The 5 F’s
How we review is going to be a question people are going to wonder about. When you see 5 Stars, it seems very subjective. How did something get 5? Or 2? And, how often does it seem like someone is just complaining about something small at REI or Amazon or Cabelas and you gotta dig through the reviews and see why something got 2 stars (yes, we do that).
So, we figure it’s best to explain our 5 Thumbs Up, and how it fits with 5 F’s.
The Five F’s are Form, Fit, Function, Field Performance, and Financial Investment.
So, let’s define them and give some examples!
Form
Form examines the physical or visual aspects of a product:
- For physical products: materials, build quality, dimensions, weight, aesthetics, design elements
- For software/apps: user interface, visual design, layout, information architecture
- Overall: how the product looks and feels, attention to detail, quality of construction or design for virtual products
So, for example, let’s say the Trailblazer GTX boot, which doesn’t exist, but I’ll review the form here:
The TrailBlazer GTX hiking boot features a rugged full-grain leather upper with reinforced toe caps and distinctive orange lacing. It’s a good balance between durability and visual appeal. The GTX low-profile design maintains a sleek silhouette despite incorporating substantial ankle support and protective elements throughout so you won’t look like Frankenstein while you’re hiking. The attention to detail is evident in the precision stitching and thoughtful placement of reflective accents that enhance visibility without compromising the boot’s hiking aesthetic.
Fit
Fit evaluates how well the product integrates with its intended environment:
- For physical products: ergonomics, comfort, compatibility with other equipment, appropriate sizing
- For software/apps: integration with needed workflows, compatibility with other software, adaptability to different devices, such as your phone, OS, desktop, etc.
- Overall: how well the product meshes with its ecosystem and user requirements
Here’s an example of Fit with a mythical, amazing hiking pack:
The NomadTrek 45 backpack’s innovative suspension system distributes weight evenly across the shoulders and hips, preventing hotspots even after hours on the trail. When it says Large, it means Large – it fits well to your body type. One of our female hikers loved it and said the straps were perfectly placed. Its adaptable frame accommodates torsos with intuitive adjustment points that can be modified while wearing the pack. We all hate fumbling for the adjustment points and these are ones you can reach and adjust on the fly. The thoughtfully placed compression straps allow the pack to maintain stability whether carrying a weekend’s essentials or a minimalist day hike loadout. Best of all – it’ll fit your 100 oz Nalgene and you can almost reach it without dislocating your shoulder!
Function
Function assesses what the product actually does and how well it performs:
- For physical products: core capabilities, performance metrics, durability, reliability
- For software/apps: features, performance speed, reliability, stability
- Overall: how effectively the product accomplishes its intended purpose
How about an App for hiking? Here’s an example of Function on an App:
The TrailMapper app (yes, I made that up, but I’m sure it’ll exist in a year) instantly transforms your smartphone into a reliable backcountry navigation tool with offline topographic maps that render quickly even in areas with spotty connectivity. It’s easy to get to the offline map and you don’t have to search for the feature – plus, you can transfer offline maps from your desktop to your phone. Its battery-efficient GPS tracking provides accurate location data while consuming 40% less power than competing apps, extending your phone’s usable life on multi-day adventures. You can view it on your iPhone or your Android watch, which is a big plus for glancing down instead of digging in your NomadTrek small pockets for your phone. The intuitive interface has big features and icon, it allows users to mark waypoints, record tracks, and share routes with hiking partners through a simple three-tap process that surprisingly works even with gloved hands.
Field Performance
Field Performance evaluates how a product performs in real-world conditions beyond controlled environments:
- For physical products: durability under stress, performance in adverse conditions, reliability over time
- For software/apps: functionality in low-connectivity areas, performance under heavy usage, adaptability to unexpected scenarios
- Overall: how the product holds up when faced with the unpredictable challenges of actual use rather than ideal conditions
Here’s a fake rifle, which is inexpensive, but performs well with this criteria:
The Frontiersman Scout .22LR delivers astonishing accuracy for such a low price. It performed well in harsh conditions, maintaining sub-MOA groups even after being submerged in muddy creek water during our three-day backcountry test. Its lightweight polymer frame shrugged off repeated impacts against rocky terrain while scrambling up steep hillsides, with no noticeable effect on zero or trigger performance. The weather-resistant coating prevented rust formation despite being caught in an unexpected downpour and left damp overnight in high humidity conditions. The simplified bolt action operated flawlessly even when contaminated with dust and pine needles, requiring no field maintenance throughout our 500-round evaluation. Perhaps most impressively, the Scout’s illuminated iron site reticle remained clearly visible during twilight shooting sessions, meaning we could use it instead of a high-cost optic.
And, lastly, but depending on your budget, the most important,
Financial Investment
Financial Investment assesses the complete economic picture of owning and using the product:
- For physical products: initial cost, lifespan, warranty coverage
- For software/apps: subscription costs, upgrade pricing, return on productivity, time savings versus alternatives
- Overall: the total cost of ownership balanced against the value delivered throughout the product’s useful life
How about checking the Financial Investment on some pricey trekking poles? Would it get a good review?
At $289, the AlpineForge Carbon Elevate trekking poles represent a high buy-in price that initially raised my eyebrows. However, the lifetime warranty—which covers even accidental damage—transforms the calculation from a mere purchase into a one-time investment in hiking support. Going downhill, stick in a post hole and it break? Send it back. Your buddy do this and not tell you (I’m looking at your Chris when we backpacked the Gila) – send it back two years after you bought it. The proprietary carbon-titanium composite construction demonstrated remarkable durability across three seasons of aggressive testing, showing minimal wear where aluminum competitors have already failed or required replacement parts. Admit it – you don’t buy replacement parts, you just buy a new one…so, stop buying a new one when you can use the guarantee. I nerded out on this, and this is not financial advice, but calculating cost-per-mile, these poles become increasingly economical over time, with our oldest test pair now approaching the $0.10/mile threshold after 2,500+ miles of use. The included adaptable accessories (snow baskets, rubber feet, and camera mount adapters) further enhance value by eliminating the need for separate specialty purchases that would add $75-100 to competitors’ base prices. Worth the financial investment. A thumbs up – with a Band-Aid – from Chris not telling me that he broke the stick, push it back up in the shaft, and went home leaving me to find out later with a cut to my thumb when I used it. I’m not bitter, I swear.
In Closing
Now, let me say this – every single post won’t have this level of detail – some will, some won’t – it simply depends on how long the post is and what level I’d go to.
So, if it gets a thumbs up in each category, you get 5 Thumbs Up. If it doesn’t pass every area, that’s fine – look, some areas might be more important than you. If you’re a broke through-hiker, you might be focus on Function and Field Evaluation, versus, if you are a rich weekend hiker, you might not care about a $300 first aid kit.
That’s the process – and if you see Chris, let him know that wasn’t an AlplineForce Carbon Elevate he broke.