Outdoor and adventure brands face a unique challenge in 2026: turning seasonal gear buyers into year-round brand advocates. With customer acquisition costs remaining an important concern and many consumers participating in loyalty programs, brands are using rewards programs that connect with the outdoor lifestyle, not just transactions.
Whether you're a Shopify or Shopify Plus brand looking to build a loyalty program or seeking inspiration from established retailers, this guide examines 13 rewards, membership, and customer-engagement programs in outdoor and adjacent retail categories.
Key Takeaways
- Rivo provides Shopify brands with loyalty, referrals, paid memberships, customer accounts, checkout extensions, integrations, and developer tools.
- Columbia Greater Rewards demonstrates how clear earning rules and immediate benefits can support a straightforward loyalty experience.
- REI Co-op Membership uses a distinctive lifetime cooperative membership model with an estimated annual reward on eligible purchases.
- Experiential programs such as The North Face XPLR Pass connect rewards with outdoor activities and member experiences.
- Perks-based programs can work for premium brands without relying entirely on points.
- Mission-driven initiatives such as Patagonia Worn Wear can strengthen customer relationships through repair, trade-in, and used-product services.
1) Rivo: A Retention Platform for Outdoor Brands on Shopify
Platform Type: Loyalty, Referrals, Memberships and Customer Accounts
Pricing: Rivo currently offers Free, Essential, Scale, and custom options. Plan availability and pricing depend on the products and services selected, so brands should consult Rivo’s current pricing page for plan-specific information.
Rivo is a retention platform built for Shopify brands, including Shopify Plus merchants. It brings loyalty programs, referral marketing, paid memberships, and customer accounts into a connected platform.
Why Outdoor Brands May Consider Rivo
Rivo supports modern Shopify features such as checkout extensions, theme integrations, and Shopify Flow. This lets eligible merchants incorporate loyalty touchpoints into their storefront, checkout, post-purchase experience, and customer accounts.
Key Features
- Points, Rewards and VIP Tiers: Create points programs, configurable rewards, and VIP tiers.
- Checkout Integration: Eligible merchants can add extensions that display potential points, enable reward redemption, promote referrals, and show loyalty information.
- Referral Marketing: Create branded referral experiences with configurable advocate and friend rewards.
- Developer Toolkit: Rivo provides a REST API, JavaScript tools, webhooks, and Shopify metafield support for custom implementations.
Platform Context
Rivo’s official documentation confirms support for loyalty, referrals, memberships, customer accounts, customer profiles, analytics, integrations, and custom configurations. It also offers flexible month-to-month billing and allows merchants to upgrade, downgrade, or cancel through the Rivo dashboard.
What Outdoor Brands Can Learn
Building a loyalty program gives brands greater control over reward design, branding, and customer engagement. For outdoor brands, checkout extensions and integrated account experiences can reduce friction between earning a reward and using it.
2) Columbia Greater Rewards
Columbia Greater Rewards focuses on simplicity and immediate member value. The program uses a points-based structure with two primary membership statuses.
Program Structure
Members receive a $5 reward for every $100 spent on qualifying purchases. The program includes Member and Titanium status, with Titanium qualification requiring $300 in eligible spending during the qualification period. Titanium benefits may include additional points opportunities, exclusive access, priority service, and partner benefits.
Key Features
- Free standard shipping for members with no order minimum
- A welcome offer for new members
- Points and rewards on qualifying purchases
- Birthday and member promotions
- Additional benefits for Titanium members
Performance Context
Columbia's approach shows how clear earning rules and immediate benefits such as free shipping can provide value without a complicated progression system. Members can readily understand how their spending translates into rewards.
3) The North Face XPLR Pass
The North Face XPLR Pass connects rewards to purchases and outdoor activities. Members earn one point per $1 spent on qualifying merchandise and can access additional earning opportunities.
Program Structure
Members can earn points through purchases and selected activities, including app check-ins at participating National Parks, National Monuments, and The North Face locations. The program also provides access to exclusive products, events, the Renewed Take-Back program, and opportunities to test selected products.
