Trailspace was founded in 2001 by Alicia and Dave MacLeay as a place for fellow hikers, skiers, trail runners, and other outdoors folks to share trustworthy gear reviews and product information. At the time, gear reviews were primarily relegated to the pages of traditional print media, and user reviews weren’t commonplace. We wanted to change that dynamic and enable more voices to join the outdoor gear conversation.

We believe that a product doesn’t need to be hyped as “revolutionary” or a “game-changer” to be useful. We believe that self-anointed experts don’t have all the answers. So we created a space where anyone could review their own gear, whether it was the newest tech or a decades-old essential.  At Trailspace, regular people like you can share your perspective on any product you’ve used for camping, hiking, climbing, paddling, or exploring.

Times and outdoor gear have changed since we started back in 2001. Equipment is lighter, technology keeps advancing, and reviews—user, editorial, sponsored, incentivized, even fake—are everywhere. But amid this proliferation, genuine independent reviews still matter and have value.

We believe that the best, most useful product reviews come from a diversity and depth of real-world experiences, not from sponsored posts or someone trying to sell something. After all, when we choose gear—shoes for our trail runs, a tent for our family, a new backpacking stove—we too want to hear from a variety of people who’ve truly used the gear and shared the gamut of their personal experiences.

At Trailspace, our entire mission is focused on the outdoor community, on helping individuals select gear to get outside safely and comfortably, not on selling you a specific product. This means:

• We feature reviews that show real-world use and based on who our community trusts
• We never accept money or compensation for reviews
• There is no pay-to-play option. Brands do not pay us to be reviewed or listed on the site, nor can they pay for better ratings or higher placements.

We believe that you don’t need to be a sponsored athlete or social media influencer to share your gear recommendations. Whether you’re a newbie backpacker or experienced mountaineer, a canoe camping family or solo trail runner, your point of view matters.  In fact, you are exactly who we want to hear from—a real person sharing your authentic outdoor experiences.

Two decades after publishing our community’s first reviews, Trailspace remains committed to independent outdoor gear reviews, our invaluable community members, expanding the voices in the outdoor community, and helping others access the outdoors safely and comfortably.

We’re deeply humbled and thankful to all of you who have chosen to share reviews of your gear with the Trailspace community. Thank you for adding your essential voice to the ongoing conversation.

Alicia MacLeay
Editor, Co-Founder, Co-Owner

Dave MacLeay
Publisher, Co-Founder, Co-Owner