REI Affiliate Program: (Worth it at 5% Rates?)

With 5% on every outdoor kit sale, the REI affiliate program gives you a steady commission when your crowd is shopping. The Co-op has over 25 million members and brought in $3.53 billion last year.

Founded in 1938, the brand’s membership model turns casual campers into gear junkies who stock up like they’re prepping for Everest.

On the affiliate side, you’ll be working through the Impact Network with a 15-day cookie window and monthly payouts after a 47-day cycle (27 days to lock, then 20 to release).

Payments land once you hit the minimum threshold—via direct deposit, PayPal, or paper checks.

I’ve seen plenty of gear programs promise the moon and deliver scraps. REI doesn’t play that game.

When folks prep for their next adventure, they don’t just grab a tent and call it a day—they pile on boots, lanterns, bear spray, and whatever else they “forgot” to pack.

The same thing happened to me back when I promoted artificial Christmas trees—nobody just bought the tree. They’d throw in lights, decorations, the whole nine yards.

One click turned into a full-blown gear haul.

How the REI Affiliate Program Works

REI’s affiliate program lets you earn by recommending outdoor equipment to your niche audience.

When someone clicks your unique URL and grabs camping equipment, hiking boots, or anything from REI, you pocket a cut of the sale on their order.

Unlike programs that only pay on select items, REI gives you recognition across the catalog—from budget-friendly camp tools to premium mountaineering gear.

Your readers get expert advice and lifetime satisfaction guarantee, while you collect revenue share without dealing with customer service or shipping headaches.

Basically, you’re getting rewarded for pointing gear-hungry folks toward a brand that’s earned loyalty.

Key Program Details at a Glance

Before we dig deeper, this table shows the nuts and bolts of the REI opportunity:

What You Earn on Each Sale

You collect 5% on whatever people buy through your referral link.

Everything counts—camping gear, hiking packs, outdoor apparel, cycling accessories, ski equipment, and more.

Average order value usually falls between $120 and $175, so you’re pulling in earnings of about $6 to $8.75 per transaction.

(If your readers vibe more with boho throws than backpacking ropes, the Anthropologie partner program trades trail grit for gauze, gifts, and great margins.)

Nothing’s excluded—$15 water bottles and $800 tents all pay the same 5% rate. Even REI Outlet deals bring you the full return.

Spotlighting quality products at discount prices works surprisingly well for your budget-conscious readers.

👇 Try the calculator below to see what your REI commissions could add up to based on your sales and order values:

Cookie Window, Attribution & Tracking Basics

Your 15-day window starts the moment someone taps your link.

If they buy anything from REI during that timeframe, you lock in the sale for their entire cart.

Here’s where timing matters—REI uses last-click attribution (meaning whoever’s link gets clicked last before checkout earns the credit).

If your reader hits another partner’s link before buying, they get paid—not you.

It’s a hard pill to swallow from my early Commission Junction days: park links where eyeballs actually linger.

The Impact Network handles nearly-real-time tracking and blocks third-party pixels (no invisible code hijacking your referrals), so every publisher plays by the same rulebook.

When and How You’ll Get Paid

REI’s affiliate partnership has a payment cycle that moves at glacial speed—expect a 47-day delay from sale to funds.

Each transaction goes through a 27-day hold, followed by a 20-day release. So, a January sale won’t show up until mid-March.

The wait is often tougher than seeing the cash finally land.

It’s like waiting for Christmas morning—except it’s 47 days away, and Santa might only bring you $12.

You can receive money by direct deposit, PayPal, or paper checks in your Impact dashboard, depending on which minimum threshold you meet.

Why REI Converts So Well

One reason the REI program delivers is its 25+ million Co-op members who have built serious brand loyalty—and they bring a higher LTV (lifetime value) than your average shopper.

That means your clicks turn into tracked sales, not just window shopping.

Their 100% satisfaction guarantee eases hesitation, and free shipping over $50 nudges conversion rates higher.

With 185+ stores, customers can try kit in person, then circle back and complete their purchase through your unique link.

How to Apply to REI’s Program

If you’re ready to become an REI partner, here’s what to do:

1: Create Your Impact Network Account

Hit “Apply Here” via the button in the Key Program Details table —it’ll take you to REI’s Co-op partner page and then onto Impact’s sign up portal.

That’s REI’s only platform — you can’t use ShareASale or Commission Junction.

Fill out the usual stuff — business details, tax info, contact details.

If you’re new to affiliate marketing, just register as a sole proprietor using your real name.

Pick how you want to get paid during signup. Direct deposit usually has lower minimums than checks.

2: Build Your Application Profile

Upload your site or social profiles showing you know outdoor stuff.

REI wants proof you’re not just some random blogger looking for a quick score.

They can smell desperation from a mile away—like bears with honey.

Tell them about your audience — who they are and what they’re shopping for.

Be specific: say “weekend hikers planning equipment upgrades” instead of “lifestyle readers.”
Explain how you’ll promote the brand — product reviews? Camping guides?

