Vanguard Loadout is an affiliate publication. We earn commissions when readers buy through links on this site. This page explains how that works, what it does not mean, and how to read our reviews and guides accordingly.

What we do

We publish reviews, buying guides, comparisons, and seasonal roundups for health-optimization gear across nine categories. Most products we cover are linked to merchants — manufacturers, specialty retailers, or large platforms like Amazon — through affiliate programs. When you click a link and make a purchase, the merchant pays us a percentage of the sale. Your price is unaffected.

Why we disclose

Affiliate compensation is a real commercial relationship. Federal Trade Commission guidance requires clear and conspicuous disclosure of these relationships so readers can weigh recommendations in context. We agree with the principle, and we follow it.

Disclosure appears in three places: at the top of every review and guide, before the first affiliate link; in the page footer; and on this page.

What this does not mean

It does not mean our recommendations are bought. Commission structure does not influence ranking. Brands with higher commission rates do not get better placement, more flattering language, or shorter caveat lists. Brands with no affiliate program at all are covered when they belong in a guide. If a budget product outperforms a premium product for the use case in question, we say so.

The editorial commitments behind that statement — testing standards, re-evaluation rules, sponsorship policy — are documented on the methodology page.

Specific programs

Vanguard Loadout participates in affiliate programs that may include, but are not limited to:

  • Amazon Associates Program

  • Affiliate networks: Impact, ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, Awin, Refersion

  • Direct merchant programs with brands we review

As an Amazon Associate, Vanguard Loadout earns from qualifying purchases. The site participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties including Amazon.com.

Free products, loaned units, and sponsored content

Any product we received free of charge, on loan, or under any other non-arm's-length arrangement is disclosed inside the relevant piece. The disclosure is specific — what we received, from whom, and on what terms.

We do not currently accept sponsored content. If that ever changes, sponsored placements will be labeled as sponsored, separated from review and guide content, and excluded from "best of" rankings.

Many of our affiliate links route through the path vanguardloadout.com/go/{merchant}/ before redirecting to the merchant. This is for internal link management — it lets us update affiliate IDs and track click data without rewriting articles — and is standard practice in the industry. It is not concealment. Hovering over any link will reveal the destination, and every page with affiliate links carries disclosure above the first link.

Editorial firewall

The operator of Vanguard Loadout — Kris Crawford, MD — makes editorial calls. Affiliate relationships are managed separately. No merchant has the ability to review, approve, request edits to, or pre-empt coverage. Coverage decisions are made on editorial criteria. We will publish negative reviews of products we have an affiliate relationship with when the evidence and our experience warrant it.

Contact

Questions about a specific disclosure, an affiliate program we participate in, or our editorial standards — write to field-notes@vanguardloadout.com.

Vanguard Loadout is published by Crawford Medical LLC. This disclosure was last updated May 16, 2026.