Hi

This is a blatant post in your interest :-) BackpackGearTest.org has just
had a very successful "visit" to the Winter Outdoor Retailer's show in the USA.

The outcome is:

* Around 35 companies that were definite a definite YES to testing with
BackpackGearTest.

* Almost all the companies are planning on testing at least 2 pieces of
gear. Many are offering 3 or more.

* Almost all the tests are for 5 items.

* 35 x 2 x 5 is 350 pieces of gear to test in the next few months!

The other big news is that the US manufacturers making winter gear are VERY
keen to test in the southern hemisphere before they release the gear to the
US winter market.

To put this in context, BackpackGearTest.org currently has around 30 items
of gear in test (150 pieces), so this is a big jump. This is SERIOUS gear
testing including leading manufacturers as well as innovative small
manufacturers. Testers test the gear over a six month period, writing
three reports (Initial, Field (after 60 days) and Long-Term (6 months). At
the end of test, the tester keeps the gear.

To become a tester, you need to write two owner's reviews on gear that you
own and use. These reviews (as do your reports) have to be to an
acceptable standard. This is NOT some easy way to get some free gear, there
is a "commitment" required.

NO MONEY is involved; you don't pay, BackpackGearTest.org does not pay and
the manufacturers don't pay.

BackpackGearTest.org can be found at http://backpackgeartest.org. Form
details on how to become a gear tester can be found at
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/lesson.php?lesson=BecomeTester&page=1.

Regards
Andrew

--
Aushiker: Hiking in Western Australia - http://aushiker.com



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