Our method

Primary sources first

For regulations, we start from the texts themselves: legislation, local orders and byelaws, national park rules, official government websites. For technical subjects, we rely on standards, studies and reference manuals; for kit, on manufacturers’ specification sheets and on measurements published by testing laboratories, always making clear who measured what. Every source we cite has been opened and read, and its link checked. Every claim that matters (a figure, a rule, a safety point) rests on an identified source, a primary one wherever possible; how many sources an article needs depends on the subject, what is at stake and any contradictions to resolve.

Checked figures

Every figure is checked against its source, and cross-checked when possible. Calculations and conversions given as examples are redone, and any rounding is stated. When in doubt, we write the sentence without the figure.

First-hand experience, and what others report

When a member of the team has tested a piece of kit or done a route, the article says so, and they tell the story themselves. Everything else rests on published data and on what other enthusiasts have experienced, always attributed to them.

A second pair of eyes

Many of our articles are reviewed by a member of the team other than their author, and ‘Reviewed by’ only appears under the headline when that review has actually taken place. Articles on some subjects are always reviewed before publication: survival and bushcraft, regulations, safety, product recalls and high-risk activities. This review covers clarity, consistency and whether the text matches its sources; it is no substitute for the opinion of a professional in the activity, and we never present it as one.

Dated and kept up to date

Every article shows its publication date, and an ‘Updated’ date when its substance has changed. ‘Checked’ means its sources have been gone through again and nothing needed changing.

Each article is also given a shelf life, set by how quickly its subject changes. Once it has run out, a box at the top of the article warns that some information may have changed, until we have reviewed it. A reported mistake is checked; if it is confirmed, it is corrected, and any correction of fact is noted at the end of the article: see our corrections policy.

Images

An image generated or altered by artificial intelligence that resembles a real person, place, object or event carries the label ‘Image generated or altered by AI’. Photos are credited with their author’s name and licence.

What our articles cannot replace

Outfarer is no substitute for a professional, the emergency services or proper training. For a technical skill or a high-risk activity, nothing beats learning with a club or a national governing body.

Updated 26 October 2026