Lots of interesting views on this. I am in the middle of buying everything for an RTW right now. Literally from naked to ready to go. So this branding thing is in my purview right now.

I have NO issue with YT's selling products, or being sponsored, or writers selling their works, or more discreet branding, or folk who support their favorite team or band or forum. I am specifically talking about over the top branding where the logo or brand name is grossly displayed. I only mention this company in one reference and it is not a comment on quality or anything else - just this one product - Alpinestar sells a jacket where the logo is the entire front of the jacket. NO! Not for me. I will not wear it. Even if it was the BEST gear on the planet and it was free.

I will be doing the YT thing and am considering my approach right now. And branding is part of it. It has been extremely helpful in my selection of gear, to watch 100's of hours of videos with folk out there doing it, to get my purchases right. And I will ONLY offer this feedback if asked in most cases. My goal is not to be the same....not a gear reviewer....but if there is something that is outstanding - then I'll talk about it - and that's not advertising - supporting good products from good companies only makes sense.

So maybe the answer here is balance, respect, intelligence, thoughtfulness, flexibility, and a willingness to re-evaluate and change.....imagine a world where we apply this approach to everything.