Roads Rivers and Trails
Roads Rivers and Trails is a privately held specialty outdoor retailer and e-commerce shop based in Milford, Ohio, serving consumers in the Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana tri-state region with curated hiking, camping, climbing, paddling, and travel gear, plus rentals, trip planning, repairs, and installation services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersMilford, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Roads Rivers and Trails does
Roads Rivers and Trails (RRT) is a privately held, independent specialty outdoor retailer founded in late 2010 in Historic Downtown Milford, Ohio, by Joe White, Emily White, and Bryan Wolf. The company operates a single brick-and-mortar store at 118 Main Street and a BigCommerce-powered e-commerce site, selling curated outdoor gear and apparel across categories including hiking, camping, climbing, footwear, watersports, and travel, with brands such as Patagonia, Rab, MSR, Osprey, Petzl, and Nemo, alongside a small own-brand line called RRT Originals. RRT serves individual outdoor recreation consumers, primarily in the Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana tri-state area, with a portfolio of supporting services that distinguish it from transactional competitors.
The company's business model blends one-time retail product sales at MSRP with multiple recurring service streams: gear rentals (Nemo, MSR, Sea to Summit, Thule, Osprey, Petzl, and others), paid trip planning at $50/hour, kayak demos at $10 public / $100 private, off-site presentations starting at $200, warranty assistance and in-house repairs, and paid installation services for car racks and kayak trailers. Its proprietary Responsible Inventory Initiative (RII) is a brand-partner assessment framework rather than a technology platform. RRT's go-to-market is community-led, anchored by a Backcountry Banter podcast, an adventure blog, monthly paddles, river cleanups on the Little Miami River, and partnerships with 20+ local conservation, youth-outdoor, and trail advocacy organizations.
RRT is B Corp certified (April 2024), a 1% for the Planet member, 513 Green certified, and a Grassroots Outdoor Alliance member. With approximately 13 employees and a multi-stream service offering, the company has built a differentiated position around sustainability credentials, authentic staff expertise (including multiple Appalachian Trail thru-hikers), and deep community integration rather than scale. The combination of brick-and-mortar, e-commerce, rentals, repairs, and educational services creates a sticky customer relationship model within a defined regional geography, with limited but real expansion optionality into additional services or wholesale partnerships.
Roads Rivers and Trails firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Roads Rivers and Trails
- Legal name
- Roads Rivers and Trails
- Website
- https://roadsriversandtrails.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Roads Rivers and Trails is a privately held specialty outdoor retailer and e-commerce shop based in Milford, Ohio, serving consumers in the Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana tri-state region with curated hiking, camping, climbing, paddling, and travel gear, plus rentals, trip planning, repairs, and installation services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Roads Rivers and Trails industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Outdoor Retail
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hydration, Water Filtration & Purification Retail (CRAMAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hiking & Trail Accessories Retail (CRAMAAAD), Outdoor, Hiking & Trail Footwear Retail (CRAAADAE)
Keywords
Where Roads Rivers and Trails is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milford
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Roads Rivers and Trails business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Retail Product Sales: Direct sales of outdoor gear, apparel, camping equipment, kayaks, climbing gear, and footwear through physical retail store and e-commerce website. Products sold at MSRP with price match guarantee and clearance offerings up to 40% off.
- Gear Rentals: Rental program for backpacks, stoves, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, water filters, kid carriers, paddles, life jackets, trekking poles, headlamps, tents, cargo boxes, and dry bags from brands including Nemo, MSR, Sea to Summit, Thule, Stohlquist, Osprey, Leki, and Petzl.
- Professional Services: Trip planning sessions at $50/hr, pack shakedowns, meal planning, kayak demos at $100 for private sessions or $10 at public events, off-site presentations starting at $200, and Appalachian Trail trip preparation.
- Repair Services: Warranty assistance (free with purchase from RRT), in-house repairs (parts plus labor), and Extra Mile group send-back program for manufacturer repairs through brand partners.
- Installation Services: Car rack installation (free with purchase from RRT, $100 for Yakima/Thule systems purchased elsewhere), boat accessory installation (free with boat purchase), and kayak trailer assembly starting at $150.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard MSRP Pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Trip Planning Sessions |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kayak Demo Fees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Off-site Presentations |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Car Rack Installation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kayak Trailer Assembly |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Roads Rivers and Trails product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Roads Rivers and Trails is an independent specialty outdoor retailer selling curated apparel, footwear, camping, climbing, hiking, and watersports equipment alongside its own RRT Originals merchandise line. In addition to retail, the company provides gear rentals, expert trip planning consultations, kayak demos, warranty and repair services, equipment installation, and the Extra Mile repair-recycle-restore program. The store serves as a community hub for outdoor education, events, and stewardship of local rivers and trails in the Greater Cincinnati region.
