Bushwalk Australia

Hey guys,

For those of you who don't know, I'm a blogger in the hiking/adventure travel space (at The Bushwalking Blog). I would like to have more gear reviews on my site but don't want to accept them because a) I don't have time to properly test lots of gear and write up quality reviews, and b) I hate the idea of having all this gear I don't need. I presently don't make any money off gear reviewing but it's very much something that people who read my blog are asking for. Therefore I can't pay you but I can give you free gear.

So I'm wondering if there's anyone here who would be willing to take up the challenge. You'd get some free gear and a bio on The Bushwalking Blog. In order to sell this idea to gear manufacturers/retailers, I'd probably need you to have some writing experience (or I'd at least need to see what you could do by reviewing something you already have) and I'd need you to have some serious hiking cred that I could spout.

You would NOT need to hype products that are no good or tell any lies whatsoever. In fact, I'm looking for HONEST reviews of the gear. I'd want you to try it out for as long as possible (some manufacturers/retailers might have a solid timeline while others might want you to take your time with it) and put it through its paces. I wouldn't want you to accept any gear that was going to just end up sitting in a cupboard. More than happy for you to pass it on to family/friends once you're finished reviewing it, though.

Your work would be edited by me, but I'm trying to save myself time here so that would need to be minimal work for me. My aim is to get as much gear information out there as possible without adding to my own workload.

Down the line, there's potential for me to start making some money by doing this in various ways, in which case you would definitely get a piece of the pie.

I think that about covers it. Is there anyone who might be interested?

Cheers
Neil

Hi Neil,

I am certainly interested.

You can see some examples of my writing at http://www.facebook.com/AAWT2016

If you would like to know more, or would like me to do a test review, please let me know.

All the best,
Owen.

Interesting request.
Not having a lot of disposable income myself but always being interested in the current state of the art I've looked at but not bought a lot recently so I would be interested myself.
My particular interested in winter camping and ski touring may overlap with the interests of others too.
According to my beloved M'-Lady wife I already have far too much gear so while I would be interested in an excuse to get out I'd probably not need to keep the articles I'm testing

I'm interested and happy to help out.

With regards to article writing, maybe it should be added that if anyone is interested to send you an example review article of a piece of equipment so you can see their writing style, then you can pm the person to say yes or no.

G'day Neil - I'm potentially interested. I think you know my writing. Some of it can be found at http://www.naturescribe.com I have also published book reviews and music reviews. Some (oldish) samples can be found on the Amazon site here https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AGAZSIB6OIJTSRBUA632CYEVYYTA?ie=UTF8&preview=true

Let me know if I can help,

cheers

Peter

Hi guys,

Thanks so much for your responses. I'll DM you all.

If anyone else is interested, I'm still open to more contributors.

Cheers
Neil

Hey Neil,

Always like to try new gear.
I walk lots and trash my gear, and gear is dear, and I am poor, so free gear is good gear!
I can write about it, but won't lie about it!

Dan

Hi Neil I'm a pretty good writer and I'm a bit of a gear head and get out enough in all conditions to be able to put most gear through its paces.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Neil,

I'd be interested to help out as well if the opportunity came up.

I have what I think was one of the first gear review posts on this website as an example you can look at, its the review on the Vango Helium 200. Not sure about the walking cred but I do walk a bit, often with school groups and I also do a lot of 4wd / caravan / camping trips so could also test out gear under those types of scenarios if suitable. As far as writing goes, I can write reasonably well and my wife's an English teacher as well so could always have things proofed to make sure its up to scratch!

Not directly related at this time but I have a mate that does online car reviews on his web page and you tube and has over 20K subscribers to date so if there was any video reviews that needed to be done down the track I could possibly seek some assistance from him.....Might not be needed but something that might be useful depending on how far you decide to go with it...

Let me know if I can help.

Mick

Hey Micki,

That all sounds great. I'll send you a PM in a minute. As for the video idea, it's definitely something I'll consider if you're willing, but I might start with written reviews before I open another wormhole.

Dan and dunamis, I've sent you guys a PM as well.

Hey Neil,

I'm interested, I'll PM you my past writing - I'd prefer keeping online accounts separate from my public profile.

-icefest

You really need the female perspective as well, you know. Or am I being sexist?

Not sexist at all. Haven't had any females putting their hands up though, unfortunately.

I. Just. Did.

Hahaha sorry! Kind of took it as just a comment/observation. Also had no idea what your gender was. Can you please PM me your e-mail address and I'll send through some details?

Thanks
Neil

north-north-west wrote:You really need the angry bitter person perspective as well, you know.

fixed

Now, if I really was an angry bitter person I'd report that post. But, being reasonable, contrary and with a sense of humour, I'll let it go without even explaining why the comment is unnecessary, inflammatory and highly inaccurate.
Have a nice day, sweetie.

north-north-west wrote:Now, if I really was an angry bitter person I'd report that post. But, being reasonable, contrary and with a sense of humour, I'll let it go without even explaining why the comment is unnecessary, inflammatory and highly inaccurate.
Have a nice day, sweetie.

Hear, Hear!

If you want anything kid tested, or destruction tested, I can lob some gear at some year 7-8-9-10s and see how it holds up. Otherwise I can pass stuff around to my co-workers to see what people think, but most of us go for fast and familiar, so that might not be so great for gear reviews, the needs of the "pro" are often different to that of the self-directed walker. Not that we have any more skill, (many less I'm certain) but just that the priorities are quite different, and most of our walks are supported, though we do self-supporting paddle trips.

Hey gadgetgeek,

That'll potentially be something I'm looking for down the track (ie. the kids, not the co-workers), but it'll depend on how well you can write it up. For the moment, though, I think this is getting bigger than I can handle. I'm going to have to see how things go with the reviewers who've already responded.

I'll definitely open things up again soonish, so if it's okay I'll be in touch?

To everyone else reading this who hasn't already replied: Please feel free to leave a comment expressing your interest and I'll get in touch down the track.

Cheers
Neil

Sounds good to me, I've been meaning to do more gear review writing anyway for the practice, I like to think I do a decent job.

Bump!

Hope everyone's well. I haven't visited for aaaages but I''m back with a request. Hope that's okay.

I'm currently on the hunt for one new reviewer, specifically one who is into trail running. It's a long shot, but if anyone's interested please shoot me a message.

Thanks!
Neil

Thanks everyone! I've had a couple of responses now. Feel free to hit me up if you don't mind being on the list for further down the track but I'm not in desperate need of anyone else right now.

Happy adventuring!