Top 16 Best Outdoor Affiliate Programs With Generous Commission

Are you an adventurer seeking trustworthy outdoor affiliate programs? You’re not alone. However, with so many scams, knowing who to trust is difficult. That’s where we can help.

Our team has researched and sumped up a list of 16 trustworthy affiliate programs worth investing in. Each program is thoroughly reviewed, providing information about its features, better commission rates, cookie duration, payment details, and eligibility requirements.

But how do you select the right affiliate program for you? And most importantly, how do you earn money from these programs? We will also guide you through the process, ensuring seamless and lucrative success in outdoor affiliate marketing.

With our expertise, you’ll earn money from outdoor adventures in no time.

16 Best Outdoor Affiliate Programs

Read carefully the best 16 affiliate programs below and choose the best appropriate for your taste and preference!

Backcountry

Backcountry is a one-stop shop for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of products from its line and popular brands such as Smartwool, The North Face, Oakley, Marmot, Smith, and Sorel. It is mainly due to their Gearheads, specialist employees with extensive knowledge in specific outdoor niches like fly-fishing rods, SUPs, or road-bike helmets.

Not only does Backcountry provide high-quality outdoor apparel, but it also offers a variety of gear, including tents, backpacks, and life vests that are suitable for camping, trail running, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, kayaking, and even mountaineering.

Backcountry stands out in the high-quality outdoor gear market for several reasons. Because it:

• Has a high average order value, indicating the premium nature of its products.
• Offers a competitive return policy, ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Backcountry’s customer service is award-winning, thanks to its dedicated in-house team.
• The commitment to service extends to their affiliate management, which is handled internally for optimal efficiency and communication.
• Provides a complete data feed updated daily with all existing and new SKUs, ensuring that affiliates have the most current information.

Backcountry’s competitive commission rates make it an attractive affiliate link alongside REI or Amazon. However, it’s important to note that their website is not accessible from Europe, making it most suitable for sites with a predominantly US audience.

 

Patagonia

Patagonia is a renowned name in the outdoor industry. What started as a small venture providing climbing gear has now evolved into a leading brand in the outdoor clothing market. This growth presents an excellent opportunity for outdoor content creators to collaborate with a top-tier industry brand.

Originally, Patagonia was a niche brand producing rock climbing tools. Today, it has expanded its product line to cater to various outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, surfing, fly fishing, paddling, and trail running. These activities, often called silent sports, don’t require a motor and offer a unique connection between individuals and nature.

Patagonia places great emphasis on ethical practices. The company contributes time, services, and at least 1% of its sales to grassroots organizations combating environmental degradation worldwide.

Patagonia is among the many outdoor brands utilizing the Avantlink network to track affiliate sales. The Patagonia affiliate program offers an 8% commission on all sales. However, the high average order value (over 150 dollars) and high conversion rate (5.5%) make this program particularly appealing.

Once your application is accepted, you can promote links to Patagonia on your site & receive commissions for the sales generated from customers you send.

 

Osprey

Osprey is a renowned brand primarily recognized for its superior backpacks. However, the brand’s offerings extend beyond backpacks to include a variety of gear for activities such as hiking, biking, commuting, and travel.

In addition to this, Osprey conducts regular seasonal promotions and sales, providing affiliates with an expanded range of marketing tools. Other benefits include

• A loyal customer base.
• Consistent new product releases.
• A lifetime guarantee on a variety of products.
• Free shipping for orders over $49.
• The high average order value of over $150
• Dedicated management by Backbone Media.

One of the unique selling points of Osprey’s backpacks is the limited lifetime warranty that comes with each purchase. Osprey promises to repair any damage or defect free of charge, regardless of when the pack was purchased. This commitment to quality and customer satisfaction can drive affiliate link clicks.

 

Marmot

Marmot, a brand with a fascinating history, was established in the 1970s by Eric Reynolds and Dave Huntley. It originated as a mountaineering-themed social club that eventually expanded into creating sleeping bags and other outdoor gear.

Today, Marmot is a highly sought-after brand for outdoor gear and clothing and is one of the most stocked brands at REI. It offers not just men’s & women’s outdoor clothing and equipment like tents & sleeping bags.

Interestingly, one had to hike up a mountain with another member to become a member of the original club. Once accepted, you automatically become president.

Marmot is famous for designing and manufacturing outdoor and travel clothing that combines function, style, and performance fabrics to meet the adventurer’s needs. Marmot has gained an even higher market profile with its recent catalog and web sales expansion.

Marmot’s affiliate marketing program is managed through CJ Affiliate (formerly known as Commission Junction). The program isn’t about driving signups for a defunct social club.It’s about compelling your audience to buy outdoor equipment and clothing.

