I think you bring up some great points. I just want to make a few clarifications: - Many TH-camrs will take sponsorships from brands who make gear in categories they review. Technically, if someone did a sponsored sleeping pad video, they would then need to disclose that sponsorship every time they made a video about ANY sleeping pad (according to the FTC). - If you click an affiliate link, the creator gets commission for whatever you might buy. So if you click a link for a tent and buy a roll of toilet paper, then the creator gets commission on the toilet paper. For that reason, a lot of creators don't care if you buy a product they are reviewing or not. - Trip videos get a lot more views than gear review videos for larger channels. That's because larger channels have figured out a way to story tell. Only so many people are interested in gear while everyone is interested in a good story. - I recommend channels (small or large) not accept gear for free with the commitment of making a review. I like the approach you mentioned about committing to testing, but not a review.
@@JustinOutdoors thanks Justin. Enjoy your channel. No matter trip or gear video, people like and will watch TH-camrs with engaging personalities. My favorite channel is a group of guys that pour concrete and pouring concrete isn’t the reason I watch them.
@@MidwestBackpacker In general, I like story over personalities. That said, if I like a person then I'm more likely to relate to their story. But I do not watch any "this is my life" videos. ~S
You hit on a big point right there. Are they actually using the gear on trips? I personally know a few youtubers that have gotten gear, done a video "review", and never used it on trail, then turned around and sold it on facebook marketplace. There's a reason I haven't done a gear review in over a year. Injuries haven't let me hike as much as I feel comfortable to be able to do reviews. If I can't put it through the paces, I don't want to act like I'm an expert on that piece of gear. You nailed it when you said, "buyer beware". Keep up the great work, my friend.
I like your channel for the hiking and also appreciate if you share info about items that you have used for some time and found to be great. In general, I find that many of the same items I see on "gear review" videos will next year be on "don't buy this item" videos. Thanks for sharing great, unbiased content!
@@MidwestBackpacker who else but the man, the myth the legend, @BackpackingWithBuckley I actually spotted him on trail once, too. So I know he actually backpacks.
I've only done a few "paid" reviews but before I create one, I spend a lot of time with it first. I did nuke a Chinese sleeping pad pump and they asked me to take down the video. It's still up.
Thanks for the talk. There are too many influencers pushing outdoor equipment who have no business reviewing equipment. They are selling dreams, glitz, wanderlust. They know nothing about the science behind the equipment or the physiological needs of the tripper. But I do see some fantastic cleavage and great sparkly teeth. But I'm just an old fart who has spent a lifetime enjoying the outdoors from -30F below to 120F above, in rain, snow wind, sunshine from ocean, river to mountains to steppes and making sure I am prepared for the elements based on the science behind my gear and not the someone who took a new product out once and has no idea that there are better products out on the market.
Sure, the viewer should always go into a video with their eyes wide open. You did not really touch on something: if a TH-camr was hyping a piece of gear that turned out to be a bad product, then people will come back to tell their experiences in the comments, mention their bad reviews in forums and blogs, etc. The TH-camr would lose credibility quickly. So it behooves them to only take on, or recommend, good products.
Agreed on most points, but viewers should be careful not to confuse actual and hypothetical motives for doing gear reviews a certain way. It would be easy for someone to say you just made this video to promote your particular channel style over others who offer different content - but I know you enough to not think that. :) Just one example: doing reviews of gear that hasn't been tested over a significant amount of time. Gear should certainly have long-term usage if durability is part of the review. But there are many other factors open for legitimate short-term reviews too. Gear does not need to be worn out to comment on its features or how it performs at a given time. So as long as it is not stated that gear is "durable" when all someone has done is unboxed and set it up, I don't think it's a problem. Moreover, most people looking for gear reviews are wanting to purchase something fairly soon. They're not going to wait a year for a review on a model that likely won't even exist by then. It sucks that much of the industry has gone the way of consumeristic principles of production - but that's the reality. I know I've got several reviews that are not very old for products (and even entire companies) that no longer exist. So I don't wait a very long time for reviews and I can always follow up down the road. So my advice is everyone should seek out the kinds of reviews they want without assigning motive to those who do other types.
