the current promotion) gives an additional 20% off for the hammock straps and the chair. There's no additional coupon for the reflective cord, but I need two of those. After savings, it works out to be just a fraction above 50% off. So before sales tax, I will be purchasing $180.94 retail value of product for $90.12. Sales tax estimate is $8.20, so the order total comes to $98.32. The REI rewads of $9.99 gives an amount due of $88.33. I predict come Monday morning I'll have $80 in gift card money, so I'll probably be out-of-pocket $8.33. For $180.94 of gear. That's about five cents on the dollar.
How it worked out: On Monday morning of November 20, I check my Discover cash back balance and see that it is $65.60. I cash in $63 of it $70 in REI gift card money and have it delievered electronically. I get the gift card codes and apply it to my REI account and click on my shopping cart that I filled last night. It turns out that my REI Capital One MC clicked over a little more in rewards, so I have $10.33 to use there. I pay the balance due of $7.99 with the REI Capital One MC and look forward to getting back an additional 39 or 40 cents from that.
I purchased $180.94 retail value of product, was out-of-pocket on $7.99 and my order will be delivered next Monday.
I then get to thinking... I selected the Alps chair because I like the price but I haven't actually sat in it yet. I have set in the
REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Boss Chair and liked it. It's also on sale but not as much of a discount. I start to second-guess myself if I made the right choice...
Then I realize that they have free returns. So I'll order the REI chair too (Discounted from $89.95 to $62.89 because of the sale). After tax it comes to $68.61. I'll have them both, try them both, and return the one I don't want for credit.
Conclusion
Navigating the savings maze at REI is not just about finding the right coupon code; it's a holistic approach that combines strategic thinking, leveraging rewards programs, and exploring unconventional avenues. My journey, marked by over $6,700 worth of gear purchased and just under $2,500 paid out of pocket, underscores the efficacy of these methods. As you plan your next outdoor adventure, consider these strategies to crack the code and enjoy significant savings on your REI purchases.
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