What Backcountry Is
Backcountry is an outdoor gear company. They have been helping outdoor lovers since 1996. Their main office is in Park City, Utah. They sell over 15,000 products from top brands. This gear covers hiking, camping, skiing, and climbing.
Here is what matters to affiliates: Backcountry attracts serious buyers. These customers spend money on high-quality equipment. Their average order is much bigger than at cheaper outdoor stores. This higher average order helps balance the lower commission rate you earn.
How the Program Works
You earn money by promoting Backcountry products. You do this using special affiliate links. If someone clicks your link and buys something within 30 days, you earn an 8% commission.
This program welcomes many people. You can join if you are a blogger, influencer, or content creator. You should work in the outdoor, adventure, or lifestyle areas. There are no minimum requirements to join. You do not need a lot of website traffic.
You will get many helpful tools:
- Official banners and product links.
- Monthly emails about new products and sales.
- Support from a dedicated affiliate team.
Bottom line: This is an easy pay-per-sale program. It works best for people who already create good outdoor content.
Choosing Your Affiliate Network
Backcountry lets you sign up through two different networks: Impact Radius or AvantLink. Both networks offer the same deal: 8% commission and a 30-day cookie.
So, which network should you pick?
- Choose Impact Radius if you already use it for other programs. Managing all your partnerships in one place saves time.
- Choose AvantLink if you mainly focus on outdoor brands. AvantLink is best known for outdoor retail. It gives you better reports about specific product types.
Both networks offer many ways to get paid. You can choose PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, or ACH. Neither network makes you wait until you have a minimum amount of money. You can take out your earnings right away.
The 8% Commission Rate
Let’s be honest about the 8% commission.
This rate is lower than some competitors. For example, Hyperlite Mountain Gear pays 10%. Patagonia also pays about 8%. If someone buys a $300 jacket, you earn $24. If they buy a $150 backpack, you make $12.
Think about this: Some fashion programs pay 15% to 20%. Some software programs pay over 30%. This makes 8% seem like a challenge.
However, the 30-day cookie duration changes the math.
Most programs give you only 7 to 14 days. Backcountry gives you a whole month. A customer might read your review today. If they buy three weeks later, you still get the commission.
This long window is important in the outdoor world. People research a lot before spending $200 to $500 on quality gear. The 30-day window helps you catch sales that shorter cookies would miss.
Key idea: The 8% rate pays well if you send customers to buy expensive items (over $200). It works best for serious buyers, not people making quick, small purchases.
Who Should Join This Program?
We have looked at many outdoor affiliate programs. Here is what we see: Backcountry affiliates do best when they write about specific gear for committed outdoor fans.
You will likely succeed if you:
- Write detailed gear reviews that show your testing results.
- Create hiking trail guides that suggest specific equipment.
- Build buying guides for ski or camping gear during certain seasons.
- Target people who are ready to invest in premium equipment.
Skip this program if you:
- Focus on beginners who want the cheapest gear.
- Create general content that is not about the outdoors.
- Need higher commission rates to meet your income goals.
- Drive most purchases that are under $50.
The program favors deep content over broad content. A detailed post comparing three winter sleeping bags will sell more than a simple list of “10 camping essentials.”
What Works Well (Advantages)
The 30-day cookie gives you time. Outdoor gear buyers research a lot. Your ski gear review in February can still make sales in March when the person finally decides to buy.
There is zero minimum payout. You get your money right away. You do not have to wait until you hit a $50 or $100 limit, which many programs require.
Dedicated support answers your questions and helps you improve your work. You also get monthly news about popular products and seasonal sales. This is good information for planning your content.
The brand is trusted. Backcountry has been around for 28 years. People trust your recommendations for their gear more than unknown online stores.
The Real Challenges (Disadvantages)
The 8% commission is frustrating when you look at other options.
Imagine you send 100 customers who each buy for $250. You earn $2,000. If you sent those same people to a 15% fashion program, you would earn $3,750. You need much more traffic to earn the same amount as a higher-paying program.
The problem is bigger if you promote cheap gear under $100. At 8%, you only earn $5 to $8 per sale. You need many, many sales to earn real income.
