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All of the deals below are either from brands we’ve covered in the past and/or products that have at least a 4-star average rating at REI.
Hydro Flask is an absolute favorite among NBC Select staff members when it comes to reusable water bottles. The vacuum-insulated bottle keeps cold drinks cool and refreshing for up to a day and hot drinks warm for up to 12 hours, according to the brand. The straw cap flips up for easy siping, but when closed it makes the drink completely leakproof, according to Hydroflask. It’s also BPA free and dishwasher safe.
“I got my first Hydro Flask several years ago and I’ve tried several other water bottles since then, but I keep coming back to this,” says NBC Select associate social media editor Caitlin Cusack. “I’m an ice-water girl, and this bottle can keep my ice cold for over 24 hours. I’ve let it sit untouched for over a day and it still had ice in it.”
Also available in men’s, the Evolution full-zip sweatshirt is made of a cotton and polyester blend. It has an attached hood, front pockets, rib cuffs and hem and a slightly dropped shoulder design for a more casual fit. Reviewers like it for its softness and the hem, which comes to right above the hips.
After reviewing the Garmin Forerunner 165, NBC Select tech reporter Harry Rabinowitz praised it for its exceptionally long battery life (up to 11 days), training tools and comfortable feel, making it one of our favorite fitness trackers to date. It can monitor heart rate, sleep habits, weather, recovery time and much more. Plus, it’s compatible with both Android and Apple smartphones.
If you’re a seasoned camper then you know a portable, warm fleece blanket is a must-have — especially in chilly elevated areas. This one from Rumpl has a sherpa fleece lining to maintain warmth and at 72 x 52 inches, it’s large enough to encompass more than one person. Plus, the corners of the blanket have clips so you can attach them to one another around your shoulders to wear it as a cape and free up your hands and arms.
These ultra-comfortable sandals have arch support and are ideal for both casual wear and as a recovery slide. They’re made of machine washable foam that’s bacteria resistant, according to the brand. Since the sandals are only available in whole size, the brand recommends sizing down if you’re a half size in men’s and sizing up if you’re a half-size in women’s. “I own another pair of sandals from Oofos and they are seriously some of the most comfortable summer shoes I own,” says NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider.
This warm sleeping bag collapses into a portable drawstring bag with a carrying loop. It’s compatible with all sleeping positions and types, the outside is made of a water-repellent ripstop polyester and the lining is polyester taffeta. It’s also suited for sleeping in conditions as cold as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the brand.
Made of breathable merino wool, which has antibacterial properties, these socks have thermoregulation (which prevents overheating) and moisture-wicking properties keeping your feet dry, making you less susceptible to athlete’s foot. They also have specific mesh zones built in to add breathability and a seamless design to reduce chafing, according to Smartwool.
JBL makes some of our favorite portable speakers, including the Flip 6, which is both water- and dustproof and has a battery life of up to 12 hours on a single charge, according to the brand. It’s also compatible with the JBL app, which allows you to adjust features of the speaker, like audio quality or base. It has a USB-C charging cable and the speaker lets out a beeping sound if it’s detected water in the system.
This trail-running shoe is also available in men’s sizes and provides moderate cushioning. It’s made of high-strength mesh and has a rock guard to protect your feet from rough terrain.
Available in mens, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 running shoes have maximum cushioning. They provide strong forward propulsion to improve speed, according to Saucony. Plus, the top is made of flexible mesh and has an integrated tongue to help give you a more supportive fit.
Lifestraw’s Peak Series water filter straw is helpful while traveling and on outdoor adventures — it allows you to safely consume water from natural sources by removing 99% of microplastics, parasites and bacteria, including e.coli, according to LifeStraw. Around the size of a toothbrush case, you can fit the straw in backpack or jacket pockets. You can also filter water through it from one bottle to another.
The Flexlite Camp Chair will come in handy for camping trips, park visits or tailgating. While it has a weight capacity of 250 pounds, it only weighs around 1 pound and collapses into a small cylindrical drawstring bag that makes it easy to carry from place to place. It’s made of material similar to that of tents, according to the brand, and has a seat height of around 11 inches.
This four-person tent weighs just under 20 pounds and has over 55 square feet of space on the floor. When set up, it stands at 64 inches tall, has one main door, multiple mesh pockets on the inside and has enough space to fit a queen-size mattress, according to the brand. It also has an e-port so you can get access to a power cord from inside the tent.
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I regularly cover deals and sale events at REI. I’ve also written about the benefits of the retailer’s membership program and related outdoor and lifestyle products.
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