Peak Score is derived by looking at product reviews across the web in order to determine a single aggregated review score that can be used by the consumer to compare a single product against other similar products. Basically, we read all the reviews so you don’t have to.

A product’s Peak Score is based on two types of reviews: users and experts. Users are regular consumers who have posted a review of a product on the web. Usually, user reviews are found on popular e-commerce sites like REI, Backcountry, Amazon, etc.

Experts are often professionals whose job requires them to use the gear that they have reviewed. Additionally, dedicated enthusiasts with an established community and online reputation can also considered experts.

Our algorithm takes into account numerous factors when weighing different reviews and calculating the Peak Score, some of which include the reputation of an expert (as determined by objective criteria), the reputation of the website where the review was posted, etc. If there is not a critical mass of user reviews, that component of the score is discounted. Of course, we also remove all spam reviews.

While the Peak Score is an objective value that can be used to compare multiple products, we also provide insight into some of the more subjective components of the review process by highlighting specific pros and cons described by reviewers. Of course, we attempt to highlight pros and cons in a fashion that accurately represents their frequency in different reviews. However, this the pros and cons can be thought of as more of a qualitative analysis, whereas the Peak Score is more quantitative.

At the end of the day, some people are unique in what they are looking for in a product, so while the Peak Score provides a solid reflection of the overall community’s preferences, everybody is different and what works for most people may not work for you. It is our goal to have the best aggregated reviews to provide you, the consumer, an efficient, actionable and accurate review of the product you’re shopping for in one place.