G'day

This is a blatant plug for BackpackGearTest. We want more Testers to
test FREE gear. Why? Read on.

BackpackGearTest.org 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
backpacking (bushwalking, tramping, walking) gear and to report on
that gear for the benefit of other hikers (walkers). These reviews
can be read by anyone at all around the world, for free. If you want
to here Jerry Goller, the founder of BackpackGearTest.org talk about
the program, please visit http://www.wildebeat.net/index.cgi/2005/07/01#E003

We also need more testers due to manufacturer demand as can be seen
from our Outdoor Retailer Show reports which you can find at
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/News/

So what is involved?

Well, BackpackGearTest.org 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 of any item, so
three are chosen. They get the gear, test it and report to
BackpackGearTest.org 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.
BackpackGearTest.org reviews have to meet certain standards, but
these can be found on the http://www.backpackgeartest.org web site
and the BackpackGearTest.org 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
Owner Reviews etc is on
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/ and the actually Test
administration is done at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTesters/. Feel free to
lurk. Both groups are free too.

We also have in place a mentor program, where experienced testers are
happy to work hand in hand with folks new to the program. If you
would like to work with a mentor, please ask for a mentor in our
group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/.

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 4 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 BackpackGearTest.org. 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.

The last 20 items I have tested or currently are testing are:

* Kamik Chase shoes - In progress
* Therm-a-Rest Trail Comfort - In progress
* SealLine Storm Sack - In progress
* MSR CloudLiner - In progress
* Zyflex Thermal Shirt and Pants - In progress
* Granite Gear Stratus Latitude - Completed
* Big Sky Products Better than Fleece Convertible Jacket - Completed
* Big Sky Products Evolution 1P Shelter - Completed
* Wilderness Wear Kosciuszko Socks - Completed.
* Petzl Tikka Plus headlamp - Completed.
* Spectrum Brands Insect Repellents - Completed.
* Sierra Designs Osage Sleeping Bag - Completed.
* Red Ledge Cirrostratus Jacket - Completed.
* MSR Overland Carbon trekking poles - Completed.
* Shock Doctor Ultra 3 Footbeds - Completed.
* Mountain Safety Research (MSR) Missing Link Tent - Completed.
* Watchful Eye Designs O.P. Sak bags - Completed.
* Cascade Designs Therm-A-Rest ProLite 4S Sleeping Pad - Completed.
* Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Packcloth Gaiters - Completed.
* AntiGravityGear Mamas Kitchen Cookset - Completed.

Do these things look interesting? And how! There are some big brand
names included, as well as smaller brands, which are available over the web.

Why do vendors participate? Because BackpackGearTest.org 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, 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.

So why am I advertising this?

BackpackGearTest.org 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
BackpackGearTest.org. As well we are getting more international
manufacturers (e.g., Australian, New Zealand, European and United
Kingdom) interested.

Have a look at the BackpackGearTest.org web site and the Yahoo!
group, and see what you think.

Regards
Andrew Priest