Key Features
- One point per $1 spent on qualifying purchases
- App-based check-ins at selected outdoor locations
- Free shipping on eligible purchases
- Access to selected events and product releases
- Product field-testing opportunities
- Access to The North Face Renewed Take-Back program
Performance Context
XPLR Pass illustrates how an outdoor retailer can combine transactional rewards with activity-based engagement. Rewarding selected outdoor activities helps connect the program with the behavior and interests of the brand’s customers.
4) REI Co-op Membership
REI's membership represents a distinctive cooperative model. Customers pay a one-time fee and receive lifetime membership benefits.
Program Structure
The one-time membership fee is $30. Members receive an estimated 10% back annually on eligible purchases through the Co-op Member Reward. They may also receive access to member pricing, used-gear services, classes, events, rentals, and other benefits.
REI members may participate in director elections, subject to the cooperative’s current voting requirements and bylaws.
Key Features
- One-time $30 lifetime membership fee
- Estimated 10% annual reward on eligible purchases
- Access to selected member offers
- REI Re/Supply used-gear services
- Member pricing on selected classes, rentals, and experiences
- Participation in REI’s cooperative community
Performance Context
The cooperative structure gives REI a membership model that differs substantially from a conventional points program. The combination of financial benefits, services, and community participation can create reasons for customers to maintain a long-term relationship with the retailer.
5) Backcountry Summit Club+
Backcountry Summit Club+ is a paid membership program offering cashback and other shopping benefits.
Program Structure
Summit Club+ costs $49 per year plus tax. Members receive 10% cashback on the merchandise subtotal of eligible purchases. Exclusions apply to items and charges such as gift cards, taxes, shipping, return labels, event tickets, and the membership fee.
Members also receive free two-day shipping on eligible orders of $150 or more within the contiguous United States, a dedicated Gearhead Expert, a birthday offer, early access to selected promotions, and partner perks.
Key Features
- $49 annual membership fee plus tax
- 10% cashback on eligible merchandise purchases
- Free two-day shipping on eligible orders of $150 or more
- Dedicated Gearhead Expert
- Annual birthday offer
- Early access to selected promotions
- Third-party partner perks
Performance Context
The program provides a clearly stated cashback percentage but includes eligibility requirements and exclusions. Its value will depend on how frequently a customer shops and whether purchases meet the shipping and cashback conditions.
6) Patagonia Worn Wear
Patagonia Worn Wear builds customer engagement through repair, trade-in, and used-product services rather than a traditional points system.
Program Structure
Worn Wear allows customers to trade in eligible Patagonia products for credit and purchase used Patagonia clothing and gear. Patagonia also provides product-care information, repair services, and repair resources designed to extend product life.
The separate Patagonia Pro Program provides benefits to eligible outdoor professionals and environmental workers, subject to qualification.
Key Features
- Trade-in services for eligible Patagonia products
- Credit for qualifying trade-ins
- Used Patagonia clothing and gear
- Repair and product-care services
- Programs for eligible outdoor professionals
- Patagonia’s commitment to contribute 1% of sales to environmental organizations
Performance Context
Worn Wear is better understood as a circular-commerce and customer-engagement initiative than as a conventional rewards program. It reinforces Patagonia’s emphasis on product longevity by supporting repair, reuse, and resale.
7) adidas adiClub
adidas adiClub uses a four-level membership structure and allows members to earn points through purchases and selected activities.
Program Structure
The current U.S. program maintains two related balances: Level Points, which determine membership level, and Points-to-Spend, which can be redeemed for selected rewards.
Members may earn points by shopping, tracking workouts in the adidas Running app, posting eligible product reviews, and completing other qualifying activities. The four levels range from Level 1 through Level 4.
Key Features
- Four membership levels
- Separate Level Points and Points-to-Spend balances
- Points for purchases and selected activities
- Rewards that may include products, vouchers, events, and experiences
- Access through the adidas, CONFIRMED, and adidas Running apps
- Early or priority access to selected products and events
Performance Context
The app integration creates engagement opportunities outside purchase moments. Brands considering a similar model could reward relevant activities, provided those activities can be measured clearly and customers understand how points are earned and redeemed.
