We test outdoor gear in the extreme off-grid situations it's supposed to be designed for. Then we tell you what holds up, what falls short and whether it lives up to the claims.
Gear Reviews exists to find out whether the equipment people rely on outdoors really performs as promised. It might look great, but how does it perform after weeks of rain, years of hard use or thousands of miles at sea?
Our reviewers are guides, instructors, long-distance sailors and outdoor-industry professionals. Between us we have hundreds of weeks of guiding and instruction experience, 10,000+ miles paddled and sailed, and decades spent living off-grid while relying on the same kinds of equipment we review here.
We publish practical, evidence-led reviews and guides that explain how gear performs over time, where its limitations become apparent and whether it truly deserves a place in your pack, camp or boat.
Our promise
We buy most of the equipment we review with our own money. In most cases the manufacturer doesn't even know a test is taking place.
Manufacturers sometimes provide samples for testing but they cannot buy coverage, influence our conclusions or have any say in what we publish.
Every review explains how the product was obtained and whether the manufacturer provided any support. Affiliate links help fund the site (and our crippling gear addiction) but they never affect a score, recommendation or verdict.
01
Outdoor guide, long-distance sailor & field tester
Adam is a British adventurer and long-distance sailor with hundreds of weeks of adventure-sports guiding experience and 10,000+ miles under sail aboard a 45-foot cruising catamaran he rebuilt from the hull up. Adam has worked with leading global outdoor brands including Helly Hansen, Mammut and Peak Design, appeared on national television in the UK and US, and featured in publications including The Guardian and Huffington Post.
02
Long-distance sailor & outdoor learning expert
Emily Nancolas is an experienced bluewater sailor who has written several books and featured in adventure and lifestyle publications including Sailing Today, The Guardian and Huffington Post. She is a highly experienced outdoorswoman who helped pioneer the UK forest school movement and has inspired thousands of young people to embrace the outdoors.
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