The new Jeep Badge of Honor badge design is out. And like anything new, there’s a bit of controversy in the Jeep community regarding the change.
If you aren’t familiar with the Jeep Badge of Honor program, but want to know more, I wrote an entire article detailing the program and how it works. You can read that article here: Jeep Badge of Honor Program: What It Is and How It Works.
People are generally hesitant to change. But sometimes that change is for good reason.
Here is the latest.
Jeep Notifies Users of New Jeep Badge of Honor Badges
In mid-July 2019, Jeep emailed existing users of the Jeep Badge of Honor. The email said all users were eligible to replace the existing badges they had earned with the new badge design.
At no cost.
Remember, folks, this is a free program administrated by the Jeep brand.
The deadline for submission on the replacement badges was July 31, 2019. So in effect, Jeep gave users nearly two weeks to respond to the offer.
If you missed this window or didn’t get the memo, then you’re pretty much out of luck on getting replacement badges–from what I understand.
I haven’t heard what happens if you run a trail again. Historically, Jeep would only send one badge per trail. But with the new Jeep Badge of Honor design, I’m not sure whether they’re sending out a new badge if you run a trail again. I’ll update this article when I learn more.
Either way, this is something Jeep didn’t have to do. Even though I know some folks have expressed displeasure, let’s all keep in mind that Jeep didn’t have to offer replacements at all, nor does the company even need to run this program.
I think one thing we can all agree on is the program is free and we should be thankful for that. Some have argued they’d rather pay for the old design. We’ll get into that in a bit.
New Jeep Badge of Honor Design
The new Jeep Badge of Honor design is intentional. It’s a dogtag-style design that mounts into a vehicle mount for display.
According to the Jeep Badge of Honor team: “The new badges were specifically designed to closely align with the badges that come on your vehicle out of the factory.”
The Jeep Badge of Honor team has also confirmed they no longer have an inventory of the original style badges, and that those badges are no longer being produced.
The statement from the Jeep Badge of Honor team continued, “In addition to the design aspect, these new badges are much more durable than the old ones. They will not fade, scratch, etc. and have been specifically designed to be able to hold up to the tough conditions that all of our off-roaders put them under.”
We’ll see what the community really thinks after a few years of the new design being out. Many Jeepers are placing their new design badges next to the old ones. We’ll see how the two hold up by comparison over the years.
Jeep Community Reaction
The Jeep community seems to be divided on the new design.
In an informal poll performed in a Jeep Badge of Honors Facebook group, the results were heavily in favor of being able to pay for the old badge design.
Comments on various Jeep forums have ranged wildly from, “Stop complaining, it’s free!” to “I love the new badge design,” to “I’m leaving the program; can’t stand the way these new badges look.”
I’m curious about where you stand. Leave a comment on this article and let me know. I know for a fact the folks behind the Jeep Badge of Honor program read my first article on the program, and I’m guessing they’ll read this one, as well.
You want your voice heard? Drop a comment, but remember when you voice your opinion that Jeep doesn’t have to invest in this program at all.
So be honest, but respectful. Just my .02.
Wrapping Up: New Jeep Badge of Honor Design
Like it or not, the original Jeep Badge of Honor badges are not being made any longer. The new ones are here.
I think, like with most things, the majority of people will adapt and accept the new badges over time.
Folks new to the program won’t know any different. In the meantime, the original badges might make you an old school program adopter and be great conversation starters.
Personally, I can’t wait to put the new badges on my Jeep. I will probably place them on the passenger side (I have the old ones on the drivers side). I haven’t decided yet. But rest assured, they will be on my vehicle. I really like the program as a whole and am thankful to Jeep for doing something like this exclusively for Jeepers.
For what it’s worth, I want to encourage you to get behind Jeep for even having this program for us. They don’t need to do it at all, and the very fact they do says something about their commitment to those of us getting onto the trail with our Jeeps.
Don’t forget, drop me a comment with your thoughts on the Jeep Badge of Honor program!
Until next time, keep it dirty and wheels side down.
~ Eric, Brittany, and #LittleNomad
Still waiting on mine to put on the new Jeep and think heck it is free and I trust the designers when they say they are better so why not just go with the flow….
