Forever Favorites: REI Co-op Staff Members’ Must-Have Trail Gear

Any hiker can tell you there’s nothing better than taking out that favorite broken-in boot, the well-loved mid layer, trail-tested snacks or the mud-stained pack that fits like a glove. REI Co-op staff are no different: Even with access to the freshest outdoor gear, many of us are creatures of habit. We reach for the same old standbys we’ve hiked with for years—even if it’s our fourth pair of the same boots, or a backpack we’ve patched a half-dozen times.  

If you’ve ever wondered what REI Co-op employees and partners lace up, pull over, zip up, snack on or sling over a shoulder, we’ve got some insight for you. Read on to learn about some of our trailside must-haves, available at REI. 

What’s in Nick’s Kit?

Nick M. 

Green Vest, REI Co-op in Austin, Texas 
Favorite activities: Swimming, hiking, road cycling, yoga 
Favorite gear: Patagonia R1 Air Full Zip Hoody, Patagonia R2 TechFace Hoody Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Jacket 

Nick M. is a Green Vest at the REI store in Austin, Texas, where you can usually find him scoping out the best swimming hole, plotting his next bike route or building up hours in his yoga app, where he puts biweekly classes. Growing up in Idaho, he was always more interested in riding bikes and being outside than sitting in front of the TV or computer. (“I did have a little video game phase when I was younger, but I quickly outgrew that and just always wanted to be outside,” he admits.)  

After spending years ripping around on BMX trails, he swapped his knobby wheels and muddy frame for road biking’s sleek aerodynamism—and slightly lower injury risk. “I recently kind of settled down on it because I have had four knee surgeries and I broke my neck and back when I was living in New Zealand,” he says. He rode pretty hard even after that fourth surgery but ultimately decided that his body wasn’t as happy as he was in the saddle, even on great days. “The risk just isn’t worth the reward anymore.” Instead, these days he’s all about road biking, yoga, hiking and immersing himself in nature—especially if there’s a place to swim. “I love being in water—hot, cold, salty, fresh, as long as it’s clean I love it.” 

Nick was getting ready to head to hike, climb and swim at Lake Tahoe when we asked him what was in his pack. Without missing a beat, he said he wouldn’t leave home without his R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody from Patagonia, and his R2 TechFace Hoody as a just-in-case. “If I know the weather’s going to be perfect, I wear the R1, but if I think there’s going to be a little bit of rain, I always pack the R2 as my backup because it’s warm, and that one also blocks you from the wind if it starts to get a little bit windy,” he says. “Those two layers are my absolute favorite to take on mountain hiking trips.”   

Sometimes, though, even the best hoodies need a little extra on top. Being from Idaho, Nick knows a little something about the cold, so he reaches for another Patagonia standby: the packable, buttery soft Nano Puff Insulated Jacket. “When I travel home in the fall or winter months, I always pack that layer because it’s great for just wearing around town. It blocks the wind, it’s slightly water repellent and it’s super warm and cozy. With a base layer, it’s plenty warm for me. I love mine.”  

Whether he’s scrambling up to a peak or charging through the brush, his Nano Puff has held its own, showing very little wear and tear. “I’ve had it for like 5 years and I’ve only had a few light, little snags on the sleeve. You know, one great thing about Patagonia, they repair their products for free, so they fixed it for me,” he adds. “The fact that you can have it forever, plus what that brand stands for, I’m like, take my money.” Nick loves recommending Patagonia products to customers, he says, because “not only do I use it and know that it’s good for what you’re putting it through, the fact that you can essentially have it forever is the greatest thing. The fit, feel and smell of those worn-in pieces is so great, it’s like an extension of you, you know?” 

What’s in Kelsi’s Kit?

Kelsi I.

Shipping and receiving, REI Co-op in Nashville, Tennessee 
Favorite activities: Hiking, running 
Favorite gear: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX hiking boots; Osprey Tempest pack; REI Co-op Stretch Sahara Convertible Pants; Honey Stinger Waffles, Gels and Gummies; Bobo’s Oat Bars

In Nashville, REI Co-op shipping and receiving specialist Kelsi I. is always on the lookout for a good waterfall hike, which means needing to be prepared for muddy, wet conditions, and plenty of steep terrain. What’s her favorite destination? Foster Falls, a 60-foot-drop waterfall inside the 12,166-acre South Cumberland State Park. Hikers find it at the end of the 12.5-mile Fiery Gizzard Trail, which offers creek swimming, lush forest strolls and breathtaking overlooks between the falls and Grundy Forest. “It’s the first fall hike I went on after moving to Nashville, and just seeing all the fall leaves for the first time like that was so magical,” says Kelsi, who grew up in Honolulu. “It was just beautiful, because we don’t have fall in Hawaii. That hike holds a special place in my heart.” 

For Kelsi, being outside is a necessity. “I was born and raised in Honolulu, and there were hikes everywhere. I could walk up the street and do like an 8-hour hike; the beach was like maybe a 15-minute walk down the road. Every time I go back home to visit, I’m like, ‘Wow, it is really beautiful here.’ Growing up in that environment has just allowed me to be enthusiastic about being in the outdoors.” Hiking and long-distance running are Kelsi’s favorite ways to get outside, and she never leaves home without a few different pieces in her kit—starting with a pair of Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX boots from La Sportiva, “my favorite boots I’ve had in my entire life.” Kelsi says, “I love them so much, I’ll use them when I know it’s wet or cold outside, or on longer hikes—longer than 5 miles, because of their extra support. They’re so lightweight and comfortable, they fit my foot so well, and their grip is just like no other boot, you feel so safe in them.” 

“I always have my daypack, the Osprey Tempest. It’s just the perfect size—and actually, I have it in three sizes!” she laughs. “It’s sort of a problem but I love them all.” She reaches for her Tempest daypack as a carry-on when traveling, knowing that she can also use it if she decides to explore the local trails. “It’s the perfect size for a jacket, snacks and water, which is really all I need.”  

Another must-have for Kelsi is a really good pair of pants, especially when hiking in mountainous Tennessee, where unpredictable weather and protection from insects are nonnegotiable. “Here in Nashville, we have to be pretty aware of covering up because of ticks, unfortunately, so I really like wearing convertible pants,” like the Sahara Stretch Convertible Pants from REI Co-op, which easily transform into shorts (without even pulling off your boots). The lightweight, breathable recycled nylon-spandex fabric hits the sweet spot of stretch and comfort, versatility, and UPF 50+ protection.  

There’s one other thing Kelsi never leaves home without, and it’s earned her a reputation among her trail mates. “My friends know I always have a snack bag with me!” Whether she’s heading to the falls or meeting up with pals for a volleyball game in the park, she’s always brings the same favorites: “I’ll have the Honey Stinger Waffles, I’ll have the Honey Stinger Gels, and a bag of the Energy Chew gummies, and then I’ll probably get a lemon-poppyseed bar from Bobo’s Oat Bars. Plus, some nuts or trail mix on the side.”