REI Co-op announces the fall 2024 Editors’ Choice Awards

Specialty outdoor retailer REI announces its REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Awards, a designation honoring top-performing gear and apparel from brands sold at the co-op based on employee expertise, REI member and customer field testing, customer feedback, and sustainability attributes identified by the brand. Products recognized include both time-honored standouts and the latest innovations available at REI.  

“Our fall season award winners cover camp and hike essentials for fall through summer, touted for durability, comfort and sustainability,” said Cassie da Costa, an editor at REI who manages the awards process. “We’re excited to recognize a selection of innovative products including one of our favorite ultra-cozy sleeping pads that withstands colder climates, and a super-supportive hiking sandal that rivals the sole of your favorite boot while giving toes room to breathe.”

The REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Awards program is part of REI’s Co-op Studios division, which produces films, podcasts and in-house editorial content published on Expert Advice and Uncommon Path. This fall’s recipients of REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Awards include: 

• REI Co-op Trailmade Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad: Back-sleeping camping testers awarded top marks to the Trailmade Self-Inflating sleeping pad, for its soft, quiet fabric, and 1.5-inch-thick cushion that made sleeping on rocky, twig-strewn surfaces a dream come true. The pad’s 5.5 R-value makes it an all-season camp mattress even during the coldest months has an approachable price of $100.
• Bedrock Cairn Evo Sandals (Standard and 3D): When seeking the freedom of a sandal but the trail support of a hiking shoe, testers unanimously reach for Cairn Evo and Evo 3D sandals. Grippy, durable Vibram® non-marking outsoles helped these stay put on varying terrain. Our member-testers spent long summer hours on packed-dirt trails, sidewalk dog walks, wet grass and gravel, rocky kayak launches, and a bouldering trip. Comfortable, adjustable straps wrap snugly enough to inspire fast-moving confidence, but blisters aren’t invited to the action thanks to smooth, wicking polyester and nylon Y-straps. Structurally, the Evo and Evo 3D are identical except for their footbeds. The 3D offers a bit more cushion for a slightly bouncier ride. 

REI recognizes these products as top performers in a round-robin field test. Product reviews on REI.com and customer feedback, along with sustainability attributes based on REI product impact standards, are also considered in the process. Testers include REI employees, co-op members, and customers from across the nation who evaluate a product’s usability and features in various climates, terrain, and weather. They report back on their experiences with qualitative and quantitative data collected along the way.  

Depending on the category, some tests can last months, or even up to a year, to see how the products perform through various seasons and scenarios. The top-scoring products are featured in Gear Guides on Expert Advice, REI’s gear and expertise learning library. The best of the best also receives an REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Award.  

To be considered for REI’s awards, products must be available at the co-op. There is no set timing or number of recipients that may receive this accolade. Products are continually tested and can be recognized with an REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Award designation anytime through the year. A list of past award winners can be found here. 

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