Ultralight Staff Picks For REI Co-op Labor Day Sale 2026
Last Updated: August 28, 2026
By Jaeger Shaw
34 Ultralight Staff Picks from REI Co-op Labor Day Sale 2026
This content is sponsored by REI Co-op, but the views expressed are my own
The REI Co-op Labor Day Sale event is on now, and this guide is your shortcut to the best ultralight hiking gear on offer. If it’s heavy, you won’t find it here! The big story of this sale is that nearly all of the best sleeping pads and lightweight tents from mainstream outdoor brands are 25% off. Cover photo: Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2.
- August 28 – September 7, 2026
- Select styles up to 25% off
- Member Coupon for extra 20% off one eligible Outlet item w/ code LABORDAY26
You make Adventure Alan & Co possible. When purchasing through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Here’s why you can trust us.
Lightweight Tents
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL, 25% off
42 oz | $450 On Sale, $600 MSRP
Copper Spur UL2 is the most popular and beloved Big Agnes tent for backpacking, renown for its light weight, double-wall canopy, fully freestanding construction, and awning vestibule. It is a great tent for mixed 1-2P use. Upgrade to the UL2 XL version for a more spacious dedicated 2P shelter. Options for all capacity levels are available.
NEMO DragonFly OSMO, 25% off
45 oz | $412 On Sale, $550 MSRP
The NEMO Dragonfly OSMO is a lightweight, fully-freestanding tent designed to compete directly with Copper Spur, complete with high tech sag-resistant OSMO fabric. The end result is an excellent, lightweight, versatile backpacking tent. The latest version of Dragonfly has a larger interior volume thanks to a new and improved spreader bar.
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL, 25% off
35 oz | $375 On Sale, $500 MSRP
Due to the weight savings of its semi-freestanding design, Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 delivers a high volume-to-weight ratio. The combination of a spreader bar and near-vertical end wall makes for superb headroom. Drawbacks are its medium wind stability and small floor plan; consider sizing up one capacity level relative to your intended number of users.
NEMO Hornet OSMO, 25% off
31 oz | $360 On Sale, $480 MSRP
NEMO Hornet OSMO was designed compete with Big Agnes Tiger Wall, and the end result is lighter weight and more affordable than nearly any other mainstream semi-freestanding tent! That being said, the miniature spreader bar reduces interior volume and headroom, and we dislike the scooped single wall head end. Even more so than Tiger wall, we recommend going up a size capacity level relative to your intended users. Specifically the 3P version gets a full size spreader bar and is great for two people.
REI Co-op Flash Tent, 25% off
45.2 oz | $396 On Sale, $529 MSRP
The REI Co-op Flash 2 is a lightweight, fully-freestanding tent with a uniquely vertical head end wall and massive top vent. It competes with BA Copper Spur and NEMO Dragonfly; less expensive and better ventilated at the cost of less wind stability due to scooped end walls. From our perspective, this is likely the best Co-op label freestanding backpacking tent, and weighs half as much as Half Dome.
Ultralight Sleep Systems
NEMO Pulse 20/30 Quilt, 25% off
18 oz | $412 On Sale, $550 MSRP
Choose NEMO Pulse because it’s the highest warmth-to-weight ratio quilt sold at REI Co-op, and the most sustainable quilt on the marketplace. Send it back to NEMO at end of life and they’ll recycle it! Thanks to 1000 fill power Expedry gold-treated down and 10d fabric, it outperforms all other non-cottage industry option. It’s also notable for the use of kero step baffling, which creates a maze like network of semi-open chambers to hold down in place while evening out distribution and reducing cold spots.
Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20 Quilt, 25% off
19 oz | $345 On Sale, $460 MSRP
Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20 is the second highest warmth-to-weight ratio quilt sold at REI Co-op, comfier and better than every sleeping bag, and a top tier option for ultralight backpackers. It is a marginally worse performer than NEMO Pulse, but a better value.
