REI

The REI Quarter Dome 2 Person Tent ($349) is a lightweight backpacking tent with two doors that weighs 3 pounds 4.4 ounces. Newly redesigned, the Quarter Dome 2 sports a number of desirable features including much enlarged side vestibules, more vertical walls, and higher ceilings above the head and foot ends …

The REI Dash 2 is the lightest weight 2 person tent that REI has ever sold. Weighing just 2 pounds 7 ounces (not including stakes or stuff sacks), it is a double walled tent with a conventional hubbed poleset, two doors, and two vestibules. But the design of this tent …

REI has introduced a new ultralight day pack called the Stoke 29. It’s perfectly sized for long day hikes, with a large main compartment and three exterior mesh pockets (2 side, 1 front.) I adore mesh packets like this because I can me stow all of the gear or food …

Last year REI introduced two new ultralight backpacks, the Flash 50 and the Flash 65 (a few are still available at REI-Outlet).  Both became instant hits with customers because of their light weight and removable framesheets which let the packs be reconfigured for different loads and trip lengths. With REI on …

This is the first winter that I’ve felt the need to carry along a thermos of hot tea with me on winter day hikes and backpacking trips. I don’t bring a thermos on every trip, but it’s proven quite handy on the more gnarly above-treeline ascents I’ve done this season …

The REI Flash 65 is a big backpack with 65 liters or about 4000 cubic (3966) inches of carrying capacity, but it is very lightweight. Fully configured it only weighs 3 lbs 2 oz in a size medium, but you can remove its floating top pocket and internal frame sheet …

The REI Flash 50 backpack is the smallest multi-day pack in REI’s line of ultralight backpacks. With a base weight of 2 lbs 10 oz, it is possible to remove some of the features of this pack to further reduce it’s weight to 1 lb 13 oz. That’s sounded like …

Last week I upgraded to a new REI 1.3 L titanium pot with a non stick coating for easy cleanup. For years, all I did was boil water for freezer bag meals on the trail and I didn’t need a non-stick coating. But these days, I want the option of …

It’s autumn in New England and day time temperatures are finally dropping down into the mid-40’s F, which I consider ideal hiking and backpacking weather. With the change of seasons, comes a change of hiking pants, and I’ve retired (i.e. destroyed) this year’s pair of Railrider Eco-mesh hiking pants and …

I bought two pairs of REI Adventure pants recently and they’ve become an indispensable part of my wardrobe for both work and outdoor activities such as day hiking and backpacking. A size 38 x 32 weighs just 13.5 oz. These pants are 100% nylon. They dry quickly after washing and …