FAQ
Answers to the questions we get asked most about how GearPriority works.
How do you test the gear you review?
Every product on this site gets used in the field, not just unboxed for a photo. We take gear out on real trips in the backcountry and test it the way you actually would. For the specific categories we score and how those scores work, see the Testing Methods page.
What do the letter grades and scores mean?
Every review ends with an overall letter grade from A+ to F, built from a set of numeric subscores across categories like comfort, weight, and durability. The exact categories and score weighting vary by gear type. See the full breakdown on the Testing Methods page.
Do brands pay you to review their products?
We do not get paid by brands to review their products. Brands do not get any say in how gear is tested or what is contained in a review. Our #1 priority is our audience.
Do you earn a commission from the links on this site?
Some of the links on GearPriority are affiliate links. If you click through and buy something, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects which products we review or how we score them. Full details are on the Affiliate Disclosure page.
Do you buy the gear you test, or does it come from the brands?
Some of the gear we review is purchased by us and some is sent to us directly by the brands. Being sent a product does not change how we test it or what we say about it. We never write paid reviews and brands do not have any say in what GearPriority publishes. Our priority is the reader – without hesitation, we will prioritize that relationship over a relationship with a brand. If a brand choses to not send gear for review because of a negative review, it is likely a brand who is not making much gear worth reviewing anyways.
Does getting gear from a brand affect how you score it?
No. We receive gear from a lot of different brands and none of that affects how we score it. Our goal is transparent testing and accurate results. If you have a significant issue with our testing or our conclusions, please send us a message using the Contact form. We are always looking to refine and evolve our testing and reporting so we can provide the most useful information possible.
How do you decide what gear to review?
We love to review gear that excites us. If a product has the potential to be best-in-class for a product category or is innovating in some way, there is a very good chance we will be reviewing it. We will also prioritize reviewing gear that we think might be popular or have a lot of interest surrounding it.
Can I suggest a product for you to test?
Absolutely. Send your suggestion through our Contact page and let us know what you would like to see tested.