For more than a decade, Backcountry Discovery Routes has been synonymous with exploration. What started as a grassroots effort to map a handful of off‑pavement routes has grown into a nationwide network that continues to shape how adventure riders experience the backcountry. But behind the films, the free GPS tracks, and the expanding route library is a nonprofit organization that has to continually find new ways to sustain its mission.

One of the most important — and least talked‑about — developments in recent years is the rapid growth of the BDR Store. What began in late 2022 as a modest collection of maps and a few branded items has quietly evolved into a major pillar of the organization’s financial foundation, helping fund new routes, maintain existing ones, and support the advocacy work that keeps riding opportunities open.

And for riders, the store has become something more than a place to buy gear. It’s becoming part of the culture.

Fueling The Mission

When the BDR Store launched a few years ago, the focus was simple: official maps, a few shirts, some merch, and a handful of accessories. The hope was to provide a convenience for riders and a small revenue stream for the nonprofit.

Today, it’s something entirely different.The apparel and merchandise lineup has expanded dramatically, growing far beyond the handful of items available when the store first launched. Route‑specific shirts, seasonal pieces, limited‑edition releases tied to new routes, puffer jackets, jerseys, hats, and practical trail essentials have turned the BDR Store into a place where riders can represent the routes they’ve conquered and gear up for the ones still on their list.

At the same time, the store has become the exclusive online source for all official BDR maps, making it the natural starting point for planning any Backcountry Discovery Route. Riders who want the most current edition — especially as routes receive updates or reroutes — now go directly to the BDR Store (rather than Butler Maps) to ensure they’re heading out with the latest information.

And that growth matters. Roughly 30% of BDR’s operating budget now comes from store sales, making it one of the most effective ways riders can support the creation of new routes.

Maps, Decals, and  BDR Community

One of the most interesting parts of the store’s evolution isn’t the product list — it’s how riders are using it. Maps remain the core of the BDR experience. Some riders buy a map and decals as they prep for an upcoming trip. Others purchase bundles years in advance because riding every BDR is on their bucket list. The decals, in particular, have become a kind of ADV merit badge. You see them on panniers at ADV Rallies, on bikes parked at gas stations in the middle of nowhere, or on garage walls.

Apparel has taken on a similar cultural role. A BDR shirt or hat has become a subtle signal among riders — a way to spot someone who shares the same obsession with remote trails and long days exploring new terrain. Limited‑edition route shirts tied to new releases have even become collectibles, disappearing quickly and rarely returning.

And then there’s the practical gear: water bottles, neck gaiters, anti‑fog kits, tie‑down straps, lip balm. Items riders actually use on the trail, not just souvenirs.

Continuing To Build Routes Riders Want Next

An even more compelling part of this story is what the store enables. Whether it’s a map, a decal, a shirt, or a small accessory, every sale helps fund the nonprofit work behind the scenes. Route scouting, mapping, reroutes, land‑use advocacy, film production, and the free resources riders rely on, all require sustained support, and shopping at the BDR store has become one of the easiest ways for riders to contribute to the overall mission. 

As BDR continues to expand its route network, the store’s growth is helping fuel the next generation of ADV exploration. And judging by the gear we see riders wearing out on the trail, the ADV community has already embraced it.

For riders who want to explore the full range of official maps and BDR gear, the full catalog is available at store.ridebdr.com. 

Photos by Backcountry Discovery Routes