Really enjoyed this. Where do you think blogs like DC Rainmaker or, further afield, NY Time’s Wirecutter fit within the media ecosystem? They strive for a level objectivity but still monetize via ads and affiliate links.
There should always be review sites like those mentioned, and i have nothing against review sites. Trail runners love to dive into the detail of every purchase they make, and having a personality they grow to trust for their insights on the latest gear is a net positive for that culture.
My belief is that not all running media needs to create that content, there needs to be a greater effort to either create service content in a more unique way or simply place their efforts elsewhere to benefit the culture in another way.
I really liked seeing that headline pop in to my Feed, thanks. Our sites, ALPSinsight: The Alps Trail Running Resource and Sierra Trail Runs : A Guide to the Eastside, are primarily offering info on running in these regions, guidebook style, with an emphasis on good photography. The number one thing people ask us about is gear. They see we're in the mountains every day, all year, and want to know what we use. Our blog posts that offer gear advice or reviews are by far the most popular and live on for SEO support. In our case, we're responding to what brings traffic and followers while also continuing to be true to our vision of producing great and very real content. One supports the other. Thankfully though, I think in all our years we've only done one shoe review as I also feel it's too subjective. But, lots of packs have been looked at.
For me, gear reviews work well when they’re written by people you trust and admire. Through your blogs on ALPSinsight you show quite an aspirational lifestyle (especially for city dwellers like myself!), so any gear reviews given by you provide a behind the scenes look at how you’re able to produce all your compelling work. Your wider work and any gear review you do work in tandem - your reviews gain more weight with the reader because you’ve demonstrated your experience and expertise.
All that to say - I’m not criticising gear reviews, i just think there’s too many misaligned incentives in trail running media. When reviews are done well, they’re a joy to read and feel like you’re getting insider knowledge :)
Good call-out; whenever I see the typical "Ten Socks Our Editors Can't Live WIthout" article, I feel sorry for the editor who had to publish such click-bait.
Re Shoe Reviews, they are so flagrantly subjective as to be worthless; an embarrassment to the sport. But I've always thought they could be quite useful if a wee bit of science was performed: put the shoe on a bench and measure it! Interior width at ball and heel; rocker Delta H front and rear; and use a simple durometer to measure it's cushion over the ball and heel. I'd love to know these things.
I've been a subscriber to The Athletic (good World Cup coverage in separate newsletter) but didn't know about Citius; thanks.
Completely agree. Don’t get me wrong, when i need some new trail shoes, i appreciate the review of writers/vloggers that I’ve grown to trust, but does every trail running website need to do them? And yes, would love a bit of science to it all!
Really enjoyed this. Where do you think blogs like DC Rainmaker or, further afield, NY Time’s Wirecutter fit within the media ecosystem? They strive for a level objectivity but still monetize via ads and affiliate links.
It’s a great question.
There should always be review sites like those mentioned, and i have nothing against review sites. Trail runners love to dive into the detail of every purchase they make, and having a personality they grow to trust for their insights on the latest gear is a net positive for that culture.
My belief is that not all running media needs to create that content, there needs to be a greater effort to either create service content in a more unique way or simply place their efforts elsewhere to benefit the culture in another way.
I really liked seeing that headline pop in to my Feed, thanks. Our sites, ALPSinsight: The Alps Trail Running Resource and Sierra Trail Runs : A Guide to the Eastside, are primarily offering info on running in these regions, guidebook style, with an emphasis on good photography. The number one thing people ask us about is gear. They see we're in the mountains every day, all year, and want to know what we use. Our blog posts that offer gear advice or reviews are by far the most popular and live on for SEO support. In our case, we're responding to what brings traffic and followers while also continuing to be true to our vision of producing great and very real content. One supports the other. Thankfully though, I think in all our years we've only done one shoe review as I also feel it's too subjective. But, lots of packs have been looked at.
For me, gear reviews work well when they’re written by people you trust and admire. Through your blogs on ALPSinsight you show quite an aspirational lifestyle (especially for city dwellers like myself!), so any gear reviews given by you provide a behind the scenes look at how you’re able to produce all your compelling work. Your wider work and any gear review you do work in tandem - your reviews gain more weight with the reader because you’ve demonstrated your experience and expertise.
All that to say - I’m not criticising gear reviews, i just think there’s too many misaligned incentives in trail running media. When reviews are done well, they’re a joy to read and feel like you’re getting insider knowledge :)
Good call-out; whenever I see the typical "Ten Socks Our Editors Can't Live WIthout" article, I feel sorry for the editor who had to publish such click-bait.
Re Shoe Reviews, they are so flagrantly subjective as to be worthless; an embarrassment to the sport. But I've always thought they could be quite useful if a wee bit of science was performed: put the shoe on a bench and measure it! Interior width at ball and heel; rocker Delta H front and rear; and use a simple durometer to measure it's cushion over the ball and heel. I'd love to know these things.
I've been a subscriber to The Athletic (good World Cup coverage in separate newsletter) but didn't know about Citius; thanks.
Completely agree. Don’t get me wrong, when i need some new trail shoes, i appreciate the review of writers/vloggers that I’ve grown to trust, but does every trail running website need to do them? And yes, would love a bit of science to it all!