Gear Up. Get Out.
I'm Sloane. I test outdoor gear the hard way — by wearing it until it breaks, leaks, or proves it belongs in my pack.
I didn't start this site because I got a PR kit or a brand partnership. I started it because I was tired of reading gear reviews that sounded like marketing copy. "Game-changing." "Next-level." "Best ever." These words mean nothing when you're standing in a Sierra thunderstorm, realizing your $400 jacket wets out after 45 minutes. I've been there. I've made the wrong call. I've carried too much weight, worn the wrong boots, and trusted gear that failed when it mattered.
This site is what I wish I'd had a decade ago: honest, specific, no-BS gear guidance from someone who actually uses the stuff.
Where I Come From
I live in Half Moon Bay, California — a foggy strip of coast south of San Francisco where the Pacific meets the redwoods. I surf at Pillar Point. I hike the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail when I need to clear my head. I've been camping in the Sierra, exploring Los Padres National Forest, and walking sections of the Pacific Crest Trail for over ten years.
I don't have an outdoor industry degree. I don't have sponsors. What I have is mileage. I've learned everything by doing it wrong first — wrong boots in the snow, wrong layers in the rain, jeans on a 14-mile day (do not do this). Every recommendation on this site comes from that education.
My dog Barnaby — a black-and-white Border Collie mix with more energy than sense — comes along whenever the trail allows. You'll see him in photos. He's not a brand ambassador. He just likes running.
What This Site Is (And Isn't)
This site is:
Real gear testing in real conditions. I tell you the temperature, the terrain, the miles, and what happened. No lab tests. No "first impressions" after wearing something around the house.
Specific. I name model numbers, fabric weights, failure points, and how many days I've worn something before reviewing it.
Honest about the bad. If a jacket wets out, a boot sole cracks, or a zipper fails at month four, you'll hear about it.
Funded by me and by affiliate commissions. If you click a link and buy something, I may earn a small percentage at no extra cost to you. I don't take free gear. I don't run paid reviews. I don't promote anything I wouldn't buy with my own money.
This site isn't:
A place for "top 10" listicles written for search engines.
A platform for brand deals or sponsored content that someone else wrote.
A fashion blog. I care about how gear looks — style matters, function leads — but I'm not here to sell you a "look."
A politics forum, a lifestyle manifesto, or a place for outrage. We talk gear here. The trail doesn't care about your brand loyalty.
How I Test Gear
Every piece of gear on this site has been used in actual outdoor conditions — typically for months, often for years, sometimes until it fails. Here's what you can expect from my reviews:
Conditions specified. I tell you the weather, the temperature range, the terrain, and the duration I wore it.
Comparisons when possible. I buy my own comparison pieces. The Patagonia vs. REI fleece test? Both bought with my money. The merino vs. synthetic test? A full week in the Sierras, switching every day.
Failure documented. If something breaks, you'll see photos. If the DWR wears off, you'll know after how many wears.
Price context. I talk about whether something is worth the money — and what you could buy instead if it's not.
I label my gear with a Sharpie — "SLOANE / 2019 / DO NOT LOSE" — and I track how many days I've used each piece. When I write a review, the number is real.
What You'll Find Here
Field Tested — Real-world gear reviews: jackets, boots, packs, layers, tested until they earn their place or get cut. Updated twice a week.
Trail Style — How to wear outdoor gear in everyday life. Trail to coffee shop, summit to sunset, surf to taco stand. Function leads, but looking put-together matters. Updated 1-2 times a week.
Gear Philosophy — Opinion pieces on what's worth your money, what's marketing, and how to think about building a kit that actually works. Updated once a week.
Build Your Kit — Practical guides for building an outdoor wardrobe on a real budget. Seasonal checklists, what to buy first, what to skip. Updated once a week.
Start Here
New to the site? These posts represent what I'm about:
[The $300 Outdoor Wardrobe: Every Piece, Every Dollar] — A complete three-season kit, built from gear I actually wear.
[Patagonia Better Sweater vs. REI Co-op Trailbreaker: 6 Months Side by Side] — Two fleeces, one winter, honest results.
[Why I Wear Merino Wool to the Grocery Store] — Because good gear shouldn't only work on the mountain.
[The Outdoor Industry's Color Problem: Why Everything Is Beige Now] — A gear philosophy piece about what happens when fashion logic overrides function.
The Fine Print
Sloane's Field Notes is a participant in affiliate advertising programs, including REI, Backcountry, Patagonia, and other outdoor retailers. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay or the gear I recommend.
I am not a professional guide, a certified gear technician, or a safety expert. Everything on this site reflects my personal experience and opinion. Always do your own research, check conditions before you head out, and make your own safety decisions. The trail is yours. The responsibility is yours too.
Gear up. Get out. I'll see you on the trail.
— Sloane & Barnaby