Vintage 1972 REI Product Catalog 8.5" x 11" For Sale

The vintage 1972 REI product catalog is a collectible advertising item that showcases the products offered by REI in that year. This original product catalog measures 8.5" x 11" and was created in the United States. It serves as a window into the past, offering a glimpse of the products and services available from REI during that era. It is a valuable piece for collectors of vintage advertising memorabilia and enthusiasts of outdoor gear.
I had no idea REI sold Lederhosen!
REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.)began in 1938 when Lloyd and Mary Anderson and 21 climbing friends in Seattle, Washington, formed a co-op to source quality, affordable outdoor gear. Starting as a single shelf in a local gas station, it has grown into the nation’s largest consumer cooperative.The origins and evolution of the co-op feature several notable milestones:

• The Founding (1938):Lloyd Anderson, unable to afford a quality Austrian ice axe, ordered one directly for $3.50. Realizing fellow climbers in "The Mountaineers" club needed the same access to gear, they pooled together $1 each to establish a buying cooperative.
• The Jim Whittaker Era (1950s–1970s):In 1955, REI hired its first full-time employee, Jim Whittaker. He later became CEO and was the first American to successfully summit Mount Everest in 1963, firmly establishing the brand's mountaineering roots.
• Retail Expansion (1970s–1990s):Originally operating via mail-order and small local outposts, the company opened its first store outside of Washington in Berkeley, California, in 1975. Nationwide expansion continued, including a massive Seattle flagship store in 1996.
• Modern Co-op (2000s–Present):Today, REI boasts millions of lifetime members and has evolved its retail presence to offer gear for camping, hiking, paddling, cycling, and fitness. The co-op is famous for its #OptOutside movement, which started in 2015 when it closed all its stores on Black Friday to pay employees to spend the day outdoors.