Product overview
Roads Rivers and Trails is a specialty outdoor retailer offering a curated selection of outdoor gear and apparel across multiple product categories including clothing, camping equipment, climbing gear, footwear, hiking equipment, watersports equipment, and travel gear. The store features both third-party brands (such as Rab, Patagonia, MSR, Osprey, The North Face, Petzl, Nemo, Big Agnes) and their own RRT Originals brand. Beyond retail, RRT provides services including gear rentals, trip planning consultations, pack shakedowns, kayak demos, warranty and repair services, equipment installation, and their 'Extra Mile' repair program. The company operates a BigCommerce-powered e-commerce platform alongside their physical retail location in Milford, Ohio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Outdoor Clothing Technical outdoor apparel for men and women including baselayers, bottoms, fleece, down and synthetic insulation, shell jackets and pants, socks, tops, sweaters, hoodies, tees, and clothing accessories (belts, gloves, headwear, sunglasses, watches, care and treatment).
- Camp Equipment Camping and backpacking gear including furniture, hydration and water treatment, kitchen (cookware, food, fuel, storage, stoves, tableware), lanterns, pillows, shelters (tents, tarps, hammocks), sleep insulation (quilts, sleeping bags, sleeping pads), travel quilts, and personal care items.
- Climbing Gear Climbing equipment including accessories, hardware (belay devices, carabiners), harnesses, helmets, climbing packs, climbing shoes, protection (draws), and rope (cordage, dynamic, static, webbing).
- Footwear Outdoor footwear including trail runners, water shoes, waterproof boots, sandals, lifestyle shoes, non-waterproof low, waterproof low, and footwear accessories such as care products, gaiters, and traction devices.
- Hiking Gear Hiking equipment including dog gear, first aid and safety items, headlamps, knives and tools (fire starters, optics, watches), technical packs (15–70+ liters) with hydration and accessories, youth packs and carriers, and trekking poles.
- Watersports Equipment Water sports gear including fly fishing equipment, kayaks (crossover, fishing, inflatable, pedal drive, recreational, tandem, touring), life jackets (adult, youth, pet PFDs), paddles (canoe, kayak, SUP, whitewater), and watersport accessories.
- Travel Gear Travel equipment including books, guides, maps, car racks (bike, canoe, kayak carriers, hitch mount, roof racks, rooftop cargo, truck bed racks), duffels, packs, and travel accessories.
- RRT Originals Roads Rivers and Trails' proprietary brand of outdoor gear and apparel including sticker packs and branded merchandise.
- Gear Rentals Rental program for backpacks, stoves, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, water filters, kid carriers, paddles, life jackets, trekking poles, headlamps, tents, cargo boxes, and dry bags from brands including Nemo, MSR, Sea to Summit, Thule, Stohlquist, Osprey, Leki, and Petzl.
- Trip Planning Services Professional trip planning consultations at $50/hr including pack lists, meal planning, pack shakedowns, logistical support, Appalachian Trail trip preparation, and on-trail guidance.
- Kayak Demos Kayak and canoe demonstration experiences including public monthly demo events with a $10 donation to a local nonprofit and private demos at $100 for up to two boats for one hour, with the demo fee applied to same-day purchase. Includes boats from Dagger, Liquid Logic, Perception, Wilderness Systems, Native, and Delta.
- Warranty and Repair Services Free warranty assistance for products purchased from RRT, in-house repair services (parts plus labor), and boat repair services for canoes and kayaks.
- Equipment Installation Car rack installation (free with purchase from RRT, $100 for Yakima or Thule systems purchased elsewhere), boat accessory installation (free with boat purchase), and kayak trailer assembly starting at $150 (free with full-price trailer purchase from RRT).
- The Extra Mile Program Repair, recycle, restore, and reclaim program partnering with Smartwool (Second Cut), Rab (Second Stitch), Livsn, Rugged Thread, Bedrock (ReSoul), Nemo, Benchmade (Lifesharp), and Osprey (All Mighty Guarantee) for gear repair services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Waste diversion rate over 90%
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Roads Rivers and Trails
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Roads Rivers and Trails technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Roads Rivers and Trails partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PatagoniacoreThrough RRT and Patagonia's Wholesale Grant program relationship, over $45,000 in grants have been secured for local environmental nonprofits. RRT works with Patagonia to leverage greater resources than operating alone.
