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— 36.8055º n — basecamp

Gear Tested in the Wild.
Stories Forged on the Trail.

The Rugged Outdoorsmen is a family-driven adventure brand covering overlanding, hiking, and real-world gear field tests. We don't review equipment in studios — we take it into the backcountry and report back.

trail log 004
overland • hike • camp
status; active

— What we represent

Two Brands, One Venture

The gear we put through real conditions, the outerwear we wear doing it, and the desert tours we're launching in Mesquite.

Field testing Ben's insect repellent while fishing a desert lake

The Rugged Outdoorsmen

Field Testing

We take outdoor products on real Rugged Excursions, photograph them in use in the right setting, and give brands honest feedback plus photos and video they can use.

JB of The Rugged Outdoorsmen wearing an M-Tac jacket in a red rock canyon

Exploration sponsor

M-TAC

Our official outerwear sponsor, headquartered and made in Ukraine. M-Tac outfits us with the jackets, pants and footwear we wear on every rugged exploration.

Mesquite Mesa Tours expedition vehicle in a Joshua tree forest above Mesquite, Nevada

New venture

Mesquite Mesa Tours

Small-group off-road tours above Mesquite, Nevada: eight guests, a Joshua tree forest at sunset, and desert history told on location by JB. Launching soon.

— The field-test promise

We don't review gear from a desk.

01

Honest feedback

Every field test ends with the good, the bad and the ugly. Brands get the truth about their product, and so do you.

02

Real terrain, real use

We photograph gear in real time, during actual use, in the setting it was built for: desert overland routes, canyon hikes and backcountry camps.

03

Warts and all

If it failed out there, it's in the write-up. Our cooler test called out a missing lid gasket; our telescope test called out entry-level lenses.

WHAT WE do

Adventure, Gear & Exploration

Gear Field Testing

We put outdoor equipment through its paces on real trails, campsites and off-road terrain, then tell brands and readers exactly how it held up. Every review comes from genuine use on actual adventures, not controlled lab conditions.

Overlanding & Dispersed Camping

From forest service roads to remote desert flats, we document our overland journeys with honest photography, trail notes, and gear breakdowns. Our routes cover public lands across the country, inspiring families to load up and head out.

Freelance Hiking & Exploration

We hike off-trail, explore unmarked terrain, and cover everything from day hikes to multi-day backcountry treks. JB and Mike share the routes, conditions, and kit they trust when it matters most — far from the nearest trailhead.

A Father, A Son, and a Mission to Explore

The Rugged Outdoorsmen are father-and-son explorers with a passion for the great outdoors. JB, a Marine Corps veteran and retired Drill Instructor, and his son Mike take outdoor gear on real excursions across the desert Southwest and beyond, then share the stories, the routes and the honest results.

How We Work

From Trailhead to Review

Brand Reaches Out

Outdoor companies contact us about field testing or partnership opportunities. We evaluate each product to ensure it fits our adventures and our audience's interests.

We Take It Into the Field

The product goes on a real trip: an overland route, a backcountry hike or a desert camp. No staged settings, no studio setups. Real conditions, real use.

We Document Everything

Photos, video, and written field notes capture how the gear performs. We track durability, comfort, usability, and value — honest observations from days of actual use.

We Share It With Our Community

Content goes live across our website and social channels, reaching an engaged audience of hikers, overlanders, campers, and outdoor families looking for trustworthy gear guidance.

Partner With the Rugged Outdoorsmen

We work with outdoor brands who want authentic field exposure. If your product belongs in the backcountry, let's take it there together and show your audience what it can really do.

The Rugged Outdoorsmen

Field-tested gear. Real adventures. Family driven.

© 2026 The Rugged Outdoorsmen LLC. All rights reserved.