Equipment - Gear lists subforum

[icefest]

I've been noticing a lot a lot of gear lists being posted recently, would anyone else support a subforum in the equipment forum that's focussed on gear lists?

Or should it be called "Gear advice" where you can ask about a single item of gear.

[GPSGuided]

Makes sense to have one. Maybe even a defined Subject line for all such so that others can find similar matched objectives eg. Duration, location, style etc. Leave blank if not relevant.

[DanShell]

I think a gear list sub forum is a great idea.

It would become a great resource like the Big 4 thread. I recently put a thread up to have my gear reviewed and it has helped me greatly and given me some suggestions to help improve my weight vs comfort vs bulk vs $$$$ ratio

[Travis22]

Great idea. Would be great to have a place for and hopefully encourage people share their gear lists.

Travis.

[wildwalks]

This sounds interesting.
Can you guys bash around the 'rules' on when to use the sub forum. Should we suggest a standard 'template' or info people could provide when asking a question (like GPS guided suggestion).
Or is this something more helpful todo in a Q&A area??
I still have not launched this yet. Q&A are a bit different from a forum - might work better for some topics - maybe this one??
http://bushwalk.com/qanda/

thoughts??
Matt

[DanShell]

My idea of a Gear List Forum is quite broad.

It would predominately be used for people asking for complete gear list advice on a specific walk or location but not limited too this.

It may be used purely to show off your gear list or perhaps to ask a specific question in regards to losing weight or bulk.

As for rules IMHO as long as it is a thread showing a gear list it fits the forum but perhaps just a suggestion of giving a reason to show your gear list. There is probably not a lot of point in showing a complete gear list and simply saying "what do you think?". It needs some info or reasoning for showing your gear list...."please help to save weight" or is this list adequate for the South Coast Track in Tasmania for instance. But like I said it may be simply "here is my list, I am so proud of it, Im not after advice I just wanted to show it off" type of thing!

Anyway, only my opinion of course, but as I already stated, I think it would become a fantastic knowledge base as the Big 4 forum has.

[DanShell]

As for the Q&A section, I didn't even know it existed (Im gathering its WIP) but what a great tool It could also become a fantastic resource and it would obviously break down specific areas.

[whitefang]

As for rules IMHO as long as it is a thread showing a gear list it fits the forum but perhaps just a suggestion of giving a reason to show your gear list. There is probably not a lot of point in showing a complete gear list and simply saying "what do you think?". It needs some info or reasoning for showing your gear list...."please help to save weight" or is this list adequate for the South Coast Track in Tasmania for instance. But like I said it may be simply "here is my list, I am so proud of it, Im not after advice I just wanted to show it off" type of thing!

+1

I think having a template for the gear list would be helpful too (i.e sub-headings like big 4, kitchen, clothing, etc.)

[icefest]

Hmm, I'm not sure about the qanda format for full gear lists.

I'd suggest either a pure "Gear list" sub-forum where full lists are posted for advice and review. No naming convention need apply.

The other option is a gear recommendation sub-forum. This would be along the lines of "[Location, season] gear item" resulting in something like:

[Overland track, Winter] Sleeping Bag:

Is the spark 2 appropriate for this weather?
or

[Snowy Mtns, Summer] Mat:

I have a Big Agnes Aircore mat but am a bit unsure if this is appropriate for the weather. Should I get a different mat?

I suspect the last one might be better for a qanda format, even it the title standards might lapse some.

The above format might even work for the gear list forum.