Welcome to the Filter, the Guardian’s new home for trustworthy product reviews, informed recommendations and shopping guides – thanks for signing up to our newsletter. Whether you’re after a pair of hiking boots, a heated clothes airer, or a smartphone upgrade, we’re here to remove the stress of online shopping, help you make better decisions and save you money in the long run.
Our writers are experts in their fields. They go the extra mile – or 20 – in testing products as rigorously as possible. Paddy Maddison, a self-confessed hiking, cycling, running and snowboarding addict, tests outdoor clothing, footwear and gear for us. He clocked up hundreds of miles hiking in the north-east of England – and the French Alps – to rate the best walking boots. This included wading through the notoriously boggy Cheviot Hills to test their waterproofness (spoiler: not all of them were). Look out for his test of the best men’s outdoor jackets in a few weeks.