Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on The Penny Hoarder.
Is paying $30 for an REI membership really worth it? If you shop there more than once, the answer is likely “yes.”
REI Co-op sells pretty much all the outdoor gear you could ever want, besides fishing poles and hunting rifles. That gear comes with a one-year return policy, free shipping and a 10% rewards credit — if you’re a member, that is. For outdoorsy types, membership can quickly pay for itself.
Let’s talk about whether an REI Co-op membership is worth it for you.
What Is an REI Membership?
Members put the “Co-op” in REI Co-op. REI is a consumer cooperative, which means members get a say in how the company runs – and a share of its profits. When you buy that $30 membership, you join the cooperative.
Membership has its perks. It includes a 10% reward on REI purchases, extra member-only discounts and access to a used gear marketplace, to name a few. “It saves members time and money, so they can get outdoors more often,” said Clay Walton-House, Vice President of Co-op Membership at REI.
It’s not all about saving money. Members also contribute to REI’s advocacy efforts, as $5 of every membership fee goes to the REI Cooperative Action Fund. They can even weigh in on company governance from time to time. In May 2025, REI members voted to reject the company’s chosen board candidates.
To clarify, you don’t have to be a member to shop at REI. You just won’t get access to all those shiny perks.
Tip: REI memberships last a lifetime. There’s a chance you’re already a member and forgot.
How Much Does the Membership Cost?
As of June 2025, membership costs $30. “That one-time $30 fee covers your membership for the rest of your life,” Walton-House said.
Tip: Look out for promotions that sweeten the deal.
Key Financial Benefits of a Membership
What perks do you get in exchange for your $30 REI membership? Here is a non-exhaustive list.
- REI Member Reward. REI members get 10% back on all their purchases at the end of the year. Before you get too excited, read the fine print. Technically, 10% is “typical but not guaranteed.” You only earn rewards on full-price purchases at the REI store — not used, outlet or clearance gear. And you have to wait until March to spend the credit that has accrued all year.
- REI Re/Supply. Only REI members get access to its used marketplace, RE/Supply. Exchange your old skis for store credit, or snag new-to-you hiking boots for cheap. According to Walton-House, REI makes any necessary repairs. “You can really trust that these products still have good, useful life left, which is different sometimes than buying things online from Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.”
- Free Shipping. Want to order some permethrin spray and only permethrin spray from REI.com? That will be $7.99 in shipping — unless you’re a member. Then it’s free.
- Class Discounts. REI hosts classes — and members can sign up for cheap. For instance, a Beginner’s Camping Workshop at the Alpharetta REI was $45 for the general public, but just $15 for members.
- Maintenance Discounts. Members save 20% on bike and snow shop services.
- Longer Return Period. Sorry, REI no longer offers a lifetime warranty. With a few exceptions, REI members get one year to return their items, while non-members get 90 days.
Is an REI Membership Worth It for You?
All those perks might be nice, but are they $30 nice?
The answer might be yes, if…
- You expect to earn back your membership fee. “Many members find they get back $30 in savings on their first or second purchase,” Walton-House said. That could be because of a temporary promotion. It could also be because they spent big. One Yeti cooler could earn you $30 or more in rewards.
- You want to join the REI community. REI shops don’t just sell gear — they maintain equipment and offer classes, too. If you plan on becoming a regular, the membership is probably worth it.
- You want great gear. REI sells affordable own-brand gear, top-of-the-line gear and everything in between. If you are serious about the outdoors and plan to spend a lot on the best of the best, it makes sense to earn 10% back on those purchases.
On the other hand, here are a few clues that membership isn’t right for you.
- There is no REI near you. If you don’t live near an REI, you’ll miss out on class and maintenance discounts.
- There is a great independent outdoor store near you. Are you lucky enough to be surrounded by small businesses catering to your outdoor hobby? You might be better off supporting them instead.
- You’re a bargain hunter. When you sift through the proverbial bargain bin at REI — through Re/Supply, the outlet store or the clearance section — you don’t earn rewards.
Final Verdict: Is an REI Membership Worth the Cost?
Our two cents? If you don’t shop at REI every once in a while, don’t get a membership. If you shop at REI occasionally, go for it: the membership can quickly pay for itself.
But if you want a membership and $30 is too steep, wait for a promotion. You might just cover the cost in one well-timed purchase.
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