How We Test

Every product on this site is evaluated through a combination of hands-on field experience, owner community research, and spec analysis. Erik has been overlanding since 2014 — most of what appears here has been field-relevant in conditions from BWCAW autumns to Colorado alpine. That informs the perspective, even when a specific product hasn't been personally run.

How we evaluate

For products Erik has personally used, assessment is based on real field use across multiple seasons. For products evaluated through research, we draw on owner community reports (r/overlanding, Expedition Portal, ih8mud, Tacoma World), manufacturer specs, and comparisons against products we have used. Sourcing is noted where relevant.

What we don't do

We don't claim personal testing without basis. We don't accept free products in exchange for coverage. We don't write "best of" lists based on ratings alone or default to Amazon when a better-fit direct option exists.

Affiliate links

Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something through one, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences what we recommend — see our full affiliate disclosure.