">
Announcing the 2025 Badger Sponsorship
Announcing the 2025 Badger Sponsorship
We’re stoked to announce The Trek’s 2025 Badger Sponsorship! This year, we’re bringing you an incredible opportunity to win gear while rallying behind a cause close to the hearts of the trail community. With 28 top outdoor brands involved, $30,000 worth of gear up for grabs, and 22 prize packages to be won, the Badger Sponsorship is back and more meaningful than ever.
What Is the Badger Sponsorship?
For those new to the fun, the Badger Sponsorship is The Trek’s annual initiative to give back to the trail community. For over a decade, this giveaway has brought together backpacking enthusiasts and brands to celebrate the trail lifestyle. This year, we’ve curated 22 epic prize packages, each bursting with top-tier gear, including tents, backpacks, apparel, and more.
But the Badger Sponsorship is not just a giveaway–it’s a fundraiser with a mission.
This year’s sponsorship holds special significance: Hurricane Helene devastated Hot Springs, North Carolina, a beloved Appalachian Trail town cherished by countless hikers–a place where stories are shared, friendships are formed, and the spirit of the trail thrives. In response, we’re partnering with Rebuild Hot Springs Area (RHSA) to aid in the recovery and restoration of this iconic trail haven. Together, we can ensure its vibrant community and essential services are restored.
Our goal? Raise $35,000 to fuel RHSA’s recovery efforts. With your support and the generosity of our incredible brand partners, we believe this ambitious target is within reach.
Every dollar raised doesn’t just get you closer to winning—it helps rebuild a trail town that has given so much to the hiking community. 100% of proceeds from this year’s campaign will directly support RHSA’s efforts to restore Hot Springs.
How It Works
Getting involved is as easy as strapping on your pack! For each dollar you donate through our BetterWorld fundraising campaign, you earn an entry into the contest. The more you contribute, the greater your chances of winning. So, if you have a love for free outdoor gear and want to play a role in rebuilding Hot Springs, get entering!
The Sponsors
This year’s sponsorship wouldn’t be possible without the support of 28 amazing brands who have come together to make a difference. Their generosity not only celebrates the hiking community but also underscores the importance of preserving trail culture. A massive thank you to Gossamer Gear, Farm to Feet, Sawyer, Jetboil, Good To-Go Inc., Big Agnes, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Bedrock Sandals, Ombraz, Mountainsmith, Katabatic Gear, Ursack, Purple Rain Adventure Skirts, LiteAF, Sambob, Cnoc, Townshirt Co., FarOut, Durston Gear, Feathered Friends, Glacial Gear, SWD Backpacks, Backpacker’s Pantry, Astronaut Foods, Farm to Summit, Packit Gourmet, and Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear.
The Prizes
This year, we’re upping the ante with 22 prize packages, each valued at approximately $1400. Not only do you win some of the best gear in the industry, but you can walk away feeling satisfied knowing that you donated to an incredible cause.
Curious about what’s up for grabs this year? Take a peek at the prize packages below, enter the giveaway through our BetterWorld campaign, and keep your fingers crossed. The entry deadline is on February 13, 2025
To recap: $1 = 1 entry. Anyone in the US over the age of 18 is eligible to enter and win a randomly assigned prize package. The Badger Sponsorship concludes on February 13, 2025.
So, what are you waiting for? Check out our BetterWorld campaign and make your mark on the 2025 Badger Sponsorship! It’s time to gear up and make a difference.