Becoming a Marmot affiliate is simple. Here’s how you do it:

1. Sign up to join the CJ network
2. Complete your publisher network profile and account setup.
3. Apply to the Marmot Program. .
4. Once you join the Marmot program, you can access all links, banners, and products.
5. Get paid. Marmot will send you a monthly commission check via the affiliate network.

By linking to Marmot’s wide assortment of high-quality, high-performance outdoor and travel clothing, you can add value to your site and earn commissions.

 

REI

REI Co-op has been a staple in the outdoor industry since its inception in 1938. It has amassed a large customer base by offering high-quality products and expert outdoor gear and activities advice. Including camping, hiking, climbing, cycling, kayaking, running, and snow sports.

This makes REI an ideal brand to promote on websites focusing on travel, nature, outdoors, or sports. In addition to its regular offerings, REI caters to price-conscious customers through its REI Outlet.

REI stocks over 200 articles from popular brands like Arc’teryx, Black Diamond, Columbia, and Patagonia. If accepted into the program, these brand pages can provide valuable insights into REI’s most popular high-converting products and a wide variety of product categories.

Earning with REI is a promising prospect for several reasons.

• Provide a wide array of reliable gear along with expert advice and comprehensive information about products and outdoor recreation.
• REI boasts a dedicated customer and membership base of over 20 million individuals, demonstrating the brand’s popularity and trustworthiness.
• The company’s 100% satisfaction guarantee and the convenience of free shipping to local stores are key factors that help convert your visitors into REI customers.

While the rate of 5% may be slightly lower than other outdoor affiliate partnerships, customers’ trust and confidence in purchasing from such a reputable company can increase profits.

 

Camping World

Camping World, established in 1966, is a renowned retailer specializing in RV accessories and other specific products.

With over 10 million households in the US owning a recreational vehicle & nearly 17.2 million households considering buying one, there’s a substantial audience to cater to.

Camping World started as a single store in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and has now grown to become America’s largest RV-related retailer. It boasts over 160 Camping World and Gander RV & Outdoor SuperCenters nationwide.

In addition to its physical stores, they have a significant online presence. Its website offers thousands of top-quality RVs, camping, towing, and outdoor living products. It even sells new and used RVs.

 

North Face

The North Face, often called TNF, was established in 1968. It began as an outdoor equipment store based in San Francisco, primarily catering to the climbing community. The brand’s iconic logo is a stylized rendition of the Half Dome Peak located in California’s Yosemite National Park.

They specialize in performance apparel and equipment for trail running, snow sports, and even yoga. However, the brand is most recognized for its outdoor clothing, endorsed by celebrities like Drake, and even collaborated with high-fashion brand Gucci.

This collaboration surprised many long-time fans of The North Face, who have been sporting their gear for decades.

The North Face’s strong brand presence can help drive significant sales. It’s worth noting that the affiliate program is particularly favorable for affiliates located in Australia and the Netherlands.

 

Hyperlite Mountain Gear

Hyperlite Mountain Gear, founded in 2009 by brothers Mike and Dan St. Pierre, manufactures ultralight, durable outdoor gear. The company’s philosophy is to provide outdoor adventurers with everything they need and nothing more.

By eliminating all non-essential elements from their products, they offer an enhanced backcountry experience with packs, shelters, and accessories that strike the perfect balance between weight and durability.

The team is dedicated to the exhaustive research and development required to create lightweight gear that is durable, comfortable, and improves performance, safety, and enjoyment in the backcountry.

Their products have received various Editor’s Choice Awards and have been featured in numerous print & online publications such as Backpacker, Rock & Ice, Outside, Trail Runner, Canoe & Kayak, Inc., Outdoor Gear Lab, Trailspace.com, Indefinitely Wild, Down East, and many more.

The company’s mission is to be the Leader in Lightweight. They embrace innovations in materials technology and a shift towards a more straightforward, refined approach to outdoor adventuring.

They offer an affiliate program with several benefits:

• Dedicated Affiliate Manager
• Average order value of $350
• Fast order fulfillment
• Worldwide shipping
• Best-in-class lightweight outdoor gear

Hyperlite Mountain Gear is currently seeking partnerships with gear review sites, high-traffic bloggers, and websites dedicated to promoting innovative outdoor gear and the shifting philosophies towards high-tech materials and minimalist design for enhanced outdoor performance and enjoyment.

 

Bass Pro Shop

The Bass Pro Shop affiliate marketing program is an excellent opportunity for those interested in outdoor activities, survival gear, hunting, or fishing accessories.

This program is particularly relevant for individuals in the United States and Canada. This brand has a solid reputation & broad appeal, making it easier for affiliates to promote. In addition, the program caters to real-time tracking & reporting, allowing affiliates to follow their performance and make adjustments accordingly.

Once approved, affiliates can start promoting Bass Pro Shop products on their website and earn a commission for every successful referral made through their affiliate link.