Magma 30 Trail Quilt, 25% off
20.3 oz | $246 On Sale, $329 MSRP
The REI Co-op Magma Trail 30 is an entry level quilt and superb value, easily outperforming similarly priced sleeping bags in terms of warmth-to-weight and comfort. Note that the 30F rating is good for summer backpacking and warmer climates, but keep shopping for a 20F rated option if you want to use your quilt year round.
Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow, 25% off
1.9 oz | $37 On Sale, $50 MSRP
Of all the ultralight pillows, Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight is by far the most common, user-tested, and trust-worthy. It is incredibly light, has a nice shoulder notch, and superb double valve. The top surface is brushed fabric, which has a pleasant texture against skin.
Exped Ultra 6.5R, 25% off
12.7 oz | $150 On Sale, $200 MSRP
The Ultra 6.5R offers a premium blend of weight, thickness, comfort, and warmth, slightly outperforming existing tier-1 ultralight models like Ether Light, NeoAir, Tensor, and Zoom. The vertical baffles expand outwards and help cradle.
NEMO Tensor All-Season UL, 25% off
14.1 oz | $165 On Sale, $220 MSRP
Choose NEMO Tensor All-Season Insulated because it is the best overall ultralight sleeping pad, with the best combination of stats like weight, R-value, and thickness. The surface dimples form a reasonably comfortable and quiet sleeping surface with enhanced durability on the lower half.
Sea to Summit Ultralight XR, 25% off
14.6 oz | $112 On Sale, $149 MSRP
Few insulated sleeping pads weigh under a pound, which makes the Sea to Summit Ultralight XR a tempting offer for just $149 in a size regular. While the 2.6″ thick structure is definitely thinner than average and can cause bottoming out as you move, the actual sleeping surface is astoundingly comfy; great for side, stomach, and back sleepers. In fact, it is comfier than StS Ether Light XR, NEMO Tensor, NEMO Eclipse, and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite, albeit thinner and less warm than all of them. Lastly, the 30d/40d fabric is very tough.
Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Insulated ASC, 25% off
16.6 oz | $149 On Sale, $199 MSRP
For a superb blend of comfort-and-thickness-to-weight, we recommend Sea to Summit Ether Light XR, which is no slouch on warmth or durability either. This is a great all around pad that includes all the best features like a deeply dimpled surface, double valve, perimeter bumpers, and a quiet sleeping experience; much quieter and warmer than its predecessor. And on top of that, the size regular is actually 21.7″ wide, 1.7″ wider than industry standard.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, 25% off
13 oz | $157 On Sale, $210 MSRP
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite offers the best blend of low weight and high durability in an ultralight sleeping pad, and is by far the most classic and best selling option in the genre. If you had the old version, you might remember how loud they were. But that is no longer the case; NXT is reasonably quiet.
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol, 25% off
14 oz | $45 On Sale, $60 MSRP
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite is an iconic and incredibly useful ultralight pad. It may not be as warm or comfortable as modern inflatables, but it is more reliable and more versatile. The best part, aside from not popping, is that it can be used as a lounging pad outside of the tent during breaks or at camp. It can also be placed under your primary inflatable to boost R-Value by +2.
Ultralight Backpacking Accessories
MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe, 25% off
2.9 oz | $64 On Sale, $85 MSRP
MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe is one of two best-in-class stoves on the market, and our current editor’s choice pick. MSR PRD boils incredibly quickly thanks to the high BTU output, and does so without failing in cold/wind, thanks to a cupped head and pressure regulator.
Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus, 10% off
4.4 oz | $450 On Sale, $500 MSRP
Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus is the current best SatCom device, offering users super fast messaging over the Iridium Messaging Transport System, the ability to send/receive voicemail and photos, and its best in class full color touch screen. All said and done, it has better standalone operability and more features than any other competing option.
