What Is REI and What Can You Do on rei.com?

Updated

REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) is a U.S. outdoor retailer and member-owned co-op. On rei.com you can browse and buy top-brand gear and clothing, and also find outdoor adventures, rentals, classes, events, and expert advice. The site works alongside REI's physical stores, so it functions as an entry point for both shopping and using REI's outdoor services — not just a product catalog.

What REI offers

REI describes itself as supporting "a life outdoors," and its services fall into two broad areas:

Gear and clothing

  • Top-brand outdoor gear and apparel for activities like hiking, camping, climbing, cycling, paddling, and snow sports.
  • Online shopping on rei.com, with the option to visit physical stores.
  • Gift cards are available for purchase through the site.

Outdoor services and knowledge

  • Rentals — gear rentals for people who want to try an activity without buying equipment.
  • Classes — instructional sessions to build outdoor skills.
  • Events — organized outdoor events and community activities.
  • Expert advice — guidance from REI staff to help with gear and trip decisions.

How the online and in-store sides fit together

REI presents itself as combining online shopping with in-store experiences. In practice, this means rei.com is useful in two ways:

Goal What rei.com helps with
Buying gear or clothing Browsing products and purchasing online
Trying an activity first Finding rentals, classes, and events
Planning a trip Reading expert advice and choosing equipment
Giving a gift Purchasing REI gift cards

Who this is for

  • Newcomers to the outdoors who want rentals, classes, or advice before committing to gear.
  • Experienced outdoor users looking for brand-name equipment and apparel.
  • Gift shoppers who want a flexible option through REI gift cards.

Practical notes

  • The site is in English and oriented toward the U.S. market.
  • Pricing, membership terms, and login requirements are not specified in the available site information, so check the relevant pages on rei.com directly before relying on any cost or access assumption.
  • If you're unsure whether to buy or rent, start with the rentals and classes sections to test an activity, then move to purchasing gear once you know what you need.