- Adventure CrewcoreAdventure Crew connects city teens to nature through engaging outdoor adventures with a focus on fun, inclusion, discovery, community, equity, and courage. RRT has been a proud partner in action since the organization's inception.
- Little Miami ConservancycoreFounded in 1967, dedicated to restoration and protection of the Little Miami National Wild & Scenic River. RRT organizes river sweeps, holds ownership roles, and is a dedicated partner and steward of this resource.
- Buckeye Trail AssociationcoreBuilds, maintains, preserves, and promotes the 1,400+ mile Buckeye Trail, Ohio's longest hiking trail. RRT's doorstep sits on the trail and is part of who they are.
- Cincinnati Nature CentercoreDedicated to inspiring conservation through personal experiences, education, and care for the land with 1,800 acres of forests, prairies, streams, ponds, and wetlands. RRT is proud to support and promote one of the very best nature centers in the country.
- Sheltowee Trace AssociationminorMission to protect, preserve, and promote the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail as a significant national resource for hikers, bikers, and equestrians.
- Valley View Nature Preservecore190-acre nature preserve with mission to conserve land, preserve local history and share it with the community. RRT offers many free opportunities to better explore and understand the natural world through monthly hosted hikes.
- Cincinnati Off Road Alliance (CORA)minorWorks to increase availability and safe access to equitable, sustainable natural surface trails for residents and visitors of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. RRT is proud to support their efforts in education, awareness, stewardship and collaboration.
- Grassroots Outdoor AlliancecoreRRT is an active member dedicated to the independent specialty outdoor industry. Works with other small businesses across the country to learn best practices, build stronger relationships, and preserve the values, service, and passion that independent specialty shops bring to the outdoors.
- Red River Gorge Climbers' CoalitionminorSupported organization for climbing access and conservation in the Red River Gorge area.
- Camping and Education FoundationminorSupported organization for camping access and outdoor education.
- Team River RunnerminorSupported organization for paddling opportunities.
- Girl Scouts of AmericaminorSupported organization for outdoor youth education.
- Team Red White and BlueminorSupported organization connecting veterans with outdoor experiences.
- North Country Trail AssociationminorSupported organization for the longest National Scenic Trail.
- Great Parks of Hamilton CountyminorSupported regional parks organization.
- Friends of the Little MiamiminorSupported organization for Little Miami River conservation.
- May We HelpminorSupported local nonprofit organization.
- Big City MountaineersminorSupported organization connecting youth with wilderness experiences.
- ImagominorSupported local nonprofit organization.
- Groundwork Cincinnati Mill CreekminorSupported organization for environmental cleanup and neighborhood improvement.
- WVXU Public RadiominorSupported local public radio station.
- Cardinal Land ConservancyminorSupported land conservation organization.
- University of Cincinnati Mountaineering ClubminorSupported student organization for climbing and mountaineering.
- Kentucky Natural Lands TrustminorSupported land trust organization.
- Collective VisionsminorSupported organization for community building.
- Friends of Red River GorgeminorSupported organization for Red River Gorge conservation.
- Heroes on the WaterminorSupported organization for therapeutic outdoor experiences for veterans.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Roads Rivers and Trails competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Roads Rivers and Trails social profiles
Digital presenceRoads Rivers and Trails compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Roads Rivers and Trails financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Roads Rivers and Trails leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Roads Rivers and Trails funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Roads Rivers and Trails M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Roads Rivers and Trails
What does Roads Rivers and Trails do?
Roads Rivers and Trails is an independent specialty outdoor retailer selling curated apparel, footwear, camping, climbing, hiking, and watersports equipment alongside its own RRT Originals merchandise line. In addition to retail, the company provides gear rentals, expert trip planning consultations, kayak demos, warranty and repair services, equipment installation, and the Extra Mile repair-recycle-restore program. The store serves as a community hub for outdoor education, events, and stewardship of local rivers and trails in the Greater Cincinnati region.
Is Roads Rivers and Trails a public or private company?
Roads Rivers and Trails is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Roads Rivers and Trails founded?
Roads Rivers and Trails was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Roads Rivers and Trails based?
Roads Rivers and Trails is headquartered in Milford, United States, in the North America region.
How does Roads Rivers and Trails make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Retail Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are gear Rentals, professional Services, repair Services and installation Services.
Does Roads Rivers and Trails have an API?
No public API is recorded for Roads Rivers and Trails.
What industry is Roads Rivers and Trails in?
Roads Rivers and Trails's product category is Specialty Outdoor Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAMAE, Hydration, Water Filtration & Purification Retail, with a secondary code of CRAMAAAD, Hiking & Trail Accessories Retail. Its SIC code is 7900.