REI Co-op Member Stories

Picture of a woman's feet in a pair of hiking boots.

My First Piece of Gear

Like a first love, my first gear purchase is etched in my memory: a Gregory J28 pack. I bought it in 2014 in preparation for my inaugural backpacking trip—a mul...
A person bikes along a scenic bike and pedestrian path in North Lake Tahoe.

Finding Nature on a Bike Commute

Summer mornings are glorious in North Lake Tahoe. The sun shines, the winds are calm, the temperatures are mild, and the streets and sidewalks are nearly desola...
A hiker in a puffy vest reaches out to touch the bark of an old tree in the woods

In Praise of Favorite Trees

Nature is often the backdrop for the stories we tell. It’s the glacier lake we jump into; the pillowy snow we send our skis down; the wind that whips at our ten...
A collection of handwritten letters to REI Co-op, spread out on top of each other.

Dear REI: Letters from Co-op Members

Co-op members know that REI is a different kind of company: Not only can you can find top-quality gear and a wide range of expertise to aid your outdoor adventu...
Mike Carey in helmet and goggles in front of snowy backdrop.

Member Spotlight: Mike Carey

As an undergrad at Santa Clara University, Mike Carey was a running back: He’d receive the football and rush through a sea of players that tried to shove or cru...
Your Favorite Outdoor Stories

Your Favorite Outdoor Stories

How did 23 friends become 19 million members? To celebrate 82 years of the co-op, we asked our community to tell us their favorite outdoor stories. More than 10...