If you're thru-hiking a Triple Crown trail or bikepacking a major trail in the U.S. in 2026, we'd love to hear from you. Big Agnes and Ridge Merino are teaming up to sponsor three thru-hikers and a bikepacker for the 2026 season.
This is more than just a gear hookup—it’s a full-season partnership with two brands obsessed with backcountry comfort, performance and protecting the places where we play.
We're looking for one hiker for each of the legendary long trails in the U.S.: the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, plus one "thru" bikepacker tackling a long-distance bike trail.
We encourage anyone planning a thru-hike or bikepack in the U.S. in 2026 to apply to this ambassadorship program, including those in the LGBTQIA, BIPOC and other minority groups.
Apply by October 15 to be considered. APPLY NOW >
Who We're Looking For
We're looking for ambassadors who:
- Embody the Big Agnes & Ridge Merino spirit: down-to-earth, dirt-loving and dedicated to leaving the outdoors better than you found it
- Believe that comfort and sustainability can coexist—from your tent to your sun hoodie
- Practice Leave No Trace principles and encourage others to do the same
- Are accepting of other trail users, including those in the LGBTQIA, BIPOC and other minority groups
- Love sharing your journey—whether through trail updates, social media storytelling or epic sunrise selfies
- Are based in the U.S. or Canada and are 18+ at the time of application
What You'll Get
We'll outfit you for your whole adventure.
From Big Agnes:
- A full Big Agnes backpacking or bikepacking camp gear kit to support your time on trail
- Trail support and stoke from the Big Agnes team
From Ridge Merino:
- The softest odor-resistant, trail-ready Merino apparel you'll live in: a full layering system including but not limited to Merino wool base layers, sun hoodies and accessories built for high output days and unpredictable conditions
- Ongoing support and exposure from Ridge's content and marketing team
