REI product copy editor and tester Yitka Winn running down a trail in the Salomon Adv Skin 12 hydration vest

by George Orozco

We’ve helped generations of people find the right gear for them since 1938. Now, we’re using our team’s hard-earned knowledge and expertise to recognize best-in-class gear at the co-op. Through the REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Awards, we honor the top-performing products in a set of rigorous field tests conducted by co-op staff and members. We also factor in how a product is made and its impact on the environment, along with REI member and customer feedback. Recipients include the equipment and apparel we’ve been recommending for years, along with the latest industry-busting products to hit shelves.

Our awards program honors the top-performing gear and apparel from brands sold at the co-op based on field testing, REI expertise, co-op member and customer feedback, and sustainability attributes. Products recognized include both time-honored standouts and the latest innovations to hit shelves at REI.

REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Awards

Our awards program honors the top-performing gear and apparel from brands sold at the co-op based on field testing, REI expertise, co-op member and customer feedback, and sustainability attributes. Products recognized include both time-honored standouts and the latest innovations to hit shelves at REI.

REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket

Two people stand on a ridge with their rain coat hoods up, staring at a rainbow.

Affordability, style and inclusive sizing combine to make the breathable, waterproof Rainier rain jacket a longtime REI Co-op favorite.

Our gear testers love the REI Co-op Rainier for everything from multiday camping trips and travel to garden chores and city walks. A 2.5-layer waterproof-breathable membrane and 100% recycled ripstop nylon provide top-tier protection without PFAS, and its softer shell means you won’t sound like a walking potato-chip bag.

REI Co-op Westward 4 Tent

Picture of the blue REI Co-op Westward 4 Tent

With ample height and sturdy aluminum poles, the REI Co-op Westward 4 is lofty enough for campers shorter than 5'9 to stand and strong enough to endure a blustery night.

If it’s a spacious, sturdy shelter you’re after, look no further. Gear tester and long-time gear writer Courtney Holden evaluated the lofty REI Co-op Westward 4 on a February camping trip in Wyoming, where wind gusts topped 30 mph. While many shelters of this size would struggle in such conditions, this one stayed secure all night.

HOKA Speedgoat 7 Trail-Running Shoes

A person hikes up a hill quickly toward a horizon

The latest iteration of a beloved HOKA Speedgoat trail-running shoe became our testers’ favorite lightweight hiker for off-road and urban adventures alike.

You won’t find a lighter, plusher ride on our Best Hiking Shoe list, but that doesn’t mean it can’t tackle tough terrain. Gear testers pushed their Speedgoat 7s through 70+ miles of mud, dirt, hills, rocks and rushing water without slowing down, thanks to high-traction lugs and supercritical foam EVA midsoles that keep feet planted and happy.

Polar Verity Sense Optical Heart Rate Sensor

Polar Verity Sense Optical Heart Rate Sensor on a rock in the forest.

With the Polar Verity Sense Optical Heart Rate Sensor, your heart is fully in it. Fit for land and water, long rides or speedy intervals—here’s an HRM athletes can rely on.

Super-tester Yitka Winn spent weeks comparing heart rate monitors sold at REI and found the Verity Sense to be the best of the best. This armband model proved as accurate as chest-strap monitors, and even more comfortable. Versatile athletes will love its 600 hundred hours of training data storage and serious swim capability.

REI Co-op Westward Dreamer Self-Inflating Bed

Picture of the REI Co-op Westward Dreamer Self-Inflating Bed

Four inches of cushion, quiet fabric and a waterproof underside make this nearly 6-foot-long mat a delightful camp companion.

Our well-rested testers agree: This pad makes ground-sleeping easy. The nearly 6-foot-long mat provides 4 inches of cushion between campers and the hard, cold ground. Testers didn’t feel so much as a rock or sharp twig underneath. And its fabric is quiet—no squeaking, crunching or creaking beneath active sleepers.

Igloo MaxCold Latitude 54-Quart Cooler

Picture of an open Igloo MaxCold Cooler

Functional features, reliable insulation and an accessible price point make this Igloo cooler a trusty sidekick for camping trips, picnics and more.

