There are almost 60 million hikers in the United States!
This staggering stat makes hiking the most popular outdoor activity in America. The figure climbs a lot more when you take the rest of the world into consideration.
As more and more people get into hiking, you can see how creating an online business around your passion can make you a lot of money.
Your fellow hikers are searching on the internet for everything from hiking gear and water bottles to RV rentals and more. Just think about all the things YOU searched for.
All of these products have affiliate programs, which you can use to monetize your website or blog. In this article, I’m going to show you some of the best hiking affiliate programs you can join to make money from your passion in 2025 and beyond.
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Top Hiking Gear Brands
As a hiker, you probably own stuff from these brands or bought from them in the past. Now is the time to get paid by recommending products you love to hikers who are searching for quality hiking gear.
1. REI
REI isn’t just another gear store – it’s a cooperative that’s been equipping outdoor enthusiasts since 1938. With over 15,000 products ranging from tents to trail mix, REI’s affiliate program packs a serious punch for content creators.
As an affiliate, you have a couple of options for joining the affiliate program. You can join through Avantlink, their official partner, and get 5% commissions. Or you can join through Flexoffers and get 8% commissions per sale.
With an average order value of $120, this means you get around $6 per sale. But don’t let this discourage you. REI has a loyal customer and membership base of around 20 million people and their brand name has built in trust which means you’ll convert well. Plus, there are higher ticket items where you’ll earn significantly more per sale.
The 15-day cookie duration gives your audience plenty of time to make their decision. Plus, REI’s legendary member-exclusive garage sales and dividend program often drive repeat purchases, which means more earning potential for you.
Here’s a tip – REI’s in-house branded gear often offers higher margins and exclusive deals. Consider focusing your content on their Co-op branded products, which offer excellent value for your audience while maintaining strong commission potential.
I like REI because they have a rock-solid reputation – when you recommend an REI product, you’re backing it with 85+ years of outdoor expertise. They’re an absolute powerhouse in the outdoor niche which you can’t ignore if you’re recommending hiking gear.
2. Backcountry
Backcountry started as a garage operation selling avalanche beacons in 1996 and has grown into one of the most respected names in outdoor retail. Their affiliate program, hosted on the Impact network, offers some impressive perks for content creators.
The commission structure rewards your growth – starting at 4% and climbing up to 12% based on your performance. You have the potential to triple your commissions depending on the volume you send.
A generous 30-day cookie window, gives you plenty of time to convert those gear-hungry readers.
Backcountry’s affiliate program has dedicated management who care about their affiliates. They’re always ready to answer your questions and help you with your strategy so you can boost your earnings. Want to triple that commission rate? Definitely reach out to one of the experts.
Other program perks include a range of creatives, including banners, links, and a full product data feed to keep your content fresh and current. Plus, their monthly newsletter keeps you in the loop about upcoming promotions and insider tips, giving you a headstart on seasonal campaigns.
3. Patagonia
When it comes to sustainable outdoor gear and environmental activism, Patagonia leads the pack.
Their affiliate program, which you can find on the Impact network, matches their brand values – it’s straightforward, impactful, and built for the long haul. It offers one of the most generous cookie durations in the outdoor space: a full 60 days to convert your readers.
The 8% base commission rate is solid, especially considering Patagonia’s premium pricing. Think about it – recommend a single high-end jacket, and you could earn enough for your next trail lunch! What makes this even sweeter is Patagonia’s legendary brand loyalty. Once customers buy into their quality and mission, they often become lifetime fans.
Their affiliate tools hit all the right marks. You’ll get access to category-specific banners and creatives that maintain Patagonia’s distinctive brand voice. Affiliates that work with data feeds aren’t left out. Plus, having a dedicated affiliate manager means you’ve got an insider to help you with your promotions.
4. Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Ultralight backpackers can benefit from what Hyperlite Mountain Gear (HMG) has to offer. They’ve earned a cult following among thru-hikers and lightweight enthusiasts, and their affiliate program is just as impressive as their Dyneema gear.
With an average order value of $350, their 10% commission rate through Avantlink offers some serious earning potential. We’re talking $35 per sale for recommending gear that hardcore hikers already want.
What makes HMG stand out is their laser focus on premium, ultralight gear. While other brands try to be everything to everyone, Hyperlite knows exactly who they are and what they do best. Their 30-day cookie duration gives your audience enough time to research (because let’s face it, serious hikers love to dive deep into gear specs).
The program comes with all the essentials you’d expect and a dedicated affiliate manager to help you optimize your campaigns and understand their product line.
To keep your audience happy, HMG offers fast order fulfillment, worldwide shipping, and perhaps most importantly, you’re promoting genuinely best-in-class lightweight gear that delivers on its promises.
Focus your content on the weight savings their gear offers. When you can tell readers exactly how many pounds they’ll shave off their base weight, you’re speaking the ultralight hiker’s love language.
5. Columbia Sportswear
You’re probably already familiar with the Columbia Sportswear brand. They have been keeping outdoor enthusiasts comfortable since 1938.