That new Jeep of yours is pretty sweet. Going to look great with some badges on it Jon! Would love to see a photo when you get it on. ~ Eric
I think the new design fits better with a rugged vehicle like a Jeep! I don’t know if I’m in the majority or minority, but I prefer the new design.
Good feedback Mike. I’m surprised that those not in favor of the new design haven’t chimed in yet. But having said that I’m expecting that they will. Personally I really liked the original badges, but I haven’t received my new replacements yet. So I’m not sure yet what I think. Either way though, I’m just glad that Jeep is doing this program at all. I mean seriously, what other vehicle manufacturer does this? Right? ~ Eric
For a free program, this level of interactive play and award is unheard of elsewhere. I’m VERY happy to have found the app!
I’d done a bunch of the BoH trails before I knew of the program, but Jeep was cool about sending me some retroactively when I explained and offered pictures for verification. I also requested new replacements for my older badges, but they haven’t showed up…yet? Hopefully they’ll be coming at some point. I also notice there’s more Superlift trails listed than I thought so I may need to hit them up again. Still undecided about putting them on the Jeep or not. Maybe after I get the high-lines installed? Thanks for the article! I think the program is way cool and great to encourage folks to get out and use their Jeeps! 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment Tommy. That’s really cool that Jeep sent you the badges retroactively. I’ve found that the folks behind the program are pretty cool folks with a lot on their plate. As far as Superlift goes, I believe there are only 3 out there: Rubicon Ridge, Snake, and Fun Run. Is that what you have? Either way, Hot Springs is a great place to wheel, and if you are heading out that way again make sure you stop at the Ohio Club, and order the Ohio Burger. Trust it. Thanks for the encouragement on the article. Appreciate it. Let your Jeep buddies know. ~ Eric
We *just* started getting badges this spring, and we were able to request the new style replacements for our first 2 trails. So, we’ll go with the new design and they will all match – at least, until another change is made — because change IS the only constant! lol
We have 2 old style badges to put on eBay soon…..
Wait! Which two Andrea? If you have Black Gap Trail or Cedar Tree, I claim dibs! I want those two to complete the collection I did when the original badges were out. Let me know! ~ Eric
Nossir, I have not even heard of those two. I think the ones we have are Fins & Things and Schnebly Hill. Sorry!
Dang it! Ok… lol it was worth a shot. Thanks! ~ E
I’d sure like to have the Fins and Things badge. Never received mine from 2018 EJS…☹️
I would love to trade/buy your old style Schnebly Hill! BoH originally sent me the wrong badge for SH, and when I received the correct badge it is the new style. Really want the old style to match the others I earned on that trip. Please contact me lordi (at) Yahoo dot com
I like the original badge design just fine. The only reason I ordered the new ones is because I never received one of the old ones for a trail that I ran. I also noticed that when the badges I do have arrived they came at vastly different intervals and from various parts of the country. None of them came from “Jeep” or even the Chrysler corporation. I did not know what was in the packages until I open them and still have yet to see one from Fins and Things that I ran the same time is Hell’s Revenge and Top of the World and since you cannot reapply for a trail that you have already run I’m hoping to get my Fins and Things badge of honor by ordering the new badges.
This is good feedback for the Badge of Honor team. Not sure why the packaging isn’t clear that it is from them. They’ve put a lot of work into this program and that branding would be a very nice touch. ~ Eric
I think it’s very 2019 to immediately reject anything new or different. But, if you look at the new design with an open mind it’s a fantastic design and much more modern. It better reflects the Jeep brand, yes, and the designers did their job well. They clash much less and the look is more offroad simple than trying to look “cheap luxury: with all the chrome. I’m in the minority, but to me I welcome this update and Jeep did a great job. The monotone black/silver also lends itself well with any color or look of a Jeep build.
Good points Tyler. The monotone color is more palatable for most Jeeps. I thought you were in the minority too when I wrote this article, but more people (here at least) are voicing their approval rather than disapproval so far. Thanks for the comment. ~ Eric
I have 8 of the old style and 1 of the new (so far). I prefer the look, colors, etc of the old style badges. The new ones look and feel cheap. While I appreciate the free program, I would gladly pay for the old style. Not sure if I’m even going to put the new one on my Jeep.
