Privacy Policy

Information we collect and how we use it

We collect only minimal information necessary to deliver our website securely, evaluate traffic trends, and communicate with visitors who reach out to us.

Website analytics

We use Google Analytics 4 to understand how visitors find and use our site: which pages are viewed, how long visits last, the type of device and browser, the website that referred you, and your approximate location (city or region), which Google estimates from your IP address. Google Analytics sets first-party cookies (_ga and _ga_ followed by an ID) so it can recognize a returning browser. Google Analytics 4 does not log or store IP addresses. We have turned off Google signals and ad personalization, so this data is not used to show you ads or linked to a Google account, and we use it only in aggregate to improve the site. Google processes it as our service provider; you can read how Google uses information from sites that use its services.

You can opt out by blocking or deleting cookies in your browser, by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on, or by turning on Global Privacy Control (GPC). When your browser sends a GPC signal, our site does not load Google Analytics at all.

Cookie choices. The first time you visit, a banner lets you accept or reject analytics cookies, with equal-weight buttons. Visitors in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland start with analytics off until they choose; elsewhere analytics is on by default and you can turn it off. Advertising cookies are off for everyone. Your choice is saved in your browser for 12 months, and you can change it at any time with the “Cookie settings” or “Your Privacy Choices” link at the bottom of every page.

Security and bot mitigation

Our site runs on servers we operate, behind Cloudflare, which provides HTTPS encryption and network protection. When you submit feedback through our contact form or subscribe through our newsletter form, Cloudflare Turnstile (when turned on) checks that the submission originates from a human user without deploying intrusive tracking cookies or personal data harvesting.

Outbound affiliate links

Change Gear contains outbound affiliate links to trusted outdoor merchants, including Amazon and REI (via the AvantLink affiliate network). When you click an affiliate link on our site, you are redirected to the merchant website.

The retailer or affiliate network may place cookies or tracking tags on your browser to record that you arrived from Change Gear and attribute qualifying purchases. These tracking technologies are governed exclusively by the respective retailer privacy policies. We never receive your name, address, credit card number, or payment details from retailers.

Email correspondence and newsletter

If you contact our editorial team at [email protected], we collect your email address and message contents to respond to your request. If you subscribe to our outdoor newsletter, your email address is verified via a double opt-in process and managed through Cloudflare Email Service. Every email includes a one-click unsubscribe link. We never sell, rent, or trade email subscriber addresses.

Third-party service providers

We share minimal data with trusted technical service providers:

• Cloudflare: CDN edge delivery, network protection, and Turnstile bot security
• Google Analytics: Aggregate website traffic analytics (Google signals and ad personalization turned off)
• Cloudflare Email Service: Transactional and newsletter email delivery

Cookies and tracking technologies

Apart from the Google Analytics cookies described above, Change Gear does not place advertising cookies, behavioral tracking pixels, or cross-site tracking beacons on your computer. When you use our interactive packing-list builder, your checked items are saved only in your browser’s local storage (localStorage) on your own device and are never transmitted to our servers. Outbound affiliate links may lead retailers to set their own cookies, as explained above. You can opt out by blocking or deleting cookies in your browser, by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on, or by turning on Global Privacy Control (GPC). When your browser sends a GPC signal, our site does not load Google Analytics at all.

Data retention practices

We maintain collected data according to clear schedules:

• Traffic analytics: Held in Google Analytics, which keeps event-level data for two months; after that only aggregated report totals remain.
• Contact correspondence: Retained until the relevant question, feedback, or correction request is resolved.
• Newsletter subscriptions: Maintained until you click the unsubscribe link or submit an opt-out request.

State privacy rights

Residents of California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and other states with comprehensive privacy laws have specific statutory rights:

• The right to know what personal data is collected, disclosed, or retained
• The right to access and obtain a portable copy of personal information
• The right to request the deletion of personal information
• The right to correct inaccurate personal data

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), businesses must state whether they sell personal data or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. Change Gear does not sell personal information, and we do not share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.

To exercise your privacy rights, please contact us at [email protected].

Children’s privacy

Change Gear is an informational website intended for adults and outdoor enthusiasts. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13.

Contact information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please reach out to us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Mailing address: 1752 Wilking Way, Shakopee, MN 55379
• Legal operator: Ecommerce Scale Inc.