Hi All
This is a blatant plug for BackpackGearTest. We want more
Testers to test FREE gear. Why? Read on.
BackpackGearTest.org or BGT (as it is known) is an
international volunteer organisation dedicated to testing
gear. It is strictly NON-commercial: there are NO fees (and
no advertising either). The aim is to really test walking
gear and to report on that gear for the benefit of other
walkers. These reviews can be read by anyone at all around
the world, for free.
So what is involved?
Well, BGT talks with vendors and persuades them to put items
up for test. These items are advertised and qualified
Testers send in applications. Usually there are three to
five copies of any item, so three to five Testers are
chosen. They get the gear, test it and report to BGT on it,
and then are allowed to keep the gear. Actually, more and
more vendors are now coming to us to OFFER gear.
In more detail then:
Anyone can become involved. To become a 'qualified Tester'
you have to submit two 'Owner Reviews' (ORs) and have them
accepted. BGT reviews have to meet certain standards, but
these can be found on the backpackgeartest.orgbackpackgeartest.orgOpen ↗
web site and the BGT Editors will help you meet the
standards. The more ORs you write, the better your chances
of getting selected for the big items of gear. The day-to-
day traffic about the tests and reports is on
groups.yahoo.comBackpackGearTestOpen ↗ feel free to
lurk. It's free too.
Once you have had two ORs accepted you are a 'newbie'. This
means you can Field Test one significant bit of gear.
Sometimes minor items can also be tested. The sequence for a
Field Test is:
* On receipt of the gear: notify BGT that day.
* Within 7 days: submit an Initial Report: first
impressions, without any field testing.
* Within 2 months: submit a Field Report (FR) based on
actual use in the field.
* After 6 months: submit a Long Term Report (LTR) - did it
wear out etc.
After this the gear is yours to keep.
Once you have finished one full Test (i.e., submitted the
LTR) you 'graduate', and can then apply for multiple items.
The purpose of the slow intro is to ensure that everyone who
is given a bit of gear WILL complete the full Test and WILL
write the reports. Before that the gear belongs to BGT.
That's the deal. In practice, many experienced Testers may
have six or more items under Test at one time. That's fine,
but you do have to write all the reports.
So far I have become involved in testing:
* MSR Overland Carbon trekking poles - In progress.
* Red Ledge Cirrostratus Jacket - In progress.
* Shock Doctor Ultra 3 Footbeds - In progress.
* Mountain Safety Research (MSR) Missing Link Tent -
In progress.
* Watchful Eye Designs O.P. Sak bags - In progress.
* Cascade Designs Therm-A-Rest ProLite 4S Sleeping Pad -
In progress.
* Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Packcloth Gaiters -
In progress.
* AntiGravityGear Mamas Kitchen Cookset - Completed.
* Tektite Trek Lithium Flashlight - Completed
* Bite Trail Low Sandals - Completed
* Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone 3800 backpack - Completed.
* Enertia Trail Foods Single Meals - Completed.
* Leatherman Squirt S4 - Completed.
* Red Ledge Voyager Rain Gear - Completed.
* Birdiepal Junior Umbrella - Completed.
* Duray Socks - Completed.
Do these things look interesting? And how! There are some
big brand names included, as well as smaller brands seldom
seen in the UK - but which are available over the web.
Why do vendors participate? Because BGT is now way up on the
Google hit list for people searching for info on new gear.
It's becoming a major gear reference site, at least in
America, because unlike the magazines it is unbiased.
In addition, I get to read about some of the latest
gear developments, including the stuff from the
smaller manufacturers. And especially in the
lightweight and ultralightweight areas. This happens
on the [email hidden] channel, open
to all to read.
So why am I advertising this?
BGT needs more Testers for the gear that is being
offered. Many of the current Testers have as much gear as
they can handle (max'ed out), and yet more gear is being
offered to BGT.
Have a look at the BGT web site and the Yahoo group, and see
what you think.
Cheers Andrew Priest
List Moderator BackpackGearTest.org -
backpackgeartest.orgbackpackgeartest.orgOpen ↗