About Rugged by Nature® - Built from Need. Made for the Outdoors

"Behind the Shot"

We’d just wrapped up a long weekend in the wild — dusty, tired, and more alive than when we started. On the way back, hours from the pavement, the sunset stopped us in our tracks. The desert stretched out below us. Quiet. Honest. Built to last — like the gear we bring out here.

✨ About Rugged by Nature®

Brought together from a passion for the Wild™

Hand–Built. Purpose–Driven. Ready When You Are.

At Rugged by Nature®, we don’t just make gear—we're an outdoor lifestyle brand that makes gear that works. Rooted in rugged durability and inspired by the freedom of nature, our products are built for real-world adventure. Whether you’re off-grid or on the move, we build what we want to wear: tough, functional, comfortable, and unapologetically American-built.

🔥 Why We Exist

Rugged by Nature® exists because too much outdoor gear over-promises and under-delivers. We build high-performance and technical apparel and everyday carry tools that hold up—without shrinking, failing, or making you uncomfortable. It’s gear born from necessity and refined by real-world use for people who live and move in the wild.

Carry less. Do more. Why pack it if you’re already wearing it?

We design functional outdoor clothing and gear that combines comfort, function, and freedom—spawned from nature and built for those who thrive in it.

The  Rugged by Nature® Fire Buckle® Belt – Quick Release, Patented, Purpose-Built, Made in USA was born from a simple need: carry less, do more—and is built around our patented tension technology for unmatched strength and adjustability. As a belt, its primary job is to hold your pants up—and it does that with rugged reliability. But it also starts fires, secures gear, adds unique style, and doubles as a screwdriver—all thanks to the built-in ferro rod striker. I use it constantly—opening boxes, popping paint can lids, and making quick fixes like it’s my sidekick.

It’s the EDC you wear—not one that wears a hole in your pocket.

Ever been the last one in the lake because you’re doing battle with your belt buckle?
Yeah—us too. Once.
That’s why we made this the fastest quick-release buckle on the market.
Because when nature calls, the water’s calling, or you’ve got ants in your pants—you don’t want to be stuck doing gymnastics.

Some of our products, like the Fire Buckle® Belt, were built from scratch out of personal necessity. Others—like our tees—aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel. We just make them better.

After years of buying shirts that shrank weird, lost their shape, or caused skin irritation from harsh synthetics, we decided to fix it. And don’t get us started on men’s pants and shorts—so many outdoor brands cut them like they’re made for a different anatomy. We build ours to move with you, not crush your manhood or give you a moose knuckle.

We make long sleeve thermal tees and base layer shirts that are comfortable, long enough to stay tucked when it matters, and sleeves that don’t ride up when you throw on gloves. You can always push sleeves up—but you shouldn’t have to fight your gear by yanking the shirt down or stretching the sleeves out just to stay warm.

We're not fixated on "Made in America" as a slogan—but we believe in local wherever that is. Fewer ocean crossings means lower carbon impact. Long-term, we aim to work with makers around the world—building gear for locals, by locals.

The world is our backyard. Nature is diverse—and so are the people who call it home. Whether you're gardening, backpacking, or just chasing fresh air over smog—we build for you.

One belt. Built with five tools. Ready for 50 more. Made to move. Built to last.

🌲 Our Values

We will never print an American flag on a product that isn't 100% Made in the USA. Slapping it on anything less is unpatriotic. Unlike some of our competitors, we believe the flag should stand for something real. Some brands try to get away with adding an American flag just because it was 'designed in the USA'—that’s misleading, and you won’t see us pulling that stunt. If it's made in a foreign land, put their flag on it. Before you buy, check the tag—if there's an American flag on it, make sure it was truly made here.

  • Function First — If it doesn’t work in the wild or in real life, we don’t make it. But if it sets a new standard in style too? Even better.
  • Less Gear, More Utility — Every piece should earn its spot in your setup.
  • Built From Necessity — Our best ideas come from personal need, not trend charts.
  • Local When Possible — Whether it’s made here or abroad, we value makers and ethical production close to home.
  • Designed for Movement — Your gear should stay put, move freely, and never get in the way.
  • Nature Is Home™ — From backyard to backcountry, we build for people more comfortable outside than in.
  • Global by Nature™ — We celebrate wild spaces and wild people everywhere. Rugged By Nature® is a registered trademark in several countries around the world—because we believe quality gear should be made for and by locals, wherever they are, to reduce our carbon footprint and strengthen local economies.

⚒️ Core Function + Bonus Features of the Fire Buckle® Belt

  1. Holds your pants up — Rugged, everyday performance with unique style and a patented quick-release buckle

Bonus features:

  • Starts fires — Ferro rod striker built into the buckle
  • Screwdriver function — Flat-head tip on the striker
  • Tightens gear — Use as a utility strap or field fix
  • Modular survival tool — Tubular webbing can be cut for anchors or stashed with fishing line, cord, and more

🧵 What We Make

We keep our print runs small and intentional. Some of our products—like our belts and base layers—are core staples that may return. But our graphic prints and specialty designs? Here today, gone tomorrow. That’s part of the fun—and part of the urgency. Everything we release is designed for movement in the outdoors, built for hiking, camping, bushcraft, and off-grid work, and crafted to handle real conditions in the field.

We’ll also be expanding into women’s outdoor apparel—designed with the same standards of durability, fit, and freedom of movement. Plus, our growing line of hats is built for shade, comfort, and timeless utility in the field.

👤 From the Founder

I'm Casey T. Anderson, founder of Rugged by Nature®. Every product we make is something I’ve tested, needed, or wished existed in the field.

I’ve always felt like a kid in a candy store when I venture into wild places. The uncertainty of what I may find keeps me exploring miles from city life. 

Rugged By Nature® started with one belt, a stubborn fire, and a pack that was too damn heavy. What began as a personal fix turned into a mission to build better gear—for anyone more comfortable outside than in.

If our brand motivates you to venture into the wild of nature, then we’ve done our job—whether you make a purchase from us or not.

Thank you for visiting and supporting small-batch gear with purpose. Your trust helps us stay independent, stay honest, and keep building equipment with backbone.

👣 Where We’re Headed

We’re not chasing trends. We’re building gear that lasts—for people who live with intention.
If your event or project taps into outdoor adventure culture, we’re all ears.

Want to see what we're building? Shop our gear →