— The gear locker

Tested. Rated. Trail-proven.

Every item here has actually left the garage. Our reviews call out the good, the bad and the ugly.

— Exploration sponsor

Outfitted by M-TAC

M-Tac is our official outerwear sponsor. Headquartered and manufactured in Ukraine, M-Tac is a leading brand of military clothing and equipment in Europe and is growing fast among outdoorsmen in North America. They provide us with the jackets, pants, footwear and other outdoor equipment we wear on every rugged exploration, and we put all of it to work in the field.

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

Exploration

Jackets · Pants · Shoes

Field-worn on every trip: M-Tac jackets, pants and footwear in the slot canyons and backcountry of the desert Southwest.

Shop M-Tac Clothing

Official outerwear sponsor

Proudly Made in Ukraine

Headquartered and manufactured in Ukraine, M-Tac builds military clothing and equipment that holds up to the way we explore.

Visit M-Tac

JB scrambling through a slot canyon in M-Tac Conquistador Flex tactical pants

Field tested

Casual · Tactical · Outdoor

Like the M-Tac Conquistador Flex tactical pants, put to work scrambling through canyon country.

See New Arrivals

WHAT WE COVER

Exploration, Gear & Outdoor Living

The Rugged Outdoorsmen covers the outdoor life we actually live: overland routes across public lands, freelance hiking, desert exploration and family camping. Every piece of content we produce is grounded in firsthand experience and a genuine love for the outdoors.

Desert Southwest Exploration

From the canyons of Death Valley to the red rock of the Valley of Fire, we explore the desert Southwest on foot and by overland rig, starting from our home base in Mesquite, Nevada.

Mike holding Ben's insect repellent in the red rocks

Brand Partnerships & Collaborations

We partner with outdoor brands that want honest, field-tested content. M-Tac is our official exploration sponsor, and brands like Ben's and Celestron have sent us gear to put through real conditions.

Family Outdoor Adventure

At the heart of The Rugged Outdoorsmen is a belief that the outdoors is better shared with the people you love. We create content to inspire families to get outside together, whether that's a weekend overland trip, a day hike with the kids or a night under the stars at camp.

Gear Field Testing

We field test outdoor equipment during actual trips across a wide range of terrain and weather conditions. From camp stoves and sleeping bags to footwear and outerwear, each product is evaluated for durability, comfort, and real-world performance. Our reviews reflect days of genuine use, not a single afternoon unboxing.

Overlanding & Off-Road Travel

We document overland routes across national forests, BLM land, and remote dispersed camping zones throughout the country. Our content includes route notes, campsite details, vehicle kit breakdowns, and honest observations from the road. If you're planning your first overland trip or your fiftieth, our coverage is built to help.

Freelance Hiking & Off-Trail Exploration

We go beyond marked trails to explore wild terrain on our own terms. JB and Mike document off-trail hikes, canyon traverses, and wilderness wandering with the detail that experienced hikers actually need. Pack lists, navigation approaches, and terrain assessments are all part of the coverage.

Why Follow The Rugged Outdoorsmen

In a world full of polished outdoor content, The Rugged Outdoorsmen keeps it real. Every trail report, gear review and overland log we publish comes from direct experience in the field, not a press kit or a controlled demo. JB and Mike use what they endorse, go where they recommend and share what actually happened, including the moments when gear disappointed or plans went sideways.

We believe time outdoors makes people better: better parents, better neighbors and better stewards of the land. That conviction drives every trip we take, every product we test and every story we share.

Make gear worth field-testing?

We're always looking for the next thing to put through real conditions. Tell us what you've built.

Submit your gear