My advice: If you are starting out, try Backcountry, but also try other outdoor programs that pay more. Using several different programs helps you rely less on just one company’s rules.
How to Sign Up
Ready to join? Here is how to apply:
Step 1: Go to the Backcountry affiliate webpage. Read the program details there.
Step 2: Click to join through either Impact Radius or AvantLink. Pick the network you prefer.
Step 3: Fill out the application form. Include details about your website, your audience, and how you will promote the products.
Step 4: Wait about 3 to 5 business days for the network to approve you.
Once approved, you can log into your dashboard. From there, you can create links and download promotional images.
Maximizing Your Earnings
Want to boost your Backcountry money? These tips help you convert readers into buyers:
- Create comparison content. Articles like “Osprey vs. Gregory Backpacks: Which is Better for Long Trips?” attract people ready to buy. You answer their exact question at the moment they decide.
- Target seasonal busy times. Promote ski gear from October to December. Promote camping gear from March to May. Promote hiking gear from April to June. Demand goes up during these months, so ride that wave.
- Feature popular products. Check Backcountry’s best-seller lists and their monthly emails. Promoting items that are already trending leads to faster sales.
- Build comparison tables. Show specs side-by-side (weight, price, features). This helps people decide quickly. Add your affiliate links to every product in the table.
- Focus on solving problems. A post like “Best Sleeping Bags for Cold Weather Camping” solves a specific problem. General content like “Great Camping Gear” does not.
- Use email newsletters. If you have many subscribers who like outdoor content, divide them into groups (hiking, camping, skiing). Send specific product ideas to them during peak seasons.
Is It Worth Joining?
Here is the simple truth.
The 8% commission rate is low. But Backcountry works well for affiliates who send them serious outdoor customers who buy expensive gear. The brand trust, 30-day cookie, and good support are strong points.
You will earn good money if you get at least 50 sales per month with an average order of $200 or more. That is about $800 to $1,000 per month at 8% commission.
If you are new or your audience buys cheaper gear, try other options first. Programs like Hyperlite Mountain Gear (10%) may be better for you.
Bottom line: Join Backcountry as one part of your plan. Do not make it your only program. Test it for 90 days. Check your sales and average order value. Then decide if it makes money for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Backcountry have an affiliate program? Yes. They run a program through Impact Radius and AvantLink. It pays 8% commission with a 30-day cookie.
Who should join this program? Outdoor bloggers, gear reviewers, and content creators. It is best for those who target serious outdoor fans who buy quality equipment.
Does it cost money to join? No. Joining is completely free through either Impact Radius or AvantLink.
Are there minimum requirements to join? No. You do not need minimum traffic or sales. Backcountry accepts people at all experience levels.
Can I join other affiliate programs too? Yes. Backcountry allows it. We actually suggest joining multiple programs to protect your income.
Other Programs to Explore
Patagonia Affiliate Program
Patagonia is a premium outdoor apparel and gear brand known for its environmental mission. Their affiliate program typically offers ~8% commission and a ~60-day cookie window. It appeals well to eco-conscious audiences and has strong brand trust.
Osprey Affiliate Program
Osprey specializes in backpacks, travel gear, and technical packs. Their affiliate offering is attractive to niches around hiking, travel, and outdoor gear. The brand’s lifetime warranty and quality reputation help conversion.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Affiliate Program
Hyperlite produces ultralight outdoor gear (packs, shelters, etc.). Their affiliate program often offers generous commission (around 10%) and is well aligned with serious outdoor enthusiasts who value lightweight, high-performance equipment.
Outdoor Gear Exchange (GearX) Affiliate Program
GearX sells a wide range of outdoor gear across many categories. Their affiliate program typically features a straightforward commission structure (about 6%) and tools like banners, product data feed, and a 30-day cookie duration.
Gear Co-op Affiliate Program
Gear Co-op focuses on climbing, camping, and outdoor gear. Their affiliate program is notable for offering a long cookie period (120 days) and solid marketing support (free returns, product guarantees) to build trust and improve conversions.
