The Best Camping Gear at REI (2025): Trail-Proven Picks You’ll Actually Love
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Upgrading your camp kit? I pulled together the standouts on REI that campers consistently rate highly—plus a few specialty pieces for road-trip setups. From shelter and sleep systems to stoves and headlamps, these are the items worth your money this season.
Shelter & Car-Top Cargo
Thule Force XT L Roof Box
If road trips and car-camping are your vibe, extra dry storage is gold. The Thule Force XT L adds a cavernous 450 L on the roof, with dual-side openings that make loading a breeze. It holds skis, duffels, and all the fluffy camp comfort gear that doesn’t fit in the trunk. REI shoppers give it 4.6/5 across ~230 reviews, calling out easy install and sturdy latches.
Yakima SkyRise Medium Tent (Rooftop)
Rooftop tents turn any pullout into a campsite. The Yakima SkyRise Medium sleeps 3, includes a comfy foam mattress, and sets up fast. Note: it’s currently discontinued at REI (watch for remaining stock/returns), so it’s now on sale for $1,424.73!. If you’re Rooftop-Tent curious, keep an eye on deals—or consider newer hardshell options as they pop up.
Backpacks for Big Loads
Gregory Baltoro 100 Pro (Men’s)
For hauling food, water, and shoulder-season layers, the Baltoro 100 Pro remains a workhorse: a supportive hipbelt, dialed suspension, and a layout built for organization. Owners highlight its comfort with ~70 lb loads and heaps of pocketing. It averages 4.1/5 (17 reviews) on REI. Fit matters—try before you buy.
Sleep System: Warm, Roomy, and Repairable
NEMO Disco 15 Endless Promise (Men’s & Women’s)
Side-sleepers, rejoice. The Disco 15 uses NEMO’s Spoon™ shape for elbow/knee room, Thermo Gill™ vents to dump heat, and 650-fill hydrophobic down. The “Endless Promise” line is designed for end-of-life recyclability—nice sustainability win. At REI the men’s model shows ~70 reviews, 4.4/5, with frequent praise for comfort and warmth for most three-season trips. (If you run cold, pair with a solid R-value pad.)
Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Sleeping Pad
A newer Therm-a-Rest option that aims for “sublime comfort” without bulk. The NeoLoft has been trending at REI with ~65 reviews, 4.2/5. It’s light/packable yet cushy enough for car-camping—great for folks who want one pad to do most things.
Pro tip: Your pad matters as much as the bag. If nights dip near freezing, target a pad with an R-value around 4–5 for true three-season warmth.
Cold Drinks, Hot Meals
YETI Hopper Flip 8 Soft Cooler
The Hopper Flip 8 is the compact, bomb-proof day-cooler for a couple drinks and lunch at camp or the beach. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s durable and leak-resistant with YETI’s burly fabric and zipper system. Check REI’s listing for the latest color/stock; it’s a staple in the Hopper lineup.
MSR PocketRocket 2
No-nonsense, ultra-packable, and beloved. The PocketRocket 2 nails the price-to-performance sweet spot and has racked up ~510 reviews at 4.6/5 on REI, which says a lot about reliability. Great as your everyday camp stove or as a backup to an integrated system.
Jetboil Flash (1.0 L) Cooking System
When speed matters, the Flash is a champ—boils water for coffee or freeze-dried meals in about 100 seconds. The latest refresh improved ignition and handling while keeping the handy heat-indicator sleeve. REI routinely features it in staff picks and sales.
Small but Mighty Camp Essentials (High-Review Heroes)
REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ (with Footprint)
A roomy two-person tent that still backpacks well when you split the load. The outgoing version on REI’s archive shows ~362 reviews (4.1/5)—a sign of how many folks trust it. If you see the new model in stock, it’s a safe, value-forward bet for car camping and short backpacking trips.
Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp
Editors love it, and so do shoppers. The Spot 400 is bright, compact, and runs on either AAAs or BD’s rechargeable pack. REI’s headlamp guide cites ~366 reviews at 4.2/5 for this model, and it’s often their staff pick.
Whether you car-camp a few weekends a year or backpack every month, these REI standouts are popular for good reasons: they’re reliable, user-friendly, and backed by a huge community of real-world reviews. Mix and match for your style—then go make some camp memories.
