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(Photo: Courtesy of REI)
REI has taken a definitive stance on Black Friday: We Ain’t Doin’ It. (Okay, we editorialized that a bit. But for those of you who don’t know, REI closes all of its stores the day after Thanksgiving.) At Outside, we love the idea of flipping the year’s most hectic shopping day on its head by encouraging everyone to touch grass, dirt, or snow instead of the proverbial PIN pad. However, we all love a deal, and so does REI. The REI Holiday Sale, which is offering discounts of up to 30 percent (and 40 percent on items in its outlet), starts today, November 14, and runs through November 24.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or trying to pick out the perfect gift for the outdoor lover in your life, now is the time to get your shopping done and dusted. We scoured the sale for gear we’ve tested, gear we’d gift our friends and family, and gear we’d gift ourselves.
Not looking for something specific? That’s alright, because each of the categories below has at least 850 different deals to dig through.

A long-time choice of gear editors and testers at Outside, the REI Co-op Magma 30 is one bag that can do it all. It’s comfortable to sleep in, has plenty of internal space for tossing and turning to find the right position, and is overall a great value for the price, especially when it’s on sale.

One of the most popular and useful bits of gear for any backcountry explorer is a solid satellite communication device. Our favorite is the Garmin InReach Messenger Plus, which keeps you connected when your phone has zero bars. It can send texts, photos, and even voice messages to your loved ones, and, of course, it can connect you with emergency services if things take a turn for the worse.

The Black Diamond Solution 2.0 has many merits, but our favorite thing is its ability to keep the wind at bay without overheating. “Hiking uphill or stopped for a break, I never felt clammy unless the temps climbed above 25 degrees,” says our lead tester, who wore it ski-touring, snowshoeing, and resort skiing across Maine.

Versatile, durable, and, dare we say, quite stylish, this is one of our favorite approach shoes. “Climbers could use this shoe for nearly every style of approach; from casual trails to slabs, scree, talus, and easy technical pitches,” said climber and ultrarunner Kelsey Brasseur.

Giro makes some of the best helmets in mountain biking, and the Merit has been a favorite for years. One tester was especially enamored by the fit—a pain point for many of us mountain bikers. She said, “The shape of Giro’s Merit Spherical helmet feels natural—it’s snug enough to always stay in place, even when dropping off larger rocks and roots, and breezy enough to keep my head cool on hot days.”