Advertise

Our readers aren’t chasing trends or empty badges of craftsmanship. They’re the types who check the selvedge, run a thumb along raw denim, and appreciate a good story behind your brand. Curiosity drives them; patience keeps them circling back. If something lands on Rugged Rookie, it’s because it’s survived a level of scrutiny that would send most gear running for the hills.

Aimless browsing? Not really our crowd. Folks here look for pieces that earn their keep, whether it’s a denim jacket or a hand-stitched boot. Rugged Rookie is where a product’s story gets told—not just the parts polished for marketing, but the bits worth hearing around a campfire. If durability, design, or a genuine backstory matters to you, pull up a chair. And if you’re a brand who thinks you’ve got the goods, tap us at advertise@ruggedrookie.com.

There’s a clear line here between what’s written and what’s paid for. Stories show up because they deserve to. Sponsored content? You’ll see it marked. Otherwise, words here earn their own way.

Keeping the site ad-supported helps foot the bill for basics, like server costs and webdesign. Ads might keep the lights on, but they don’t nudge the editorial compass. When something’s sponsored, it wears the badge—not in fine print, but front and centre. Our reviews? 100% ours.

Display Advertising

Straightforward stuff. Buy a banner, it appears; end of story. Whatever you read in the reviews or features—that’s for you, not our advertisers.

Every so often, you’ll spot a story marked “Sponsored.” That tag means exactly what you think it does. It only goes on pieces, products, or brands we could genuinely see standing the test of time. Sponsored content is always clearly labelled.

Curious about advertising here? Ping advertising@ruggedrookie.com.

Affiliate Marketing

You’ll see links—for a tool, a jacket, boots. If you buy something via those links, we might pocket a small commission.

But here’s the real cut: we don’t chase clicks for the quick win. Gear that underperforms? It costs us more in credibility than any affiliate kickback. Trust can’t be bought, and we’re not selling it.

The order is simple. The right stuff comes first. Any payout, if it happens, is well below the top of our list. Shortcuts and shiny promises aren’t really our vibe.

If you want to support what we do, letting ads display or ordering through a sponsor helps keep Rugged Rookie running honest.