BackPack Gear Test - Warbonnet Blackbird

**NorseAmerican** · 05-29-2009, 06:26

Welcome to HF Sophie,
You will enjoy the lack of back pains after a night of sleep in a hammock. Great review. I look forward to reading more.

**MAD777** · 05-29-2009, 07:56

welcome Sophie, I am releatively new to this site also. I have quickly come to the conclusion that more knowledge can be gained here in one evening of browsing, than a year of trial & error in the field!

I too, consult BackpackGearTest before purchasing any gear. Thank you for the great service that you and others provide there!

**Cannibal** · 05-29-2009, 08:39

Originally Posted by adkpiper

Want to join us? We're always looking for more testers!

Oooo, I like testing stuff! Tell me how.

Originally Posted by HappyCamper

PS: Good job Cannibal.

Ahh, shucks.

Don't think I can really take much credit, she was smart enough that she already knew about the forums. Maybe we just provided a good reason for her to post.

**adkpiper** · 06-02-2009, 11:29

Cannibal,

For someone who uses as much gear as you do, I don't imagine you'll have difficulty finding something that meets the use requirements. Point your browser at http://www.backpackgeartest.org/less...eTester&page=1 and start reading. The Survival Guide there is old, but almost everything in it is still correct.

Basically: read a bunch of Owner Reviews to get familiar with the format. Write an Owner Review about a piece of gear (preferably a non-complicated one) that you own and have used for a long time. Submit it; get it edited; once it's approved, upload it.

Repeat that process at least once more with a different piece of gear.

Once you've had two Owner Reviews approved, you become eligible to apply for gear. Lots of fun. Basically: apply for gear; if you're chosen, they ship it to you. Write one report immediately; test for two months; write another report; test for two more months; write a final report.

Your payment is that you get to keep the gear. Hurrah!

It's a lot of fun. There are a bunch of us BGT people here, so if you have questions, feel free to ask.

ADKPiper/Hollis

**Cannibal** · 06-02-2009, 11:46

Cool! Thanks adkpiper.

**Sophie** · 06-03-2009, 14:31

Thanks for the welcomes everyone, this really does seem like a great site. I don't know why people are thanking me for testing gear - it is soooo much fun!!! I am thoroughly addicted to the BGT site, looks like this one might make the list soon too. Anyone who's thinking of testing with BGT go for it, I only joined a year ago and now I am testing a BB!

Spent 3 days in my hammock over the weekend. Everyone else was talking about looking forward to their bed, and I was trying to figure out where I could hang my hammock in my apartment

**Cannibal** · 06-03-2009, 14:48

Originally Posted by Sophie

Spent 3 days in my hammock over the weekend. Everyone else was talking about looking forward to their bed, and I was trying to figure out where I could hang my hammock in my apartment

....and the hook is set!