The end of May unofficially marks the start of summer in the U.S., and that means more time outdoors. Whether you’re a kayaker, a climber, a griller, or someone who loves to sit in a camp chair and sunbathe, these Memorial Day rebates have something for you.
Be sure to check out our other outdoor shopping guides, including the best rain jackets, the best portable grills, the best binoculars, and the best barefoot shoes.
Coverage of WIRED Memorial Day offers
Updated May 30, 2022 – We’ve removed expired offers and added new ones, such as Wacaco Picopresso and REI Stuff Sacks.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get to 1 year subscription to WIRING for $ 5 ($ 25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you wish). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
Grill and stove offers
This is one of our favorite portable grills. Part grill, part bonfire, the BioLite includes a built-in battery that can act as a phone charger in a pinch. It burns firewood and charcoal and packs surprisingly small when you want to throw it in the trunk and hit the road.
The Ranger is the younger, more portable brother in the Yukon, which we reviewed and liked. It’s a big smoke-free campfire. If you don’t want the easiest Ranger to travel, the Yukon is also on sale for $ 400 ($ 350 off).
I really like this solid, nonsensical cast aluminum grill from PK Grills. It doesn’t have some of the expansion possibilities of the Weber Kettle, but it’s done well on the grill, smokes well, and looks good. This is a small discount, but we have never seen the price go down much.
This used to be in our Best Camp Stoves guide, but it wasn’t available most of last year, so we removed it. Here it is again on sale at REI. It is a solid two burner stove, but what makes the difference is the ability to connect a Jet Boil stove and use it as a third burner.
This Cuisinart can do a double task in the backyard or on the picnic table of your summer camping trip. We haven’t tried this exact model, but we like some of the other Cuisinart grills enough that we don’t hesitate to recommend this one. See our guide to the best portable grills for other options.
Camping and hiking offers
We tried the 4-person version of this three-season MSR store and loved it. If you need more space, this 6-person tent fits your bill. Don’t let the weight scare you; we made the backpack with 4 people and we divided the weight between two people and it’s not bad.
Nemo’s new Aurora Highrise has not yet arrived in our gear lab for testing, but Nemo does some of the best lightweight tents on the market, so we have no problem recommending this massive nylon castle. 13 pounds and 6 people. See our store guide for other large and (relatively) light stores.
You can never have too many sacks of things, just grab a few more while they are cheap. REI has also downgraded its package from $ 3 to $ 14 ($ 5 off).
Deuter’s are some of the best made packages. I’ve had a similar backpack for five years now and it’s still the most comfortable backpack I’ve ever had, thanks to the mesh Aircontact system, as Deuter calls it. It allows a good flow of air against your back and helps you stay cool on hot days.
Slightly larger than the Trail, the Futura 28 is perfect for longer day trips, hut excursions or as a suitcase. We haven’t tried this one, but like the Trail, it features Deuter’s mesh back system, which should provide you with the same comfort and ventilation in your back.
Our favorite barefoot shoes are on sale at REI. The women’s size is also on sale for the same price. These shoes inspired me to write an entire essay on barefoot shoes. Seriously, try them!
Therm-a-Rest’s NeoAir sleeping pad gets so small that I lost it in my backpack, but it’s a good problem. The normal size is 72 x 20 inches, weighs only 1 pound and provides an R value of 4 to help you stay warm on cold nights.
This is a solid package for a week-long trip (or longer if you accept the ultralight ethos). In my tests, I filled my sleeping bag at the bottom with some clothing and then piled it into a Bear Vault 500, which just fit. Attach the tent poles to the outside and you’re ready to spend a couple of weeks on the road.
The Tempest is a slightly smaller version of the Talon. It’s a great weekend package, but you can take advantage of the side compression straps and grab it for a day’s walk when you don’t need all that space.
Photography: Kelty
I’m in the process of trying out Kelty’s canvas tent, and what I can say so far is that the 9-foot version withstands winds of 20-30 miles per hour on the beach well, which is awesome. If you plan to use it in a treeless area like the beach, be sure to pick up the sticks, which are sold separately (although at the moment they seem to be out of stock everywhere).
This lighthouse is indestructible. I (Scott Gilbertson) have had mine for over 20 years. Although I have had to replace the strap once in a while, otherwise it works just as well as it did the day I bought it. Grab a rechargeable AAA battery and you’ll have light for many years.
The Rainier is our preferred affordable option in our guide to the best waterproof jackets. It uses a high quality laminate waterproofing instead of the less expensive coating on which many cheaper rain jackets are based, which means it lasts longer and pours water better. It’s made from recycled nylon, has ventilation zippers and is glued to seams, all features that are rarely found in a rain jacket for less than $ 100.
I think WIRED Associate Editor Adrienne So summed up this chair well when she said, “To be honest, it’s huge, heavy, takes up a lot of space, and it’s awkward to fold. But it’s all worth it once put all your loved ones in front of a fire. “
We haven’t tried this one, but we do like many other Nemo chairs that are very similar. This only adds to the possibility of reclining to see the night sky.
The cheap kitchen utensils in the camp are the worst. I dropped an enamel plate on my last trip and the enamel coating broke right on the edge. I swore I would buy indestructible metal plates next time. This is exactly what these Snow Peak titanium plates are and, as an added bonus, they are also lightweight and perfect for backpacking.
Add the Picopresso to your cart to see the discount on your purchase. If you are the type that needs to have a good espresso on the way, the Picopresso is our favorite portable espresso machine. It is compact and light, produces a pleasant cream and is consistently good. Don’t forget to bring a hand-held coffee grinder (and a large fresh coffee).
Climbing offers
Both EMS and REI have sales of climbing equipment. There’s too much to list all the offers here, so we’ve just picked up a few highlights. Be sure to check out the EMS Climbing Offers page and the REI Climbing Offers page for more information. Oh, and read our guide to the best climbing equipment for more tips.
Photography: La Sportiva
This is a reissue of the classic La Sportiva Mythos climbing shoe, now made from eco-friendly materials. Please note that only sizes 41-44 are available for sale.
Who doesn’t need a new chalk bag? Keep an extra in your glove compartment, as Alex Hannold probably does. The Black Diamond Mojo chalk bag is well made and will withstand a lot of climbing, even if it is not free to make large walls in the valley alone.
Every climber needs more cameras, and who wants to pay the full price? These vary in price depending on the size, but all have a 25 percent discount on REI.
Protect your head with one of these helmets. Black Diamond Half Dome helmets are designed for everything from a day on the cliffs to an alpine expedition.
Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Deals
Photography: Boat
This is the best I’ve tried this year. It’s hard to quantify exactly what’s so fantastic in 50 words. Let’s say it makes the water a joy and opens up a whole new horizon of rowing possibilities, whether you’re on the lake, the bay or even surfing. The Breeze Aero is stable, suitable for beginners and packs small enough to fit in the trunk.
Taking out this inflatable kayak is a good place to start if you want to find fishing holes that no one else knows about. It’s well done (still inflatable however, watch out for these hooks and knives) and they can be stored in the back seat.
Oru folding kayaks are another possibility for those of us who do not have space to store and transport boats. It’s not a whitewater kayak by any means, but it only weighs 32 pounds, packs small and unfolds in minutes.
Retail pages
There are many more outdoor deals than we can list in a guide. To explore on your own, use these links on our favorite sales pages.