REI Co-op Trail 2 Waist Pack, 25% off
4.3 oz | $26 On Sale, $35 MSRP
Choose the REI Co-op Trail 2 for an exceptional blend of performance, value, weight, features, and sustainability. It holds two liters, which is a sweet spot in size range, with ability to carry a wide variety of accessories and/or snacks without feeling overcrowded.
Katadyn BeFree AC, 25% off
2.3 oz | $36 On Sale, $48 MSRP
Katadyn BeFree was the first ever soft flask filter and one of the original ultralight water filters. The Katadyn BeFree AC edition adds a number of improvements to the original, including a much tougher flip top lid, a handling loop, and the option for activated carbon filtration to improve taste. The AC tech filters out the taste of tannins and other unwanted flavors that the primary hollow fiber filter won’t catch. While this is nice to have, it slows the flow rate so we recommend removing the activated carbon tab unless it’s needed.
REI Co-op Flash Air Tarp, 25% off
20.0 oz | $142 On Sale, $189 MSRP
Choose the REI Co-op Flash Air Tarp because it’s large, readily available, reasonably priced, and comes loaded with guyout lines aplenty, as well as its own DAC J stakes. The 20d sil/pu ripstop nylon is 100% recycled, and more durable than thinner alternatives, albeit slightly heavier. The 9.5×9.5′ is large and versatile. At time of publication, it is likely the best option available at REI, given that the only others stocked are from Kammock, and those don’t have mid-wall guy out points.
Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Dry Bag, 25% off
1.7 oz | $25 On Sale, $33 MSRP (13L version)
Backpackers must periodically replace dry bags that lose waterproofness, and the Sea to Summit Ultra Sil is a great way to do this while saving weight and money. Choose the 13L version for storing an ultralight quilt and sleep setup, the 20L if you’re packing for colder months or use a sleeping bag.
Leki SkyTera FX Carbon SL, 25% off
6.3 oz | $165 On Sale, $220 MSRP
Leki SkyTera FX SL Carbon is the lightest adjustable height z pole we tested, and offers a best-in-class grip, extender, and wrist strap combo. While sufficient for mellow trails and low weight, we don’t view it as strong enough for large bodies, heavy loads, and/or technical terrain where sudden overloading is more likely.
Leki Skytera Carbon Lite, 25% off
6.9 oz | $142 On Sale, $190 MSRP
The telescoping Leki Skytera Carbon Lite is likely the best all-around ultralight trekking pole available at REI, at least in terms of strength-to-weight ratio. It’s not the lightest, nor the strongest, but a really well-balanced design that has superb grip + extender with soft and comfy straps.
Leki Ultratrail FX One, 25% off
6.4 oz | $165 On Sale, $220 MSRP
For the fastpackers and trail runners of the world, there’s no better option than the fixed-length, folding Leki UltraTrail FX One. On top of its low weight and high strength-to-weight, this pole is notable for popularizing the shark glove system. This wrist-strap-glove-hybrid attaches your hand to the pole for greater power transfer. Detach the glove and leave it on your hand when stowing your poles.
Hiking Apparel
Darn Tough Micro Crew Ultralightweight Cushion, 25% off
1.5 oz | $17 On Sale, $23 MSRP
Once you realize that trail running shoes are superior to hiking boots, it also becomes time to upgrade your socks. Ditch the thick, warm, overkill boot socks for thin, lightly cushioned running socks! The Darn Tough Micro Crew Ultralightweight Cushion will keep your feet cooler and less sweaty, while providing just enough underfoot protection to reduce discomfort. Note that all Darn Tough socks are on sale, so stock up on whatever you need!
Altra Lone Peak 9+, 25% off
11.2 oz | $120 On Sale, $160 MSRP
Altra Lone Peaks were the most popular shoe of the 2010s, and are still effective and comfortable today. While moderate cushion and zero drop may have fallen somewhat out of favor, the Lone Peak 9+ are still a great choice, now with better traction than ever thanks to Vibram rubber (as indicated by its namesake +). The wide toe box is desirable after long days and with swollen feet.