Their affiliate program, hosted on CJ Affiliate, offers a commission structure starting at 8% and scales up to 10%, making them a solid choice for outdoor content creators.
A 21-day cookie duration hits the sweet spot for conversion tracking, and if you’re an affiliate who works with product datafeeds, you can keep your content current with their daily updates.
If you want to target the Canadian market, there’s a separate program available on CJ offering similar terms.
The program really shines when it comes to promotional support. You’ll get exclusive access to offers and promotions before they hit the mainstream, perfect for seasonal content planning. And with a dedicated affiliate manager in your corner, you can get insider tips on which products and collections to feature.
Outdoor Retailer Affiliate Programs
Hiking, a sub-niche of the outdoor niche can crossover with other outdoor categories such as camping or even hunting and fishing. Here are some general outdoor retailers you can promote where you can find hiking gear and products.
6. Amazon Associates
You can promote just about everything once you’re a publisher for the Amazon Associates program. That’s why most bloggers and content creators sign up to be an Amazon affiliate.
While their commissions may be low (it’s 3% for the outdoor category), this household recognized brand converts at 10-15%, better than most other ecommerce brands.
Also, the 24-hour cookie duration might seem short, but here’s the secret sauce – once your readers click through, Amazon’s legendary conversion optimization takes over. Their proven checkout process, Prime shipping, and trusted brand name do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Plus, you’ll earn commissions on everything your reader adds to their cart within that window, not just hiking gear.
Would you rather have 8% commission on a site where only 2% of visitors buy, or 3% commission where 15% of visitors make a purchase? And with Amazon’s massive selection of outdoor gear, you can recommend products across every price point and experience level.
A good content strategy for Amazon is to use it for your budget-friendly gear recommendations and entry-level products. Their competitive pricing and fast shipping make them perfect for beginners who might be hesitant to invest in premium gear from specialty retailers.
7. Osprey
When it comes to backpacks, few names carry as much trail cred as Osprey.
Their affiliate program on Impact matches their reputation for quality, offering an 8% base commission on purchases that average over $150. Do the math, and you’ll see why outdoor content creators love promoting these packs.
But here’s what really makes Osprey’s program shine. They’ve built their brand on customer loyalty, and for good reason. Their legendary “All Mighty Guarantee” means every pack comes with a lifetime warranty. When you promote Osprey, you’re not just selling a backpack; you’re selling peace of mind. That kind of confidence makes conversion a whole lot easier.
Osprey’s affiliate program has a 30-day cookie duration giving your readers plenty of time to do their research. Plus, with free shipping on orders over $49, your audience has one more reason to click that affiliate link.
Osprey keeps things fresh with consistent new product releases and seasonal promotions – think hiking season launches and holiday deals – giving you plenty of content opportunities throughout the year.
Conversion tip: focus your content on Osprey’s specialized lines. Whether it’s their ultralight hiking packs or their travel series, each collection solves specific problems for different types of adventurers. The more targeted your recommendations, the better your conversion rates.
8. CampSaver
Looking for a versatile player in the outdoor affiliate space? CampSaver brings something special to the trail with a huge selection of over 1400 premium brands.
Instead of limiting yourself to a single manufacturer, you can recommend the perfect gear for your audience across thousands of products from top names like Marmot, Osprey, and more.
The CampSaver affiliate program is available through Avantlink with a generous 10% commission rate and 30-day cookie window. CampSaver goes beyond basic affiliate partnerships. Their newsletter isn’t just another promotional email; it’s packed with fresh opportunities to boost your earnings through special promotions and cash bonuses. Combined with high-quality banners and creatives, you’ve got everything you need to create compelling content that converts.
A smart strategy to use with your promotions is to take advantage of CampSaver’s multi-brand inventory by creating comprehensive gear comparison articles. When readers can compare similar items from different manufacturers through a single affiliate link, everyone wins.
9. Marmot
Marmot’s program might seem modest at first glance, but don’t scroll past just yet.
You can find their affiliate program on CJ Affiliate offering 3% per sale. Their affiliate program page actually says you’ll earn 8% so maybe the commissions are tiered. Cookies last for 10 days giving you time to convert readers.
Regardless of the actually commission rates, Marmot’s high product quality and brand reputation can make this program worth promoting. They’re the go-to brand for serious outdoor enthusiasts looking for technical gear that performs in challenging conditions. Their sleeping bags and tents regularly top “best of” lists, and their rain gear has a loyal following among hikers and climbers.
To find the affiliate program while searching on CJ Affiliate, use the keyword search function and look for “marmot” – you’ll find it under the Newell Brands umbrella. While the commission rate might be lower than others, Marmot’s premium pricing means you can still earn meaningful commissions on technical gear purchases.
Consider featuring Marmot in roundup posts alongside other brands. While it might not be your primary affiliate focus, having Marmot in your mix adds credibility to your gear recommendations, especially for technical outdoor equipment.