The issue with this is that by the time a product is used up (good gear can last thousands of miles), a new version of the product has been released and that review becomes obsolete. I think it's important to look at a company's track record and the track record of that product line.
@@JustinOutdoors I definitely understand your comment/perspective... but on the flip side, if a product doesn't last a couple seasons/1000 miles and the company doesn't think it's worth continuing to manufacture... then it's probably not something I'm going to be interested in. I'll own the fact that I tend to like boring/basic/timeless gear, while there are definitely others that want the latest and greatest. So I'm probably not the target audience for "this manufacture just released this product" kind of gear review. But wow, I really enjoy the post-thru-hike/post-season gear reviews, including your videos like this! :)
I've found a lot of these "gear reviews" are more so "feature reviews"... It is SO hard to find a good, honest, in depth review in real world conditions.
Any chance the gear issue was a Flextail Zero Pump? I’ve had nothing but problems with that pump. My first one and warranty replacement were junk right out of the box. Seems to be some quality control issues with that pump. I appreciate your trip videos and not hyping questionable gear.
This is something that needs to be said again and again. I used to follow a TH-camr that I liked but he was clearly just selling whoever’s products would make him a buck. I finally had to use the do not recommend this channel to stop TH-cam suggestions from appearing. This was after unsubscribing and disliking the next several videos. So I’m thinking TH-cam is getting a piece of that pie too as they just continue pushing.
Even the guys I watch, and like, are tainted. Take it for what it is worth. I like it when the "influencers" tell you they are not influenced. Ha! Now that's funny. Thanks for the share. So true. 👴 It has nothing to do with trust. Everyone is influenceable.
Good Point Mr. Midwest.... are they actually using these items... are they being paid to use them. This makes a lot reviews hard to believe especially for people new to youtube. I believe that if you want to do a review you should at least take it on several trips so you can provide an in-depth review of the pros and cons of the piece of equipment. I use all of my gear before I tell someone the deets on it and won't even review it unless it makes it to the Adventure Closet to use in the future!!! Great video and for being honest about the industry!!!
I think the backpacking community is generally pretty honest, even those reviewing products. In the end TH-cam is a business and for many it is the bread and butter for some folks on TH-cam. I am fine with this. As with anything. People need to research their own gear and be smart consumers. People actually look to TH-cam for reviews all the time as otherwise there may be no good information at all on certain gear items. In the end gear review is helpful to the backpacking community
If everything is disclosed, then the person who thinks I'm a dumbshit here is you for not thinking I can discern for myself what's valuable in a review or not. I get one pad purchase, so yeah, I'd like to see 10 of them in action before I buy one. I can also decide after watching a review from a TH-camr if the review matches any product I buy, informing any future reviews as being trustworthy or now. Should we never have trusted siskel and Ebert? They saw movies for free. Have a little faith in your audience.
I've never been paid by a gear company or been given anything for free. As long as I'm employed, my job won't allow me to do that as it would cause a conflict of interest that I would have to disclose every year.
Too many 'reviews' are just product presentations, whether by the manufacturer, retail outlet or an apparently independent presenter. Since I stopped using 'technical' clothing in favour of old-school gear I have become extremely cynical about reviews, so-called, of technical clothing products. Certainly, much the hype around technical clothing is nonsense, and too often the 'review' is nought but a rehash of the manufacturerer's sales blurb. I don't mind presentations that are clearly that, as I'm capable of doing my own research on things that I find interesting, but misrepresentation as reviews is really irritating.
Cuban Fiber is now du.. product placement sensation uh.. duh Dyneemuh. Lesismore, once said “stoves, fuel to heat what? Hydrate dry food coffee powder or no-doze, and bingo….”. Hair is heavy, so cut it short, be all gender ambiguous..tats are weightless however. Beards count per “lumber sexual”. Ask Monty Python.
