READERS COMMENTS

is gear tester application still open? we would like to apply in case it is still open. thank you very much.

carlo cruz
president
piknikers mountaineers
philippines
Posted: Oct 04, 2009 carlo cruz

Like the other posters, I am shocked that there are no women among the gear testers. It seems impossible that not a single woman could be found. I'm also shocked at the rude response to perfectly polite letters expressing dismay.

Two women among the professional gear testers, eh? Excellent. But I'm a regular person and would like to hear the opinions of regular folks (women) like myself. Shame on Backpacking Magazine for this slight against women, when the entire industry is making at least some attempt to make products for women. They are falling short in that in some respects, such as the stereotyping of the female body (e.g., ridiculously short waistbelts on some backpacks and lack of torso adjustability, along with tiny sleeping bags) and we need women to point out these shortcomings to manufacturers through forums like Backpacking Magazine that are read by the manufacturers.
Posted: Sep 28, 2009 TrailTramper

Thank you all for your time and consideration. Hike safe and have fun! For after all isn't that what it's all about.
Posted: Aug 22, 2009 David Webb

I'm sorry that I missed the contest as a gear tester. I have been mountaineering since the early 80's, rock climbing since the mid 80's, and ice climbing since the late 80's. For the past 10 years I've been doing mountain rescue for the local county Sheriff's office. I get pro deals from most of all the major equipment manufacture's, so I'm not one that is looking for free equipment. But I am one that is hard on my gear! As a type 1 alpine rescuer, and one that regularly goes on rescue missions and trainings in the mountains. I find it funny that you picked people that just go into the mountains for fun and none that go into the mountains,"day or night,summer or winter" to rescue those who go into the mountains for fun. If you really wanted someone to test gear, and not someone who just wants a way to get free gear. You should have picked someone like me! Hope fully you'll keep this in mind next year. P.S. There is a lot of women on our unit that can out hike and out climb a lot of the guys, and I will go on missions with them anytime. I welcome any comments to this posting at davidrmru@sbcglobal.net.
Posted: Aug 22, 2009 David Webb

Wow, do you all really think that Kristin and the other editors are sexist?

My guess is that all the editors (male and female) watched the videaos and read the mock reviews privately and voted using a scale (1 being poor to 5 being fantastic) in a similar fashion to the gear reviews. When all the votes were in, the results were tabulated and the winners were the individuals (male or female) who received the most votes. I highly doubt that gender played any role in determining who the winners ended up being.

That said, congrats to the 10 who made it. To the rest of you, my advice:

take a hike.
Posted: Jun 12, 2009 sore feet

why dont you all just shut up and chill.

its over.
Posted: Jun 09, 2009 jeremy arnold

I love you Backpacker! keep up the good work!!!
Posted: Jun 05, 2009 Casual Observer

Dude what a bunch of cry babies. Get these posts some french cries and whaaaaamburgers. I'll bet all of the people who made these posts are a bunch of sissy's who cry all day long on a short hikes because their widdle feet hurt :(
Great job BackPacker I am now re-newing my subscription! Ha!
Posted: Jun 03, 2009 Grant

Maybe these testers are going to try out tents? Sleeping Bags? Stoves? Water Filters? Tent pegs? Hammocks? Sleeping Pads? GPS? Compasses? Maps?

Maybe the specific gear they are having people test does not include clothing? Ever thing about that?

