Editorial Policies

Editorial content posted on Trailspace is governed by the following editorial guidelines and policies:

Advertising

Trailspace maintains a strict separation between editorial decisions and advertising on the site. Advertisers have no influence over editorial content or decisions, nor do they have contact with editorial staff.

Trailspace does not accept payment, products, or other compensation in return for editorial coverage, links in editorial articles, endorsements, or product placements.

Gear Samples

Trailspace editors select, accept, and assign a limited number of gear samples for product testing by the Review Corps. Products are chosen for review based on newsworthiness, timeliness, and interest to our core audience of backcountry enthusiasts.

Only the Trailspace Editor in Chief and Review Corps Coordinator have the authority to accept gear for review on behalf of Trailspace.

Unsolicited items will not be returned, and will be disposed of as we see fit.

Trailspace Review Corps

The Trailspace Review Corps' experienced, volunteer members test new, noteworthy backcountry gear extensively in the field. They share their results and expertise in high-quality, comprehensive reviews for the benefit of the outdoor community. Review Corps members are selected based on the superior quality and helpfulness of their reviews and their outdoor expertise and skills.

Reviewer participation in the program is strictly voluntary and without monetary compensation. Members may apply for opportunities to test certain products, and are selected on the basis of backcountry skills and experience, past reviews, and planned trips and testing opportunities.

Review Corps members are subject to Trailspace’s Ethical Guidelines and Standards and may not have a personal, professional, or commercial affiliation or relationship with the manufacturer of the gear they’re testing or with the manufacturer’s direct competitors.

At the discretion of Trailspace’s editor and the gear manufacturer, reviewers may be allowed to keep the gear they have tested. Footwear and certain clothing cannot be returned due to sanitary reasons. Testers are informed of whether they need to return the gear to Trailspace or the manufacturer after completing the review.

All Review Corps reviews published on Trailspace adhere to the Federal Trade Commission’s endorsement and testimonial guidelines and the Trailspace Review Rules and Guidelines.