“This year is particularly significant as we are celebrating 45 years of our iconic REI Co-op Half Dome tent, our No.1 selling tent. The customer favorite has long been an industry disruptor due to its roomy design and approachable price point,” said Isabelle Portilla, vice president of REI Co-op brands.
To commemorate the Half Dome tent’s milestone, an updated design of the three-season backpacking tent now comes in a 2-person, 2-person-plus and a 3-person version. Enhancements include living space volume, better protection from the elements and a new HubCheck system to improve ease of setup and overall functionality.
To celebrate the milestone the co-op has produced a limited-edition anniversary commemorative Half Dome collection of gear and apparel featuring the retailer’s logo and includes an anorak, pant and guide hat designed with tent-like materials.
The co-op also released the REI Co-op Traverse Bear Canister, a modular, transparent food storage solution that allows backpackers to configure for overnight or multi-day trips. The canister’s design offers a two-step closure system that “kept the bears at Washington State University’s bear testing center baffled and hungry. It resulted in full certification from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee,” said REI in a media release. Finally, its carry bag gives backpackers flexibility to attach the container to the inside or outside of a pack.
REI also updated its 60-liter Traverse Backpacks for men and women for overnight or multi-day use and made with bluesign-approved recycled materials. Key features include an upgraded and ventilated air-mesh back panel for sustained airflow, new front zipper for easier access to gear, a built-in rain cover, an improved top-lid daypack for short trips, and pockets for organization. The design is also available in a technical 35-liter version.
To complement REI’s Magma down sleeping bag series that launched in 2024, the co-op introduced the REI Co-op Radiant 20 sleeping bag. Available in nine sizes, the backpacking sleeping bag features 600-fill-power-down and strategically placed synthetic insulation to provide added protection against dampness from tent walls, zonal insulation for warmth, and ample space for various body shapes, and sleep preferences.
Spring product launches also include REI Co-op’s new XeroCloud HydroWall Three-Layer Outerwear in a jacket, long jacket and pants. The waterproof, breathable, and windproof collection provides packable protection against harsh and wet weather conditions. Other REI Co-op backpack-ready apparel built for trail use includes the Rainier Rain Jacket, Flash Hyperstretch Fleece Jacketand Pants, Sahara Shade Hoodie, and Sahara Stretch Convertible Pants.
Image courtesy REI
