Trust is earned.
Northbound publishes reporting, reviews, opinions, and stories about the outdoors. Every piece should serve readers first.
These standards guide how we report, review, correct, and publish our work.
Editorial Principles
Northbound is committed to accuracy, independence, transparency, and fairness.
Readers deserve reporting that follows the facts, reviews grounded in actual use, and opinion pieces clearly identified as opinion.
We don’t believe every issue has two equally valid sides. We do believe facts matter, evidence matters, and readers deserve context.
Our goal isn’t to tell readers what to think. It’s to give them enough information to think for themselves.
News Reporting Standards
Our reporting prioritizes:
- Primary documents
- Public records
- Official statements
- Direct interviews
- Firsthand reporting and observation
Whenever possible, we seek information directly from the people, organizations, agencies, and records involved.
We strive to provide context, not just headlines.
Speed matters in news reporting, but accuracy matters more.
Source Standards
We make every reasonable effort to verify information before publication.
When reporting on complex topics, we seek multiple sources and supporting documentation whenever possible.
Anonymous sources may be used when information is important to the public, cannot reasonably be obtained another way, and the source faces a legitimate risk for speaking publicly. We use anonymous sourcing sparingly.
We don’t knowingly publish false information, fabricated quotes, manipulated evidence, or misleading claims.
Opinion & Commentary
Northbound publishes opinion and commentary alongside news reporting.
Opinion pieces reflect the views of their authors and should not be confused with news coverage.
Opinions may be strong, controversial, or unpopular. They should still be grounded in facts, evidence, reporting, or firsthand experience.
We welcome disagreement. We don’t believe disagreement is a substitute for facts.
Opinion content will be clearly identified as opinion.
Corrections Policy
We take corrections seriously.
If we publish inaccurate information, we’ll correct it as quickly as possible.
Depending on the error, corrections may include:
- Updating factual information
- Adding clarification or context
- Publishing a correction note within the article
- Removing information that can’t be verified
Minor spelling, grammar, formatting, or typographical corrections may be made without a formal correction note. We are human, after all.
Readers who believe an error exists are encouraged to contact us.
Review Standards
Readers should know how products are evaluated.
Northbound reviews are based on actual use. PERIOD. Gear should be tested where it’s meant to be used, whether that’s on a trail, on the water, at camp, in the mountains, or in everyday life.
Some products are purchased by Northbound. Others may be provided by manufacturers for testing and review consideration.
- Providing a product does not guarantee coverage.
- Providing a product does not guarantee a favorable review.
- Manufacturers do not receive editorial approval before publication.
- We aim to identify both strengths and weaknesses honestly and transparently.
- No product is perfect. No review should pretend otherwise.
Independence & Ethics
Northbound’s editorial decisions are made independently.
Advertisers do not control news coverage.
Sponsors do not control news coverage.
Manufacturers do not control reviews.
Advocacy organizations do not control coverage.
Political organizations do not control coverage.
Government agencies do not control coverage.
Partnerships, advertising relationships, affiliate programs, sponsorships, review samples, and personal opinions will not determine what facts are reported.
When a potential conflict exists, we’ll make reasonable efforts to disclose it.
Contact Us
If you have questions about our reporting, standards, or corrections policy:
