About Backcountry

Backcountry is an online specialty retailer of premium outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1996 in Park City, Utah, it has grown into a key player in the outdoor retail space, competing with major brands like REI.

They cater to serious outdoor enthusiasts with a wide selection of high-quality products from top brands for activities like hiking, camping, skiing, snowboarding, climbing, and biking. The brand is known for its “Gearheads”—in-house experts who provide product advice.

Backcountry Affiliate Program Overview

The Backcountry affiliate program pays publishers a commission for sales driven through their unique affiliate links. Affiliates benefit from promoting high-end, high-ticket items, which results in a higher earning per sale compared to general retailers.

Factor Detail
Industry Outdoor Gear & Retail
Product Type Apparel, Footwear, and Equipment for Hiking, Camping, Skiing, Climbing, etc.
Affiliate Program Type Cost Per Sale (CPS)

Backcountry Affiliate Program Offers

The program provides affiliates with the necessary tools and favorable tracking duration to convert their audience.

Factor Detail
Promotional Materials Official banners, text links, product data feed, and monthly newsletters with tips and promotions.
Affiliate Cookie Duration 30 Days (Allows a long research period common for high-value outdoor gear)
Accepted Traffic Source Websites, blogs, social media, email newsletters (must align with outdoor, adventure, or lifestyle niches).
Accepted Countries United States and Worldwide (Backcountry ships to 49 countries).
Explicit Content Not accepted (Standard policy for major affiliate networks/retailers).
Religious or Political Content Not accepted (Standard policy for major affiliate networks/retailers).

Backcountry Affiliate Commissions & Payments

The program offers a competitive commission structure within the outdoor niche, especially when considering the brand’s high average order value.

Factor Detail
MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) No, this is a standard affiliate marketing program.
Commission Rate 4% – 12% (Sliding scale, often averaging 8%)
Commission Structure Percentage of Sale (CPS)
Payout Frequency Monthly (Varies slightly based on the affiliate network—Impact Radius or AvantLink).
Payout Methods PayPal, Direct Deposit (ACH), Check, or Wire Transfer (Varies by network).
Minimum Payout None (Zero minimum payout balance is required).

Suitable Affiliates for Backcountry Affiliate

This program is highly suitable for content creators whose audience trusts their gear recommendations and is prepared to invest in premium equipment.

Role Suitability for Backcountry
Bloggers High. Ideal for writing detailed gear reviews, comparison articles, and comprehensive trail/activity guides.
TikTokers/Influencers High. Excellent for creating short-form content featuring high-end gear in action, “What’s in my pack,” and outdoor challenges.
KOC/KOL High. Content creators who have established trust and authority within the niche, especially those reviewing premium equipment.
YouTubers/Livestreamers High. Perfect for creating video gear reviews, trip vlogs, setup guides (e.g., camping kitchen setup), and seasonal buying guides.
Video Editors Indirect. They create the content, but the success lies with the channel/creator promoting the products.

Backcountry Affiliate Software

Backcountry does not use proprietary in-house affiliate management software exclusively. Instead, they manage their affiliate program through established, third-party affiliate networks:

  • Impact Radius
  • AvantLink

Affiliates choose which network to join, and the networks provide the tracking, reporting, and payment management. AvantLink is often preferred by those focused primarily on the outdoor industry.

3 Alternatives for Backcountry Affiliate Program

Here is a comparison of the Backcountry program with three popular alternatives in the outdoor retail space: REI Co-op, Patagonia, and Osprey.

Comparison Factor Backcountry REI Co-op Patagonia Osprey
Average Order Value High (Sells high-end/premium gear) Medium-High (Wide range of products) High (Sells premium, ethically-sourced apparel) Medium-High (Focus on high-quality packs)
Entry Fees None None None None
Withdrawal Threshold None Varies by network (often $10-50) Varies by network (often $10-50) Varies by network (often $10-50)
Payment Frequency Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly
Commission 4%-12% (Avg. 8%) 5% Varies (Approx. 8%) Up to 10%
Conversion High (Targeting serious buyers) High (Brand loyalty/membership) High (Strong brand values/sustainability) High (Specialized high-trust product)
Cookie Duration 30 Days 15 Days 30 Days (Often 90 Days with AvantLink) 30 Days
Marketing Materials Banners, Data Feed, Newsletters Banners, Text Links Banners, Text Links Banners, Text Links