I Worked at REI for 12 Years - Here's the REI Gear You Should Buy!

I worked at REI for 12 years and this is the REI Gear you should ACTUALLY Buy! Over my years working at REI I got to try a ton of REI gear. A common question I got asked all the time when I worked at REI stores was whether or not REI brand gear was actually good, or just a cheaper knock-off of other name brand gear like North Face, Patagonia, NEMO, and Arc'Teryx. In this video I'll share which REI brand gear I think is truly worth your money, and even worth buying over its name brand competitors!

Intro: 00:00
Best REI Gear #1: 1:13
Best REI Gear #2: 2:00
Why I love LMNT chocolate salt! (sponsor): 2:47
Best REI Gear #2 (con't): 4:03
Best REI Gear #3: 4:04
Best REI Gear #4: 5:36
Best REI Gear #5: 7:44
Best REI Gear #6: 8:39
Best REI Gear #7: 9:37
Best REI Gear #8: 10:55
Best REI Gear #9: 11:51
My all-time favorite piece of REI Gear: 13:11
Outro: 17:13

Gear in this video -

The above links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to purchase something from these links I may earn a small commission. This money goes straight back into making content, and allows me to keep making videos for all of you!

The Miranda Goes Outside crew:

Director and Producer: Rainer Golden
Videographer and Sr. Editor: Abby Hagan
Videographer and Editor: Chelsea Newton
Videographer and Editor: Kyle Roof
Editor: Katie Van Fleet
Dog: Tucker

This video was filmed by Rainer Golden and edited by Rainer Golden and Miranda Webster!

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#rei #reicoop #gear #backpacking #hiking #camping #outdoors #travel #adventure #mirandagoesoutside #mirandainthewild

[ml-dzww]

As one of your many content consumers, it brings me vast joy to know that you have a DEEP understanding what we want to see: Miranda trying to fit in to bags. 100% satisfied.

[GraceSerenityK]

Most other Youtubers "No you can't see my feet!" But Miranda put on a whole runway show! Bold move Ms. Goes Outside!

[austinterry]

Archaeologist here and I use a lot of REI equipment for field clothes. I LOVE their button down shirts, I bought one randomly for my first dig 11 years ago and I'm still using it today. They also make a great pair of heavy canvas pants that are up there with Carharts

[traviskinchen]

Well, I only worked for REI for 6 years, so you got me there, Miranda. Some of my favorite REI brand gear: a down mummy bag still going strong after 25 years, and a LOT of use. Several daypacks and one internal frame backpack, all well used, and most lasted 15-20 years, including a Flash pack from the very first year they came out. My REI fleece jackets from the mid 90s are still nearly as good as the day I bought them, though horribly out of fashion. But the best REI branded thing I ever got was and is my wife - does an REI vest make you REI branded? We worked together, climbed and hiked together, and then I proposed to her at an employee party in the store. She's outlasted most of the other stuff - except that mummy bag, it's still in the running!

[christaylor]

I’ve had that chair for years and it only gets more comfortable. Used it at home in the backyard, in the garage, on lakes for kayaking breaks on islands and at the beach. A must.

[spamandkimchi]

I love how Miranda and REI have such a great relationship after Miranda went independent. Makes me happy to keep supporting REI!

[janiegirly]

As a current REI employee this is soooo helpful, I get these kind of questions all the time. Thanks for sharing!

[Kampy_]

I worked at REI for 2-3 years... back around 2000–2003~ish. Over 20 years later, I'm STILL using a bunch of the REI brand gear I acquired back then. The Taj 3 tent served me well for 2 decades. My default travel bag / carry-on is an REI duffel that has held up amazingly well. One of our employee holiday gifts one year was the rain jacket, and I rocked it for 15 years before the coating started to delam. I have some REI thermal underlayers that I've used for 20 years. REI gear just lasts forever (usually).

[rluxon]

Miranda, you rock! Love the videos. You have inspired my daughter and I to start going on adventures (day trips for now). Your honesty and knowledge combined with your humour is so fun to watch. As Scouts, we take your knowledge to heart to help us get ready for a long trip next summer. Thank you again for your videos. From a Canadian family.

[AdventureOtaku]

Oh Miranda… If you had stuck around for 3 more years you would have had your discount for life! I had a store manager tell me I wasn’t allowed to quit (at 13.5 years) for that very reason!

[Breeski]

The Forest Service gave my crew the REI sun hoodie and it was a life saver in the glaring high altitude sun

[loganpierce]

Passage 1 tent got me through more than 3000 mile hike in some of the most inclement weather from hail, sleet rain and snow and did an incredible job at keeping me completely dry…!!! Gotta love it.

[ronaldrose]

Hello 👋 Miranda, I first became an REI customer in June.of 1971. REI remains my favorite store for all things camping 🏕. Stay safe out there. 🤗 👋

[RainerGolden]

Some stuff from REI that I love that’s not mentioned in the video is their hiking shirts (so soft!), the beyonder shoes, and for a down jacket I think the 650 down jacket is great option at its super cheap price. Fully second the Flash 55, trailsmith joggers, and sahara shade hoodie!

[janebudde]

I LOVE the Sahara hoodie. I wear it to the gym as often as I can because it helps me regulate my body temperature; I sweat too much too fast and end up shivering in a breezy or air conditioned area.

[seedmole]

My best REI purchase ever was the Sahara Vest in green. I ended up wearing it for countless hours while working with horses. It was absolutely the best utility vest I could ever imagine. Still have it, and a backup in tan, because it's not available anymore sadly.

[tc]

My REI merino wool socks are still going strong after 14 years. They are great for Colorado winters.

I also like my REI baselayer pants. I’m 5’1” and an XS and had the hardest time finding a petite baselayer bottom.

[Gecko]

Welp, Miranda has justified the items that have been sitting in my cart for quite some time😂… they shall be in my pack soon! Thanks Miranda for all you do! You and your team are AMAZING!🎉

[romerogj]

I really appreciate their Puffy jackets being $100 versus a $250-$300 Patagonia or Cotapaxi. While the REI doesn't have as much insulation, as a Colorado person, I haven't run into the situation where it wasn't warm enough. (That being said I also do have a Carhart for when I need to be outside doing physical work that I don't want to tear a puffy over) I've had really positive experiences with the REI branded stuff and always recommend it, especially for people getting into outdoor activities and suffer sticker shock from some of the items. Great Video, as always!

[wildeescape]

Great video, and I agree with all your recommendations too! This is also from a former REI employee. There are a few others that I would add, but the chair and Flash 55 are freaken awesome!