Since I last updated my list of favorite gear sites more than a year ago, the number has grown. While some of these sites have similar missions—to offer the most credible, honest gear reviews—each has its own unique voice and execution. Here are the seven that do it best.
Gear Institute
The Gear Institute’s well-organized product descriptions and easy-to-understand rating system make this site intuitive and navigable. If you want solid, helpful reviews in short, easy-to-digest bites, this is the site for you.
Blister Gear Review
With 2,000-plus-word reviews, Blister offers the most in-depth look at gear you can find. Its testers are all top-level athletes who dig deep into the details. Skis are still the site’s strongest section: Make sure you take a look at those write-ups before buying new planks next season.
Outdoor Gear Lab
You won’t beat Outdoor Gear Lab when it comes to head-to-head gear reviews. Its chart-style overview comparisons are simple without being too thin—a tough balance that Outdoor Gear Lab nails. More details can be found under the various tabs.
Gear Junkie
Stephen Regenold founded Gear Junkie in 2006, making him an elder statesman in the young world of outdoor gear sites. My favorite thing about the Gear Junkie: Its smart reporting on current and emerging trends. Want to know what your gear will look like next year? Check out this site.
Trek Tech
While Trek Tech relies on a broad stable of testers, it’s founder Billy Brown’s larger-than-life voice that carries the site. Brown leads some of the most entertaining tests in the industry. For example, you’ll find out how functional workwear performs based on Brown’s experience swinging kettle bells in a suit.
Gear Patrol
Gear Patrol combines beautifully shot photos and video with a sharp, simple design to create one the best-looking gear sites around. It covers the most lifestyle gear of any other gear site I frequent, but does it so well that I find myself scrolling through “The Seven Watches of Summer” even though I haven’t worn a watch that doesn’t measure heart rate for years.
Elements
Steve Casimiro, writer of Elements, National Geographic’s outdoor gear site, has had his finger on the pulse of the core-gear world for decades. His expertise shines through on Elements with relevant, varied gear coverage. Casimiro also has a wonderfully honed voice, and his anecdotes make each post a pleasure to read.