Altra Experience Wild 3, 25% off
11.1 oz | $112 On Sale, $150 MSRP
Altra Experience Wild 3 is our current editor’s choice shoe! It offers low-but-non-zero drop, a wide toe box, breathable mesh, and excellent traction, all of which combine to make an incredibly comfortable, high performance trail runner for hiking long days in the mountains. Experience Wild 3 is like if Altra Lone Peak and HOKA Speedgoat had a baby. Note that only the 3 and not the 3+ are on sale.
Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie, 25% off
4.2 oz | $64 On Sale, $85MSRP
Crater Lake is an ultra thin, ultra stretchy UPF 50 sun hoody, and one of the most highly regarded base layers out there. Drawback is that, because of the high Spandex content, it dries slowly relative to how thin it is. Now also available as a quarter zip hoodie.
Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Heavyweight, 25% off
9.6 oz | $71 On Sale, $95 MSRP
Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Heavyweight is a lightweight fleece hoodie confusingly associated by name with the brand’s popular sun protection line. But is actually just a mid-layer. This lightweight grid fleece offers a great blend of warmth, interior fuzz, and breathability. It’s a jack of all trades, master of none. The flat face fabric is moderately stretchy, nicely durable, and blocks a bit of wind. We love the addition of a quarter zip for added venting and easy on/off.
Ultralight Gear Guide to REI Co-op Labor Day Sale 2026 Conclusion
Thank you for reading our REI Co-op Labor Day Sale Guide, where we hope you found big time savings on your new favorite lightweight hiking gear. Being a Co-op member has some serious perks, and if you aren’t already, we highly recommend purchasing a lifetime membership for $30, as the savings offset the upfront cost almost immediately. Happy trails!
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Instead of TNF Future Fleece Hoody, the Mountain Hardwear Airmesh is also Octa and is in the Outlet at 25% off and you can use your 20% Coupon on it. Hoody for Men, Women can choose from Hoody, Crew or 1/4 zip.
Big fan of the MH AirMesh series and it would be a great use of the Outlet coupon. 100% agree. I just wasn’t researching outlet for this article because inventory is so spotty; ie the men’s hoody is already sold out in most sizes.
Such a helpful post! Thank you for all you guys do. It saves us all so much time and is fun to read even we don’t need any gear (but of course we still have “wants”).
Thanks Don! Cheers
What’s your take on the Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE LT Half-Zip Pullover? Looks like it uses 100g instead of the 124g in the hoody version. I looked at what Zpacks is using and they are using 80g. Seems like a good lighter weight option for a fleece.
Hey Dylan – great question! We don’t recommend the FutureFleece LT version, despite the fact that it’s lighter weight. Unlike the 124g FutureFleece hoodie which has the loop clusters that loft to create dead air pockets, and the Zpacks Octa (or Mountain Hardwear Airmesh) which has a fuzzy brushed interior that also traps air to insulate, the FutureFleece LT has a relatively smooth flat-ish interior that does not loft (no loop clusters, tufts, or brushed surface) and does nothing to trap air for insulative value beyond the vague whisper of a thin grid fleece. As such, it’s closer to the warmth equivalent of a base layer than it is to a mid-layer.
What do you think of the arcteryx atom lt? Not sure whether to get that or the magma 850.
Hi Avelan, these jackets so different in design and purpose that it’s hard to compare them. One is a puffy down jacket designed to be worn in camp or rest stops. Not really an active layer but very warm when not moving. The Atom LT jacket is a mid-layer that can also function as a moderately insulating outer layer. It has synthetic insulation in the torso and arms, and air permeable fleece side panels and underarms. As such, it is really an active layer for cold weather similar to Patagonia’s Nano Air, and Nano Air Hybrid, both jackets we really like for active layers in cold weather. In summary, which is better will be decided by your intended purpose for the jacket. Hope this helps. Warmest, -alan & alison
Helllooooo HMG 3400. This is what I’ve been waiting for! But if I get it, then I HAVE to get my son a new, down sleeping bag because I’ll no longer be able to carry the Marmot Mavericks 30F bag in my pack (along with my quilt, tent, and sleeping pad). Ugh, that’s just too bad that I’ll have to get him a much lighter weight and warmer bag. And he’ll be able to carry it himself now that it will fit in his pack. That’s just too much ‘win’ to ignore!
