Here's what our shopping editor is buying during REI's Anniversary Sale this week

Everyone thinks the week before Memorial Day is all about summer preparations, getting your outdoor space prepped for a cookout, and uncovering your backyard pool for that first frigid dip of the seasons if you live in the northeast. But us shopping editors know what it's really all about. Sales. Historically known for deals on big-ticket items like grills and mattresses, now you can expect to see sales on virtually anything. There are enough retailers giving you the best early Memorial Day sales to shop and we're still quite a few days out. Prices are already dropping across almost all categories at our favorite retailers, including REI, the megastore for outdoor recreation. 

What we love most about REI's Anniversary Sale, which runs through May 27 (that's Memorial Day!), are the discounts shoppers can enjoy on name brands we all love, like The North Face, Cotopaxi, Patagonia and more. Because these rarely on-sale items are included, items won't last long so be sure to shop before styles and sizes run out.