Alpenglow not florescent gleam, hardtails over shopping carts, “on belay” not “out of my way.” We believe that a life rich of experience, not things, is a life worth living. It’s clear that you agree.
Last year we challenged America to #OptOutside and this year the momentum continued. Just like last year, we closed our doors on Black Friday and paid our 12,000+ employees to get outside. This year our list of nonprofit partners, government agencies and private companies who care about wilderness grew–showing just how monumental this movement has become.
We believe in the message. #OptOutside isn’t just a hashtag, a flash in the online pan. #OptOutside is a lifestyle that REI supports, 365 days a year. As our CEO Jerry Stritzke wrote, “As a co-op we share a simple belief that time in the outdoors makes us healthier and happier–as individuals and as a society.”
This year we built on the energy from last year and asked the nation at large: “Will you go out with us?” We’ve had an outcry of support, for which we are truly grateful. Thank you for joining us. We look forward to seeing you on trail again. For now, we’re sharing our favorite #OptOutside moments.
Photo by Instagram’s @ashleitpayne.
Photo by Instagram’s @stef_in_sac.
Photo by Instagram’s @_blair.n_.
Photo by Instagram’s @anaperiodista.
Photo by Instagram’s @chcamari.
Photo by Instagram’s @josephsfusco.
Photo by Instagram’s @matt_rowcoal.
Photo by Instagram’s @krista.jayne.
Photo by Instagram’s @gisellewanders.