Whether you need to keep food chilled on a multi-day camping trip or pack drinks for a soccer team’s worth of kids, the Igloo cooler has you covered. The 51-liter ice chest can fit 76 12-ounce cans, retain ice for up to five days (depending on the outside temp) and is light enough to schlep from car to campsite.

Oiselle Flyout Bra

A rear view of a woman in a peach-colored Oiselle Flyout Bra, placing her phone into the bra's mesh-sleeve pocket.

Medium impact can pack a big punch. The Oiselle Flyout Bra is everything a runner needs: supportive, versatile and equipped with a pocket for your phone or snacks.

Our testers loved the dialed-in choices that make the Flyout ideal for runners: thick straps and a wide band for comfortable long outings and a mesh pocket to securely store your phone, snacks or water. Designed for cup sizes up to a D, so even larger-chested runners may be able to make this bra work—it’s just that good.

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 Trail-Running Shoes

A runner sitting on a muddy rock in a pair of New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 trail-running shoes in white.

There’s nothing like combining comfort and speed on the trails, and the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 trail-running shoes give runners the best of both worlds.

Designers at New Balance optimized for both comfort and performance on the trail with the Fresh Foam X Hierro v9, making the shoes functional and enjoyable for runners at every level. A major 42 mm stack height provides plenty of protection from roots, rocks and long days while a modest 4 mm drop keeps you stable during dips and turns.

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket

A smiling person in close-up wears a brightly colored orange/red rain jacket

When you’re driven to get outside in any weather, the durable, ready-for-anything Patagonia Torrentshell 3L rain jacket has you covered.

Three-layer waterproof, breathable construction and comfort-first features keep the Patagonia Torrentshell in heavy rotation for multisport adventurers who don’t believe in bad weather. Its sturdy, flexible ripstop nylon moves with you, and pit zips and a stowable hood keep you ready for changing conditions. When the rain, rain goes away, fold it into its own pocket for another day.

YETI Rambler Vacuum Bottle with Chug Cap - 26 fl. oz.

Picture of the YETI Rambler Vacuum Bottle with Chug Cap

Easy to clean and durable enough to withstand a few drops, this YETI water bottle is beloved for its reliable insulation and versatile drinking spout.

Testers appreciate the versatility of this insulated water bottle from YETI. The 26-fluid-ounce jug has two screw-off lids to create both wide- and narrow-mouth spouts, and a squared-off handle makes it easy to carry on urban walks or hiking trails. It’s a breeze to clean, thanks to minimal, dishwasher-safe parts.

All Award Winners

Awards Methodology

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Gear is personal. No product here will be the perfect option for every person. But we believe the REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Awards celebrate the gear that’s the best for most folks. Here’s how we know.

How are REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Award recipients determined? We, the editorial team, take stock of all that’s available to you at the co-op. We consider the specific needs most people who use the product may have, narrow down the list and enter what’s left into an extensive test—which can last months or even a year, depending on the category—against as many as 20 other top picks. We do this all to see how these products perform where it matters most: outside. REI expert staff and co-op member-testers head into the field to evaluate everything from a product’s usability to its features, vetting all claims from the manufacturer. We also factor in sustainability attributes. At the end of the round-robin review period, we ask our testers to rate each product on a set of criteria. Then we average the scores and scrutinize the data, also considering what our members and customers are saying about these products when reviewing them on REI.com. You’ll find the highest-scoring equipment and apparel in our Gear Guides. We recognize the best of the best with an REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Award.

What products are considered? Within a particular gear category, we consider products available at REI. We don’t include items that the co-op does not stock.

Who takes part in gear testing? REI staff and members test gear for both the REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Awards and our tested Gear Guides. These folks are chosen for several reasons, including their outdoor experience, knowledge of a product category and competitive landscape, and more. We aim to include testers of different skill levels and from across the country. We are committed to increasing diversity among our gear testers, including representation of BIPOC communities, women, LGBTQ+ people, different ages and people with disabilities.

When are award winners announced? Awards are given on a rolling basis throughout the year, and we’ll announce the awards on Expert Advice when there are new winners. We’d encourage you to come back seasonally to check out our latest award winners.

Do awards carry over each year? If a brand releases an updated version of an award-winning product, its REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Award carries over to the newest version of the product, unless we deem the updates significant enough to warrant its inclusion in another field test. If so, the new product will undergo extensive field testing to evaluate it.