REI Return Policy: 365 Days for Members, 90 Days for Nonmembers

REI is known for one of the longest return windows in outdoor retail, but the length depends on whether you're an REI Co-op Member – and a few categories, from GPS watches to used gear, play by different rules. This guide walks through each rule using REI's own returns page.

How long you have

REI's 100% Satisfaction Guarantee lets you return a purchase for a replacement or refund within one year of the purchase date if you're an REI Co-op Member, or within 90 days if you're not – with a few exceptions ¹. REI's return window table, counted from the date of purchase:

Outdoor electronics include activity monitors, GPS-enabled devices, bike trainers, emergency-communication devices and cameras ¹.

What REI won't take back

Returns that don't meet the guarantee's conditions are declined, and if you mailed them, REI mails them back to you ¹. The main exceptions:

• Wear and tear: the guarantee doesn't cover ordinary wear and tear, or damage caused by improper use or accidents ¹.
• Dirty gear: items used since purchase must be cleaned before you return them; uncleaned or unlaundered merchandise may be declined ¹.
• Final sale: REI Co-op Memberships, lift tickets, passes and gift cards ¹.
• Policy abuse: if REI determines the return policy has been abused, it won't accept a return or exchange, even within one year of purchase ¹.

One exception works in your favor: items with a manufacturing defect in materials or workmanship can be returned at any time, regardless of purchase date ¹.

Returning in a store vs. by mail

New items can go back by mail or to any REI store with proof of purchase, no matter whether you bought online, in a store or by phone ¹. Re/Supply stores can't accept returns of any kind ¹.

In a store. Bring the item, its original packaging and tags if you still have them, and your proof of purchase to the customer service desk ¹. Store returns are free ¹.

By mail. Start the return online to get a shipping label, then drop the package at any UPS location or mail it from home; if you don't have a printer, REI can give you a QR code instead ¹. For standard-size packages sent with REI's prepaid label, $7.99 is deducted from your refund ¹. The fee goes away in a few cases:

• the item you're returning is worth less than $7.99 ¹;
• you ship on your own with a carrier instead of using REI's label (you pay that carrier) ¹;
• REI made a mistake with your order, once it verifies the error ¹.

Returning items from several orders in one box under 32 lbs.? REI deducts the $7.99 fee only once ¹.

Oversize gear and hazardous materials

Every oversize item can be returned free at an REI store ¹. By mail it gets more complicated: some oversize items can go through REI's online return process for a $21.95 fee, and any package over 32 lbs. adds weight-based shipping charges ¹. Kayaks and canoes, car-top boxes and roof-top tents, bikes and double joggers/strollers can't be returned through the online mail process at all ¹.

Hazardous materials – fuels, loose batteries, CO2 cartridges, aerosols, bug repellent and similar items – can't go through the online mail process either ¹. They can be returned free at any REI store ¹.

How REI refunds you

• Online and phone orders: back to the original payment type ¹; PayPal orders go back to the PayPal account ¹.
• Store purchases returned in a store: back to the original payment type ¹.
• Store purchases returned by mail: refunded by check, which can take up to 3 weeks from the day REI receives the return ¹.
• Cash purchases of $500 or more: refunded by check ¹.
• Total REI Rewards: for in-store returns, credited back to your rewards balance within one business day after the refund is processed ¹; for store purchases returned by mail, the rewards portion is refunded by check ¹.

After REI issues a card refund, your bank or payment company can take up to 10 additional days to post it ¹. Original shipping charges aren't refunded unless REI made a mistake or the item turns out to be defective after inspection ¹.

Receipts and exchanges

Store purchases that weren't posted to an REI Co-op Membership need a paper or email store receipt ¹. Members who bought with their membership can return without one ¹.

Exchanges happen in stores, at the customer service desk ¹. REI doesn't offer direct exchanges by mail: return the original item and buy the replacement in a separate transaction ¹.

Returning a gift

In a store, bring the item, its packaging and tags if available, and a gift receipt or proof of purchase ¹. To return a gift by mail, ship it yourself with a carrier, following REI's instructions for working directly with a carrier, and put these in the package ¹:

• a note asking for a "gift recipient refund";
• the recipient's name, member number (if they have one), mailing address, phone number and email address;
• a gift receipt or the original proof of purchase.

If the recipient's details are incomplete or the note doesn't clearly ask for a gift recipient refund, REI refunds the original purchaser instead ¹. When it's done right, the refund is a check issued to the recipient's name and address, and it can take up to 3 weeks from the day REI receives the return ¹.

Re/Supply used gear and REI Outlet

In-store Re/Supply used gear is sold as is, and all sales are final ¹. Used items bought on the Re/Supply website can be returned within 30 days of the purchase date ¹. Items from the REI Outlet website follow the same return policy as REI.com ¹.

Quick tips

• Not a member? Your clock is 90 days, not a year ¹.
• Wash or clean used gear before you bring it back ¹.
• Return bulky or hazardous items in a store – it's free and avoids the mail restrictions ¹.
• Bought in a store but want to mail it back? Expect a check, not a card refund ¹.

For other retailers' rules, browse our returns policies hub or the REI store page. Shopping for sports gear elsewhere? See DICK'S Sporting Goods.