There is no doubt that you have to be very careful when the person reviewing things is a full time social media person and they get all their income from that. It's an inherent conflict of interest right from the start and that person may not even realize it. Also critical to take into account the actual hiking style and level of the person doing the review - does it match yours? are they really legit. I watched some vids of one of the influencers shown and then they went on a thru hike and could barely do 11 miles a day for the first four days and had to stop and rest and had a foot injury - that is simply not the kind of legit hiker who I want to get advice from. On the other hand, you have people like Andrew Skurka out there, who doesn't do the whole influencer social media thing and is probably one of the most accomplished respected hikers out there, especially in regards to long hikes. So, just make sure you assess things and go into these vids with a little bit of a cynical view and also try to get other sources of information like BPL forums and so on - do your homework.
What was the product? If you're going to vaguely criticize others for being corporate shills you ought to at least be willing to be up front about the product you mentioned and what its glaring flaw was. :D unless . . .
You should not have used a pic of Dixie. She is always very clear that she does not accept any products or money from any company/manufacture. Towards the point of your video, I say "Caveat emptor" ~S
I think you bring up some great points. I just want to make a few clarifications:
- Many TH-camrs will take sponsorships from brands who make gear in categories they review. Technically, if someone did a sponsored sleeping pad video, they would then need to disclose that sponsorship every time they made a video about ANY sleeping pad (according to the FTC).
- If you click an affiliate link, the creator gets commission for whatever you might buy. So if you click a link for a tent and buy a roll of toilet paper, then the creator gets commission on the toilet paper. For that reason, a lot of creators don't care if you buy a product they are reviewing or not.
- Trip videos get a lot more views than gear review videos for larger channels. That's because larger channels have figured out a way to story tell. Only so many people are interested in gear while everyone is interested in a good story.
- I recommend channels (small or large) not accept gear for free with the commitment of making a review. I like the approach you mentioned about committing to testing, but not a review.
@@JustinOutdoors thanks Justin. Enjoy your channel. No matter trip or gear video, people like and will watch TH-camrs with engaging personalities. My favorite channel is a group of guys that pour concrete and pouring concrete isn’t the reason I watch them.
@@MidwestBackpacker
In general, I like story over personalities. That said, if I like a person then I'm more likely to relate to their story. But I do not watch any "this is my life" videos.
~S
You hit on a big point right there. Are they actually using the gear on trips? I personally know a few youtubers that have gotten gear, done a video "review", and never used it on trail, then turned around and sold it on facebook marketplace. There's a reason I haven't done a gear review in over a year. Injuries haven't let me hike as much as I feel comfortable to be able to do reviews. If I can't put it through the paces, I don't want to act like I'm an expert on that piece of gear. You nailed it when you said, "buyer beware". Keep up the great work, my friend.
@@john_kelley thanks. Keep fighting bro. Let’s crush miles soon.
Miss seeing your reviews buddy. Get well soon 💪🏼
@@Tducks72 Thankfully, I’m doing great. I felt better hiking this past weekend than I have in a couple years. Should be crushing miles soon.
I like your channel for the hiking and also appreciate if you share info about items that you have used for some time and found to be great.
In general, I find that many of the same items I see on "gear review" videos will next year be on "don't buy this item" videos.
Thanks for sharing great, unbiased content!
Your honesty and kick butt trip videos are why you’re my second favorite backpacking TH-camr.
@@tonybabcock655 who’s first? 😜😂🤷♂️
@@MidwestBackpacker who else but the man, the myth the legend, @BackpackingWithBuckley I actually spotted him on trail once, too. So I know he actually backpacks.
I was expecting a gear review video and got this instead. I'm NOT disappointed. I appreciate your honesty.
We know we can trust your gear reviews. You always have the best advice. Joy S from Northern Indiana
A fair and thoughtful discussion! 👍🏼
Great video! I'm glad you brought this issue forefront 👍👍!!
This is exceptionally good insight, and love the list at the end of considerations! Thanks!
Excellent explanation! Hope to see you again at the Frozen Butt Hang.
