About our guides

How we choose and test gear

Built to last. Made to feel good. Chosen for the journey.

Every guide on Barefoot Backpackers is written by us, Ellen and Greg Kinsey. Here’s how we pick products, what our badges mean, how we keep guides current and how the site makes money.

Written by the two of us
“Tested by us” only for gear we’ve used
Guides checked and updated regularly

Ellen and Greg Kinsey hiking together in Morocco — Ellen & Greg on the trail

Our process

How a pick gets on our site

Research
We start with materials, construction and the brand’s track record, and read long-term owner feedback.
Shortlist
We keep the gear that’s built to last and made to feel good, with natural fibers wherever they do the job best.
Use it
Where we can, we wear and use it ourselves on trips, trails and ski days.
Write it up
Each pick says who it’s best for and what the trade-offs are, so you can choose with confidence.
Keep it current
We check prices, availability and ratings, and update guides as products change.

What our badges mean

Tested or researched

Tested by us

We’ve used it ourselves on trips, trails or ski days. Our notes on fit, comfort and wear come from that use.

Researched

Picks without the badge are researched: chosen from the materials, construction, sizing, brand track record and long-term owner feedback. As we use more of them ourselves, we add the badge and our notes.

What we look for

Our checklist, by category

Materials. We choose natural fibers because they feel better, last longer and come from nature.
Build quality. Stitching, zippers, soles and straps that hold up, and parts that can be repaired.
Value over time. Gear that lasts for years over gear that’s cheapest today.

Natural-fiber clothing

What it’s made of, and the exact blend when a little nylon or elastane adds strength
Fabric weight and knit for the season
Softness, itch and how easy it is to care for

Barefoot shoes and sandals

A wide, foot-shaped toe box
Zero drop from heel to toe
A thin, flexible sole and how much ground feel it gives

Backpacks

Fit, torso adjustment and carry comfort
Airline size limits for carry-on packs
Materials, zippers and warranty

Ski and winter gear

Warmth for the weight
Waterproofing and breathability
How high-wear areas hold up

Yoga gear

Natural materials like cork, rubber and cotton
Grip and thickness
Weight and packability for travel

From our own kit

Gear we’ve tested

Every product here carries the “Tested by us” badge in our guides.

Where we test

The Alps, and the road

Ellen lives in the Austrian Alps, where cold-weather gear gets tested on ski days, mountain hikes and camping trips. Greg has lived in Australia, India, France, Italy, Mexico and Argentina as a digital nomad, putting travel gear to the test on the road.

When traveling, Ellen packs a limited capsule wardrobe of merino performance pieces and everyday clothing made from other natural fibers. She wears these pieces for months at a time, which gives her a real feel for their comfort, function and durability. Living in a mountain town makes everyday life a testing ground, from barefoot shoes and hiking poles to clothing and camping essentials.

As a digital nomad, Greg is always refining his setup so he feels at home wherever he is. From tech essentials to clothing that works across different climates, he knows what’s worth packing, what’s worth investing in and what can stay at home.

Mountains above an alpine lake in the Alps

A hiker with a backpack on a snowy winter trail

Keeping guides current

How we keep guides accurate

Prices and stock. Listings that go out of stock or disappear are replaced.
Ratings. We drop products whose reviews fall below about 3.5 stars.
Specs. Fiber blends and specs are checked against the brand or retailer listing.
Dates. Every guide shows when it was last updated.

Meet the testers

Who writes our guides

Co-founder & editor

Ellen Kinsey

Online magazine writer and yoga teacher, based in the Austrian Alps. Ellen covers natural fibers, yoga, women’s gear and travel.

Co-founder & editor

Greg Kinsey

Digital nomad, hiker and skier. Greg covers backpacks, travel tech, men’s gear and barefoot shoes.

Transparency

How we make money

We’re reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We also work with programs like Booking.com, Hostelworld, GetYourGuide, SafetyWing and a few brands we recommend directly.

If a brand sends us something to test, we say so in the guide.

Questions or corrections?

If something in a guide is out of date, or you’d like us to test a product, let us know. We read every message.

Get in touch →