How To Write a Killer Gear Review

Every time you write a gear review on Trailspace you are sharing your opinion and experience with thousands of other backcountry enthusiasts. Your review will help fellow hikers, backpackers, climbers, and mountaineers find the right gear, clothing, and footwear for their adventures.

Here are some tips for writing a thorough and informative outdoor gear review:

Have an opinion. This should go without saying. A review is not a list of facts and a description of a product, but rather an assessment of its performance.
Describe your experience. How and where do you use the gear or clothing and in what range of conditions? Be specific. Was this what the gear was designed for?
Put yourself in the review. Backcountry enthusiasts come in a range of sizes and styles. So let us know where you’re coming from. Readers want to know who you are and how you use the gear. Is this your first backpacking tent after years of car camping or are you a veteran thru-hiker? Do you tend toward ultralight three-season trekking or do you happily hump 50-pound loads to ensure you have your creature comforts? If you have a personal or professional connection with the gear’s manufacturer, a direct competitor, or the retailer you bought it from, please share that.
Tell us why. Why is this “the best tent ever” or “the worst boot you’ve worn in 30 years of backpacking”? Back up your love-it or hate-it opinion with examples. Don’t simply gush or rant about your gear.
Give details. Details can make a review. Try to provide helpful information that’s not subjective. Was the tent just “too heavy” for your needs or did it weigh 8 pounds instead of the 5 pounds claimed by the manufacturer? Was the sleeping bag’s 20-degree rating accurate or did you shiver through a 30-degree night?
Use the gear. Wait to write your review until you’ve had a sufficient chance to test the gear. If you decide to write about a product you haven’t used yet (just got back from the store), make that clear and write about the reasons for your purchase and any comparisons you made with other gear. Later, come back and write a follow-up review.
Be fair. Don’t complain that your ultralight tarp didn’t keep the snow out at 14,000 feet on Denali. If you successfully used a product beyond its design limits, definitely write about it. But if it failed, be sure to point out if it wasn’t designed for that use. On the flip side, if a product failed in some way or has genuine limitations within its expected usage, write about it.
Compare. Tell us if you’ve used or considered comparable or similar products. If you want to review more than one product, please submit a separate review for each.
Be objective. Even a product that disappointed you can have something positive going for it. You bought it for a reason, right? Likewise, even your favorite five-star product probably has some limitations, even if they seem nitpicky. You don’t have to give equal weight to both sides, but try to acknowledge the pros and cons.
Write with your audience in mind. Consider what a fellow hiker/backpacker/climber would want or need to know about your gear if they were considering buying it.
Keep it concise, but thorough. There’s no ideal length for every gear review. Say what you need to say, whether it takes 150 words or 1,500. Just make sure that what you say is relevant and helpful. Keep in mind, the longer your review the more important that you keep it clear, well organized, and to the point.
Account for proper fit. When reviewing footwear, clothing, backpacks, and other items where a proper fit is essential to good performance, do describe your relevant body parts (e.g. a narrow, high-arch foot, a tall torso, etc.) and whether or not the gear fit properly. A bad fit alone isn’t enough reason to give a bad rating though. Everybody has a different shaped body and some pieces fit better than others. Be sure to look beyond fit and discuss performance, construction, durability, etc.
Spell check and use proper punctuation. That includes periods at the end of sentences. Don’t forget the paragraph breaks. Never write in ALL CAPS.

Now you’re ready to write a great gear review.