# About Termin8tr
Most gear review sites read like they were written by someone who’s never left the parking lot. We wanted to build the opposite.
## Why we started this
Every piece on Termin8tr gets used the way it’s meant to be used — on a trail, in the rain, packed wrong at the bottom of a bag for a weekend, dropped on rock more than once. If a jacket claims it’s waterproof, we find out in an actual downpour, not a spec sheet.
## How we pick what to review
We don’t review everything Amazon sells — we review what we’d actually bring with us. That usually means:
– **It solves a real problem.** Not a gimmick, not a “as seen on TV” gadget — something that earns its spot in a pack.
– **It holds up.** One good hike doesn’t make a product good. We look at how things perform after repeated use, not just out of the box.
– **It’s honest about its trade-offs.** Nothing is perfect for everyone. We tell you who a product is right for, and who should skip it.
## How we make money
Termin8tr is supported by the Amazon Associates program — when you buy something through one of our links, we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It doesn’t change what we recommend; it’s just how the lights stay on. Full details are in our [Affiliate Disclosure](/affiliate-disclosure).
## Got a suggestion?
If there’s a piece of gear you think we should test, or you’ve got feedback on a review, [get in touch](/contact) — we read everything.