Matador Equipment Will Pay One Traveler $100,000 to See the World

The Brand Behind the Opportunity

Before you apply, it's worth knowing who you'd actually be working with, because the story behind Matador is genuinely a good one.

The company was founded in 2014 in Boulder, Colorado by two product designers, Chris and Jaime, who spent their days working in Silicon Valley for brands like GoPro, Google, and Nest, and spent every spare moment cramming themselves into cheap economy seats to fly somewhere new. After enough travel gear failures and disappointments, they did what any self-respecting designers would do: they made their own.

The first products, including a fully waterproof packable backpack and what would become a cult-classic soap bar case, were built in a tiny spare room on a Craigslist sewing machine, a cheap iron, and a 3D printer, all in the after-hours of their day jobs. These things simply didn't exist at the time, so they invented them. That's not a brand myth. That's genuinely how Matador started.

What's notable about how the company has grown since then is what it has chosen not to do. No outside investment. No crowdfunding. No shortcuts. Matador remains independently owned and operated, which is increasingly rare in the travel gear space, and the products still go through the same design-first process that produced that first backpack in a spare room more than a decade ago. The For The Travelers program feels like a natural extension of that ethos: a brand built by travelers, creating an opportunity that's genuinely designed for travelers.

Source: Screenshot from Matador Equipment Website

What the Job Actually Looks Like

This isn't a brand trip or a gifted partnership. Matador is treating this as a real creative role, and the expectations reflect that. The selected traveler will serve as the on-camera host and storyteller for a long-form YouTube series, creating two full episodes per month for Matador's channel alongside supporting short-form video, photography, and written content.

Here's what the role includes:

• Travel throughout the year capturing real travel experiences across multiple countries

• Two YouTube episodes per month for Matador's channel

• Supporting short-form video, photography, and written storytelling for each episode

• Close collaboration with Matador's creative team throughout the year

• $100,000 compensation paid in equal monthly installments over the course of the contract

• Matador gear provided, including core products and unreleased items tailored to your travel style


The role begins in early April and runs for a full calendar year. It's structured as an independent contractor arrangement rather than full-time employment, which means you'd be running your own schedule while hitting consistent creative deadlines. Travel, lodging, and daily expenses are not reimbursed separately from the $100,000 compensation, so going in with a realistic budget plan matters.

Source: Screenshot from Matador Equipment Instagram, @matadorequipment

What Matador Is Actually Looking For

The most refreshing thing about this application process is what Matador explicitly says it is not looking for. Follower count is not the criteria here. The company is evaluating storytelling ability, creative perspective, and execution, which means someone with 2,000 engaged followers and a genuinely compelling point of view has a real shot at this.

What they do want is someone who:

• Can consistently meet deadlines while traveling independently

• Understands story structure, not just aesthetics

• Has a clear and distinctive creative point of view

• Aligns naturally with the For The Travelers ethos

• Can take direction from a creative team while working autonomously on the road

• Has baseline production quality, whether that means a proper camera kit or simply knowing how to use what they have


One important note for couples and creative duos: Matador has confirmed that teams can apply together, either as a combined submission or as individual applicants referencing the same video. If selected, multiple people may appear as hosts within the series, though there is still one $100,000 compensation package associated with the role. The specifics would be worked out during the selection process.

How to Apply Before March 31

The application process is refreshingly straightforward, though it does require you to actually make something before you submit. 



Here's exactly how it works:

• Create a 60 to 120 second video answering one question: why do you travel, and why are you the right person for this assignment?

• Post your video on Instagram, tag @MatadorEquipment, and use the hashtag #MatadorForTheTravelers in the caption

Your video should give the team a clear sense of who you are beyond your resume, why travel genuinely matters to you rather than just where you've been, and how you tell stories. Matador wants to see that you can build a moment, not just capture one.

The company's founding story is proof that they respect people who make things from scratch with limited resources. If you can hold attention for 90 seconds and make someone feel something, you're already ahead of most applicants.

Applications close March 31. The selected creator will be announced shortly after submissions close, with the role beginning in early April.

Source: Screenshot from Matador Equipment Instagram, @matadorequipment

Paid travel opportunities are not exactly rare on the internet, but most of them are either deeply underpaid, heavily branded, or structured in ways that give the traveler very little creative freedom. This one is different in a few meaningful ways worth noting.

The $100,000 figure is genuinely competitive for a year of creative work, particularly for someone early in their content career who would otherwise be building an audience on their own time and dime. The content ownership terms are also notably fair: Matador retains the right to use the content across their channels, but the creator keeps the ability to use and share the work across their own platforms and portfolio. That's a meaningful distinction that a lot of brand deals don't offer.

The runner-up option is also worth knowing about. Even if you don't land the main role, Matador has committed to selecting several runners-up for paid project-based assignments throughout the year. If your work stands out during the selection process, the conversation doesn't end when the winner is announced.

Make sure to apply before March 31 and give Matador Equipment a follow on Instagram. Your next adventure might not just be a trip. It could be the beginning of a year spent telling the world’s most interesting travel stories.

Frequently Asked Questions: Matador Equipment For The Travelers Job

What is the Matador Equipment For The Travelers role?

It's a paid year-long storytelling assignment where one traveler is selected to host a long-form YouTube series for Matador Equipment, traveling throughout the year and creating two episodes per month alongside supporting social and written content.

How much does the Matador travel job pay?

The selected creator receives $100,000, paid in equal monthly installments over the course of the one-year contract. Travel, lodging, and daily expenses are not reimbursed separately.

Do I need a large following to apply for the Matador travel job?

No. Matador has explicitly stated that follower count is not the evaluation criteria. The selection process focuses on storytelling ability, creative perspective, and execution quality.

When is the application deadline for the Matador travel role?

Applications are open through March 31, 2026. The selected creator will be announced shortly after submissions close, with the role beginning in early April.

How do I apply for the Matador For The Travelers job?

Create a 60 to 120 second video answering why you travel and why you're the right person for the role. Post it on Instagram tagging @MatadorEquipment with #MatadorForTheTravelers, then fill out the application form on Matador's website with your information, Instagram video link, and portfolio link.

Can couples or creative duos apply together?

Yes. Matador has confirmed that teams can apply either as a combined submission or as individual applicants referencing the same video. If selected, multiple people may appear as hosts, though there is still one $100,000 compensation package for the role.

Is this a full-time job with Matador Equipment?

No. The selected creator will be engaged as an independent contractor, not a Matador employee. It is a fixed-term one-year storytelling assignment.

Who founded Matador Equipment?

Matador was founded in 2014 in Boulder, Colorado by two product designers, Chris and Jaime, who previously worked at GoPro, Google, and Nest. They built their first products in a spare room on a Craigslist sewing machine after getting frustrated by the lack of quality travel gear on the market.

What happens if I don't win the main role?

Matador will select several runners-up to receive paid, project-based assignments throughout the year. Strong applicants who don't land the main role may still have ongoing opportunities with the brand.