How to Build a Sub-10-Pound Thru-Hiking Kit Entirely from the REI Anniversary Sale
Every piece of this shelter-to-sleep-system kit is discounted during REI's biggest sale of the year (May 15–25, 2026)
A true lightweight thru hiking kit has gotten easier (and cheaper) to put together over the years as larger manufacturers have entered the lightweight gear arena. And that's especially true right now. REI's Anniversary Sale — the co-op's biggest of the year — runs May 15–25, with the deepest cuts (including 25% off REI Co-op gear) landing on exactly the categories that drive your base weight: shelters, sleep systems, and packs.
We set ourselves a challenge. Could we assemble a complete, three-season backpacking kit — shelter, sleep system, pack, and the supporting gear that actually keeps you alive and comfortable out there — using only items on sale during the Anniversary event, and keep the base weight (everything on your back minus food, water, and fuel) under 10 pounds?
The answer is yes, with room to spare: 9.9 pounds, all in. Here's the full kit, what each piece weighs, and what it costs during the sale. Thru hiking isn’t cheap, and if you buy the entire kit below, you’ll save nearly $1,200.
Editor’s note: everyone’s hiking style is different. Please use this list as a starting point and adapt it for your own personal needs. For example, if you sleep cold, this sleep system may not be for you.
Looking for more deals? Check out our guide to all the deals here.
And don’t forget, REI Co-op Members save 20% on one full-price item and 20% on one REI Outlet item thru 5/25. Use code ANNIV26 at checkout.
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| GEAR | MODEL | Weight (oz) | Retail Price | Sale Price | Savings | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PACKED GEAR | ||||||
| Backpack | REI Co-op Flash Air 50 Pack Men's Women's |
30.0 | $299.00 | $224.19 | 25% | $74.81 |
| Quilt | Therm-a-Rest Vesper Quilt 20 | 19.0 | $459.95 | $344.89 | 25% | $115.06 |
| Sleeping pad | NEMO Tensor Elite Mummy | 8.5 | $219.95 | $164.89 | 25% | $55.06 |
| Pillow | Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow | 1.9 | $49.95 | $37.39 | 25% | $12.56 |
| Sleeping gear dry bag | Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag 20L | 2.0 | $22.95 | $17.19 | 25% | $5.76 |
| Shelter | NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 1P Tent | 29.0 | $599.95 | $449.89 | 25% | $150.06 |
| Cooking system | Jetboil Stash Cooking System | 7.1 | $164.95 | $123.69 | 25% | $41.26 |
| Spoon | MSR Titan Long Spoon | 0.7 | $17.95 | $13.39 | 25% | $4.56 |
| Water filter | Platypus QuickDraw Filter | 2.9 | $39.95 | $29.89 | 25% | $10.06 |
| Food storage bag | Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag 5L | 1.1 | $22.95 | $17.19 | 25% | $5.76 |
| Down jacket | Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hoody Men's Women's |
6.9 | $399.00 | $299.19 | 25% | $99.81 |
| Rain jacket | REI Co-op XeroCloud 3L Rain Jacket Men's Women's |
11.3 | $189.00 | $141.69 | 25% | $47.31 |
| Rain pants | REI Co-op XeroCloud 3L Rain Pants Men's Women's |
9.2 | $159.00 | $119.19 | 25% | $39.81 |
| Headlamp | Petzl Tikka Core Headlamp | 3.0 | $34.95 | $26.19 | 25% | $8.76 |
| Satellite messenger | Garmin inReach Messenger | 4.0 | $300.00 | $199.99 | 33% | $100.01 |
| Sleep top | Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Crew Base Layer Top Men's Women's |
5.0 | $125.00 | $93.69 | 25% | $31.31 |
| Sleep bottom | Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Bottoms Men's Women's |
7.3 | $125.00 | $93.69 | 25% | $31.31 |
| Extra socks | Smartwool Performance Hike Targeted Cushion Ankle Socks Men's Women's |
2.1 | $21.00 | $15.69 | 25% | $5.31 |
| Extra underwear | REI Co-op Active Bikini Underwear - Women's | 1.5 | $19.95 | $14.89 | 25% | $5.06 |
| Gloves | REI Co-op Polartec Wind Pro Fleece Gloves 2.0 | 1.9 | $47.95 | $35.89 | 25% | $12.06 |
| Warm hat | REI Co-op Polartec Power Stretch Fleece Beanie | 1.2 | $29.95 | $22.39 | 25% | $7.56 |
| First aid kit | Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .3 Medical Kit | 2.1 | $13.95 | $10.39 | 25% | $3.56 |
| TOTAL PACKED WEIGHT (ounces) | 157.7 | $3,362.30 | $2,495.48 | 26% | $866.82 | |
| TOTAL PACKED WEIGHT (pounds) | 9.9 | |||||
| WORN GEAR | ||||||
| Trekking poles | Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles - Pair | 16.4 | $169.95 | $127.39 | 25% | $42.56 |
| Hiking watch | Garmin Enduro 3 | 2.2 | $900.00 | $749.99 | 16% | $150.01 |
| Socks | Smartwool Performance Hike Targeted Cushion Ankle Socks Men's Women's |
2.1 | $21.00 | $15.69 | 25% | $5.31 |
| Hiking underwear | REI Co-op Active Bikini Underwear - Women's | 1.5 | $19.95 | $14.89 | 25% | $5.06 |
| Hat | REI Co-op Active Pursuits Cap | 1.8 | $35.95 | $26.89 | 25% | $9.06 |
| Sun hoody | Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody Men's Women's |
5.7 | $79.00 | $59.19 | 25% | $19.81 |
| Hiking shorts | REI Co-op Flash Shorts Men's Women's |
5.3 | $69.95 | $52.39 | 25% | $17.56 |
| Sun gloves | REI Co-op Active Pursuits Sun Gloves | 1.4 | $29.95 | $22.39 | 25% | $7.56 |
| Trail running shoes | Altra Olympus 6 Trail-Running Shoes Men's Women's |
20.4 | $185.00 | $138.69 | 25% | $46.31 |
| TOTAL WORN WEIGHT (ounces) | 56.8 | $1,510.75 | $1,207.51 | 20% | $303.24 | |
| TOTAL WORN WEIGHT (pounds) | 3.6 | |||||
| OTHER GEAR | 55.4 | |||||
| Bear canister | BearVault BV500 Journey Bear Canister | 40.0 | $99.95 | $79.89 | 20% | $20.06 |
| Compass | Suunto M-3 NH Compass | 1.6 | $65.00 | $65.00 | 0% | $- |