Cookie Policy
Last updated: 2024-06-01
This Cookie Policy explains how StrideStash ("StrideStash", "we", "us", or "our"), operating at stridestash.com, uses cookies, localStorage, and similar tracking technologies when you visit our running and fitness wear review site. By using our website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this policy.
What Are Cookies and Local Storage?
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device to remember information about your visit. Local storage is a similar browser technology that allows websites to store data directly in your browser, but unlike cookies, this data is not automatically sent to our servers with every request. StrideStash uses both technologies sparingly and transparently, as described below.
How We Use Cookies and Local Storage
1. Consent Banner Preference (Local Storage)
When you first visit stridestash.com, you will see a cookie consent banner asking whether you accept or decline non-essential cookies, including analytics. Your response — either "accept" or "decline" — is saved directly in your browser's localStorage. This allows us to remember your preference so the banner does not reappear on every page load or subsequent visit.
- This localStorage entry is strictly functional. It does not track your browsing activity, does not identify you personally, and is not shared with any third party.
- If you decline, no analytics cookies will be set on your device, and only this essential preference record is stored locally.
- If you accept, analytics cookies (described below) will be activated for your session and future visits until you change your preference.
2. Essential Cookies
We may use a minimal number of strictly necessary cookies required for the basic functioning of the site, such as maintaining page load stability and supporting security features. These essential cookies do not require consent under applicable law because the website cannot function properly without them, and they do not collect personally identifiable analytics data.
3. Analytics Cookies (Only With Consent)
If you click "Accept" on our cookie consent banner, we activate analytics cookies to help us understand how visitors use StrideStash — for example, which running shoe reviews are most popular, how long visitors browse comparison articles, and which pages could use improvement. These cookies collect aggregated, anonymized, or pseudonymized information such as:
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- General geographic region (city/country level, not precise location)
- Device and browser type
- Referral source (e.g., search engine or social media link)
These analytics cookies are provided by third-party analytics services (such as Google Analytics or similar providers). These third parties may set their own cookies on your device in accordance with their own privacy and cookie policies. We encourage you to review the policies of any third-party analytics provider directly on their respective websites for full details on their data practices.
Analytics cookies are never activated unless you have explicitly accepted them through our consent banner. If you decline or take no action, these cookies remain inactive.
4. No Advertising or Marketing Cookies
StrideStash does not use cookies for third-party advertising, retargeting, or cross-site marketing purposes. We are a review-focused site, and our cookie usage is limited strictly to the essential and analytics purposes described above.
How to Withdraw or Change Your Consent
You are always in control of your cookie preferences. Since your consent choice is stored in your browser's localStorage rather than a traditional server-side account setting, you can withdraw or reset your consent at any time by doing any of the following:
- Clear your browser's local storage and cookies: Go to your browser settings (usually under "Privacy" or "Site Settings"), locate stridestash.com, and clear stored site data. This will remove your saved consent choice and any analytics cookies, and the consent banner will reappear on your next visit so you can make a fresh choice.
- Use browser privacy tools: Most modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) allow you to view and delete individual site data, including localStorage entries and cookies, through their developer tools or privacy settings menus.
- Use private/incognito browsing: Browsing in a private window will prevent your consent choice from being saved beyond that session.
- Block cookies at the browser level: You can configure your browser to block all cookies or notify you before cookies are set, though this may affect certain site functionality.
Once you clear your stored data, no analytics cookies will be reactivated unless and until you accept the consent banner again on a future visit.
Third-Party Cookies
Aside from the analytics cookies described above, StrideStash does not knowingly permit third parties to set additional tracking cookies on our site. If we link to external retailers, brand websites, or affiliate partners (for example, when referencing where to purchase reviewed running shoes or fitness apparel), those third-party sites operate under their own cookie and privacy policies, which are outside of our control. We recommend reviewing the cookie policy of any external site you visit via links on StrideStash.
Browser Settings and Do Not Track
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings, including blocking cookies entirely, deleting existing cookies, or receiving alerts when a cookie is set. Please note that blocking essential cookies or clearing localStorage may affect certain features of the site, such as remembering your cookie consent choice. Currently, StrideStash does not respond to "Do Not Track" browser signals, as there is no consistent industry standard for interpreting these signals.
Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or the analytics tools we use. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies and local storage.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how StrideStash uses cookies and local storage, please reach out to us through the contact information provided on our website. We are happy to clarify our data practices or assist with any concerns regarding your privacy preferences.