Look, I’m going to be straight with you. Running a website costs money. Domain fees, hosting, the occasional emergency boot replacement after I blow out another pair on Mailbox Peak. So yes, when I recommend gear on 10ToesTravel, some of those links are affiliate links.
But here’s the thing: I’m not going to recommend garbage just to make a buck.
What Actually Happens When You Click a Link
When you click on certain product links on this site and make a purchase, I might earn a small commission. It doesn’t cost you anything extra. The price is exactly the same whether you click my link or find the product yourself. The retailer just tosses a few cents my way for sending you their direction.
That’s it. No secret fees. No price markup. Nothing shady.
How I Actually Choose What to Recommend
Here’s my gear recommendation philosophy, and honestly, it’s pretty simple:
I only recommend stuff I’ve actually used. You know those “Best Hiking Boots of 2025” articles where it’s obvious the writer has never laced up anything more demanding than dress shoes? Yeah, that’s not happening here. If I’m telling you a piece of gear is worth your money, it’s because I’ve sweated in it, frozen in it, or cursed at it on a switchback somewhere in the Pacific Northwest.
Bad experiences count too. Sometimes the most valuable thing I can tell you is what NOT to buy. I’ve wasted money on gear that looked great online and fell apart on the trail. You should know about that before you make the same mistake.
Price matters. Not everyone has unlimited funds for the latest ultralight titanium whatever. I try to recommend options across different price points because a solid mid-range option often outperforms the expensive stuff anyway.
I’ll tell you when something sucks. Even gear I generally like usually has downsides. That rain jacket might be bomber waterproof but turns you into a walking sauna. The boots might last forever but take 50 miles to break in. You deserve to know the full picture.
Where I Actually Make Affiliate Commissions
I primarily work with REI, Amazon, and a handful of other outdoor retailers. Why these?
REI: Because they have a solid return policy, their staff actually knows what they’re talking about, and they carry most of the gear I trust.
Amazon: Look, I know they’re a giant corporation and all, but sometimes they have the best price or the only stock. Reality is what it is.
Others: Occasionally I’ll link to specific manufacturers or specialty retailers when they’re the best source for something particular.
What I Won’t Do
Let me be crystal clear about what you’ll never see on this site:
Fake reviews. I’m not making up experiences I didn’t have or recommending gear I’ve never touched. Life’s too short and the mountains are too unforgiving for BS.
Pay-for-placement. Nobody can buy their way onto my recommended list. If a company offered me money to say their tent was great, but their tent was actually a glorified trash bag with poles, I’d pass.
Hidden deals. If something is sponsored or I received gear for free, I’ll tell you. Straight up.
A Note About My Biases
I’ll cop to some biases because pretending to be perfectly objective would be dishonest:
I’m slow. Like, really slow on the trail. So I value comfort and durability over shaving ounces.
I hike mostly in the Pacific Northwest. So my gear recommendations are heavily influenced by rain, mud, and the kind of vertical gain that makes your calves file a formal complaint.
I’m not an Instagram hiker. I look like a disaster two hours into any trail. My gear recommendations prioritize function over aesthetics.
I’m frugal, but not cheap. I’ll spend money on things that matter (boots, rain gear, safety equipment) and save money on things that don’t.
The Bottom Line
You’re trusting me when you take my advice on gear. I don’t take that lightly.
Yes, I make money from some of the links on this site. But making money has never been and will never be my primary motivation for recommending anything. I started this site because I genuinely love being outside and want to help other people get out there too.
If I ever recommend something that doesn’t work for you, email me at cliff@10toestravel.com. I want to know. Not only does it help me do better, but I might be able to help you find something that actually fits your needs.
Now get off the internet and go hike something.
This page was last updated January 2025. Because transparency shouldn’t have an expiration date.