REI’s First Big Sale Of The Year Is Here. These Are the Deals Our Experts Love.
Michael Murtaugh/NYT WirecutterThe best cooler with wheelsAttention campers, tailgaters, and cooler enthusiasts: The Yeti Tundra Haul is the best cooler with wheels we’ve ever used. The roto-molded body keeps contents ice-cold, and the thick-gauge welded-aluminum arm is built to handle the weight of a fully loaded cooler for years.Other things to know: No internal divider, and contents may shuffle a bit when tipped at an angle. Five-year warranty. We’ve seen single colors drop lower here and there, but this is a solid across-the-board discount. On sale for REI members with code MEMBER26.Read more: The Best CoolersA beach chair that’s built to last a lifetimeThis extra-comfortable beach chair is genuinely a dream to use, with four reclining positions and a generous width that accommodates a range of body types. It offers all-day support thanks to its tensioned fabric seat, rock-solid frame, and wide feet, which don’t sink into sand.Other things to know: Heavy, so not ideal for carrying long distances over sand. The most expensive of our picks, so this deal helps. On sale for REI members with code MEMBER26. At Public Lands, single-use discount reflects in cart when you are signed in with a free Hub membership.Read more: The Best Beach ChairsA gloriously large family-favorite tentThis spacious wagon-shaped tent has a massive interior, two giant doors, and a room divider for added privacy, so it’s great for families with older kids. The updated design offers increased stability against wind, and in our testing it handled 35 mph winds with no problem.Other things to know: A redesign of REI’s beloved Kingdom 6. Partial fly. No vestibule, but an attachable mudroom is sold separately. Already-large tent may not be ideal for campsites with limited space. No REI membership required.Read more: The Best Camping TentsA charming and rechargeable solar lampThis packable, bright outdoor light is easy to use: Just charge it via USB or its built-in solar panel, inflate it, and let it illuminate your gathering or campsite. It’s water- and dust-resistant, and it can even charge phones and other devices.Other things to know: Moisture from breath during inflation leaves smudges on the inside surface. There’s a risk of tearing or puncturing the material. One-year warranty. On sale for REI members with code MEMBER26.Read more: Outdoor and Backyard Lighting We LoveA truly superior pocket knifeWe tested nearly 30 pocket knives and found this investment-worthy model to be the best by nearly every measure. It’s fully ambidextrous, and it nails all the details, with a silky release, superior blade steel, top-notch ergonomics, and a better locking system than in other models.Other things to know: It’s expensive; our other picks are cheaper. Has a long-standing reputation as one of the premier folding EDC pocket knives. Benchmade will clean, oil, adjust, and resharpen it at no cost (you pay to ship it to the company). On sale for REI members with code MEMBER26.Read more: The Best Pocket KnifeOur longtime top multi-tool pickFix things on the fly with our slim and lightweight top multi-tool pick. It’s easy to carry and built to last, and it has all the well-executed essentials you might need day-to-day — including pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, and a handy carabiner clip — with no filler.Other things to know: Asymmetrical design, but it works well ergonomically. Some tools, like scissors, not included. Pricey, but a worthy investment. 25-year warranty. REI members can use promo code MEMBER26. At Public Lands, deal price reflects in cart when you are signed in with a free Hub membership.Read more: The Best Multi-ToolThe best action camera with 360-degree viewsCapture everything around you with the X5. It functions as a traditional action camera, but it also produces spherical, 360-degree video and photos via two wide-angle fish-eye lenses. It’s easy to use, with a big touchscreen, four physical buttons, and a great mobile app.Other things to know: You use only a portion of its resolution specs for widescreen clips or vertical social media videos, so its overall image quality isn’t quite as detailed as that of our other picks. Works best on a selfie stick. Lowest price we’ve seen yet. On sale for REI members with code MEMBER26.Read more: The Best Action CameraBudget walkie-talkies that punch far above their weightThese tiny walkie-talkies perform almost as well as our top pick, and at a fraction of the price. They retained a solid signal in our backwoods testing, they’re impressively light, and they offer niche features such as access to NOAA weather alerts.Other things to know: Their only drawbacks are slightly shorter battery life and range, but they still outclass many radios that cost far more. Run on three AAA batteries each. On sale for REI members with code MEMBER26.Read more: The Best Walkie-Talkies for Everyday UseA standout bike rack that’s actually easy to useOf all the tray-style hitch racks we tested, this was one of the easiest to install and use. Its lightweight yet solid build securely holds one or two bikes, and even when fully loaded, it conveniently tilts out of the way to let you access your vehicle.Other things to know: Available for 1.25-inch and 2-inch tow hitches. Folds away compactly. Not suitable for some specialty and electric bikes. 40-pound limit per bike. Opt for store pickup to avoid a $30 oversize-shipping fee. On sale for REI members with code MEMBER26.Read more: The Best Bike Racks for Cars and TrucksIdeal bike storage for those with no free wall spaceThis tension-mounted column allows you to store bikes without drilling holes or using nails — you simply wedge it in place between your floor and ceiling. It’s solidly constructed and capable of holding two bikes, and its support arms adjust to fit different kinds of frames.Other things to know: Instructions for assembly make it look harder than it is. Column height is adjustable from 84.75 inches to 121 inches. On sale for REI members with code MEMBER26.Read more: The Best Bike Storage IdeasA stellar hand warmer that slips into your pocketThis powerful hand warmer gets toasty in just 15 minutes and is small enough to stash in your jacket pocket. It has six heat settings, a nearly six-hour run time, and a slew of helpful features — it can also charge a phone and serve as a flashlight.Other things to know: Pricey, and it isn’t sold in pairs. Takes about two hours to recharge. REI members get free shipping; others can add to a larger order or choose store pickup to avoid shipping fees.Read more: The Best Hand Warmer
Source link