Hiking-Specific Affiliate Programs
Hiking isn’t just all about gear or even hiking-stuff that isn’t necessarily going to be used for hiking. In this section, you’ll find hiking-specific affiliate programs that are definitely for use by hiking audiences.
10. AllTrails
If you’ve spent any time on hiking trails lately, you’ve probably heard someone say, “Let me check AllTrails.”
This popular hiking app has become the go-to resource for trail discovery, and you can take advantage of that popularity by using their affiliate program.
You’ll find their program on thee Impact affiliate network where they offer up to 10% per sale on AllTrail+ upgrades (the pro version of the free app).
The best thing about promoting AllTrails? It’s a digital product which means no inventory issues, no shipping concerns, just pure trail-finding goodness. The subscription model means potential recurring commissions from loyal users who renew year after year. And cookies last for 30 days so your your clicks have time to convert.
Here’s what makes AllTrails a standout opportunity. Their free tier gives users a taste of the service, making it easier to convert them to paid AllTrails+ memberships. With over 400,000 trail guides and a thriving community of hikers sharing reviews and photos, you’re promoting a product that genuinely enhances the hiking experience. Plus, the recent surge in outdoor activities has made trail-finding apps more valuable than ever.
In your affiliate content, show how AllTrails+ features like offline maps and wrong-turn alerts can improve hiking safety and enjoyment. Real-world examples of how these features have helped hikers can be particularly effective for conversions.
11. Gaia GPS
Freemium products are always great to recommend. Your audience gets something of value for free and you get the chance to earn a commission when the reader upgrades.
Gaia GPS is one such product, a useful hiking app with a rapidly growing brand loyalty and awareness. You can join their affiliate program through Avantlink where they offer 20% commissions on subscriptions to their paid plans.
With subscriptions at $4.99/month for Premium and $7.49/month for Outside+, you’re looking at steady commissions from subscribers who stick around. The best part? New subscribers get a 10% discount, making it easier to convert your audience.
Serious hikers find Gaia GPS particularly appealing because it’s not just another mapping app, it’s a tool that combines detailed topographic maps, trail overlays, and offline capabilities. For backcountry adventurers, it’s less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
Create content that highlights the differences between Premium and Outside+ subscriptions. Focus on specific features like advanced weather overlays and map printing capabilities. When readers understand exactly what they’re getting, they’re more likely to click that subscription button!
5 Tips for Earning More with Hiking Affiliate Programs
Throughout this list, I’ve given you some tips to earn with each individual hiking affiliate program. In this section, I’ll give you some tips to earn more with hiking affiliate programs in general.
Tip #1: Mix and match different programs
As they say, don’t put all your hiking gear in one backpack. Smart affiliates combine multiple programs to maximize earnings.
Recommend premium ultralight gear from Hyperlite Mountain Gear, budget-friendly essentials through Amazon, and navigation apps like Gaia GPS. This approach helps you serve your audience at every price point and experience level.
Tip #2: Promote high-ticket items
A 5% commission may not seem a lot but you can make it worthwhile by promoting high-ticket item.
While a hiking sock review might be useful, promoting bigger-ticket items like backpacks, tents, and technical gear will boost your commission totals. A single Hyperlite Mountain Gear backpack sale at their $350 average order value nets you $35. You’d have to sell a lot of socks to equal that sale.
Create in-depth content around these premium products to justify their cost to your audience.
Tip #3: Leverage seasonal promotions
Timing is everything in hiking – and affiliate marketing. Align your content with seasonal buying patterns.
- Early spring – focus on basic hiking gear for beginners
- Late spring – promote ultralight gear for thru-hikers
- Summer – feature hydration systems and hiking apps
- Fall – highlight wet-weather gear and navigation tools
- Winter – showcase cold-weather equipment and early season deals
Don’t forget Black Friday sales and even Prime Day sales on Amazon. Make sure to check your program’s affiliate newsletter for promotions or contact an affiliate manager to find out about upcoming sales and deals.
Tip #4: Create comparison content
Help your readers make informed decisions with detailed comparison posts. Match up similar products across different price points and brands.
For example, compare AllTrails with Gaia GPS, or feature backpack showdowns between Osprey and Hyperlite Mountain Gear. These posts naturally include multiple affiliate links while providing genuine value to your readers.
Tip #5: Show experience to build trust
Nothing converts like authenticity. Actually use the gear and apps you’re promoting.
Share real trail experiences, photos, and detailed insights. When readers sense your genuine experience with a product, they’re more likely to trust your recommendations and click your affiliate links.
Final Thoughts
The hiking and outdoor gear market is a great niche that keeps growing every year. These affiliate programs offer you multiple paths to monetize your outdoor expertise.
Whether you’re promoting Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s ultralight equipment to serious backpackers, helping beginners find their first Columbia jacket, or guiding trail enthusiasts to the perfect navigation app, there’s room for every content creator in this space.
Can’t wait to get started?
Pick one or two programs that align with your content style and audience needs, and take that first step. The trail to success is waiting. Time to lace up those boots and get moving.
