About REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc)
We’ve been your outdoor co-op for 81 years. REI was founded in 1938 when a group of 23 climbing friends, united by their love for the outdoors, decided to source quality and affordable gear for their adventures. Read about how it all started.
Today the REI community has 18 million lifetime members, more than 13,000 employees and 162 stores in 39 states and the District of Columbia.
While much has changed since REI’s beginnings, our passion for life outside lives on in everything we do.