Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

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Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby neil_fahey » Wed 31 May, 2017 10:06 pm

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
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby oyster_07 » Thu 01 Jun, 2017 7:27 am

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.
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby Moondog55 » Thu 01 Jun, 2017 8:43 am

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
Ve are too soon old und too late schmart
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby taipan821 » Thu 01 Jun, 2017 10:23 am

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.
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby whynotwalk » Thu 01 Jun, 2017 12:55 pm

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
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby neil_fahey » Thu 01 Jun, 2017 5:59 pm

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
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby stepbystep » Thu 01 Jun, 2017 6:20 pm

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
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby dunamis » Thu 01 Jun, 2017 6:43 pm

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.


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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby Mickl » Thu 01 Jun, 2017 9:10 pm

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
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby neil_fahey » Thu 01 Jun, 2017 9:47 pm

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.
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby icefest » Fri 02 Jun, 2017 12:29 pm

Hey Neil,

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

-icefest
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby north-north-west » Fri 09 Jun, 2017 8:52 am

You really need the female perspective as well, you know. Or am I being sexist?
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby neil_fahey » Fri 09 Jun, 2017 9:06 am

Not sexist at all. Haven't had any females putting their hands up though, unfortunately.
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby north-north-west » Fri 09 Jun, 2017 10:29 am

I. Just. Did.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby neil_fahey » Fri 09 Jun, 2017 10:41 am

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
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby GTL » Sat 10 Jun, 2017 10:08 pm

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


fixed :roll:
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby north-north-west » Sun 11 Jun, 2017 11:32 am

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.
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby Geevesy » Sun 11 Jun, 2017 12:27 pm

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! :x
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby Gadgetgeek » Sun 11 Jun, 2017 7:49 pm

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.
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby neil_fahey » Sun 11 Jun, 2017 8:26 pm

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
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby Gadgetgeek » Mon 12 Jun, 2017 6:46 am

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.
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby neil_fahey » Sat 03 Sep, 2022 1:38 pm

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
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Re: Gear reviews in exchange for free gear?

Postby neil_fahey » Tue 06 Sep, 2022 12:29 pm

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!
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