There was a time when backpackers and outdoor folk would happily line up at the crack of dawn for one thing: the REI Garage Sale. It was chaotic, legendary, and a goldmine for discounted gear. But times have changed.
REI Garage Sales are no more — but don’t bail just yet. The spirit of the sale lives on in something even better: REI Re/Supply, a smarter, more sustainable way to score quality used gear all year round.
We’ll break down what’s changed, how to shop Re/Supply, and why it might just be an upgrade to the madness we used to love.
The REI Re/Supply (formerly known as Garage Sale) is only available for Co-Op members, which may sound like a major deterrent, but it costs just $30 for a Lifetime membership. The membership also includes 10% back on eligible purchases (in-store or online), so for the outdoor junky it's kind of a no-brainer.
The REI Re/Supply is the place to find high-quality, discounted outdoor gear, but it's also the gateway for many new community members to get involved with the outdoor world.
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What Happened to the REI Garage Sale?
Pour one out for the good ol’ days of REI Garage Sales. The early mornings, the adrenaline-fueled dash for discounted gear, the chaos of color-coded tags — all part of a bygone era. But before you panic: no, used gear isn’t gone. It's just been reimagined.
Meet Re/Supply: REI’s Used Gear, Upgraded
REI has officially retired the chaotic, once-in-a-blue-moon Garage Sales and replaced them with something more consistent — Re/Supply. This is REI’s new approach to giving returned and traded-in gear a second life. Think of it as a year-round garage sale, just way more organized (and a lot less elbowy).
So what’s the deal with Re/Supply?
- Used gear, all the time – You can now shop gently used outdoor gear online or at most REI locations, with some stores offering dedicated Re/Supply sections.
- No more mystery dates – No need to stalk your inbox or phone your local store for dates. Just browse whenever you like.
- Still members-only – Just like the Garage Sales, Re/Supply is exclusive to REI Co-op members. Lifetime membership costs $30, and it gets you access to used gear, rewards, discounts, and more. Join here.
- Two flagship Re/Supply stores – Want the full experience? Check out their standalone used gear stores in Manhattan Beach, CA, and Clackamas, OR.
Can I Still Trade In Gear?
Yes, and it’s easier than ever. If your gear’s still in good nick, REI will take it off your hands and give you an REI gift card in return. That’s cash toward your next adventure — or someone else’s first.
What’s the Difference Between Re/Supply and the REI Outlet?
Quick breakdown:
- Re/Supply = Used gear. Returned or traded in by members. Hand-inspected and discounted.
- REI Outlet = Brand-new gear, often end-of-season or clearance items. Still covered by REI’s satisfaction guarantee.
Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. Re/Supply is essentially 60 years of garage sale madness, but smarter. You lose the thrill of hunting for treasure once every few months, sure. But in its place, you get actual convenience. You can browse used gear whenever you like, trade in your own kit, and still score epic deals — all while keeping more gear out of the landfill.
Reuse gear, reduce waste, make an impact
REI Garage Sale Tips
We'll be honest, there are a ton of complex and thoroughly detailed how-tos for REI Garage Sales. It's a topic much discussed in the backpacking world. Because outdoor gear is so costly, you could literally be carrying $2,000 on your back for a weekend trip, the level of these sales is notorious and well-loved. There's also the adrenaline rush that outdoor junkies have when blindly rushing through their favorite store to find that one clutch item.
The REI Garage Sale high is real, as is the low that comes from finding nothing. Below are some excellent tips to get you the gear you want while also maintaining your humanity.
1. Limit Your Expectations
It's decent advice for life, and highly applicable to the REI Garage Sale. You might find that item you've been pining for, 80% off, in practically new condition, and weep tears of joy. But, more than likely, you won't. With the amount of sizes, manufacturer variations, and use that each of these items has been through, finding your exact piece of gear is like grabbing a needle in a haystack. Just be prepared to either not find your perfect item or be open to finding something you weren't expecting.
2. Get There Early
This is simple, straightforward advice. The best items in any REI Garage Sale will be gone in the first hour. So, if the line is wrapped around the block and you're walking up 10 minutes before the store opens, you might be hard-pressed to find something good. Get there early, bring a cup of coffee, a book, and get ready to swap trail stories with your line-mates.
This advice also really depends on your location. If you're going to a garage sale at a Flagship store, really early is the way to go (like 6 hours early, or overnight camping). If your REI is not massive, and there aren't many people in your area, you can possibly get there 20-30 minutes early and still have a decent shot.
But you won't get good gear if you've arrived well after the store is open.
Note: Some REI stores now issue lottery tickets due to the sales craziness. Call your store and check to see if it's first-come, first-served, or if they will be randomizing and timing entry. If it's the latter, get there a little before, and bring a bunch of friends.
3. Know Your Gear
If you're heading to the REI Garage Sale to find generally discounted stuff, that's fine. There's a lot of it. But the people who get the biggest deals (and are most happy, we believe) have spent time scoping out specific products they want.
Part of the mentality of entering a Garage Sale is heading directly to the part of the store that has the items you want. Backpacks and tents will be in different areas. Headlamps and sleeping pads are not all in one place. If you come with a clear idea of the items you want and seek those out initially with purpose, you'll have a much better chance of finding them.
If you get down to the model number and name, this will be even better. Read reviews, test the gear you think you want in the store before the Garage Sale, and then hunt for it with a passion.
4. Color Coded
Each item in the Garage Sale will have a sticker with a specific color — Green, Blue, Yellow, or Red. You can get a sense of the condition of the item and the level of discount you're bound to find based on these colors.
- Green: Practically new, have small discounts.
- Blue: Used but functional, has medium discounts.
- Yellow: The sweet spot. Heavily discounted, sometimes damaged or worn down, sometimes not. Look hard at yellows.
- Red: Often broken, so unless you can fix the item, move on.
Having a handle on these colors will allow you to sift through items quickly.
5. Grab It
This is our last piece of advice. See an item you like? Grab it. This is a madhouse experience for most people, and each individual piece of gear is unique in terms of price and wear. You won't find the same item again, so even if you're not totally sure of something, grab it. You can try it on, check it out, and make the final decision before purchasing. But if you're thinking, “That looks sweet, but I don't know if I'll fit into it,” just grab it. Do that with a handful of items, then spend the time you need to make the decision.
On the flip side of this, don't be a hoarder. Be reasonable with the amount of stuff you have in your shopping bag.
Images are courtesy of REI.
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