Let's all jump to conclusions and assume that Gear Editor Kristin is sexist against women.
Posted: May 20, 2009 Jim

I remind you again, that there are already two or three professional gear reviewers working with Backpacker. I am sure that there are, therefore, some women-specific reviews in the gear guides somewhere (you just have to look).
If that is not enough, enroll in your local outdoor club (there are always some women there).
Posted: May 20, 2009 Casual Observer

Now then,
As the father of THREE very out-doorsy young women who is constantly on the search for hiking/camping gear for them, I am more than a bit dismayed that they are sorely underrepresented in your choices for equipment testers. Maybe I should just stick with whatever info I can get from REI rather than from Backpacker Magazine.
Jack
p.s. My son is very thankful for the plethora of testers on his "side."
Posted: May 19, 2009 Jack Styer

I've been subscribing to Backpacker for more years than I can count. Always enjoyed the fact that there were reviewers of various sizes, shapes, and fits. I'm a 6' 4" 220lb. male after all, so not all backpacks fit me. And I'm looking forward to the Reader Testers since an average reader's perspective can be more valuable than the everyday gear tester at times. But it's sure unfortunate that your Reader Testers miss half the population...
Posted: May 19, 2009 Ryan S.

ok guys, we all know statistically there are more women than men and they are the bigger shoppers & spend more money, WHY would you leave out women in this Reader Tester survey???
Posted: May 19, 2009 Rick Moore

Are the men going to be wear testing the women's products? Why were no women selected? Slightly biased isn't it?
Posted: May 19, 2009 Leslie

In order to provide accurate information to all readers, those selected to test the equipment should provide a variety of propsectives. As a woman, I know that what works well for my male friends doesn't always work well for me. Perhaps this one of the reasons many manufacturers have women specific products. Are you really planning to have a man rate a product designed exclusively for women? I certainly hope not.
Posted: May 19, 2009 anon

I have nothing to say about discrimination, or to shake a pointed finger at anyone. I don't know what was involved in the process?
I do know myself though. I look for the best information I can find to fuel my intrists. I look at credentials, experience, and research...
I want information I can trust, to stay healthy and to get the best with my money.
Not choosing a female to be among your testers does not provide me the experience I look for and trust as a consumer.
When I read reviews on running shoes, I skim through the 175 pound Male tester, and I jump to reading the one by a woman. Same with outdoor gear.
It is just always better to have a variety of gender, size...to trully give a fair assesment,I would think that IS the point of having testers.



Posted: May 19, 2009 Jan Marie Miller

What, no women were chosen as gear testers? That's kind of surprising. Apparently the point of teh contest wasn't to get a useful spectrum of gear testers, but rather to award contestants based an the quality of the entries to the contest. Women's gear needs reviews too but I guess that can be left to writers and outdoor professionals.
Posted: May 19, 2009 Mark Richardson

Now, all of us outdoor enthusiasts know that Backpacker Magazine is the epitome of a well balanced magazine. It doesn’t cater just to the extreme athlete, it covers the young, the old, man or women. It has the occasional hardcore trip but many more gentle trips that weekend warriors can accomplish. It offers gear reviews and ads but isn’t afraid to print something that might save you money rather than make you spend it on their advertisers.
So with bated breath we awaited the list of those who had been selected to be gear testers. We especially wanted to see the women who had been chosen. Would they be more experienced than Deborah? Would they be stronger or faster or have a huge adventure resume? Would they be younger or prettier if that was possible! The chosen women would be testing gear from a women’s perspective and we know how different that might be to a man’s perspective. Women have different needs and different preferences and priorities to men. With so many outdoorswomen reading the magazine, participating in outdoor sport and buying gear, whichever women were nominated as gear testers for over half the population would certainly have a big responsibility.
Imagine our consternation when the list of nine gear testers was revealed and there were NO women!!!

Posted: May 14, 2009 Ados Crane

Taking the time and effort to make a video and to review gear is not the same as taking the time and effort to make a quality video and a competent gear review.
Posted: May 12, 2009 Blah

Some people will always find something to complain about. It's a volunteer position, they can choose to let win whomever they want. I didn't win either. Boo hoo, i'll have to try harder next year if they do it again. Those of you that are griping so much may help ensure that doesn't happen. If it's too much trouble and they think they have to please everybody, maybe they just won't do it. It's not something they have to do.

Get over it and yourself. If you think you're going to be such a great gear tester, start your own Magazine.
Posted: May 12, 2009 Whine Whine Whine

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