These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of bestforbackpacking.com (the "Site") operated by Best for Backpacking ("we," "us," or "BFB"). By using the Site, you agree to these Terms. If you don't agree, please don't use the Site.
What we provide
The Site publishes backpacking gear reviews, comparisons, and buying guides published under Brooke Wilder, our named editorial persona. Editorial content is produced by synthesizing publicly available sources, manufacturer specifications, independent lab tests, long-term owner reports, and third-party reviews, rather than personal field testing.
The Site also operates a free email newsletter. Subscription is optional.
Editorial nature of the content
The content on this Site is editorial and informational, not professional advice. The table below explains what that means in practice.
| The Site is | The Site is not |
|---|---|
| A synthesis of publicly available evidence | A substitute for hands-on field testing |
| A starting point for your own research | A definitive source on any specific product |
| Updated when material errors are reported | Continuously monitored for spec changes |
| A recommendation engine for gear | A source of safety, medical, or legal advice |
Backpacking, hiking, and related outdoor activities carry inherent physical risk. Always train, prepare, and equip for the conditions you intend to encounter; consult a licensed guide or medical professional where appropriate; and use your own judgment.
How our editorial content is produced
Editorial content on the Site is published under "Brooke Wilder," our named editorial persona (not a real person), and is produced by synthesizing sources rather than personal field testing. This process can still produce inaccuracies, omit important context, or surface incorrect specifications despite our methodology and review process. We work to flag the limits of our evidence on every recommendation.
Treat all AI-generated content as a starting point for your own research, not as a definitive source.
If you spot a factual error, contact us through our contact form and we will correct it.
Affiliate links
The Site contains affiliate links. By using the Site, you acknowledge that we may earn commission from qualifying purchases made through these links. Affiliate links never change the price you pay. For full details, see our Affiliate Disclosure.
Your conduct on the Site
The table below summarizes what's allowed and not. We may terminate or restrict your access to the Site at any time if we believe you have violated these Terms.
| You may | You may not |
|---|---|
| Read, share, and link to content on the Site | Use bots / scrapers / crawlers beyond human-pace access (search-engine crawlers obeying robots.txt are exempt) |
| Quote brief excerpts with attribution and a link back | Reproduce or systematically copy substantial portions of content |
| Subscribe to the newsletter | Subscribe a third party without their permission |
| Submit corrections and feedback | Use the Site to develop competing products or train machine-learning models without written permission |
| Use the Site for personal, non-commercial reading | Interfere with, disable, or compromise the Site's infrastructure, security, or availability |
Intellectual property
All editorial content, design, code, and branding on the Site (including the "Best for Backpacking" name, the "Brooke Wilder" persona, the visual identity, and the editorial methodology) is owned by Best for Backpacking or its licensors and is protected by U.S. and international copyright and trademark law.
| Permitted | Not permitted |
|---|---|
| Read on the Site, share links, link from elsewhere | Reproduce / republish / systematically copy substantial content |
| Quote brief excerpts with attribution + link back | Remove or alter copyright notices or branding |
| Fair-use commentary, criticism, or news reporting | Train commercial AI / ML models on our content without express written permission |
| Embed individual links or images per applicable fair use | Frame or mirror the Site in a way that obscures attribution |
If you'd like to use our content in a way not permitted above, contact us through our contact form with the specifics.
Third-party services and links
The Site links to third-party retailers, manufacturer pages, and other websites. We do not control these third parties and are not responsible for their content, practices, or privacy policies. Your use of any third-party site is governed by that site's terms, not ours.
No warranties
The Site is provided "as is" and "as available." To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of:
| Warranty type | Disclaimed? |
|---|---|
| Accuracy of editorial content | Yes |
| Completeness of coverage | Yes |
| Fitness for a particular purpose | Yes |
| Non-infringement | Yes |
| Uninterrupted or error-free operation | Yes |
| Suitability of any recommendation for your situation | Yes |
This disclaimer does not apply to any warranty that cannot be lawfully excluded in your jurisdiction.
Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Best for Backpacking shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or relating to your use of the Site or its content.
This includes, without limitation:
- Decisions you make based on gear recommendations
- Injuries, losses, or damages incurred while backpacking, hiking, or engaging in related outdoor activities
- Interruptions, errors, or inaccuracies in the Site or its content
- Loss of data, revenue, profits, or goodwill
- Third-party retailer disputes (returns, fulfillment, warranty)
Aggregate cap. Our total aggregate liability to you for any and all claims arising out of these Terms or your use of the Site shall not exceed the greater of:
| Option | Amount |
|---|---|
| (a) | $100 USD |
| (b) | The amount you paid us in the 12 months before the claim, for free users of the Site, this is $0 |
This limitation applies whether the claim is based on contract, tort, statute, or any other theory, and even if we were advised of the possibility of such damages.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Best for Backpacking, its operators, and its affiliates from any claims, damages, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of:
- Your use of the Site
- Your violation of these Terms
- Your violation of any third-party right (including IP, privacy, or contractual rights)
- Content you submit to us through forms or email
We reserve the right to assume the exclusive defense of any matter for which you are required to indemnify us; in that case you agree to cooperate with our defense.
Privacy
Your use of the Site is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.
Governing law and venue
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, United States of America, without regard to its conflict-of-laws provisions. Any dispute arising under these Terms shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.
If you are a resident of a jurisdiction whose law grants you the right to bring suit in your local court regardless of these Terms (for example, many EU consumer-protection regimes), that right is preserved despite the venue clause above.
Changes to these Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of the page reflects the most recent revision. Material changes, those affecting your rights, our liability cap, or the scope of permitted use, will be noted on the Site at least 14 days before they take effect, and via the newsletter. Your continued use of the Site after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
Severability and waiver
If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect. Our failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver of our right to enforce it later.
Contact
For questions about these Terms, reach us through our contact form.
For postal correspondence:
Best for Backpacking
1 E Erie St
Suite 525
Chicago, IL 60611