Editorial Policy

Editorial independence

LeakedBriefs is editorially independent. Our scores, verdicts and editorial commentary are not influenced by manufacturers, retailers, advertisers or any commercial relationship. We do not accept payment for positive reviews, favourable placement or editorial coverage of any kind.

Manufacturers and retailers have no involvement in our testing methodology, scoring criteria or written verdicts. They do not see reviews before publication. They cannot request changes to published content.

Testing methodology

All reviews on LeakedBriefs are conducted by Patch and Shield, two real men managing incontinence who test products in real-world situations. Our testing methodology is consistent across all products:

• Every product is purchased by us, from public retailers, at the price any reader would pay
• Products are tested across six defined real-world scenarios: office day, commute, car journey, active day, overnight and motorbike
• Products are scored across ten categories: Discretion, Absorbency, Noise, Profile, Active Performance, Skin Comfort, Odour Control, Value for Money, Sizing Accuracy and Anatomy Fit
• All products are physically measured before first wear and compared against stated dimensions
• Washable products are tested across multiple wash cycles with condition noted at wash 1, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50
• Cost per use is calculated based on our actual usage patterns, not manufacturer suggested change frequency

The full testing protocol is available on request.

Scoring

Scores are given on a 1-5 scale per category per reviewer. The weighted average of all ten categories produces the overall score out of 10. Scores are not adjusted after publication except as part of a documented update (3-month or 12-month review). Score changes are noted explicitly with the date and reason.

The Noise category is inverted, a lower score represents more noise, a higher score represents silence. This is noted on every review.

Press samples

Occasionally a manufacturer may provide a product for review. When this occurs:

• It is disclosed clearly at the top of the review with the badge "Press sample, disclosed"
• The product is tested identically to self-purchased products
• The manufacturer has no influence over scores, verdicts or publication
• We reserve the right to decline press samples from any manufacturer at our discretion

The majority of products on this site are self-purchased. We prefer it that way.

Corrections

We correct errors promptly. If you identify an error in any review or article, please contact our contact form.

Corrections are noted at the bottom of the relevant page with the correction date and a brief description of what changed. We correct in place, we do not delete corrected content or pretend errors did not occur.

The stereotype we reject

LeakedBriefs takes an explicit editorial position on how this subject matter is portrayed.

• Our reader is assumed to be active, employed and living a normal life, not frail, elderly or institutionalised
• No stock photography of elderly men, no clinical or passive language, no implication that this condition is synonymous with age or decline
• Product photography shows products as products, flat lay, measured, scored, not modelled on bodies in ways that reinforce stereotypes
• Our editorial voice treats the reader as someone making an informed purchasing decision, not a patient receiving care
• Manufacturers, advertisers and brand partners who wish to work with LeakedBriefs are expected to respect this position, content that contradicts it will not be published regardless of commercial relationship

Advertising and commercial relationships

LeakedBriefs carries advertising (Google AdSense) and affiliate links. These commercial relationships do not influence editorial content. See our Affiliate Disclosure for full details.

Brand partnerships, where a manufacturer or retailer pays to sponsor a guide or newsletter feature, are clearly labelled as "Sponsored" or "Paid partnership." Sponsored content is subject to the same factual accuracy standards as editorial content. We do not publish sponsored content that contradicts our review findings.

Living reviews

Reviews on LeakedBriefs are living documents. Every review is published in one of the following stages:

• In Progressone or both reviewers are mid-testing. Partial data published. Update expected within four weeks.
• Initial Reviewboth reviewers have completed testing across all applicable scenarios.
• 3-Month Updatescores reviewed after three months of use. Any changes noted with explanation.
• 12-Month Updatefull longitudinal assessment. Cost per use recalculated. Final wash cycle data.

The review stage is displayed prominently at the top of every review page.

Contact

Editorial queries, corrections, press enquiries and partnership discussions: our contact form

We read everything. We aim to respond within five working days.