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When I’m not in front of a screen, all I want is to be nestled in nature: hiking, biking, bird watching, skiing or in a hammock. Of course all that wilderness fun takes some degree of quality gear for comfort and safety. While I don’t love parting with money, I’ve found that the items I buy to further my outdoor pursuits have paid off, as these activities are all great exercise, and the mental health benefits of so-called forest bathing are well known.

Below are the items I already own and swear by—and also ones that are in my cart for Labor Day sales at REI, where I’ve been reaping Co-op member rewards for years. The $30 lifetime membership includes a dozen perks, including free shipping and about 10% back annually on all your purchases at the retailer. And during the Labor Day sale, REI members get an additional 20% off one REI Outlet item with the code LABOR22.

I’m a big believer in roll-up hiking pants as I used to always mull before a day-trip: Should I wear shorts or pants? Shorts let you wade into a creek or stream, but longer pants protect against thorny bushes and poison ivy. (I can’t abide by zip-off convertible pants, as it’s a hassle if you decide to zip them back on while on the trail.) Roll ups solved that dilemma and I’m buying these light-weight Kuhl Freeflex ones, which are an upgrade to my current pair; they have an internal drawcord at the waistband for a tailored fit, plus side cargo pockets and UPF 50 UV protection. 

Members save an extra 20% on this item with coupon code LABOR22 thru 9/5.

I don’t fully understand the passion my 11-year-old daughter and her cohort feel for fleece hoodies, but I will say that these have become a big part of her wardrobe and they do get worn every single week. This Threads 4 Thought version in a cotton-polyester blend (to avoid shrinking) is a good bet for her back-to-her school wish list with its soft interior and front kangaroo pocket. She notes that she loves this brand’s stated commitment to sustainability, particularly regarding its water usage.

The Smith Signal bike helmet is designed for recreational biking or everyday commuting. I use it all the time in the city because it’s lightweight and cushy-comfortable, and fits nicely into a backpack.

We received this hammock as a gift, and I’ve been amazed at how a hammock that can support 400 pounds and is 9.5 feet long can so easily squeeze back into its grapefruit-size bag and weigh in at only 16 ounces. The quick-drying fabric feels like a soft parachute and it comes in nine colors (we have the orange-olive). I love that the stuff sack is attached—so it can’t be lost in the dark—and it has a pocket within the sack for keys or a phone (it was big enough to fit my iPhone 11 even with its bulky case). Depending upon where you’re hanging it, you can use its attached carabiners or add any ENO suspension system. 

There isn’t much joy in buying socks, but buying socks knowing that you’ll never have to pay to replace them ever again? That’s a great feeling. I know this because for hiking and skiing, I’ve switched my family to socks from Darn Tough, which are made in Vermont and have an unconditional lifetime guarantee. I love these socks, which are super cushiony for hiking but also fast drying, and I wear them all year round, while my husband likes these for summer hikes. 

Hiking near our home in the Catskill Mountains means some serious uphill treks, which I find much more enjoyable with a set of trekking poles. I always recommend cork grips so they won’t slip on hot, sweaty days, and this aluminum unisex set telescopes down to just 27 inches and weighs just over a pound, an easy size for stashing in your pack when the trail is flatter—and it’s 25% off right now.

My Marmot rain jacket still looks brand new after five years of heavy wear and being yanked in and out of backpacks from Vancouver to Virginia. The Starfire—now 55% off—has the same features I’ve come to rely on: a hood that actually stays up when it’s windy, underarm vents to keep you cool and zip pockets. Best of all, my Marmot has proven totally waterproof even when I’ve been caught an hour from the car hiking in pouring rain. 

I love items that remind me of childhood backyard fun, but I’m not going to pay a premium just for nostalgia. Happily, the REI Co-op Outward Classic Lawn Chair is marked down 75% for Labor Day, as is the Outward Classic Low Lawn Chair, both now under $24. (Yes, you have to be an REI member, but I’ve found the membership’s rewards mean the $30 lifetime member fee quickly pays for itself.) This chair features a herringbone detail on the webbing strips and has backpack straps for easy carrying.

This red pack is a cheery way to liven up any commute to work or a day of errands, and it’s 25% off. I’m a Herschel convert: My tween daughter commutes to school on the New York City subway with a pale pink (called “ash rose”) Herschel pack, and I was wary that it would survive even a month of often sitting on the subway floor at her feet. To my delight, it’s made it more than a year, is amazingly stain resistant and cleans up well. This unisex version’s sleeve fits a 15-inch laptop and has a front storage pocket and handy key clip. 

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