Prize #1
One (1) Gossamer Gear The One
One (1) Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
One (1) Big Agnes Women’s Roxy Ann 3N1 15 degree sleeping bag
One (1) Jetboil Flash Java System
One (1) Bedrock Sandals Sandal of your choice
One (1) Purple Rain Adventure Skirts Adventure Kilt – ultralight kilt with pockets
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Packit Gourmet $100 Gift Certificate
Six (6) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #2
One (1) Gossamer Gear The One
One (1) Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
One (1) Glacial Gear Custom Merino wool sleeping bag liner
One (1) Jetboil Flash Java System
One (1) Bedrock Sandals Sandal of choice
One (1) Purple Rain Adventure Skirts Adventure Skirt (Purple) – hiking skirt with pockets
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Packit Gourmet $100 Gift Certificate
Six (6) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #3
One (1) Gossamer Gear The One
One (1) Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
One (1) Glacial Gear Custom Merino wool sleeping bag liner
One (1) Jetboil MiniMo Cooking System
One (1) Bedrock Sandals Sandal of choice
One (1) Purple Rain Adventure Skirts Adventure Skirt (Purple) – hiking skirt with pockets
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Packit Gourmet $100 Gift Certificate
Six (6) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #4
One (1) Gossamer Gear The One
One (1) Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
One (1) Glacial Gear Custom Merino wool sleeping bag liner
One (1) Jetboil MiniMo Cooking System
One (1) Bedrock Sandals Sandal of choice
One (1) Feathered Friends Down Booties (size/color will be winner’s choice)
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Packit Gourmet $100 Gift Certificate
Six (6) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #5
One (1) Gossamer Gear The One
One (1) Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
One (1) Jetboil MiniMo Cooking System
One (1) Bedrock Sandals Sandal of choice
One (1) Twonshirt Co. Choice of stock sun hoodie
One (1) Purple Rain Adventure Skirts Adventure Kilt – ultralight kilt with pockets
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Packit Gourmet $100 Gift Certificate
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #6
One (1) Gossamer Gear The One
One (1) Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
One (1) Farm to Summit $150 Gift Card
One (1) Ombraz Any pair of Ombraz
One (1) Townshirt Co. Choice of stock sun hoodie
One (1) Purple Rain Adventure Skirts Adventure Dress – ultralight dress with pockets
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Cnoc 28mm Vesica® 1L Collapsible Bottle
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #7
One (1) Gossamer Gear The One
One (1) Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
One (1) Jetboil Stash Cooking System
One (1) Ombraz Any pair of Ombraz
One (1) Townshirt Co. Choice of stock sun hoodie
One (1) Purple Rain Adventure Skirts Adventure Dress – ultralight dress with pockets
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Cnoc 28mm Vesica® 1L Collapsible Bottle
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #8
One (1) Gossamer Gear The One
One (1) Farm to Summit $150 Gift Card
One (1) Jetboil Stash Cooking System
One (1) Ombraz Any pair of Ombraz
One (1) Townshirt Co. Choice of in stock grid fleece
One (1) LiteAF Feather Weight Fanny Pack (Any Color)
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Cnoc 28mm Vesica® 1L Collapsible Bottle
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #9
One (1) Big Agnes Tent – Fly Creek HV UL2 Solution Dye w/Footprint
One (1) Katabatic Gear Ultralight Down Jacket of choice
One (1) Jetboil Flash Cooking System
One (1) Jetboil TrailWare
One (1) Sambob Custom Pillow Line hoodie
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Cnoc 28mm Vesica® 1L Collapsible Bottle
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
Ten (10) Good To-Go Inc. Single-serving meals
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #10
One (1) Gossamer Gear The One
One (1) Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
One (1) Feathered Friends NEW Eos Down Jacket
One (1) Jetboil TrailWare
One (1) Townshirt Co. Choice of in stock grid fleece
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Cnoc 28mm Vesica® 1L Collapsible Bottle
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
Ten (10) Good To-Go Inc. Single-serving meals
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #11
One (1) Durston Gear X-Mid 2 Tent
One (1) Katabatic Gear Ultralight Down Jacket of choice
One (1) Jetboil Flash Cooking System
One (1) Mountainsmith Andesite Trekking Pole
One (1) Sambob Small batch series hoodie of winners choice
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Cnoc 28mm Vesica® 1L Collapsible Bottle
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
Ten (10) Good To-Go Inc. Single-serving meals
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #12
One (1) Gossamer Gear The One
One (1) Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
One (1) Jetboil Stash Cooking System
One (1) Ombraz Any pair of Ombraz
One (1) Farm to Summit $200 Gift Card
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Cnoc 28mm Vesica® 1L Collapsible Bottle
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #13
One (1) Gossamer Gear The Two
One (1) Mountainsmith Andesite Trekking Pole
One (1) Jetboil MightyMo Cook Kit
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Cnoc 28mm Vesica® 1L Collapsible Bottle
One (1) Astronaut Foods Outer Space Food Survival Kit
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) FarOut Pacific Crest Trail Guide
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #14
One (1) Gossamer Gear The Two
One (1) Big Agnes Pad – Circle Back Insulated Fully Recyclable size 25×72
One (1) FarOut Appalachian Trail Guide
One (1) SWD Backpacks DCF Lunch Boxes
One (1) Jetboil TrailWare
Ten (10) Good To-Go Inc. Single-serving meals
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 40L or 50L Backpack
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #15
One (1) Gossamer Gear The Two
One (1) FarOut Pacific Crest Trail Guide
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) Backpacker’s Pantry Backpacker’s Pantry 14-day Emergency Meal Kit
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Cnoc 28mm Vesica® 1L Collapsible Bottle
One (1) Jetboil TrailWare
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #16
One (1) Gossamer Gear The Two
One (1) Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
One (1) FarOut Pacific Crest Trail Guide
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
Ten (10) Good To-Go Inc. Single-serving meals
One (1) Jetboil TrailWare
One (1) Townshirt Co. Choice of in stock grid fleece
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #17
One (1) Gossamer Gear The Two
One (1) Mountainsmith Zerk 40
One (1) FarOut Continental Divide Trail Guide
One (1) Jetboil Stash Cooking System
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
Ten (10) Good To-Go Inc. Single-serving meals
One (1) Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear Switch Pack (your choice of size and colors!)
