Labor Day is summer’s last gasp—a glorious three-day opportunity for adventure and fun in the sun before fall takes hold. What better way to celebrate the end of one season and the beginning of another than by getting a serious deal on the outdoor gear you need? But you don’t want to waste your time examining every Labor Day Sale to hit the internet, so I’ve done the hard work for you. After scouring the hundreds of deals at , I’ve found some of my most trusted gear that’s discounted right now. I’ve also added some picks from ,
Updated September 2: It’s Labor Day. Many of these deals will end tonight. I’ve checked the deals in the post to make sure they’re still live and added several new deals to the list, including a Suunto watch and an REI Flex Lite Air Chair.
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I used cheap, plastic gallon jugs of water for years while car camping, but the Dometic Go Hydration Jug helped me see the light and eliminate one more instance of single-use plastic from my life. I named them as top items in my guide to sleeping in your vehicle. Wes Siler also mentioned these in a piece on camping with running water. This version holds 11 liters of water, which has proved to be enough for a family of four on a weekend camping trip. Pair it with their Rechargeable Water Faucet (also on sale) for a truly civilized hydration experience.
Oatmeal? Soup? Ramen? Fried rice? Name your favorite meal, this double-wall vacuum insulated “to go container” will keep it warm for hours, so you can pack something tasty for the trail (or the office) and skip the bars and squished sandwiches. This made our list of great food thermoses.
REI’s Flash is a deal at full price, and an absolute steal at 40% off. I’ve had one for two years now and have trusted it in the worst thunderstorms the Southern Appalachians can throw at me in that time. The 2.5-layer jacket is fully seam-sealed and loaded with the same features you find on more expensive options, like pit zips, a comfy brushed inner collar for next-to-skin softness, and plenty of stretch in the fabric for when you’re moving quickly through the storm.
You could get a cheap headlamp, or you could get this great headlamp for cheap. The Spot throws 400 lumens on max power and has a super handy red light night vision mode. As for power, choose between regular AAA or rechargeable batteries. I like this headlamp so much, I own three of them.
I get to take a lot of guided backcountry trips, and the majority of the time, we’re sleeping in the MSR Hubba Hubba 2. The fact that multiple backcountry guides rely on this tent, day in day out, tells you everything you need to know. (It’s also .) It’s not the lightest two-person shelter on the market (2 lbs 14 oz), but it’s easy to set up, has plenty of room for two full-sized adults, and is built from a durable 20-denier ripstop that will last. Personally, I like the ample headroom and multiple mesh pockets for all my gadgets.
I’ve used the 9 Peak Pro to chart everything from backcountry skiing laps to my daily gym workout, and I’ve loved this watch in every scenario. It has a large face, soy can actually see read maps if you need to navigate, and a healthy battery life that lasts for days if you’re using GPS sporadically.
I always had a hard time running in zero drop shoes because most lack enough cushion for my tender feet. But Altra’s Lone Peak offers the benefits of zero drop construction, but with plenty of cushion in the heel and forefoot so you don’t feel like you’re barefoot. The wide toe box and aggressive outsoles make these kicks ideal for rough trails. This deal is also featured in our .
I put a Decked system in the bed of my truck, which means I can’t throw mountain bikes over the tailgate. The Epos 2 attaches and detaches from my hitch on the fly and is versatile enough to handle everything from 65-pound ebikes to 20-inch BMX whips. And it folds up tight for storage and can be transported to and from the garage easily thanks to the wheels.
I rode a Topstone Carbon everyday for three months while training for a 150-mile gravel ride, and then pedaled the thing for 10 hours straight during said race. My favorite thing about this bike? The Kingpin suspension, which soaks up just enough chatter from gravel roads to keep you comfy during long rides.
The Growler Deluxe is a relatively new addition to my car camping kit (I raved about it in July), but I’m loving the results as it’s eliminated the need for those pesky green propane bottles. One Growler holds the same amount of fuel as five single-use canisters, and its case has a rigid lid, turning it into a handy side table for my beer.
Most of my mountain bike rides are backcountry affairs where I keep the wheels on the ground and just want lightweight, breathable protection for my noggin. But sometimes I get sendy at the local jump park and feel better with a full-face covering my money-maker. Bell’s Super gives you the option for both, with a face guard that clips on and off as needed. I like it so much I bought an extra one for my son.
It might sound weird, but I keep a Flash Cooking System in my truck so I can make cocoa for my kids after a ski day, or coffee for myself after an impromptu night in the woods. The fuel and stove pack into the cook pot, making it easy to store, the ignitor works every time (even after years of use), and it can boil a liter of water in about three minutes. We’ve recommended it as a great option for many years.
Not to brag, but I have many bike shoes in my quiver, but when I’m clipping in, I reach for the SPD-compatible Expedition over all others. I make this choice because it’s comfy enough for the occasional hike-a-bike on mountain bike rides, while still offering a secure fit that you can dial in (literally) thanks to the BOA lacing system. It’s my go to for XC and gravel rides.
My wife is addicted to fanny packs, but this is the only one in her quiver that can actually handle rugged adventure duty. It’s built from a recycled ripstop with a DWR finish, so you can throw it around or hike in the rain without having to worry about the contents inside. It made our list of the Best Fanny Packs, as well.
Winters where I live in the Southern Appalachians are cold, wet, and muddy, which is why I’ve become reliant on the Mountain 600 Leaf GTX, which is a completely waterproof leather boot built to handle the worst conditions. But I’m not gonna lie; I wear these boots around town as much as I do on the trails because they’re so damn good looking.
You like to cuddle? Cause Kelty’s Love Seat was built for two. Add a blanket and perch this double chair next to a fire and you’ve got all the ingredients for car camping romance. It’s heavy (15+ pounds) so you’re not gonna take it backpacking and it will take up some space in your trunk, but this chair has been a great addition to my car camping kit, and for many ϳԹ gear testers, including our own Jakob Schiller, who included it in his roundup of gear that makes camping way better.
Update: As of Sept. 2, this appears to be out of stock. We’re leaving it in just in case it comes back in stock.
Car camping, sitting on the sidelines of soccer games, tailgating…these are just a few of the situations where I like to whip up the Flex Lite chair. It’s compact, easy to set up and stash away, and comfy enough to handle long sessions by the fire. I even pack this chair on my handlebars when I’m bikepacking.