Gadget Show - Daypack reviews

Daypack Reviews.

Daypack reviews

There I was tucking into a not so healthy dinner of bacon, eggs, chips and mushrooms (which were sauteed in garlic and mixed herbs...yum) and having a flick through the TV. As ever, on a Friday night I was feeling rather uninspired by the usual selection of over dramatic soaps, until I hit channel 5.

The Gadget Show - feeling now inspired, as I had just purchased a new lap top, I stayed tuned. I can do gadgets with the best of them. And I certainly can. Especially when it comes to outdoor gear. The Gadget Show was reviewing small rucksacks, or more commonly known as daypacks.

Off the BBC headed to the Atlas Mountains for a jolly to test out the day packs. Whatever is wrong with testing them out in the UK? There is some pretty good places for this, such as the Lake District and Wales. Of which I am sure would have been a lot cheaper than a trip to Morocco. I'm only grumbling because I want his job. Or at least the camera mans.

Here they were with a test group of day packs. My initial thoughts were that there is a mixed bag there (no pun intended). The bags ranged in price from what I could see from £20 ish (was that a Vango Trail 25 I saw in there?) to £70ish. How can this be a fair test I ask?

We I guess it wasn't. It was done in a good natured, joking kind of way and they didn't really slag off any of the small rucksacks. Some failed though to make it to the test out. Why did they fail? Because they didn't have a rain cover or they leaked when they were watered with a hose. Is this really a good test for waterproofness? How many daysack manufacturers claim their bags to be waterproof?

The nest test was to drag them behind a camel (was it?) to see how strong they were. Hmm....

Then finally the presenter wore then on a walk/assault course/zip wire.

He chose the best - a Berghaus Freeflow 25. Surprise. Well maybe it was the best for a trip to Morocco, to be squirted with a hose, dragged behind a camel and sent on a zip wire ride. But, you must remember that all tests are generally subjective. That is the subject doing the tests forms and informs his opinions. The sames goes for all gear tests unless they are done in a test lab. You may get a better review from a professional such as Cameroon McNeish - but it is still subjective.

I knew someone who reviewed some climbing gear for a magazine and he hadn't even used it!

My message here is simple: Come on the Gadget Show - I know it is fun, but add a little science or professionalism in please. And for anyone looking for Outdoor Gear reviews - remember it is subjective. Go look at the gear try it on, try it out if you can and find out what is best for you.

What outdoor gear review has swung you into buying something?