8) Nike Membership
Nike Membership uses a perks-based model rather than a conventional points system. Its app ecosystem includes the Nike App, Nike Run Club, Nike Training Club, and SNKRS.
Program Structure
Membership is free and provides access to member products, selected experiences, training content, and Nike’s apps. U.S. members also receive free shipping on eligible orders of $50 or more, receipt-free returns, and a 60-day wear test, subject to Nike’s current terms.
Key Features
- Free membership without a traditional points balance
- Nike Run Club and Nike Training Club access
- SNKRS access for selected releases
- Nike By You customization
- Receipt-free returns
- A 60-day wear test
- Free shipping on qualifying orders
Performance Context
The perks-based approach helps Nike maintain a premium experience while offering convenience, content, and product access. This model can suit brands that do not want their loyalty strategy to depend primarily on discounts.
9) Under Armour UA Rewards
Under Armour UA Rewards combines points with member benefits and selected experiences.
Program Structure
Members earn five points for every $1 in qualifying net spend at UA.com and participating Under Armour stores. Points can be redeemed for rewards that may include Under Armour products, dollar certificates, and experiences.
Members may also receive birthday-month bonus points, early access to selected products and promotions, training content, and invitations to selected events.
Key Features
- Five points per $1 in qualifying net spend
- Product, certificate, and experience rewards
- Birthday-month bonus opportunities
- Early access to selected products and promotions
- Athlete and training content
- Selected member events
Performance Context
The program uses a relatively straightforward purchase-earning rule while allowing the reward catalog to change over time. Clear communication remains important because the available rewards and redemption requirements may vary.
10) lululemon Membership
lululemon operates a free, three-level membership program based on eligible annual spending.
Program Structure
Collective is free to join. Collective Plus unlocks after $500 in eligible annual spending, while Collective Pinnacle unlocks after $1,000.
Collective benefits include free hemming, receipt-free returns, early access to product drops, selected Peloton classes, partner perks, member experiences, and exchanges or credit on selected sale items. Higher levels add benefits such as exclusive product access, a personal shopper, first access to restocks, and selected complimentary customization.
Key Features
- Three levels based on annual spending
- Free hemming at participating locations
- Receipt-free returns
- Early access to selected product drops
- Partner perks and member experiences
- Selected Peloton classes
- Personal-shopping and customization benefits at higher levels
Performance Context
lululemon demonstrates how a premium brand can combine free entry with spend-based status levels. The program emphasizes convenience, access, services, and experiences rather than a standard points-for-discounts structure.
11) Encore at Athleta
Athleta participates in Encore, Gap Inc.’s multi-brand membership program. Members can earn and use rewards across Athleta, Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic.
Program Structure
Core membership is free. Premier status unlocks at $350 in eligible annual spending, and All-Access status is available to qualifying cardmembers.
Core and Premier members earn five points per $1 spent on qualifying purchases at participating family brands. Eligible cardmembers earn 25 points per $1 on qualifying family-brand purchases. Every 500 points can be converted into a $1 reward or used for selected products, offers, or experiences in the Encore Market.
Key Features
- Multi-brand earning across participating Gap Inc. brands
- Core, Premier, and All-Access status levels
- Five points per $1 for Core and Premier members
- Higher earning rates for eligible cardmembers
- Cross-brand rewards
- Birthday benefits and selected partner experiences
- Free shipping thresholds based on membership level
- Extended returns and early access at selected levels
Performance Context
The multi-brand structure gives members a larger set of opportunities to earn and use rewards. It also allows Gap Inc. to connect engagement across several retail brands through one account.
12) Marmot Pro and Affiliate Programs
Marmot offers separate programs for eligible outdoor professionals and affiliate publishers. These are professional-discount and performance-marketing programs rather than a standard consumer rewards program.
