REI Just Made Matching Your Camping Gear and Clothing Way Simpler

REI just made it easier to build a cohesive collection of camping clothing and gear with the formal launch of the Campwell Collection. This new apparel collection is designed for, as the brand puts it, life beyond the trail, though life on the trail features heavily among what’s offered. Built on feedback from co-op members, Campwell blends functionality with versatile style to create a lifestyle brand that is available both online and in REI stores—pieces meant as much for post-adventure gatherings, campfire nights, or casual days in town. With its mix-and-match approach – think jackets, trail pants, folding cots, and bibs – the line emphasizes comfort and utility.

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As a gear editor at Matador, what most excites me about this launch is that it’s now easier than ever to build a camp setup that is cohesive and designed to function as one large unit. In a recent newsletter I broke down why this philosophy is important, and that’s largely because gear that plays well with others is more dependable when something goes wrong. What REI has done here is effectively rendered redundant my long-homed philosophy for gear shopping (buy stuff that pairs well with your other stuff). When you have a camp chair that’s made by the same company who produced your puffy jacket and your backpack, you can bet that gear was tested in similarly harsh conditions and will hold up equally well during a downpour.

Rather than provide another boring roundup of gear we think you should buy, I want to provide a few examples of the best ways to optmize the Campwell Collection for you by filling multiple holes in your setup in one go.

Browse the REI Campwell Collection

Productive pairings in the new REI Campwell Collection

Photo courtesy REI

First, let’s dress from head to leg (no shoes are available in the collection – yet). Starting at the top, the way I’d shop this collection is to grab the Campwell Beanie and the Campwell Fleece Pullover (available in Men’s and Women’s varieties), and complete that with either the Campwell Rain Jacket or the Campwell Down Jacket, depending on the season I’m stocking for and the location of upcoming trips. The Campwell Flannel, Campwell Henley, and Campwell Pants complete the setup.

Browse the REI Campwell Collection

From another direction, it’s possible to build a basic camp setup from the Campwell Collection. This is built around the Campwell Tent, of course, of which four- or six-person options are available (for single or double occupancies, try the REI Halfdome tent, which I’ve trusted for over a decade and upgraded to a larger size after my daughter was born). Grab the Campwell 30 Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Pad for inside the tent, and the Campwell Chair for outside of it. The Campwell Cooler is a nice thing to have on-hand for cold beverages and snacks, and the Campwell Folding Cot will do you well if you prefer more space between yourself and the ground.

Browse the REI Campwell Collection

Building your setup with the REI Campwell Collection

Photo courtesy REI

Of course, you may only need one or two items to complete your gear setup or fill and immediate need. Even if this is the case, the REI Campwell Collection can be a good option for you if your current setup is spread across multiple brands and consistencies of quality, because it provides that starting point for going forward. REI is known to test its in-house products both through professional athletes and its Co-op community, and to make upgrades and changes based on the feedback it receives. This makes it a good brand to trust regardless of the conditions you’re heading out into,

At Matador we’ve tested a swath of REI products over the years, both for outdoor use and more general travel purposes. Here are a few examples that showcase why we trust the brand in such a high regard:

My REI Hiking Socks Are My Security BlanketREI Half Dome Tent Review: The Most Dependable Tent You Can BuyThe Ultimate Summer Backpacking Gear Guide

Browse the REI Campwell Collection

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