An official REI Black Friday sale hasn’t happened since before 2015, when REI surprised everyone by announcing their employees would not only get Thanksgiving Day off, they’d get Black Friday off, too. And in 2022, REI declared these days off permanent. That’s right, there will NEVER be REI Black Friday sales again!
And yet, I’ll show you how it’s possible to get great REI deals almost the entire month of November, starting with the Gear Up Get Out Sale, taking place from Nov. 10 – 20. Plus, REI Co-Op members can get 20% off one eligible, full-priced item and one REI Outlet item with code GEARUP23 through Nov. 20. With deals so good, you won’t even miss the Black Friday sale.
Want to get real-time text alerts when Black Friday deals go live at your favorite stores? Text BLACKFRIDAY to 57299.
Gear Up Get Out Sale Deals to Shop Nov. 10 – 20
Shop the Gear Up Get Out Sale at REI from Nov. 10 – 20. REI Co-op members can also get 20% off one eligible full-price item and one REI Outlet item with code GEARUP23 until Nov 20.
1. Why doesn’t REI Black Friday exist?
Instead of having a traditional Black Friday sale with special deals that run only on Black Friday, the retailer promotes #OptOutside, encouraging people to get outdoors and hike, bike, or camp, or do whatever the weather allows. But even though there’s no REI Black Friday sale, that doesn’t mean they don’t do a November sale. More on that next.
Will REI be open on Thanksgiving 2023?
No. REI gives their employees time off for both Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday.
What time does REI open on Black Friday?
REI stores are totally closed on Black Friday. Expect them to open on Saturday morning for regular business hours.
2. Shop REI’s Gear Up and Get Out Sale in November for savings up to 70%.
The Gear Up and Get Out sale every November is a week-and-a-half long, and is currently taking place from Nov. 10 – 20. The deals on apparel, base layers, camping gear, and cycling accessories are definitely worth getting excited about every year.
This REI November sale is always member-centric, with special savings just for members of the REI Co-op. REI Co-op members get 20% off one full-price item and 20% off one REI Outlet item with promo code GEARUP23.
3. If you miss Black Friday, hit REI Cyber Monday from Nov. 25 – Dec. 3.
REI Cyber Monday deals typically begin the Saturday before Cyber Monday. Yes, that’s the day after Black Friday. So while REI Black Friday sales may not be a thing, you can see that REI is still in the Black Friday game to some degree. The deals during REI Cyber Monday are typically an echo of what we see during the Gear Up and Get Out sale earlier in November.
This year, I predict we’ll see a repeat of this Cyber Monday sale beginning Saturday, Nov. 25, and continuing through Sunday, Dec. 3.
4. Members get an extra 25% off one REI Outlet item during REI Cyber Monday.
In addition to getting steeper discounts during the Gear Up and Get Outside sale, an REI membership will get you deeper discounts during the REI Cyber Monday sale, too. At least one for sure.
During the first two days of REI’s Cyber Monday sale, members have been able to get a single REI Outlet item for an additional 25% off with a promo code. Last year, it was MEMCYBER.
An REI membership is a one-time payment of $30, and it’ll earn you 10% back on your purchases all year long in the form of an REI dividend that you spend like a gift card.
Related: Learn more about how to find REI discounts.
5. Create your own REI Black Friday discount by stacking dividends on Cyber Monday.
OK, it’s not technically an REI Black Friday sale if you’re not shopping on Friday, but hey, the deal you create will be so hot that it’ll feel Black Friday-worthy.
Here’s how to do it: When you get your annual REI dividends in March, save them to shop during the Gear Up and Get Out sale and REI Cyber Monday. This way, you’ll get the store markdown, plus the 10% you’ve earned on purchases all year.
This is a great time to pull the trigger on large purchases, like tents or gear for skiing or backpacking.
6. If you’re not spending more than $50, opt for free in-store pickup.
REI offers free shipping on orders of $50 or more, and let’s face it, you’ll probably reach that threshold even if you find a good deal. Outdoor gear isn’t cheap! But if it turns out you aren’t going to spend that much, select free in-store pickup to save on shipping fees.
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