Program Structure
The Pro Program provides qualified outdoor professionals with access to special purchasing benefits, subject to approval and current program terms. Marmot’s affiliate program allows approved publishers and creators to earn commissions on qualifying referred sales.
Key Features
- Professional benefits for approved outdoor workers
- An application and qualification process
- Affiliate commissions on eligible referred sales
- Tracking tools and approved marketing materials
- Separate structures for professional users and publishers
Performance Context
Professional and affiliate programs can strengthen reach within specialist outdoor communities. However, they should not be evaluated using the same criteria as consumer points or membership programs because their audiences and incentives differ.
13) Cotopaxi Gear for Good
Cotopaxi’s Gear for Good positioning connects purchases with the company’s social-impact mission. Its community events and past Questival races have also helped the brand create experiential engagement.
Program Structure
Cotopaxi states that it dedicates at least 1% of annual revenue to the Cotopaxi Foundation, which supports nonprofit partners working to alleviate poverty. The company also emphasizes responsible product design and community participation.
Questival was a branded adventure-race format associated with Cotopaxi, but it should be described as a community and experiential-marketing initiative rather than a current points-based loyalty program unless a current event is specifically confirmed.
Key Features
- Social-impact positioning
- Funding for nonprofit poverty-alleviation initiatives
- Community and experiential engagement
- Responsible-product messaging
- Brand participation built around a shared mission
Performance Context
Cotopaxi illustrates how a company can use mission and community as part of customer engagement. It is not a conventional rewards program, but it provides a useful example of value-based brand participation.
Building a Modern Outdoor Loyalty Program
The programs above share several recurring characteristics: alignment with customer interests, understandable benefits, and reasons to engage beyond an individual transaction. Some prioritize simplicity, some use experiences, and others rely on memberships, services, professional communities, or environmental missions.
For Shopify outdoor brands building their own program, Rivo provides infrastructure for points, rewards, VIP tiers, referrals, memberships, customer accounts, checkout extensions, integrations, and developer-led customization.
Rivo’s Shopify integrations include checkout extensions, theme integrations, Shopify Flow, Shopify POS, and customer-account touchpoints. Features such as reward redemption at checkout, potential-points messaging, referrals at checkout, and customer loyalty information can be configured according to the merchant’s plan and Shopify eligibility.
The developer toolkit provides API, webhook, JavaScript, and metafield options for brands with custom requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective type of rewards program for an outdoor brand?
The most effective structure depends on the brand’s customers and positioning. A points program may work when customers value simple financial rewards, while experiential benefits can suit brands built around activities and community. Premium brands may prefer service and access benefits, and mission-driven brands may focus on repair, reuse, or charitable participation. The program should offer benefits customers can understand and use.
How can a loyalty program help an outdoor brand compete with larger retailers?
A loyalty program can give customers additional reasons to return by offering rewards, services, access, personalization, or community participation. Smaller brands may differentiate themselves through specialized expertise, distinctive experiences, or values that are closely connected to their products and audience.
Is a free loyalty program beneficial for a growing outdoor business?
A free program can reduce the barrier to enrollment, but it still needs a clear value proposition. Benefits might include points, free or discounted shipping, early product access, birthday offers, useful content, or member services. Paid memberships can also work when the recurring value is clear enough to justify the fee.
What are the key metrics to track for loyalty program success?
Useful metrics include enrollment rate, active-member rate, redemption rate, repeat-purchase rate, purchase frequency, average order value, member lifetime value, reward cost, points liability, and revenue associated with members. Brands should compare member and non-member behavior carefully because membership alone does not prove that a program caused an improvement.
How does Rivo integrate with other tools outdoor brands use?
Rivo lists more than 50 integrations, including Klaviyo, Gorgias, Zendesk, Skio, Recharge, Shopify Flow, Shopify POS, and various review, subscription, mobile-app, support, and marketing platforms. Availability and functionality can vary by integration and plan. Rivo also provides REST API, JavaScript, webhook, and Shopify metafield tools for custom integrations.