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #18
One (1) Gossamer Gear The Two
One (1) Mountainsmith Zerk 40
One (1) FarOut Continental Divide Trail Guide
One (1) Jetboil TrailWare
One (1) Jetboil MiniMo Cooking System
One (1) Hyperlite Unbound 2-Person Tent
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
Ten (10) Good To-Go Inc. Single-serving meals
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #19
One (1) Gossamer Gear The Two
One (1) SWD Backpacks Wolverine Backpack
One (1) FarOut Continental Divide Trail Guide
One (1) Jetboil TrailWare
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
Ten (10) Good To-Go Inc. Single-serving meals
One (1) Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear Short Water Bottle Sleeve
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #20
One (1) Gossamer Gear The Two
One (1) LiteAF Dyneema 46L Curve Full Suspension Custom Backpack
One (1) FarOut Appalachian Trail Guide
One (1) Jetboil TrailWare
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
Ten (10) Good To-Go Inc. Single-serving meals
One (1) Sambob Custom microgrid or alpha hoodie
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #21
One (1) Gossamer Gear The Two
One (1) Durston Kakwa 55 Ultra 200X Backpack
One (1) FarOut Appalachian Trail Guide
One (1) SWD DCF Lunch Boxes
One (1) Jetboil TrailWare
Ten (10) Good To-Go Inc. Single-serving meals
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) Hyperlite Unbound 55 Pack
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Prize #22
One (1) Gossamer Gear The Two
One (1) FarOut Pacific Crest Trail Guide
Seven (7) Farm to Feet American Trail Damascus Light Targeted Cushion 3/4 Crew Sock
One (1) Astronaut Foods Outer Space Food Survival Kit
One (1) Cnoc 2L VectoX’s
One (1) Cnoc 28mm Vesica® 1L Collapsible Bottle
One (1) Jetboil TrailWare
One (1) Sawyer Prize Package
Note that by entering this Sweepstakes, you are agreeing to receive emails from The Trek and supporting brand partners until you choose to unsubscribe.
King Size Sponsors (>$3,500 Donation Value)
Ramen Level Sponsors ($1700 – $1900 Donation Value)
Trail Mix Level Sponsors (>$500 Donation Value)
This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!
To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.
Comments 5
Are donations/entries tax deductible? I can’t seem to find that info anywhere.
Not even going to enter – Hot Springs is working to bring back their racist plaque honoring Robert E. Lee. Had a hiking buddy that was Latino who was refused service by the hardware store in Hot Springs. I will not give that racist community a dime
The email above says that 100% of money goes to hot springs relief ….BUT, when you make the donation amount and go to checkout, a line item comes up reflecting actual donation to the charity is 6.1%. What the heck?
Can someone clarify this?
This sounds like a good cause, but I’d also like this clarified before I donate. Surely, this is a typo. 6.1% isn’t much going to the charity. Where does the other 93.9% go? Please inform. Thanks.
Hey, there! So sorry for the late response. And thanks for your question! To clarify, 100% of the proceeds from this fundraiser go directly to our non-profit partner, RHSA. The Trek does not take any portion of the donations.
However, there are transaction-related fees that appear at checkout, which may have caused some confusion:
1, Credit Card Processing Fees – Stripe, the payment processor, charges a small transaction fee. Unless the donor opts to cover this fee themselves at checkout, it is deducted from the donation amount. This is standard for any online credit card transaction.
2. Optional Donation to BetterWorld – BetterWorld, the platform hosting this fundraiser, offers its services for free to nonprofits. To sustain this model, they suggest an optional donation, which donors can remove at checkout if they prefer.
So while RHSA receives 100% of what is collected, there is a processing fee, and the donor has the option to cover that cost. If you’d like more details, here are links that explain how BetterWorld operates:
How BetterWorld Makes Money: https://help.betterworld.org/en/articles/8553611-how-does-betterworld-make-money
Credit Card Processing Fees: https://help.betterworld.org/en/articles/8558015-what-are-the-credit-card-processing-fees-who-covers-them
Let us know if you have any other questions! 🙂