I've only done a few "paid" reviews but before I create one, I spend a lot of time with it first. I did nuke a Chinese sleeping pad pump and they asked me to take down the video. It's still up.
The more gear you buy, the better backpacker you are….duh.
@@robpelton obvi 😂
That's gospel truth right there!
100% accurate.
And the more gear you DON'T buy, the better gear reviewer you are!
@@BackcountryPilgrim I prefer to be labeled as a backpacker and not a gear reviewer.
Thanks for the talk. There are too many influencers pushing outdoor equipment who have no business reviewing equipment. They are selling dreams, glitz, wanderlust. They know nothing about the science behind the equipment or the physiological needs of the tripper. But I do see some fantastic cleavage and great sparkly teeth. But I'm just an old fart who has spent a lifetime enjoying the outdoors from -30F below to 120F above, in rain, snow wind, sunshine from ocean, river to mountains to steppes and making sure I am prepared for the elements based on the science behind my gear and not the someone who took a new product out once and has no idea that there are better products out on the market.
Sure, the viewer should always go into a video with their eyes wide open. You did not really touch on something: if a TH-camr was hyping a piece of gear that turned out to be a bad product, then people will come back to tell their experiences in the comments, mention their bad reviews in forums and blogs, etc. The TH-camr would lose credibility quickly. So it behooves them to only take on, or recommend, good products.
Agreed on most points, but viewers should be careful not to confuse actual and hypothetical motives for doing gear reviews a certain way. It would be easy for someone to say you just made this video to promote your particular channel style over others who offer different content - but I know you enough to not think that. :)
Just one example: doing reviews of gear that hasn't been tested over a significant amount of time. Gear should certainly have long-term usage if durability is part of the review. But there are many other factors open for legitimate short-term reviews too. Gear does not need to be worn out to comment on its features or how it performs at a given time. So as long as it is not stated that gear is "durable" when all someone has done is unboxed and set it up, I don't think it's a problem.
Moreover, most people looking for gear reviews are wanting to purchase something fairly soon. They're not going to wait a year for a review on a model that likely won't even exist by then. It sucks that much of the industry has gone the way of consumeristic principles of production - but that's the reality. I know I've got several reviews that are not very old for products (and even entire companies) that no longer exist. So I don't wait a very long time for reviews and I can always follow up down the road.
So my advice is everyone should seek out the kinds of reviews they want without assigning motive to those who do other types.
@@BackcountryPilgrim nice book. 🙄🧻
Well said 👏
Never trust a gear review that doesn’t nearly use up the product. I hate “new gear” reviews; I love “post thru-hike” gear reviews. :)
The issue with this is that by the time a product is used up (good gear can last thousands of miles), a new version of the product has been released and that review becomes obsolete. I think it's important to look at a company's track record and the track record of that product line.
The best five tents..based upon “----“.
@@JustinOutdoors I definitely understand your comment/perspective... but on the flip side, if a product doesn't last a couple seasons/1000 miles and the company doesn't think it's worth continuing to manufacture... then it's probably not something I'm going to be interested in. I'll own the fact that I tend to like boring/basic/timeless gear, while there are definitely others that want the latest and greatest. So I'm probably not the target audience for "this manufacture just released this product" kind of gear review. But wow, I really enjoy the post-thru-hike/post-season gear reviews, including your videos like this! :)
Bravo bud.
I've found a lot of these "gear reviews" are more so "feature reviews"... It is SO hard to find a good, honest, in depth review in real world conditions.
Any chance the gear issue was a Flextail Zero Pump? I’ve had nothing but problems with that pump. My first one and warranty replacement were junk right out of the box. Seems to be some quality control issues with that pump. I appreciate your trip videos and not hyping questionable gear.
@@AndrewHikesBergs stay tuned…
This is something that needs to be said again and again. I used to follow a TH-camr that I liked but he was clearly just selling whoever’s products would make him a buck. I finally had to use the do not recommend this channel to stop TH-cam suggestions from appearing. This was after unsubscribing and disliking the next several videos. So I’m thinking TH-cam is getting a piece of that pie too as they just continue pushing.
