Runz Journal
Editorial policy
Trust matters more than access. These are the rules behind every product note, interview and partnership on Runz.
Editorial comes first
Payment, access or a free product never guarantees coverage or a positive conclusion. Runz decides what is useful to runners and retains final editorial control.
Disclosure is immediate
Paid partnerships, gifted or loaned products and affiliate links are identified at the beginning of the article — before the editorial text.
Reviews require use
A review states the relevant test period. Products we have not run in are labelled First look, not Review.
Affiliate links do not change the verdict
Runz may receive a commission when a reader buys through a disclosed affiliate link, at no extra cost to the reader.
Facts can change
Prices, specifications and availability are accurate to the best of our knowledge at publication and may change afterwards. Material corrections are made when identified.
Community scores cannot be bought
Gear Truth accepts ratings only from members who list the product in their own gear. Products need five verified ratings before they are ranked; smaller samples are labelled Early signal. Commercial relationships never change the score or position.
Members' own gear links are labelled
A runner may add their own link to gear they use, including a shop, discount code or affiliate link. When the runner marks it as affiliate or sponsored, that is stated openly on their page. Gear Truth scores and ranking are never affected by these links.
Our labels
- Independent editorial
- No payment, free product or affiliate commission.
- Paid partnership
- A brand paid Runz to create or publish the content.
- Product provided
- A brand supplied the product as a gift or temporary loan.
- Affiliate links
- Runz may earn commission from a purchase, at no extra cost to the reader.
Gear Truth methodology
The public score is a weighted average that pulls small samples toward a neutral community prior. We also publish the number of verified ratings and the share who would buy the product again. A runner’s identity and free-text notes are not published in the first version.
This policy explains how Runz works; it is not legal advice or a guarantee of compliance in every jurisdiction. A public contact channel for corrections and disclosure questions will be added before accepting commercial submissions.