Trail Testers

On the Hill - On the Crag - On the Web

Frequently Asked Questions

A - No. Trail Testers is owned by Buffalo Media, an independent publishing company. We have no ties to outdoors manufacturers or retailers and our reviews and findings are impartial.

Q - Is Trail Testers owned by an outdoors manufacturer or retailer?

Q - How do you test the products?

A - We have different criteria for each type of product. We test all the products out on the hill, in the real world, so we can try to convey what is good and not so good about a product.

For instance when we test Boots we first of all break them in slowly at home so that they mould to the testers feet. Then we take them out for short walks and when the tester is happy with the boots that they are testing, we subject them to long walks in the hills, with and without a day pack and then a fully loaded 75L rucksack and wear them hiking and wild camping. We get them wet and muddy and wear them for several weeks to see how they cope and whether they really are water resistant. Once really wet we see how they dry off and clean up. Each pair is given several weeks intensive testing.

Clothing we subject the product to real world wear and tear for several weeks.

Layers are used on their own and as part of a layering system. We see how they cope and whether or not they keep the tester dry when pushing hard out on the hill. Then we try them out with day and back packs.

Waterproofs are tested up on the tops where we can almost guarantee strong wind and driving rain. The hills and mountains of North Wales is an ideal testing ground for waterproofs!

Tents. When a new tent arrives we make sure nothing is missing and then find a quiet corner of a field to put it up. Once we are satisfied that it goes up alright, we pack it away and take it away for a few days wild camping. We can usually guarantee a variety of testing weather, pitching and striking camp in wind and rain, sunny days etc, so we can see how the tent fairs in a variety of conditions. We test the tent for strength. Is it possible to cook inside safely? Pack size and weight. Does it keep the midge at bay?

Packs get a similar treatment. We try to make sure that the pack we are testing fits the tester. Then we try it out over several weeks, out on the hill and see how it fairs. If it is a large pack we fill it up with typical wild camping gear and then wear it for a typical three day 30 mile trek. We test for comfort, load carrying and stability.

Once we are satisfied that we have really tried out an item and found its good and bad points, then we write the review or produce the video.

Q - Are all tests equal or does advertising on the site affect the outcome?

A - We do carry advertising on Trail Testers from a variety of advertisers including outdoors manufacturers and retailers, but we also have a strict editorial policy, which ensures that all products that we test, have to meet the testers criteria. If we test a product and find it does not meet the criteria, then we will say so, ensuring that our readers receive a fair and accurate assessment of that product’s good and bad points.

Q - How do you work out the scoring system for a product?

A - We award all products that we test a possible 100 points. As we test we record the features of the product in the real world. For example if we test a stove and find that it is lightweight and packs away into a small space then that will reflect a high score, but if that same stove is so unstable that it topples over at the slightest puff of breeze, then that will reduce the final score. All products are tested by individuals and each has a preference for this or that. To ensure the review is fair, we try to test each product without pre conceived ideas or opinions and go from there. Once the review has been written or recorded, we discuss the testers findings and award the final score. You will see a possible 10 stars on each review. One star is 10 points so it is easy to understand.

Q - Who judges your competitions?

Q - How does the classified advertising work?

A - Trail Testers competitions are usually judged by the editor. In the case of a competition where there could be 100 entries with right answers, all the entries are printed off, folded up and placed in a climbing helmet. Then a winning entry is drawn at random. In the case of a photo caption competition, each entry is reviewed on its merits and the caption thought most suitable is chosen as the winner.

A - We have created this section for readers who want to buy, sell or trade unwanted kit.

The easy to follow forms let you send in a photo of your kit and a brief description which we place in a box advert. We assign you a private box number for each ad. When someone clicks your ad they are immediately linked to your email. Simple and safe.

Q - Are the prizes genuine?

A - Yes of course. At the end of a competition either we send the winning entrant their prize from Trail Testers, or in the case of a manufacturer or retailer, we send the winning entrant’s details for the prize to be dispatched. Then we publish the name of the winner, together with their photo, if they have chosen to send one.