Mar 02, 2026 6 min read

How to spend REI Member Rewards on trail gear in 2026

Member Rewards dropped on March 1. Here’s the trail running and hiking gear I’d prioritize spending them on, from shoes and layers to packs that will actually get used.

There’s a big difference between buying what looks good in a sale and buying the gear you’ll still be glad you picked up three months from now.

I checked my REI account this morning and found $33.05 in fresh Co-op Member Rewards waiting for me.

Not life-changing money, admittedly, but enough to knock the edge off buying something useful. And for plenty of members, the total may be much higher.

Rather than treating rewards like a small bonus and spending them on something forgettable, I’d put them toward gear that gets used often, like shoes you’ll rack up miles in, and layers you’ll wear more than expected.

So if you’re deciding where to put this year’s rewards, these are the trail running and hiking picks I’d prioritize first.

This story is sponsored by REI. As always, the product direction here reflects our real-world gear preferences and the kind of trail running and hiking kit we genuinely recommend. Some links may be affiliate links, which helps support Trail & Kale at no extra cost to you.

Trail running shoes and everyday kit

The best place to start is usually with the gear that quietly disappears once you’re moving, like shoes that don’t fight you. Clothing that dries fast, fits right, and doesn’t become the thing you think about halfway through a run.

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

If you want to put a big chunk of your rewards toward one meaningful upgrade, a cushioned cruiser trail shoe is an easy place to start, especially with these exclusive REI colorways.

The Fresh Foam X Hierro (women's version here) has the kind of broad appeal that works well for runners who mix mellow dirt, sandy trails, and more uneven terrain. It leans soft, but not in a way that feels vague or unstable, and that balance matters when your local trails are a mix of roots, loose surfaces, and the occasional wet patch.

For spring mileage, especially if you want one trail shoe that can handle a lot of everyday running, this is the kind of purchase that tends to justify itself quickly.

REI Co-op Swiftland collection

REI’s Swiftland run collection is worth a look if you’d rather spread your rewards across apparel instead of dropping it all on footwear.

Good running gear doesn’t need to be flashy to earn its place. It needs to dry quickly, move well, and stay comfortable once the heat ramps up.

That’s where this collection tends to make sense. The pieces are built around practical and affordable run-day comfort rather than trend-chasing, which is exactly what most of us need once the miles start stacking up in warmer weather.

Janji Sunchaser long-sleeve shirts

For runners dealing with intense sun, a light long sleeve can be more useful than another short-sleeve tee.

The Janji Sunchaser collection stands out for that reason. You get UPF 50+ protection, plenty of stretch, and the kind of breathable coverage that helps on exposed routes without feeling overly restrictive.

For morning runs, beachside paths, or long efforts where sun exposure becomes part of the challenge, this is the sort of layer that earns repeat use.

Hiking and crossover upgrades

A lot of us don’t keep trail running gear and hiking gear in totally separate worlds anymore. The best pieces often overlap. That’s especially true if your weekends move between fast trail outings, longer day hikes, and the occasional all-day mission where comfort and versatility matter more than labels.

La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3

If your rewards balance is high enough to support a more substantial purchase, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 is the kind of trail-focused option that makes sense for hikers who still want agility underfoot.

It brings the protective, grippy feel many people want on technical terrain, while still keeping a more nimble profile than a traditional heavy boot.

For anyone who wants one shoe that can handle quick hikes, rougher trails, and faster-moving days outside, it’s the sort of crossover hiking boot option worth considering.

Osprey Stratos and Sirrus packs

A good pack changes the feel of a long day more than people expect.

The Osprey Stratos and Sirrus lines remain strong choices because they focus on the fundamentals: ventilation, stable carry, and adjustability that helps the pack fit your body rather than simply hanging off it.

If you’ve been making do with an older pack that traps heat, shifts around, or never quite feels right once loaded, this is a very practical place to spend rewards. It’s not the most exciting purchase in the moment, but it’s often one of the smartest.

REI Co-op Sahara Shade hoodie and Trailmade pants

Sun layers and lightweight trail pants tend to become more valuable the longer you spend outside. The Sahara Shade Hoodies and Trailmade Pants sit nicely in that useful middle ground: protective enough for exposed days, light enough that they don’t feel punishing once temperatures climb.

These are the kinds of pieces that work across a wider range of conditions than you might expect, which is exactly why they make sense during a member event. Versatile gear usually gives you better long-term value than niche gear.

A few simple cart ideas by reward amount

If your rewards total is modest, I’d use them to soften the cost of something you’ll wear constantly.

With $100 to $200, that might mean a trail running shoe upgrade paired with a reliable sun shirt or everyday training top.

With $300 to $500, you have room to combine a more substantial footwear purchase with one genuinely useful apparel or pack upgrade.

And if you landed a much larger reward balance, that’s where it starts making sense to build out a more complete spring setup: shoes, a proper hydration pack, a protective layer, and one or two versatile clothing staples that cover both trail running and hiking.

The most important thing is not the total, it’s whether the gear you choose actually solves a need you have right now.

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That’s the lens I’d use here. Buy the shoe that gets you out the door more often. Buy the layer that makes hot, sunny days easier to manage. Buy the pack that turns a long day from awkward into comfortable.

Member rewards feel best when they go toward gear that keeps showing up in your weekly routine.

What did your rewards total come to this year, and what are you considering using them on? Become a member of Trail & Kale (it's free), and join in the conversation below.