Gear Reviews
Gear I have actually carried.
Every piece of gear here went on my own hikes, got weighed on my own scale and photographed on the trail. When a brand sends me something for free, I say so at the top of the review.
How I test gear
- On real hikes. Every item comes with me on my own day hikes and multi-day trips, the same trails you can read about in my trail diaries. I only write a review after I've used the gear properly, and I add dated updates as it ages.
- Weighed on my own scale. Each review shows what the gear weighs on my scale next to the brand's claim, and compares it with similar gear from HikeLoad's gear weight database.
- My own photos. Every photo in a review is mine: on the trail, packed, and up close.
My review policy
- Brands never see a review before it goes live, and they have no say in the verdict.
- No one pays for a review or a score. HikeLoad doesn't sell rankings or placements.
- The downsides always go in. If something annoyed me on the trail, you'll read about it.
- If a brand sent me the gear for free or on loan, I say so at the top of the review. Links to the brand are marked as sponsored.
- Some shop links are affiliate links: HikeLoad earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. That never decides what I write. Affiliate disclosure
Are you a gear brand?
I'm always looking for gear to put through real hikes.