About Our Product Reviews
Do We Really Review Everything in Real Life?
We’re proud to say that we’ve actually reviewed every product that we mention on our site in real life.
If we link to a product, you can be sure that we’ve actually tested it in real-life hiking conditions. We aim for at least two weeks of use, but that’s not set in stone, as some products don’t need that much time, and some need longer.
This is important to do because we’re setting a new, high-quality standard. We don’t want to mention any names, but a lot of brands these days base their reviews on other customer reviews or they’re comparable to unboxing/initial impressions. We want to set an example for these brands and do things the right way, so our readers always know what they’re getting into.
Are Our Reviews Sponsored or Influenced in Any Way?
We never accept sponsored articles or videos. We believe that our reviews should stay genuine and that they shouldn’t be influenced by anyone.
We do accept free products from manufacturers, but it doesn’t influence our reviews in any way. This means that the manufacturer can’t tell us to “edit” or “unpublish” our reviews. If the product is bad, then we say the truth. Though, most of the products mentioned on the site have been purchased with our own money.
What Does Our Rating Mean? (1-100 Points)
We rate every product that we review on a 100-point scale. This gives our readers an easy way to understand how good the product is and compare it with similar alternatives.
0 – 30 Points: Incredibly Low Quality, Avoid Like It’s The Plague
It’s rare to find a product this bad. Products in this range are either unusable, scammy, or somehow else incredibly bad. If we’ve rated a product in this range, don’t even think about purchasing it. You might as well take your money and burn it straight away because that’s how bad these products are.
31 – 50 Points: Low Quality, Avoid
Products in this range are generally bad, even if they’re affordable. There are some major durability issues with them, they’re priced way too high, or there’s something else wrong with the product. We wouldn’t recommend getting products in this range.
51 – 60 Points: Would Work, but Not Exactly Great
A lot of products in the affordable range fall in this category. They usually aren’t too durable, come with a useless warranty, and are made by an unreliable brand. They’ll do the job for a while, but generally, we wouldn’t recommend getting products in this range.
61 – 70 Points: An Okay Short-Term Option
Products in this range are generally okay to purchase if they’re affordable. Sometimes, you just can’t or don’t need to invest in something well-made. For instance, a headlamp in this range would be okay to use for weekend hiking, but don’t be surprised if it breaks after a few months.
71 – 80 Points: A Solid Option for the On-And-Off Hiker
Most of the products that we review fall into this category. If you aren’t doing long-distance hiking, and aren’t too tough on your gear, then products in this range will be a solid option. They should last at least a few years of moderate use.
81-90 Points: Well-Made and Reliable. Great for Long-Term Hiking.
In this price range, you’ll usually find products in the higher price range, made by well-known and reliable brands, such as North Face, Patagonia, Marmot, and others. Getting an item in this range is a well-informed choice, and the product will likely last years or even decades, even if you’re doing long-distance hiking.
91-100: Made for Rough, Long-Distance Hiking.
It’s rare to find products over 90 points. They’re very well-made, backed up by a great warranty, built by a reliable brand, have all the features that you’d ever need, and they’ll likely last decades of heavy use.
How Is Our Review Rating Calculated?
Our 100-point rating is based on several factors that are relevant to the item, such as quality, materials, warranty, weight, e.t.c. More important factors, such as Durability & Materials are weighed in more points compared to, let’s say design.
We come up with these scores after our initial testing period, which usually is 2-4 weeks. While testing the gear, our editors look for any issues and imperfections, and then sit down and write a very detailed review of the product, covering all the good and the bad.