You aren’t alone L Bigley, I’ve heard several folks say the same. We’ll see how this all shakes out down the road. Thanks for taking the time to leave some feedback. ~ Eric
Haven’t had hands on yet, so to speak, but I like the look of the new badges so far. I wasn’t a fan of the bling and chrome of the old designs. I did appreciate the topo style map and the depth of the trail graphic, but the chrome and the overall glare and brightness wasn’t a selling point for me. I look forward to swapping mine out and earning a few more subdued badges.
Good points Sean. I like that the new badges have the map of the State where the trails are located in too. I really like that feature. ~ Eric
Nice article. I am really enjoying the BOH program. I like to use it as a journal of the trails I have done and gives me ideas of trails to run. I personally like the look of the old ones better, but it is just personal preference. Many people like the look of the new ones better. My problem with the program has nothing to do with with the badges themselves but the BOH app. I had Steelbender checked in and saved in the app and had not applied for the hard badge and an app update deleted Steelbender from my app. BOH customer service was awesome and took care of this right away by re checking me into the trail and I am grateful. Last month I was on Ophir pass with no cell service and checked in successfully. I ran the trail and got to Telluride and got cell service and Ophir pass was gone. I checked in again and it worked that time. I also use Strava and it saves trails for mountain biking. I use it without cell service all the time and doesn’t have these kinds of issues. I love the program I just wish the app worked better. An app update should never loose customer data. The app should be able to work properly without cell service. Thanks Jeep BOH for the cool free program, I would be willing to pay for the badges or app if in the future the program might get cut due to cost.
Crispian, great feedback and I hope the Jeep Badge of Honor team takes the time to read it. I too would pay for the app as a thank you. I know they are constantly working to improve it. The new badges are a reflection of that. We’ll see what happens in the future. Personally I hope the program is around for my kids. ~ Eric
I have done several of the trails and have never heard about this nor have I ever seen any of the badges on vehicles. My daughter was a rafting guide in Moab Ut so I have spent many days and hours on the trails yet, have never seen this before. As for the looks of them, they are A ok. But then again as I said. I have never seen these before.
I’m always surprised when I hear that some Jeeper out there hasn’t heard of this program. I really like the concept as a whole. I think it is great that Jeep wanted to do something to get behind those who have chosen the Jeep life. Glad you’ve learned about it now though. Hope that you’ll give it a shot. ~ Eric
I’m so saddened about the old badges being gone! While I am thankful for the program, the new ones won’t match my old ones and the new ones look cheap Yes I have new ones and know what they look like. I’d definitely pay for the old ones. Thanks. Love the blog.
Really appreciate your transparency Kathy. You aren’t alone. Many would like the option of paying for the old badges. However Jeep has been pretty firm that they are no longer being produced. Having said that, personally I’m thankful they still have the program. Appreciate the super kind words on the blog. Jeep on! ~ Eric
I don’t like the new design as much as the old, and I don’t think the community is “divided” on that issue. That’s obvious by the overwhelming majority that said they would rather be able to pay for the older style.
With that said, I still put the new ones on my Jeep and display them proudly just the same as the others. I just liked the chrome border around them. I understand the newer style is going to be more durable – that’s a plus, but they just look cheaper in quality. I also don’t buy their reasoning that it matches other badging – the new badges don’t match any other badge on my Jeep.
You can argue it’s a free program all you want too, but they’re not free. You beat the shit out of your vehicle to get these – or mod it so heavily that you lose your warranty, which in turn gives Jeep more money for repairs, replacement vehicles, etc.
I have no badges yet due to COVID but that change this spring. I think the new badges are awesome and it free program so what’s the grief. The major complaint I’m seeing right now is just obtaining the badge after doing a trail. From what I read it takes 8 to 12 months to get them. That is really leaving a lot of jeepsters discouraged. Not to mention some complaints are ones check in to run trail and there is no record on file. I’m new to the program and believe it’s a really good thing so I have no idea how long this free program has been going on. Growing pains within the program? I would hate to see it go away. Thanks Norris.