 

Cabela’s

Cabela’s, a fishing gear chain Bass Pro Shops affiliate program subsidiary, offers clothing and gear for various outdoor sports. These include fishing, shooting, hunting, boating, and camping equipment.

While Cabela’s is well-known in the US, it has a global reach, serving customers in 120 countries. It makes it a truly international affiliate program. In addition to its online presence, Cabela’s also ships mail-order catalogs to all these destinations, including all 50 US states.

However, the terms and conditions of Cabela’s affiliate program might not be as generous as some others. Commission rates range from 1% to 3%, so the program might not seem as lucrative.

On the bright side, affiliates receive numerous creative assets, regular newsletters & support from a dedicated affiliate management team. These resources can drive traffic and make the most of the affiliate partnership.

 

Outdoorsy

Outdoorsy operates much like Airbnb but for recreational vehicles. It provides a platform where RV owners can list their cars for rent, facilitating bookings and ensuring a win-win situation for all parties. Outdoorsy is recognized as the world’s largest peer-to-peer RV rental platform, offering a variety of adventure vehicles for rent.

The company’s affiliate program provides content creators with pay-per-action payments on three separate affiliate platforms, allowing you to manage your affiliate programs in one convenient location.

Like Airbnb’s former affiliate program, Outdoorsy pays commissions for attracting new bookings and generating new listings from RV owners.

Apart from the high-paying commissions at $60 or more per booking, Outdoorsy is available in both the US and Canada. So, if you’re promoting outdoor activities in North America, there’s a good chance you’ll be covered.

 

Mapo Tapo

Mapo Tapo is an outdoor travel business that promotes extreme sports tourism in off-the-beaten-track destinations. They aim to support local communities and the environment by allocating profits to develop local climbing infrastructure.

Travelers can book climbing trips on their website to various countries and filter offers by destination, trip duration, climbing skills, and interests. Each tour page provides information about the destination, trip highlights, the guide, basecamps, and pricing. A small deposit is required to book a tour.

The program is available to affiliates from Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the United States. Whether you have a

• Website or blog
• Mobile app
• Video platform
• Newsletter
• Social media page
• Messenger
• Cashback project
• Coupon or promo code website
• Travel agency

You can join the program and earn commissions on completed bookings. Mapo Tapo’s Affiliate Program is unique, with few alternatives. The program is available in English, Italian, and Spanish, making it accessible to many customers.

 

EVO

EVO, a company with a two-decade history, specializes in selling outdoor sports equipment, accessories, and apparel. The business was initially started in founder and pro skier Bryce Phillips’s dorm room to fund his travels and ski career.

Promoting seasonal sports like skiing and snowboarding can result in yearly income fluctuations. However, these hobbies often involve a lot of expensive accessories, which can boost earnings. EVO also caters to summer-specific activities like wakeboarding, skating, and surfing.

While snow sports are a significant part of EVO’s offerings, the company stocks quality outdoor gear across various categories, including wakeboarding, biking, skating, surfing, and camping gear. Like REI, EVO offers substantial discounts with savings of up to 65% on big-name brands.

While the rate 5% may not be the highest, EVO runs regular sales & promotions to support drive conversion rates & offers free shipping on orders over $50.

 

Outdoor Voices

Outdoor Voices, also known as “OV,” is a clothing company specializing in high-quality athletic apparel. The company was established in New York in 2013 and is now based in Austin. OV quickly gained recognition for its “kits” – collections of tops and bottoms sold at a bundled price that could be mixed and matched.

Despite the low % commission rate of 2%, the high-end and top-quality products offered by Outdoor Voices result in a high average sale price. It can lead to substantial earnings for your brand.

Partnering with a high-end retailer like Outdoor Voices that offers top-quality products can be beneficial. Additionally, purchasers receive free shipping on orders of $75 or more, which can lead to high conversion rates.

 

RVShare

RVShare is the “largest and first peer-to-peer marketplace for rental campers worldwide.” It has broad coverage, serving over 60,000 campers across the United States.

Like Outdoorsy, they operate a dual-faceted affiliate program that pays commissions of 4% for each completed stay (after check-in) and starts at a $7 commission for every new RV listed.

While these rates may appear less attractive than Outdoorsy’s affiliate program, the average booking value of $950 implies that these commissions can add up considerably.

CamperShare provides affiliates various marketing tools, including a product feed, text links, and top-notch banner creative. Affiliates can also deep-link to regional landing pages and specific RV types, which can be particularly beneficial in reaching outdoor adventure enthusiasts.

 

Outdoor Gear Exchange

With over 25 years of experience, the Outdoor Gear Exchange has become a trusted resource for outdoor gear and clothing, offering many products to suit your needs and budget. They offer everything from high-end brands to bargain deals, ensuring that they cater to every type of gear shopper.

Their customer service team is always available to help you find the perfect product for your next outdoor adventure. And with free shipping on orders over $49, it’s easy to see why the Outdoor Gear Exchange maintains an impressive average order value of $130.

