The 10 Best Ultralight Gear Deals at REI’s Anniversary Sale 2025

Two hikers walking on trail with waving dried grass. The lead hiker is holding trekking poles and has their arms up triumphantly
 

It’s no secret that taking less can sometimes cost more, so you don’t want to miss this opportunity to save big on some of the best ultralight gear on the market. REI’s Anniversary Sale runs from May 16-26th, and it’s your chance to get up to 30% off many of our top recommended ultralight gear items. 

REI Members can save even more with their member coupons good for 20% off one full price item and 20% off one REI Outlet item. Be sure to apply coupon code: ANNIV2025 to take advantage of the extra savings. If you’re not a member yet, you can grab your lifetime membership when you checkout and still use the coupons.

Here are our picks for the best ultralight gear deals at REI’s Anniversary Sale.


REI Flash 2 - 30% Off

Stock image of REI Flash 2 Backpacking Tent

The Flash 2 is a relatively new offer from REI, and we were immediately impressed with it. At just over three pounds, this tent offers comparable specs to the popular Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 but has a more affordable price tag. This tent is perfect for hikers wanting a light pack without sacrificing the convenience and livability of a freestanding, double-wall shelter.


REI Flash 55 Men’s | Women’s - 30% Off

Stock image of REI Flash 55 Backpacking Backpack

The REI Flash 55 is one of our all-time favorite backpacking backpacks. This comfortable, customizable bag is already affordable for the specs, so it’s an absolute steal at the sale price. The Fash 55 is an ideal backpack for hikers transitioning to a lightweight kit as it can support more weight (up to 35 lbs.) than many other lightweight backpacks.


Stock image of REI Magma 30 Sleeping Bag

If you’re in the market for a new sleeping bag/quilt, REI’s Magma line should be at the top of your list. These ultralight bags are comfortable, well-priced, and they come in a wide range of sizes. Choose the Magma 30 Trail Quilt if you mostly backpack in the summer and want to keep weight as low as possible. Pick up the Magma 30 Sleeping Bag if you want something versatile enough for three-season hiking. Get the Magma 15 if you’re a cold sleeper or you want the option to do some winter camping.


Stock image of NEMO Tensor All Season Sleeping Pad

NEMO’s Tensor line of sleeping pads are our all-time favorite air pads on the market. Not only are they all very lightweight for the level of insulation they provide, they’re noticeably quieter than comparable sleeping pads. Choose the Tensor All-Season if you want a good all-rounder that is reasonably light and warm for most trips. Go with the Tensor Trail if cutting ounces is your biggest priority Get the Tensor Extreme Conditions if you have trouble staying warm at night or if you’re building out a winter kit.


Stock image of Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad

Hikers seeking the lightest possible air pads will love the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite and XTherm. While these pads aren’t as insulated as their NEMO Tensor counterparts, they’re a little lighter and a little smaller when packed. With an R-value of 4.5, the XLite will keep most people warm into the shoulder seasons. The XTherm has an R-value of 7.3 making it a good choice for winter excursions.


Stock image of Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Backpacking Tent

A thru-hiker favorite, the Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 is a spacious choice for solo hikers or a super ultralight (albeit tight) shelter for two. This semi-freestanding tent has more headroom than others in its class thanks to a super wide cross pole at the peak and the nearly vertical headwall.


Stock Image of Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2

The Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 is the ultimate luxury shelter for lightweight backpackers. While it’s heavier than semi-freestanding options, the ease and convenience of its design can be well worth the weight tradeoff. We recommend those travelling as a pair go with this tent over the popular Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 because the additional living space makes life on trail a lot more enjoyable.


Stock image of MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Backpacking Stove

Weighing in at mere 2.4 ounces, the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is one of the lightest backpacking stoves on the market. To sweeten the deal it’s also durable, efficient, and compact, so it’s a good choice for any hiker looking to upgrade their cooking kit.


Stock image of Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp

The Black Diamond Spot has been our go-to headlamp ever since the first iteration came out, and it keeps getting better. The latest version shines at a super bright 400 lumens which should be more than enough for even the most dedicated night-hikers. And it packs all this power while weighing in at just 2.7 oz.


REI Flash 22 - 30% Off

Stock image of REI Flash 22 Daypack

The REI Flash 22 is our top pick for travelling light on day hikes. There are enough pockets to keep things organized, but the design remains minimalistic to discourage overpacking. This pack is surprisingly capable for how light it is. We’ve really put ours through the wringer on rockhounding hikes, and it’s held up like a champ.


We hope our list helps you gear up while keeping pack weight down. Let us know in the comments below what you ended up getting and where you’re taking it! If you found this post helpful, please like and share to help us grow. Thanks for reading!

We can’t wait to see you out there, because on trail is where hikers belong.