Great summary…keep up the great work.
Hi E.C. and thanks for sharing you amusing mental machinations about gear. I don’t think there is a question for me in there, but let me know if there was. Otherwise carry on! Warmest, -alan
Hi,Alan
I noticed the Garmin Instinct watch is on sale(30% off).Do you think this would be a good tool to help navigate off trail
(GPS)? I’m thinking about the Grand Loop of the Linville Gorge in North Carolina.I also love the other features of this
watch.Love your site!
Thanks alot.
Nice to hear from you Ronald. Wrist GPS watches, are great training tools and do a great job of keeping track of time and distance — I use the all them time for my day to day training. But they make crappy navigation tools, screen is too small, there is no useable map, and GPS accuracy is not great. As such for off-trail navigation, you would be far better off with a basic wrist watch (I prefer a basic analog field watch) and using GAIA GPS on your phone, see my post on this. This is the system I use, even when guiding in Alaska or Trekking in Patagonia. Hope this helps, -alan
BTW, I do find the inReach Mini invaluable and it goes on every trip for any number of reasons. If I were buying GPS electronics that would be my choice.
Hi, What’s the max height you’d recommend for the Women’s NeoAir? It is 66″ long, so what are assumptions about sleep style, etc. assuming you recommend it for people over 66″ tall? I’m debating whether to get that or a different one for my son who is 5’10” and growing…Thanks Alan!
Hi Denise. I think the answer is what is your sleeping style. My 6’5″ hiking partner uses the pad. For me as long as my calves are supported when I sleep on my back I am fine. Having my heels resting slightly on the ground is just fine (most of the weight is taken off of my heels via my suppored calves). One can always put a bit of clothing or something under your heels but I have never found it necessary. Side sleeping presents a shorter “length” and usually my whole body fits, or close to it. Hope this helps. Best, -alan
What do you think of the Nemo Hornet Elite (1p or 2p)? They’re 25% off.
Hi Ben, the Hornet is a good tent and a good deal. Depends on how good a fit it is for your backpacking style. See more on my 2019 Best Backpacking Tents | Lightweight & Ultralight.
But in summary: For those seeking one of the lightest traditional tents, Nemo Hornet 2P is a great option. At 1.9 lbs it is our lightest recommended traditional tent. And for $370, it’s the second most affordable. So it’s a great value! And the amazing part is that, despite the weight and cost trimmings, Nemo still managed to deliver what is only a somewhat smaller living space and vestibule setup than its heavier competition. Yes, the slanted sidewalls (tent lacks a spreader crossbar at the peak) make it better suited for sleeping than hanging out in (some even consider this a large person’s solo tent), but if small and light is your style, you were probably going to hike all day anyway. Note that this tent has light fabric and should be treated with care.. We would definitely recommend something under the tent to protect its 15 denier floor.Keep in mind that the Nemo family goes deep and quality options abound. Larger hikers or anyone seeking livability will appreciate the expanded footprint, vertical sidewalls, and bigger vestibules on the Dagger 2P (also a very nice tent!).
Best For: Those seeking the lightest traditional tent, even if it means compromising a bit on space and livability. Light fabrics should be treated with care.
I just picked up the 2p on sale at REI. The 2019 version has 2 plastic spreaders at the top of the tent. This seems like the light weight version of my old first love, the 2p quarter dome.