To get the most out of your affiliate partnership, they offer an array of text links, display banners, and a dynamic product data feed.

 

Outdoor Affiliate Program: How Does It Work?

The process of an outdoor affiliate program works similarly to any product process of affiliate marketing. To run a successful affiliate program:

1. Product selection: The merchant must carefully select the products/ services they want to offer. For example, an outdoor affiliate program may include camping gear, hiking equipment, and outdoor clothing.
2. Affiliate program setup: Once the products are chosen, the merchant sets up the affiliate program, which involves determining generous commission rate, tracking links, and establishing program terms and conditions.
3. Affiliate recruitment: Afterward, the merchant recruits affiliates to promote their products through various marketing strategies. They track the sales generated by each affiliate’s unique tracking link to see who generates sales and how much commission they’ve earned.
4. Tracking and management: The merchant then pays commissions based on the agreed-upon commission structure. Additionally, including providing promotional materials, product information, and regular updates to the program.

How to Find the Right Outdoor Affiliate Program?

Here are some ways to find the right outdoor affiliate program!

• Use Affiliate Networks: Companies list their affiliate programs on these networks, and affiliate marketers can join these programs through the web.

Some of the most popular affiliate networks such as CJ Affiliate, ShareASale, and ClickBank. These networks have thousands of affiliate programs across various categories, including outdoor gear and equipment. You can sign up for these networks and use their search function to find outdoor gear affiliate programs.

• Directly visit company websites: Many outdoor companies run affiliate programs independently of affiliate networks.

You can find these programs by visiting the websites of popular outdoor brands and looking for links that say “Affiliates,” “Partners,” or “Referral Program.” These links are usually located in the website’s footer.

• Use affiliate program directories: Affiliate program directories are websites that list various affiliate programs. They categorize these programs by industry or product type, making it easy to find the affiliate programs.
• Search online: Consider search terms like “outdoor gear affiliate program” or “hiking equipment affiliate program” to find relevant results.
• Join online communities: Online communities like forums and social media groups are excellent places to get recommendations for affiliate programs. Members of these communities often share their experiences with different programs, providing valuable insights to help you choose the right program.

Ensure the program is a good fit for your audience, and the company has a good reputation. Also, consider factors like commission rate, cookie duration, and payment terms when evaluating different programs.

How to Earn Money From Outdoor Affiliate Programs?

To succeed in outdoor affiliate marketing, it’s essential to have a thorough understanding of the psychology of customers who are passionate about outdoor products and services.

Psychology of customers	Affiliates should do
Outdoor enthusiasts passionate about their activities. They value the outdoor experience and the connection with nature that these activities provide.	Affiliate should tap into this passion by sharing your love for the outdoors in your content. Share personal stories, experiences, and why you love the products you’re promoting.
Customers in this niche often use their products under demanding conditions. Therefore, they seek out products that are durable and reliable.	Affiliate promote products you’ve tested and found to be of high quality. Highlight the durability of the products, their features, and how they perform under different conditions.
Many outdoor enthusiasts are conscious of their environmental impact. They prefer products that are eco-friendly or produced by companies with sustainable practices.	Share that information with your audience if a company is committed to sustainability.
Outdoor enthusiasts tend to be well-informed about their interests. They appreciate detailed product specifications, expert reviews, and high-quality content.	Catering to this need by providing comprehensive and informative content. It could include in-depth product reviews, tutorials on using the products, or even educational content about outdoor activities.
Once outdoor enthusiasts find a trustworthy brand, they often become loyal customers.	As an affiliate, building strong relationships with a few select brands in your niche can be beneficial.

Here are some other expert tips to help you stand out:

• Use SEO: Search engine optimization is a must-have to get your website/ blog to the top of Google search engine results. That makes it easier for potential customers to find you and increase your chances of making sales.
• Leverage social media: Platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest are perfect for promoting outdoor products because of their visual nature. Be sure to create eye-catching content that will catch your audience’s attention.
• Stay up-to-date: The outdoor niche constantly evolves with new products and emerging trends. Ensure you stay up-to-date with the developments to provide your audience with the most relevant recommendations.
• Promote seasonal products: Outdoor activities are often seasonal, so promote products relevant to the current season. It will increase your chances of making sales and keep your audience engaged.

Conclusion

Choosing the right outdoor affiliate programs is a journey that requires careful consideration and research. The path to success lies in knowing your audience’s interests, exploring various affiliate networks, visiting outdoor company websites directly, utilizing affiliate program directories, and engaging with online communities.

Each step provides a unique perspective and helps you uncover the best opportunities. However, the final decision rests in your hands. You can choose a program that aligns with your goals and resonates with your audience. So, embark on this journey confidently and make a choice that paves the way for your success in affiliate marketing.