Outdoor Review Mission

How I Review Outdoor Gear

Last updated: June 2025

After a miserable night on a Yorkshire moor in 2015 – soaked through in a cheap tent with a useless sleeping bag – I became obsessed with finding gear that actually works in British conditions.

Since then, I’ve tested hundreds of pieces of equipment across England, from weekend trips in the Peak District to week-long camps in the Lake District. This is how I approach gear reviews.

My Testing Approach

I Buy Everything Myself

I purchase all the gear I review with my own money. No freebies, no sponsored content, no obligations to say positive things. If a piece of gear disappoints me, I’ll tell you.

Real Conditions, Real Time

Every review is based on actual use during camping trips. I don’t test gear in my garden or for a single overnight. Most items get tested over multiple trips and several months before I write about them.

Minimum testing period: 3 trips in different conditions
Long-term updates: I update reviews based on extended use

UK-Specific Focus

English weather is unpredictable and often harsh. Gear that works in the Alps or American deserts might fail completely in a Lake District downpour. I test everything in the conditions you’ll actually face.

Honest Pros and Cons

No gear is perfect. Every review includes genuine drawbacks I’ve discovered through use. If something broke, disappointed me, or didn’t work as expected, I’ll explain what happened.

What I Actually Test

My Current Kit

I focus on gear I actually own and use regularly. My kit list reflects equipment that’s proven itself over months or years of use, not the latest releases or whatever’s getting marketing attention.

Problem-Solving Gear

I’m most interested in gear that solves real problems I’ve encountered while camping. Weight reduction, weather protection, comfort improvements, or reliability upgrades that make a genuine difference.

Budget Considerations

Expensive doesn’t always mean better. Some of my favourite gear costs under £50, while some expensive purchases have been disappointments. I test across all price ranges and recommend based on value, not cost.

What I Don’t Review

Gear I Don’t Own

I won’t review equipment I haven’t personally bought and used extensively. No borrowing gear for quick tests or writing about items I’ve only handled in shops.

Single-Use Testing

Quick overnight tests don’t reveal how gear performs over time. Real problems often emerge after weeks or months of use – worn zippers, fabric degradation, or design flaws that aren’t immediately obvious.

Paid Partnerships

I don’t accept free gear for review or enter into promotional partnerships. This keeps my recommendations independent and honest.

My Review Process

1. Initial Impressions

First thoughts on build quality, design, and how it compares to similar gear I own.

2. Field Testing

Using the gear on actual camping trips across different seasons and conditions. This is where most reviews are made or broken.

3. Long-Term Assessment

How does the gear hold up after months of use? What problems emerge? What do I genuinely reach for when packing for trips?

4. Honest Evaluation

Balanced assessment of pros, cons, and who this gear suits. No marketing language or inflated claims.

UK Conditions Focus

Weather Reality

English weather is harsh and unpredictable. Gear needs to handle sudden downpours, persistent drizzle, high winds, and rapid temperature changes.

Terrain Challenges

Rocky ground, boggy conditions, rough vegetation, and limited flat camping spots. Gear needs to handle the reality of English wild camping.

Access Considerations

Most English camping involves carrying gear significant distances. Weight and pack size matter more here than for car camping or established campsites.

Review Categories

Essential Gear

The basics everyone needs: shelter, sleep system, cooking, clothing. These get the most thorough testing because they matter most.

Upgrade Items

Gear that improves your camping experience but isn’t essential. Often about comfort, convenience, or specific activity requirements.

Specialist Equipment

Items for specific conditions or activities – winter gear, photography equipment, technical climbing kit.

My Gear Philosophy

Function Over Fashion

I care about how gear performs, not how it looks. Some of my favourite items are aesthetically unremarkable but functionally excellent.

Reliability First

I’d rather carry slightly heavier gear that I trust completely than save weight with something that might fail when I need it most.

Value Matters

The best gear is what gives you the best performance for your specific needs and budget. Sometimes that’s expensive kit, sometimes it’s not.

How I Choose What to Review

Personal Need

I review gear I actually need and will use regularly. No point testing gear for activities I don’t do or conditions I won’t encounter.

Reader Questions

When people ask about specific items or problems, I’ll often test potential solutions if they’re relevant to my camping style.

Replacement Necessity

When my current gear wears out or stops meeting my needs, I research and test replacements thoroughly.

Review Format

Real-World Context

Every review explains why I needed this gear and what problem it was supposed to solve.

Specific Examples

Concrete examples of how gear performed on particular trips, in specific conditions, during actual use.

Comparison Context

How new gear compares to what I owned previously, or to similar items I’ve used.

Bottom Line

Clear recommendation about who should buy this gear and who should look elsewhere.

My Experience

Based in Wakefield with easy access to the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, and Peak District, I’ve been testing gear in real English conditions since 2015. Not in controlled environments, but during actual camping trips where gear failure means cold, wet nights.

Whether it’s a sleeping bag that’s kept me warm through dozens of mountain camps, boots that have carried me across the Pennine Way, or a jacket that’s survived Lake District downpours, every piece of gear I write about has earned its place through genuine field testing.

This isn’t about the latest trends or sponsored content – it’s about sharing honest insights from years of actual outdoor adventures.

Is there any kit you’d like me to test? Just message me via the contact page.