About SportChek
Our Mission and Approach
SportChek was founded in 2019 by a group of athletes, engineers, and sports enthusiasts frustrated with superficial product reviews that regurgitated marketing claims without genuine testing. We recognized that athletes needed reliable information based on real-world performance data, not just specifications copied from manufacturer websites.
Our testing facility in Boulder, Colorado houses equipment for measuring everything from shoe cushioning compression to racket vibration frequencies. We've tested over 2,400 products since our launch, with detailed records of how each item performs across different conditions, user types, and time periods. This database allows us to identify patterns in durability, performance degradation, and value that wouldn't be apparent from short-term testing.
We operate independently without manufacturer sponsorships or affiliate relationships that could compromise our objectivity. All equipment is purchased at retail prices or provided on loan with no strings attached. This independence allows us to be completely honest when a $250 product performs worse than a $100 alternative, or when marketing claims don't match measurable reality. Our revenue comes from display advertising and optional premium memberships, never from product sales or manufacturer partnerships.
The sports equipment industry releases thousands of new products annually, many with minimal improvements over previous versions. Our role is to cut through the noise and identify which innovations actually matter for performance and which are purely cosmetic. We also highlight older models that remain excellent choices at discounted prices, helping budget-conscious athletes get quality gear without paying for the latest colorways or minor updates.
| Category | Products Tested | Testing Hours | Athlete Testers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running Shoes | 487 | 12,300 | 89 |
| Cycling Equipment | 312 | 8,700 | 54 |
| Team Sports Gear | 521 | 6,200 | 127 |
| Fitness Equipment | 289 | 5,400 | 43 |
| Water Sports | 198 | 3,100 | 31 |
| Winter Sports | 243 | 4,800 | 38 |
| Accessories | 350 | 2,900 | 62 |
Testing Methodology and Standards
Our testing protocols combine laboratory measurements with field testing across different athlete profiles. For footwear, we use durometers to measure midsole hardness when new and after 100-mile intervals, tracking cushioning degradation over the shoe's lifespan. We also conduct wear pattern analysis by having testers run on standardized surfaces and documenting outsole wear at 50-mile increments.
Field testing involves athletes of varying weights (120-240 pounds), foot strikes (heel, midfoot, forefoot), and weekly mileage (15-70 miles). This diversity reveals how products perform for different user types rather than just ideal conditions. A shoe that works perfectly for a 150-pound midfoot striker might cause knee pain for a 200-pound heel striker, and our reviews document these variations.
For equipment like bikes, rackets, and clubs, we use force sensors, accelerometers, and high-speed cameras to capture objective performance data. We measure frame stiffness, vibration dampening, and energy transfer efficiency. These measurements are then correlated with subjective feedback from testers to understand which technical characteristics translate to noticeable performance differences.
Durability testing extends beyond initial impressions. We track products for 6-24 months depending on the category, documenting how performance changes over time. This long-term perspective reveals issues like premature material breakdown, loosening connections, or degrading waterproofing that wouldn't appear in 30-day reviews. You can see examples of our detailed testing results throughout our main page and in the specific questions we answer on our FAQ page.
Expert Team and Credentials
Our core team includes former collegiate athletes, certified coaches, biomechanics researchers, and materials engineers. Lead tester Marcus Chen holds a Master's degree in Exercise Science from the University of Michigan and competed in ultramarathons for 8 years, giving him deep understanding of footwear performance and injury prevention. Sarah Rodriguez, our cycling specialist, worked as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry before transitioning to full-time bike testing and holds USA Cycling Level 2 coaching certification.
We also maintain relationships with university biomechanics labs and sports medicine clinics to validate our findings against academic research. When we identify potential injury risks or performance claims that seem questionable, we consult with physical therapists and sports physicians to ensure our recommendations align with current medical understanding. This collaboration has prevented us from recommending products that tested well in our lab but showed injury patterns in clinical settings.
Our network of field testers includes over 400 athletes across the United States, from recreational participants to competitive amateurs. These testers represent different ages (18-67), body types, skill levels, and geographic locations, ensuring our reviews account for varying conditions and use cases. A trail running shoe that performs excellently on Colorado's rocky terrain might fail on Florida's sandy paths, and our distributed testing model captures these regional differences.
Continuing education is mandatory for our core team. We attend industry conferences, review academic publications in sports science journals, and maintain certifications in relevant areas. This commitment to staying current ensures our analysis incorporates the latest research on biomechanics, materials science, and training methodology. The sports equipment field evolves rapidly, and yesterday's conventional wisdom often becomes tomorrow's outdated practice.
| Team Member | Specialization | Credentials | Years Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Chen | Running & Footwear | MS Exercise Science, CSCS | 12 |
| Sarah Rodriguez | Cycling Equipment | Mechanical Engineer, USA Cycling L2 | 9 |
| James Patterson | Team Sports | Former D1 Basketball, CPT | 15 |
| Elena Vasquez | Materials Analysis | PhD Materials Science | 8 |
| David Kim | Biomechanics | MS Kinesiology, ATC | 11 |