Editorial Policy
Our goal is to help you plan and pack cold with confidence. That requires clear standards, reliable methods, and full transparency about how we work.
Our Promise
- Evidence over opinion: measurements, not marketing.
- Practical relevance: recommendations you can apply on your next trip.
- Transparency: how we test, how we score, and how we earn.
Independence & Ethics
We do not sell placements or accept payment for positive coverage. Affiliate relationships never determine which products we test or how we rank them. If we receive a loaner/sample, we disclose it clearly. Manufacturers do not review or approve our findings before publication.
How We Choose Products
We prioritize models that are widely available, represent meaningful design differences (insulation, seals, wheels, power systems), and serve core use cases (camping, marine, tailgate, jobsite). We also consider reader requests and revise our lineup as the market evolves.
Review & Testing Process
- Standardized Protocols: See How We Test for full methodology and metrics (e.g., Cold Economy Score).
- Real‑World Validation: Field use across climate zones and access patterns.
- Long‑Term Notes: We revisit gear to track durability, hardware changes, and reliability.
Fact‑Checking & Sources
Technical claims are verified against manufacturer documentation, standards where applicable, and our own measurements. We cite primary sources and link to relevant references. Ambiguity is labeled as such until resolved.
Updates & Maintenance
We timestamp major updates, note version changes, and revise picks when new data warrants it. Obsolete or superseded content is retired or archived with context.
Corrections Policy
If we publish an error, we correct it promptly, add an editor’s note describing the change, and timestamp the update. Report issues to [email protected].
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This revenue helps fund testing and calculators. We link to multiple retailers when practical and never adjust scores or conclusions to favor partners.
Advertising & Sponsorships
We may run non‑intrusive ads or accept limited sponsorships. Sponsored content is labeled clearly. Sponsors have no control over testing, scoring, or editorial conclusions.
Samples, Loans, and Returns
Loaned or sample items are tested under the same protocols as retail units. When feasible, we also buy retail units for spot‑checks. We do not accept gifts that could compromise independence; loaners are returned when testing ends unless otherwise disclosed.
Community Feedback
We welcome replication and field reports. When reader data challenges our findings, we investigate and update guidance if warranted.
Use of Automation/AI
We may use automation to organize test logs or surface patterns in data. All conclusions, recommendations, and published copy are reviewed by human editors for accuracy and clarity.
Privacy
We respect your privacy. See our Privacy Policy for details on data collection and cookies.
For questions about our standards, contact [email protected].