Why Trust My Gear Reviews?
I’m not just another gear blogger. I’m an active wild camper who puts equipment through genuine testing in the toughest UK conditions.
- Wild Camping Since 2015 – Extensive experience across Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, and Peak District
- Landscape Photographer – Understanding of technical outdoor equipment requirements
- Regular Mountain Explorer – Tested gear on dozens of overnight camps
- Safety Focused – Approach to gear selection based on real-world reliability
“Only gear that proves reliable, durable, and essential in harsh conditions earns a place on my recommended kit list.”
This reinforces your credibility by emphasising that your recommendations are earned through rigorous real-world testing, not just theoretical knowledge or sponsored content. It also implies exclusivity – that making your list is an achievement that requires meeting high standards.
Real-World Testing
Every piece of gear I review gets tested during actual wild camping trips. No indoor testing or quick overnight trials – just honest assessment in challenging conditions.
UK Weather Focus
Gear tested specifically for unpredictable British weather. If it can handle a Lake District downpour or Scottish winter, you’ll know about it.
Budget Conscious
Reviews cover gear across all price ranges. Sometimes the budget option is genuinely better – I’ll tell you when expensive doesn’t mean better.
About Me
I started wild camping in 2015 after a life-changing trip to the Lake District. What began as weekend escapes evolved into a passion for testing the limits of outdoor gear in some of the UK’s most challenging environments.
Based in Wakefield, I have easy access to the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, and Peak District – giving me regular opportunities to test gear in Britain’s most demanding mountain conditions. From winter bivouacs on Pen-y-ghent to week-long treks across the Pennine Way, I put gear through tests that reveal their true capabilities.
My background in landscape photography means I understand the technical requirements of outdoor equipment. When your expensive camera depends on a waterproof stuff sack, or your safety relies on a headtorch in challenging conditions, you learn what quality really means.
How I Test Gear
My testing process is rigorous and takes months, not days:
- Initial Assessment – First impressions, build quality, and design evaluation
- Field Testing – Minimum 3 trips in different conditions
- Comparison Testing – Direct comparison with similar products I own
- Durability Testing – Long-term use over 6-12 months
- Value Assessment – Honest evaluation of price vs. performance
I only review gear that I purchase myself or receive without any strings attached. No paid reviews, no promised positive coverage.
What Gear Should I Test Next?
Have a question about specific outdoor gear? Want to see something tested in real UK conditions? I’m always looking for gear that needs honest evaluation.
Drop me a message via the contact page and let me know what you’d like to see reviewed. If it’s something I can genuinely test and provide value on, I’ll add it to my testing list.
Contact Ross Wilson
Contact: Use the contact page for all enquiries
Response Time: Usually within 24 hours
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire, UK
Best Contact: Contact form for gear questions, Instagram for quick responses
This site contains affiliate links I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I’ve personally tested.