Editorial Guidelines

How this site works — and why you can trust it

Transparency matters. This page explains how I research and write content, how I make money from the site, and the standards I hold myself to. If you’ve ever wondered whether a review is genuine or a recommendation is paid for, you’ll find the answer here.

My reviews are based on real testing

Every product I review on this site is something I’ve personally used. I don’t write reviews based on spec sheets, press releases, or other people’s opinions. If I haven’t used it, I don’t review it.

Some products are purchased by me. Others are gifted by brands for review purposes. Either way, the process is the same — I use the product in real conditions, form my own opinion, and write what I actually think. Brands that gift products have no editorial control over what I write. I retain full rights to publish a negative review, and I will if the product warrants it.

Roundups and gear guides

Not every product that appears on this site has been personally tested by me. In roundup articles and general gear guides — for example, best paddleboards for beginners or best camping stoves — I may include products I haven’t used myself, particularly where a product has a strong reputation, and I want to give readers a complete picture of what’s available.

Where this is the case, I make clear that the inclusion is based on research rather than personal experience. I draw on verified customer reviews, reputable sources, and manufacturer information to ensure any untested recommendations are well-founded. If I’ve tested it, I say so. If I haven’t, I say that too.

How I make money

This site earns money in a few ways, and I’m upfront about all of them.

Affiliate links — Some links on this site are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate relationships never influence which products I recommend or how I review them. I only link to products I’d genuinely point a friend towards.

Gifted products — Brands occasionally send me products to review. Receiving a product for free does not guarantee a positive review or even a published review. I retain full editorial control.

Sponsored content — I work with brands on sponsored articles and content. Any sponsored content is clearly labelled as such. My editorial standards apply equally to sponsored content — I won’t publish something I don’t believe in or that I think would mislead readers.

Paid placements in roundups or best-of guides are not something I offer. If a product appears in a guide, it’s because I think it belongs there.

How I write

My content is experience-led. I dictate my thoughts, observations, and testing notes — usually in rough, rambling form — and use AI writing tools to help me structure and refine them into readable articles. Every insight, opinion, and piece of advice comes from me. The AI helps with flow and structure, not with generating opinions I don’t hold or experiences I don’t have.

All content is fact-checked, proofread, and reviewed before publication.

Keeping content up to date

Gear changes. Prices change. Products get discontinued. I do my best to keep articles current, but I can’t guarantee every piece of information is up to date at the time you read it. If you spot something that needs updating, get in touch, and I’ll take a look.

Questions?

If you have any questions about how this site operates, or want to query a specific piece of content, drop me a message. I’m happy to discuss any of it.