- REI does not officially do a Black Friday sale. It instead closes all of its locations for the day.
- But REI does hold an annual Holiday Sale before Black Friday, which runs November 13 to 23 this year.
- REI members can get 20% off a single full-priced item, an extr20 percent off a single REI Outlet item, and 25 percent off selected gear from The North Face.
EVERY HOLIDAY SEASON for the past decade, REI has shut its doors and ceased online order processing on Black Friday. Instead of holding a Black Friday sale, the outdoor retailer encourages customers (and its employees) to #OptOutside by getting in nature and on an adventure. This Black Friday marks 11 years of that. But, the good thing for you and your holiday shopping is that REI still holds a Holiday Sale, which is about to start on November 13 and runs through November 23.
But if you can’t wait until that starts, we decided to sort through REI’s deal section to offer up some current editor favorites on sale. I’ll make sure to update this post when the Holiday Sale launches on November 13, and you can check out a preview of that here.
REI Early Black Friday Deals 2026
Editor-Favorite Trail Shoes
An easy deal to scoop up around the holidays is Yeti drinkware—makes for a great gift, and you probably have a mug around the house or office that needs replacing as well. This Stackable Rambler (in the ridgeline color shown) is 20 percent off and will get the job done this winter.
When it comes to trail runners, two of my favorites in recent times have been the Keen Seek and the Arc’teryx Norvan LD4. The Seek is Keen’s very first trail running shoe, and it was a surprise gem of 2025. The upper collar provides a comfortable, secure fit and the midsole foam and less aggressive lugs make it a nice gravel option. I’ve still got my original pair in the rotation after roughly 115 miles on them—29 percent off is a solid price. And the Norvan LD4 is another one of my favorites from 2025. Very stable and a tongue/collar that’s one of the more comfortable sock-like fits I’ve worn—feels like it’s just a thin bit of material and nothing more.
A few other standout deals right now are the Vuori Sunday Performance Joggers (under $90 in sable heather color), 30 percent off Patagonia’s Houdini Stash Half-Zip, and just $90 for the Gregory Arrio 24 Pack (a long-time MH editor daypack favorite). Dig around and find that next piece of outdoor gear for a steal! And don’t forget the sale will start later this week (and we’ll be sure to update this post with the real deal savings).
Does REI Have a Black Friday Sale?
No, REI does not have a Black Friday sale in 2026. The outdoor retailer will close all 190+ store locations (while giving all employees a paid day) and encourages customers and members to #OptOutside for the day. REI does run its Holiday Sale from November 13 to 23 in which customers can score up to 60 percent off outdoor gear. Here’s a quick rundown of the discounts happening:
- 25% off selected REI Co-op brand clothing and gear
- 25% off Smartwool clothing and socks, excluding Smartloft
- 25% off selected The North Face clothing and accessories, exclusively for REI Co-op members
- Up to $250 off selected Garmin products, with this offer continuing through December 28
- 25% off all KEEN and Oboz footwear
- 20% off Thule and Yakima racks, roof boxes, and accessories
- Up to 60% off selected REI Outlet items during a three-day event, November 17-19
What’s the Difference Between REI and REI Outlet?
Almost everyone who loves the outdoors knows that REI is ground zero for gearing up for hiking, biking, kayaking, climbing, fishing—pretty much any type of adventure, really. REI Outlet is the retailer’s dedicated discount section, a roundup of last season’s gear and its famous flash sales. It’s the single best place to shop if you’re looking for the absolute best deals on the world’s best outdoor brands. You’ll find great deals year-round, but the deepest discounts are almost always during REI’s holiday sale events. Don’t forget to check back early and often as REI Outlet’s inventory changes frequently. Sale prices can drop suddenly and things sell out fast!
How to Use an REI Co-op Membership to Save More
REI offers many of its best perks and sale event access to REI Co-op members. Even if you’re not a frequent REI shopper, it’s worth the one-time $30 fee to join. For the Holiday Sale, REI members get a 20% off one eligible full-priced item and an extra 20% off one eligible Outlet item with the code HOLIDAY2026. That’s not all though.
REI members also receive a 10% dividend on most in-store and online purchases, as well as receiving discounts on gear rentals and during REI’s best annual sale events (like the holiday sale). That $30 can easily pay for itself in just one visit!
Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear, tech, running shoes, and more. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He holds a B.A. in Sport Management and is a Certified Beer Server, having previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