What’s happened to Appalachian Gear Co? Did they go bust?
Unfortunately, out of business.
Consumerism is a heck of a drug!
Even the guys I watch, and like, are tainted. Take it for what it is worth. I like it when the "influencers" tell you they are not influenced. Ha! Now that's funny. Thanks for the share. So true. 👴 It has nothing to do with trust. Everyone is influenceable.
Good Point Mr. Midwest.... are they actually using these items... are they being paid to use them. This makes a lot reviews hard to believe especially for people new to youtube. I believe that if you want to do a review you should at least take it on several trips so you can provide an in-depth review of the pros and cons of the piece of equipment. I use all of my gear before I tell someone the deets on it and won't even review it unless it makes it to the Adventure Closet to use in the future!!! Great video and for being honest about the industry!!!
I think the backpacking community is generally pretty honest, even those reviewing products. In the end TH-cam is a business and for many it is the bread and butter for some folks on TH-cam. I am fine with this. As with anything. People need to research their own gear and be smart consumers. People actually look to TH-cam for reviews all the time as otherwise there may be no good information at all on certain gear items. In the end gear review is helpful to the backpacking community
Well said my friend. you can trust a fart better than you can trust a hustler.
If everything is disclosed, then the person who thinks I'm a dumbshit here is you for not thinking I can discern for myself what's valuable in a review or not. I get one pad purchase, so yeah, I'd like to see 10 of them in action before I buy one. I can also decide after watching a review from a TH-camr if the review matches any product I buy, informing any future reviews as being trustworthy or now. Should we never have trusted siskel and Ebert? They saw movies for free. Have a little faith in your audience.
👍
I've never been paid by a gear company or been given anything for free. As long as I'm employed, my job won't allow me to do that as it would cause a conflict of interest that I would have to disclose every year.
Too many 'reviews' are just product presentations, whether by the manufacturer, retail outlet or an apparently independent presenter. Since I stopped using 'technical' clothing in favour of old-school gear I have become extremely cynical about reviews, so-called, of technical clothing products. Certainly, much the hype around technical clothing is nonsense, and too often the 'review' is nought but a rehash of the manufacturerer's sales blurb. I don't mind presentations that are clearly that, as I'm capable of doing my own research on things that I find interesting, but misrepresentation as reviews is really irritating.
Cuban Fiber is now du.. product placement sensation uh.. duh Dyneemuh. Lesismore, once said “stoves, fuel to heat what? Hydrate dry food coffee powder or no-doze, and bingo….”. Hair is heavy, so cut it short, be all gender ambiguous..tats are weightless however. Beards count per “lumber sexual”. Ask Monty Python.
There is no doubt that you have to be very careful when the person reviewing things is a full time social media person and they get all their income from that. It's an inherent conflict of interest right from the start and that person may not even realize it. Also critical to take into account the actual hiking style and level of the person doing the review - does it match yours? are they really legit. I watched some vids of one of the influencers shown and then they went on a thru hike and could barely do 11 miles a day for the first four days and had to stop and rest and had a foot injury - that is simply not the kind of legit hiker who I want to get advice from. On the other hand, you have people like Andrew Skurka out there, who doesn't do the whole influencer social media thing and is probably one of the most accomplished respected hikers out there, especially in regards to long hikes. So, just make sure you assess things and go into these vids with a little bit of a cynical view and also try to get other sources of information like BPL forums and so on - do your homework.
What was the product? If you're going to vaguely criticize others for being corporate shills you ought to at least be willing to be up front about the product you mentioned and what its glaring flaw was. :D unless . . .
Waiting for the replacement. It will be mentioned in a future video.
You should not have used a pic of Dixie. She is always very clear that she does not accept any products or money from any company/manufacture.
Towards the point of your video, I say "Caveat emptor"
~S
I'm not buying it.........
@@tomfranta5495 You will resist buying as much as my wife in Target.