Published August 4, 2026 04:07AM
Cue the sad songs. Summer is winding down, and it’s almost time for kindergarten kiddos and college students alike to head back to school. Granted, parents who have had their hands full this summer might be cranking pump-up jams now that school bells are a-ringin’. Regardless, we’ve got to point out one more reason to celebrate the season: end-of-summer sales! That’s right. Outdoor retailers are currently slashing product by major margins to clear space on the shelves and get stocked for cooler fall and winter temps.
To help you navigate all of the back-to-school bargains and late-summer sales, our team of thrifty gear nerds wrangled 18 deals worth checking out today. Whether you’re shopping for a minivan’s worth of grass-stained groms, outfitting a college-bound youth to leap out of the nest for the first time, or you just love saving money on outdoor gear, you’re in the right place. Check out top deals on clothing, backpacks, and more from REI, Mammut, and Hoka, just to name a few.
REI’s End-of-Summer Deals
The REI Co-op always has mountains of reasonably priced products on offer in its clearance section, which is often the first stop we make when we’re on the hunt for affordable gear. Check out all of REI’s clearance deals here, or peruse a handful of handpicked back-to-school bargains that caught our eye below.
REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie for $30 ($60)
Let’s kick things off with this REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie, which is crafted from a stretchy, synthetic blend that serves up UPF 50+ protection. This piece is as breathable and comfortable as it gets, making it a go-to in sweltering desert canyons and classrooms alike. Not only that, but the Sahara Shade Hoodie is now half off at REI.
Hoka Clifton 10 for $125 ($155)
One of our favorite road running shoes, the Hoka Clifton 10, is currently 19 percent off at REI. Whether you’re getting the kids ready for track tryouts or logging miles yourself, that double-digit discount is worth sprinting to checkout.
Marmot Limelight 2 Person Tent with Footprint for $250 ($339)
Just because school’s starting up doesn’t mean camping season is over. Far from it. Get prepped like a pro for your next camping trip with the easy-to-pitch, weather-ready, and roomy Marmot Limelight 2 Person Tent. While the Limelight 2 will continue to be a staple of the Marmot tent lineup, this particular colorway is discontinued, which explains the 26 percent discount. If you don’t mind the kitschy colors, it’s the perfect opportunity to save some green on your next tent!
REI Co-op Nalgene for $10 ($15)
Virtually every kid, parent, and human being on this planet could use a little more hydration. Stock up on 16-ounce Nalgenes, a mini version of every outdoor enthusiast’s favorite wide-mouthed water bottle, now at REI—and save 33 percent while you’re at it.
REI Co-op Kindercamp 40 Sleeping Bag for $52 ($70)
If you love to spend time in the wilderness with your little ones, check out the REI Co-op Kindercamp 40, a kids-specific sleeping bag sized for campers who are under five feet tall. A combo of plush polyester lining and ample synthetic fill keeps kiddos cozy and the price fair. Plus, the red colorway is currently discounted by 25 percent.
REI Clearance Kids Clothing Deals
Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Jacket Kids for $80 ($115)
Technical enough for camping and hiking yet stylish enough to take on any playground or cafeteria, the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip is a fleecy jacket that your kids won’t want to take off. Don’t sleep on this one, though—at the time of writing, only kids mediums and larges are left. And with the 30 percent discount at play, remaining sizes won’t last long, either.
Hot Chillys Youth Wool Trail Socks–4-Pack for $39 ($60)
Do your kids run through socks at a breakneck pace? You’re not alone. Get them dialed for the school year with this four-pack of merino-wool-blend trail socks from Hot Chillys—and save some cash while you’re at it (call it a future sock fund) thanks to the 35 percent discount.
Helly Hansen Storm Playsuit-Toddlers for $90 ($150)
This article isn’t just about back-to-school gear—it’s about back-to-preschool gear. Keep your toddler toasty and, perhaps more importantly, looking sharp this winter in this Helly Hansen Storm Playsuit. Not only is this onesie equally cute and weatherproof, but it’s also currently slashed by 40 percent.
The North Face ThermoBall Hooded Insulated Jacket for $100 ($140)
Stuffed with clusters of recycled synthetic insulation that retain warmth when wet, The North Face’s ThermoBall-insulated apparel offers any outdoor lover excellent bang for buck. This warm and cozy kids’ ThermoBall Hooded Insulated Jacket is no exception, making it a smart choice for parents outfitting fast-growing groms, even at full retail prices. Still, the current 28 percent discount helps mitigate some of the sting that comes with the territory of outfitting speedily sprouting offspring.
