• by Melynda Fuller , March 5, 2018

The outdoors publishing game has long been a male-centric entity, but lifestyle publication Outside has recently been doing its part to fix that, with a diversification of editorial voices and more-inclusive content.

Today, the publisher announced a new partnership with subscription publishing startup Substack with the launch of Dawn Patrol, a paid newsletter focused on women’s outdoor gear. 

Substack was founded by Chris Best and Hamish McKenzie as a platform that allows writers to create paid newsletters.

For $5 a month, subscribers will have exclusive access to gear reviews, in-depth stories, product discounts and recommendations. For March, readers can try Dawn Patrol for free. The newsletter requires a separate subscription for those already receiving the magazine.

Dawn Patrol is run by a group of internal editors, including executive editor Axie Navas and online managing editor Abigail Wise. Scott Rosenfield, digital general manager, is helming the Substack partnership and other upcoming digital subscription and member initiatives.

A letter from the editors introducing the newsletter states: “Direct reader relationships will help us tell better and smarter stories—free from outside influence. Every dollar spent will go back into publishing more in-depth reviews on women’s gear, both behind this pay wall and on Outside.”

According to Outside, more newsletters will follow in the coming months, including one focused on public lands and another on cutting-edge fitness.