Whatever fits your content style, just show how recommending outdoor essentials fits what you already publish.

3: Submit Supporting Content Examples

Share 3–5 URLs of your best outdoor content — gear reviews, camping guides, hiking tutorials.

Show that people are commenting, engaging, and sharing your posts.

Mention any outdoor credentials — wilderness certifications, camping experience, product testing background, or industry connections.

REI likes seeing real outdoor expertise, even though it isn’t mandatory.

If you publish seasonal content — summer camping guides, winter sports posts, holiday gift lists — flag those too. REI loves seasonal promotions.

4: Get Approved and Set Up Your Account

They’ll review your application in a few days — strong niche content gets faster approvals.

Lifestyle blogs might wait longer or need more targeted examples to get approved.

Check your email for the thumbs-up from Impact. They’ll send login details and next steps.

Once you’re in, grab your promotional materials — product links, banners, and REI’s calendar showing when outdoor seasons peak and new gear drops.

Who Should Promote REI Products?

If your idea of roughing it is a hotel without room service, maybe skip this one.

Already blogging about camping trips or weekend hikes?

Then the REI partnership fits right in—your readers are probably up at 2 AM wondering whether they really need that $300 camping bag.

YouTube equipment reviewers also tend to perform well, since people want to know if that “waterproof” tent keeps them dry—or just sounds good on paper.

(Bonus if you run a hiking blog and love testing shoes that feel like clouds—REI now stocks Hoka, and Hoka’s affiliate program pays up to 14% for reviewing max-cushion trail shoes that go the distance.)

Travel bloggers can slip gear suggestions into destination content naturally. “Here’s what I packed for Yellowstone” lands way better than some forced product plug.

Parents writing about family camping trips also do well, especially with REI’s kids’ gear.

Nobody wants their 8-year-old freezing in a cheap sleeping bag, right?

Seasonal timing helps, too.

Spring planning season drives real sales on camping supplies—same way my Star Wars Halloween costume campaigns always peaked in October.

Pros & Cons of the Program

Time for the good, the bad, and the REI:

The Brand’s Trust Drives Conversions

People know this brand doesn’t sell junk.

So when you recommend their equipment, you’re not fighting uphill battles trying to convince anyone that it’s legit.

Their Co-op membership model creates loyal buyers who stick around—instead of buying once and disappearing.

With 25+ million members who shop here first, your recommendations reach customers who are ready to purchase, not just browsing.

Having physical stores helps too, as visitors can test gear in person, then come back and buy through your links when they’re ready.

Huge Gear Range to Promote

REI stocks everything outdoor-related in one place.

Your readers can build their entire camping setup without hopping between different sites hunting for tents, boots, and sleeping bags.

The Co-op house brand gives budget-conscious buyers solid alternatives without the steep price tags.

Most of the time, these hold up just as well as the expensive name-brand options—without emptying your wallet (or purse).

Better still, REI keeps popular items stocked during peak season, unlike smaller retailers that run out of everything the minute summer hits.

Just 15 Days to Earn That Click

The 15-day tracking window isn’t as generous as other partnerships offering 30–45 days.

It’s like speed dating for earnings—you’ve got to make an impression fast.

Big-ticket outdoor buys take time, as enthusiasts often research tents, backpacks, and kit for weeks before pulling the trigger.

That means you need quicker conversions, not a long sales cycle—something that doesn’t always match how the audience shops for this category.

Slow Payouts: The 47-Day Lag

Waiting 47 days for your money feels long—especially if you’re used to offers that pay more promptly.

REI tests your patience—and then some.

Monthly payments work fine once you’re established, but the drawn-out cycle between a sale and seeing the funds arrive can take the wind out of your sails early on.

I learned this during my old Black Friday campaigns—months can pass before earnings show up while your bills pile up is seriously deflating.

5% Flat Rate – Solid, Not Flashy

5% Flat Rate – Solid, Not Flashy

The rate works for most publishers, but it’s not the highest in the outdoor space.

Some niche programs pay more—but they usually come with tiny audiences or questionable products.

There’s no tiered structure here. You earn the same whether you’re promoting once a month or sending serious traffic.

No scaling bonuses, no rewards for going big.

Is REI’s Opportunity Worth it?

Think of that reliable hiking friend who always shows up prepared—never flashy, but consistently delivers. That’s REI’s affiliate partner program in a nutshell.

The 5% rates are decent—nothing wild, but they work.

Waiting 47 days for payments is disappointing, but you get used to it.

The good news? Their crowd follows through with orders instead of just filling carts with gear they’ll never buy.

(If your audience is more into selling camp mugs than sipping from them, the Printify program lets you earn from creators printing their own outdoorsy designs.)

After years of promoting everything from costumes to digital products, I’ve learned that completed purchases beat high traffic every time.

Skip the REI opportunity if you’re chasing quick or massive wins.

But go for it if you want steady earnings from a brand that’s been around forever and isn’t going anywhere.

Your REI-liable partner,
Neil.

FAQs About the REI Affiliate Program