A Back-to-School Backpack Bonanza
SIGG + Mammut Lithium 25 for $135 ($169)
A collab between the backpack brainiacs at Mammut and the hydration mavens at SIGG, this bundle pairs a tried-and-true Lithium 25 hiking backpack with a stainless steel .75-liter water bottle, both of which feature black-and-white graphics that speak to any outdoor lover. The bundle’s now slashed by 20 percent off, but that’s not all. Mammut’s in the midst of a massive warehouse sale, so you can save an extra 10 percent off using the code “SAVE10EXTRA” at checkout.
Topo Designs Rover for $76 ($109)
Suave enough for any college campus, commute, or carry-on deployment, the Topo Designs Rover is unapologetically retro. From the nostalgic colorblocking and durable packcloth fabric to the simple, effective flap design and cinching buckles, the Rover is certainly old-school, but it’s ready for the new school, too, thanks to a padded, 15-inch laptop sleeve. Even better? A couple of our favorite colorways are the ones that are now on sale at REI for 30 percent off.
Deuter Kikki from $55
We know, we know: Deuter’s Kikki backpack is the only piece of gear in this entire article that isn’t on sale. But can you blame us? These kids’ packs are nothing short of kindergarten conversation starters, as each colorway depicts a different animal, all of which are indisputably adorable. Not to mention, at 60 bucks retail, we’d still consider this little backpack a bargain.
Mammut Warehouse Sale
We mentioned this earlier, but Mammut’s having a massive warehouse sale at the moment. We’ll share a few of our favorite pieces from the sale below, but you can also check out the warehouse liquidation in its entirety here. Last but not least, don’t forget to use the code “SAVE10EXTRA” at checkout, well, to save an extra 10 percent.
Mammut Haldigrat HS Hooded Jacket Men for $438 ($649)
A stylish hardshell that performs well both ripping the resort and touring the backcountry, the Haldigrat HS Hooded Jacket is a stellar do-it-all ski jacket that we’ve put through the wringer. Stock is low, but the few remaining sizes are now on sale for 33 percent off, and that’s not including the extra 10 percent off when you use the aforementioned code!
Mammut Massone Bra Top for $54 ($89)
A racerback tank with a built-in bra, Mammut’s Massone Bra Top is purpose-built for unimpeded range of motion while climbing. But this sleek top handles everything from hikes and runs to yoga and workout classes, too, making it a wardrobe staple for athletic, active women. Red and black colorways are on sale for a whopping 40 percent off, meaning it might be a smart time to stock up on multiple options.
Mammut Trovat Summer Shirt Men for $62 ($89)
A short-sleeve button-up crafted from a hemp and cotton blend, the Mammut Trovat is primed for moderate backpacking trips and back-to-school bashes alike. Available in a range of plaids—the outdoor dude’s most dependable pattern—the Trovat is another Mammut piece that might be worth snagging in several colorways.
Save Big on Mammut Footwear
Mammut’s footwear runs the gamut from casual running and hiking shoes to heavy-duty, crampon-compatible, and understandably pricey mountaineering boots. While most back-to-school shoppers will be in the market for the former, we mention the latter here because any opportunity to save hundreds of dollars on mountaineering boots merits flagging.
Pearl Izumi: Bike Apparel, Footwear, and More
Cyclists and mountain bikers, this one’s for you. Pearl Izumi’s having a serious sale at the moment. Most of the gear on sale is solely suited for time in the saddle: we’re talking bike shorts, bibs, gloves, so on and so forth. But do a little digging, and you’ll stumble upon essentials that are handy when you aren’t gripping the handlebars, too, like insulated jackets, merino socks, and bike jerseys that moonlight as Hawaiian shirts. We can get down with that!
One for the Road: Bogner’s Late-Summer Sale
We can’t lie: even when Bogner gear is on sale, it’s still more expensive than most outdoor enthusiasts care to spend. However, the European fashionista is currently having a summer sale, giving shoppers a chance to scoop up preppy polos and cashmere sweaters that are no doubt as soft to the touch as they are hard on the wallet for, well, less than usual. If that sounds up your alley, by all means, knock yourself out.
