Labor Day is right around the corner and sales are popping up everywhere! If you’ve had your eye on some new hiking gear or gear for camping, this is a great time. We’ve linked some of our favorite picks below and some that we want to try next.
Items we’ve tested and 100% recommend:
Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Sleeping Pad
Yes, it’s a big price tag but it’s totally worth it (especially if you split the cost) for two people. Alex and I typically car camp so it has more than paid off for us. I don’t like sleeping anywhere that isn’t a bed but sleeping on this pad guarantees I’ll sleep like a baby. Combine with your favorite sleeping bag, pillow and/or quilt for the best sleep you’ve ever had… while camping.
It will take up a lot of real estate, inflated or packed. Given its size and shape, deflating takes some elbow grease but it will get down to a manageable size when rolled and cinched down in its bag. The valves work like any other air mattress, and this is compatible with Exped’s Widget Pump.
NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair
What’s better than relaxing after a long day of hiking? Doing so in this chair! You can recline and rock in this chair to your heart’s content, and the frame is significantly sturdier than the traditional collapsing chairs. The one drawback to a suspended style chair is how the construction makes the cupholders a little tricky to fit a beverage into, and depending on how you sit in it, can cause open top containers to slosh. It can be a little difficult to put the chair back in its carrier, but once you’ve figured it out it packs down shorter than an expanding style chair. Other than that this is a spacious, durable and comfortable investment.
REI Co-op Pack-Away Bin
Love car camping but have problems organizing your car? Pack-away your troubles with the modular, flexible and infinitely customizable Pack-Away Bin! This is your “just throw it in there” solution, a repository for anything smaller than your tent, mattress and camp chairs. Beat using random tote bags which spill over on the first turn down a backroad or a hard sided bin when you just need a few centimeters of give to fit that one odd item.
NEMO Forte 35 Sleeping Bag – Women’s – 2023
Victim of cold nights? The NEMO Forte 35 is the solution! Warmth-wise, there are comparable bags but two features raise the Forte 35 above the rest. First, the vents. They feel like a gimmick but actually help nail the balance between insulation and breathability, according to your own preference. Second, the corresponding men’s version (or another woman’s version) can zip together to create a double bag.
Darn Tough Bear Town Micro Crew Socks – Women’s
You can never have too many socks. I’ve had multiple Darn Tough socks over the years and they show no more wear and tear than the day I got them. You don’t just have to wear them while hiking. Socks and Birks, anyone?
This specific design allows you to make endless “bear feet” jokes, which is priceless.
REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie
Run, don’t walk to buy the Sahara Shade Hoodie in every color. Alex and I swear by these in keeping us cool in the summer and they’re are perfect to transition into a layering piece in the cooler months ahead.
What we have our eyes on:
Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles
While our trekking poles are not on the Labor Day Sale the “pro” model is, at almost the same price we bought the base model! Black Diamond is a perennial solid choice for trekking poles. I’ve used a pair of theirs to summit the highest points of Shenandoah and Big Bend National Parks.
In trekking poles, a lot of features come down to personal preference. I swear by shock absorbing poles (which these are) but I know some hikers want a solid ride with no give. If you’re looking to upgrade or replace a set of poles with similar features, these are a no-brainer.
REI Co-Op Base Camp 6
Campout after campout, our REI Co-op Grand Hut 4 Tent is still kicking just fine. However, it’s been discontinued and when the wind picks up you can’t help but feel like a sailboat. As we graduate to more remote and challenging trips, a tent that can handle harsh wind and rain becomes a priority. REI has released dome style tents which are engineered for stability. I’m hoping to personally review one as soon as our Grand Hut gives out beyond repair. If you’re not waiting to replace your current tent, 50% off for the Base Camp 6 is too good to pass.
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel – 55L
Full disclosure: we already have one, we love it and we (mainly Alex) want another one. It weathered the rigors of being a checked bag and the design lends itself to that sort of adventure travel. The backpack straps are a godsend for running between terminals.
It requires a herculean effort to contort the bag back to its packed state. A variable cottage industry of Youtube guides exists to help you in that trial.