Sweet Mary. Glad you found a deal there. Wishing you a great year of trekking. Warmest, -alan & alison
I’m curious why it is said that the women’s version of the therm a rest is lighter than the men’s, when they are both said to be 12 oz. In the specs. Is it just the R value that is higher on the women’s?
Matthew, you are correct they are the same weight. (The text was an artifact of cutting and pasting). It now reads “At 12 oz and with an R-value of 3.9, it’s warmer for same weight as the “Men’s” version.” Wishing you a great year of hiking. Warmest (pun intended), -alan
Great suggestions! I’ve been waffling around trying to decide what to buy during the sale. Sadly, a lot of the items on the list are already discounted, so do not qualify for the 20% off member discount. For instance the InReach Mini would be cheaper at 20% off full price. You alluded to this in your very good preamble post.
Nevertheless, I grabbed one of those Flash pads for $20 using my dividend (and your affiliate link!), so a win/win. Thanks for all your hard work and research.
By the way, relative to the Altra entry, I’ve been coveting a pair of Olympus 3.0, but they’re nowhere to be found. I called Altra today and they’re about to release the 3.5 model sometime in July. Sadly too late for any discount :-).
Nice Work Vic. Hoping you get your Olympus 3.5s soon. Best, -alan & alison
Thanks for this Alan! In looking at the sleeping bag options, I noted that one of them–the Magma 17 Women’s sleeping bag (https://www.rei.com/product/110927/rei-co-op-magma-17-sleeping-bag-womens) is on sale already for $275 and appears to have the same specs across the board to the Women’s 15 except that the “stuff volume” is 8 liters instead of 10 liters. It is on sale but not in the outlet, so doesn’t qualify for either 20% coupon, but does qualify for the 10% member bonus. Do you see any difference in this bag that I’m missing, compared to the Women’s 15?
Denise, good find. Go for it! (and I will be adding it to my guide). All the best my friend. -a
Hi Alan – thanks for summing up sale highlights…super helpful. Picked up an Atom LT hoodie…it’s fantastic!
Could you double check the Darn Tough entry…thinking only the ski socks are on sale, not the hiking editions. I walked into a store yesterday, and I was so darned confused about the pricing. :)
Good catch Craig, only ski socks were on sale. Since this is backpacking and hiking site, I pulled the socks out of the guide. Still there are some very nice Smartwool socks on sale for 30% off and that includes hiking and running socks. Best, -alan
Great post but want to clarify one thing. The Exos backpack shown is last year’s model; the 2018 version lost the hipbelt pockets (which is a real shame)
Thanks for finding that Steven. Yes, the actual link is was and is correct for the current model but the image is not. I already had the image of last years in my image library and forgot to change it in the rush to get the guide out in time for the sale. Hoping you had a great Memorial Day Weekend. Warmest -alan
REI has Sea to Summit inflatable pillows 25% off. I just picked up the Ultra Light:
https://www.rei.com/product/866772/sea-to-summit-aeros-pillow-ultra-light
Pillows are a luxury to some, and essential to a good night’s sleep for others.
Nice Rocky. Sweet dreams :-) Warmest, -alan
Great post! REI should sponsor you!
Thanks, Taylor. Glad you liked it. The Guide was a fair amount of work. Warmest, -alan
This is a great list! I’m fairly new to backpacking and have some of these items already but I’m adding the Joule 21 sleeping bag, MSR pocket rocket 2, nuun tablets, and a climbing harness from this sale. Steep & Cheap seems to be competing with this sale because they’ve added new items. I purchased prAna Halle pants in a color not available at REI and a compression sack. Excited to test out my new gear :)
Very nice Amy. Glad you are getting some new light gear. And so smart to shop sales and closeouts when you are getting started. Will save you a ton of $. Warmest, -alan
It is awesome that you would compile this list together! I hope you do it in years to come as well!
Thanks Ben. Best, -alan
I used me member discount on a Ursack All-White. Because my “bear hangs” are more often “chipmunk hangs” and it’s time to stop pushing my luck.
Good choice!