Best Outdoor Gear Review Websites

The world of outdoor gear is vast and varied, offering a plethora of options for different needs and preferences. As hikers, backpackers, climbers, paddlers, and all sorts of adventurers seek the perfect equipment to enhance their experiences, it's crucial to find reliable sources for reviews that provide objective insights. This review aims to highlight some of the best outdoor gear review websites available.

Features

• GearLab: A site founded on the principle of honest and objective reviews, GearLab's experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful plans that reveal key differences between competing products. They buy all the products they test themselves to ensure complete independence from manufacturers.
• Outdoor Gear Lab (UGL), CU Denver: Partnered with the University of Colorado Denver, UGL offers a state-of-the-art gear lab where it performs comprehensive tests on various outdoor items. This partnership ensures thorough and up-to-date reviews that are essential for those seeking high-quality recommendations.
• GearJunkie.com: Known as the authority on outdoor news and gear, GearJunkie.com updates daily with new gear, in-depth reviews, videos, feature stories, and more. Their commitment to providing the latest information ensures that users stay informed about the best products available.
• Switchback Travel: Aimed at outfitting outdoor adventures with unbiased recommendations of top equipment and clothing, Switchback Travel covers various activities including hiking, camping, skiing, climbing, and more. Their buyer's guides ensure that visitors can easily find what they need for different types of excursions.
• Dixie, Justin Outdoors, Dan Becker: These channels on YouTube are known for their entertainment value while offering useful reviews from the perspectives of experienced outdoor enthusiasts. They provide insights and recommendations that help users make informed decisions about gear purchases.
• Outdoor Tech Lab: Dedicated to providing comprehensive and reliable information about outdoor and camping gear, Outdoor Tech Lab offers detailed expert backpacking gear reviews and professional tips directly from Backpacker Magazine’s editors.

Performance

The products reviewed on these sites are rigorously tested using thoughtful test plans by experts who aim to highlight the key performance differences between competing products. By ensuring complete independence through purchasing all products themselves, they provide a level of integrity and objectivity that is paramount for such websites.

Pros and Cons

• Pros:
  • GearLab: Honest, objective reviews with unbiased experts performing thorough tests. Complete independence from manufacturers ensured by buying all products themselves.
  • Outdoor Gear Lab (UGL), CU Denver: Comprehensive and up-to-date reviews for various outdoor items at a state-of-the-art gear lab, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
  • GearJunkie.com: Daily updates with the best new gear, in-depth reviews, videos, feature stories, and more. Keeping users informed about the latest products available.
  • Switchback Travel: Unbiased recommendations of top equipment for different outdoor activities like hiking, camping, skiing, climbing, and paddling. Comprehensive buyer’s guides help visitors easily find what they need for their adventures.
  • Dixie, Justin Outdoors, Dan Becker: Useful reviews by experienced enthusiasts with entertainment value, providing insights into gear purchases.
• Cons:
  • Their reviews can sometimes be subjective and biased due to the personal preferences of the reviewers. However, they are upfront about these biases, allowing users to make informed decisions based on their own needs.

Comparison

Each of these review sites offers unique features and benefits depending on the user's specific interests. GearLab provides thorough expert reviews with no cherry-picked units from manufacturers, whereas Outdoor Gear Lab (UGL), CU Denver focuses on comprehensive testing at a state-of-the-art gear lab.

Conclusion

All these review websites play crucial roles in helping outdoor enthusiasts make informed decisions about the equipment they need for their adventures. They provide essential information and unbiased recommendations, ensuring that users have access to reliable and informative reviews of top gear. By choosing one or more of these resources based on your specific interests and needs, you can enhance your outdoor experiences significantly.

Sources

• https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/OutdoorsGear/comments/p8t4mj/what_are_the_best_gear_review_websites/
• https://gearjunkie.com/
• https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/
• https://www.switchbacktravel.com/outdoor-gear-reviews
• https://bpbasecamp.freeforums.net/thread/19383/favorite-review-sites-youtube-channels
• https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/gear-review-websites/
• https://www.trailspace.com/
• https://outdoor.feedspot.com/outdoor_gear_blogs/
• https://www.backpacker.com/gear/