Gear Review Policy

Gear Review Policy

The primary purpose of this blog is not to test and review gear, or to derive income or free stuff by doing so. Occasionally, though, I am given or offered something to test or review, and when that happens the following applies:

  1. I usually only accept things for review that are relevant to the outdoors activities I do. There are several reasons for this: (i) it means there’s a much better chance I’ll actually be able to test the product properly, (ii) it’s less likely to clutter up my gear cupboard barely used, (iii) any review I do is likely to be more credible as a result.
  2. I carefully screen the products that I am offered for review, turning down way more than I accept.
  3. The amount of time I will use the product before writing a review is heavily dependent on what the product is and the time of year and weather. If it’s going to be a few weeks before a full review is written, I will generally at least do a first impressions type review.
  4. My gear reviews will always make it very clear when it is a product I have been sent for review, whether that is lent or gifted outright. If it doesn’t say this, then I have bought it myself.
  5. One of the conditions of review for anything I am provided with is that I am free to write an honest appraisal of the product. If something’s crap, I will say so.
  6. When I dispose of ex-review products, any net proceeds after the costs of disposal are donated to charity.