REI Anniversary Sale Slashes Prices on Garmin Smartwatches, Camping Gear Ahead of Memorial Day
Sale Underway with Up to 40% Off Top Brands
REI’s annual Anniversary Sale — the largest sales event from the outdoor retailer — is now live, offering steep discounts on Garmin watches, tents, sleeping pads, and other backcountry essentials through May 25. The sale includes price cuts on premium multisport watches like the Garmin Fenix 8, which drops to $749.99 (43mm model), and the Garmin Venu 4 at $499.99 — matching all-time low prices.
“This is the best time of year for outdoor enthusiasts to stock up on high-end gear at a fraction of the cost,” said Sarah Chen, an outdoor gear analyst at Trail Trends. “We’re seeing discounts that rarely appear outside Black Friday.” In addition to REI, competitors Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart are matching or slightly undercutting several deals, widening consumer options.
Key Deals at a Glance
Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers
- Garmin Fenix 8 — $749.99 (43mm) at Amazon; $849.99 (51mm) at Walmart; $849.99 (47mm) at REI. Features a speaker, mic, dual-frequency GPS, and elite battery life.
- Amazfit Active 2 — $84.99 at REI, Target, and Best Buy ($15 off). Offers built-in GPS, AI health insights, and a stylish design.
- Garmin Venu 4 — $499.99 ($50 off) at REI, Amazon, Best Buy. Adds caffeine and alcohol tracking, Garmin Coach workouts, and abnormal heart rate alerts.
- Garmin Lily 2 Active — $249.99 ($50 off) at REI, Amazon, Best Buy. A budget-friendly Garmin with built-in GPS and a physical button, ideal for smaller wrists.
- Polar H10 — $94.49 ($10 off) at REI and Amazon. Chest strap for precise heart rate monitoring during training.
Camping & Backcountry Essentials
While specific camping gear deals were not detailed, the sale includes tents, sleeping pads, and stoves from major brands. Water filters and other backcountry equipment are also discounted, with some offers matched at Amazon.
Exclusive Member Perk: 20% Off One Item
REI members — a lifetime membership costs $30 — can apply code ANNIV26 to get 20% off one full-price item or one REI Outlet item. This stacks with sale prices, potentially deepening savings on higher-ticket gear. “For frequent campers, the $30 membership pays for itself with a single discount like this,” noted Chen.
Background: REI Anniversary Sale Tradition
The REI Anniversary Sale is the cooperative’s biggest sales event of the year, typically running for two weeks in mid-May. It coincides with Memorial Day and the start of peak camping season. Historically, the sale offers discounts on both new arrivals and last-season models, and the member coupon provides an added incentive to join or renew before the event ends.
Many items included in the sale see their lowest prices of the year, according to price-tracking data. The limited-time nature of the event drives urgency among outdoor enthusiasts looking to upgrade gear before summer trips.
What This Means for Consumers
The current discounts represent a rare opportunity to purchase premium Garmin watches like the Fenix 8 and Venu 4 at prices that compete with entry-level alternatives. For hikers and backpackers, the member coupon can be applied toward a high-quality tent or sleeping pad, reducing the cost of a full gear refresh. However, shoppers should act quickly; the sale ends May 25, and popular models may sell out.
Compared to previous years, the 2025 sale includes broader competition from Amazon and other retailers, which may push REI to offer steeper markdowns in the final days. Consumers are advised to compare prices across retailers before checking out.