Published April 9, 2026 04:26PM
Sponsor Content: REI
Gear Up for Festival Season With These 8 Essentials
Kick off summer with Outside Days—and get outfitted for better hydration, sun protection, storage, and style with smart picks from REI
Outside Days 2025. (Photo: Stoptime Live)
Outside Days, our annual celebration of music, film, and all things outdoor, is just around the corner—and this year’s festival, May 29-31, is bigger than ever. With headliners like Death Cab for Cutie, My Morning Jacket, and Cage the Elephant, along with an extra day of fun, it’s gearing up to be one of the biggest festivals of the year. Which means it’s time for you to do some gearing up of your own.
It’s no secret that REI is the hub for everything you need to enjoy a weekend outside. But it gets better. The REI Co-op® Mastercard® is your ticket to year-round gear savings, with 5% in card rewards on all REI purchases, plus access to exclusive discounts and perks at Outside Days.
That makes it a great time to stock up, whether you’re kitting up for the festival or the summer of adventures ahead. Start with these eight pieces of gear and get ready for the season outside.
REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie
Long days in the sun? Love ’em. Sun-damaged skin? No thanks. This lightweight hoodie is the answer. The soft and stretchy fabric makes for comfortable movement, the adjustable hood and thumbholes give you a secure fit, and UPF 50+ technology ensures all-day sun protection.
BANDITS Bandana
It’s a hat. It’s a headband. It’s the shade on your neck, the shirt on your back, and—in a pinch—a napkin. A good bandana is the most versatile festival gear you can pack. Make it a BANDITS bandana; they’re made with soft organic cotton, designed by artists around the globe, and support a different charity for each design.
goodr OGs Polarized Sunglasses
Affordable, high quality, and unapologetically fun—goodrs were made for festivals. The nonslip frames are dancing approved, the polarized lenses reduce glare when you’re in the sun all day, and the $30 price means you’ll recover fast if a pair gets lost in the crowd.
REI Co-op Flash Bucket Hat
Get a sun hat that does more than block the rays. The Flash Bucket Hat provides an extra level of cooling with laser-cut vents in the crown. The UPF 50+ hat also has a bungee adjustment for fine tuning fit and it crushes down to fit in a pocket.
Hydro Flask Lightweight 32 oz. Water Bottle
Do you really need a water bottle upgrade before Outside Days? That depends what kind of water you’d rather have while dancing in a packed crowd on a hot day—ice cold or lukewarm? Stay hydrated and happy with this lightweight, vacuum-insulated bottle that keeps drinks frosty for 24 hours.
Teva Hurricane XLT3 Sandals
Long days on your feet don’t have to feel long. The newest version of Teva’s popular hiking sandals features an extra 5mm of topsole foam that your feet will love, whether you’re posted up in the front row for your favorite band or dancing the night away.
Cotopaxi Taal Convertible Del Dia Tote Bag
Good news! Backpacks and totes are allowed at Outside Days—and so is this hybrid hauler. This convertible bag is the ultimate festival packing solution, with 16 liters of storage to help you lug around festival layers and accessories, with a dedicated pouch for water bottles and a secure zipper.
Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 Original Chair
When it’s time to relax—at a festival, on a hike, in camp, anywhere—just park it in this supersimple, supercomfortable chair. There have been lots of imitations and iterations over the years, but nothing beats the iconic original. It’s lightweight and packable, indestructible, and literally makes you feel more grounded because it’s not elevated.
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 25 million members who expect and love the best quality gear and outstanding customer service. In addition to the co-op’s many stores across the country, outdoor enthusiasts can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. Everyone is welcome to shop REI, but members who join the co-op enjoy a range of benefits. REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.