REI slashes prices up to 70% on summer gear and apparel

REI is marking selected outlet items down by as much as 70% through Aug. 3, with footwear, camp gear and apparel among the categories on sale while supplies last. The size of the banner is the first clue, not the final verdict: “up to” means only a slice of inventory reaches the deepest cuts, so the smarter move is to compare the sale price against the original list price before assuming a deal is strong.

That comparison matters because REI’s own pricing pages show how wide the gap can be between headline discounts and actual savings. On the company’s clothing and footwear clearance page, 2,260 products are listed, including one item priced at $13.93, which is 26% below its $18.95 list price. REI also advertises up to 50% off past-season styles on its clothing and footwear outlet pages, a reminder that a real bargain is usually tied to a concrete price drop and not just a percentage on a promo banner.

The best clearance buys now are the items tied to summer use and immediate trips: trail sandals, shorts, backpacks, hiking boots, tents and sleeping bags. REI’s June 23 Fourth of July Deals announcement said summer savings started June 26 and covered hiking, camping, cycling, paddling and everyday warm-weather outings, which is the kind of seasonal turnover that can create the steepest markdowns on gear you can actually use before fall. When a discounted item is a last-season color, a prior model year or a piece you were already planning to buy, the markdown is more likely to be meaningful.

Skip the low-priority impulse buys, especially apparel that looks cheap only because the original tag was high. If a shirt or accessory is sitting at a modest cut while REI’s outlet page is advertising up to 70% off selected items, the math may not justify buying just because the discount looks dramatic. It is also worth checking competing retailers before checking out: Steep & Cheap advertises up to 70% off summer price drops and camp closeouts up to 60% off, so REI’s number has to beat or match what similar clearance racks are offering elsewhere.

REI’s sale calendar shows how routine these markdown cycles are. The co-op said its 2025 Anniversary Sale ran May 16-26 and celebrated 87 years of outfitting members and the outdoor community, while its June 21, 2024 Fourth of July event offered up to 40% off clearance items. REI’s FAQ says it has been sharing its passion for the outdoors since 1938, and anyone can join the co-op for extra benefits including special pricing and exclusive offers. The strongest buys are the hardgoods you need now at a clear price cut; the weakest are the small apparel splurges whose “up to 70%” tag hides only a modest markdown.