Thank you for the review ... I think. I'm Deb, the "U.S. Company" who developed these packs. And I sure hope I didn't make you cry. Perhaps I should also offer an empty box as another alternative, since lots of people do prefer to hike with nothing much at all. Hence, some of the SAR missions I've been on. You know the ones--stuck because they didn't get back before dark and don't have any lightsource and freezing their butts off because they have nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Does ANY gear guarantee one's safety? Of course not! That's part of what the brain is for. No gear replaces common sense or skill or KNOWING how to use the gear. Are either of the packs I've put together EVERYthing one should have in every situation? Of course not. Did you read anything on my site? That's why--due to the quite letigious society we live in--there's the "Friendly Reminder." And that's why I've included other "recommended gear." But, hey, idiots will be idiots, regardless of what they might carry. And, by the same token, unfortunate things happen to even the best prepared and most skilled among us.
Seriously, though, my packs are just options, take it or leave it. No need for the sarcasm. By the way, this "American" company has a face and a name--me. And if anyone ever has a question, comment, or concern, I invite you to use one of the many "Contact Us" (because I do have help) links and let me know. I guarantee I will respond. I certainly can take contrary opinions, but all I ask is for your respect, because this girl has hiked thousands of miles and rescued many a lost, stranded, and/or injured outdoorsman (and woman) since I've been in SAR, and I won't apologize for advocating preparedness.
I thought the review wasn't overly critical at all - you're bound to get a less than effusive reaction from a 'specialist'site than you are at a general walking site, plus there maybe a bit of 'lost in translation' going on. I'm sure if the reviewer really had a downer on your concept he'd have said so - bad choice of items, chosen for profit not performance etc etc - he clearly didn't think this.
FWIW I think it's a great concept, for some consumers. Personally I wouldn't as I have a hotch-potch of gear I've built up over time and need to get use out of it. But if I was a post credit-crunch banker seeking the outdoors from scratch then it's something I'd probably look closely at. Sure there are many people like that.
Perhaps, yes, on the "sensitive" thing. And perhaps I misinterpreted. Apologies if so. I was actually a little surprised, though, to find reviews here and there. I suppose I am also surprised at the biting sarcasm by some who consider themselves experts on gear, hiking and all other things outdoors. Not so much here, no, but, whew, some folks really get off on it. I mean, heck, it's JUST gear. Regular, normal gear. All I've done is combine some of it, try to offer a decent deal on the whole kit and kaboodle, and tried to convey, also, that it's not the end-all and be-all of what one might need to carry. And, of course, lots of people will consider it overkill, which is fine. Again, personal preference. It's hard to fit everything onto the front page of a website, and all at the top, but I also really try to convey that knowledge and skill is not included. It's just ... gear.
Thanks again for the well wishes. I'm off to go for a walk with the dog and get away from this computer.
No, I didn't get any anti-American sentiment from it at all. That wasn't part of my thinking. I was merely saying that the company is me--putting a name/face with it. Too often, a company is seen as (and understandably so) as this amorphous, inhuman entity. Like a bunch of suits in a board room or something. My quick little point with my "U.S. Company" thing was that it's not a bunch of suits deciding what hikers need. It's a girl in a house on a hill in Flagstaff, Arizona who'd wear hiking boots to a wedding if she could. So, no, I never did read any anti-American sentiment into it.
Ah, don'tcha love the typed word? It's so easy to misread. <--back
I think it is an interesting idea, though think the market for it may be very niche. I guess it would appeal to the "post credit crunch" types mentioned above, and probably to relatively well off retired people who have decided to do something new with their time.
As has already been said, most outdoorsy people will slowly accumulate kit over time rather than buy a whole set in one go. All the stuff in that pack looks like good kit that is well worth having but I don't think many people would want to fork out for all of it at the same time, especially with a few rather specialist products such as the GPS. All in all, I couldn't see it working on the UK market, but I believe it could be very different in the US, especially since you have so much more wilderness out there.
Are you getting sick of me replying to everything yet? (Don't answer that.)
Anyway, most of my business really has been people in SAR (or getting into it) and those doing the custom pack thing--people telling me what they want, me giving a quote back, and them deciding yea or nay. I'm seriously not expecting people with full gear closets to think much of it. And, yes, I wouldn't think ANYone from outside the U.S. would be much interested, because the cost of me shipping the stuff would make it much more reasonable for them to MAYbe use my contents list as a guide (or any "ten essentials" type of list) and go buy the gear much closer to home.
I have to say--not really referring to this site--but I think it's kind of a hoot that people who tout the individual items I've combined suddenly are all up in arms when it's offered for sale as a group and for less than the sum of the retail cost. Huh? Seems like SOME folks are thinking that the gear is good, but it's not valid unless it's always purchased piecemeal. I'm trying to figure that out.
Having had a look at your site I think its a good idea, my first reaction was that it would be a bit of a cheat but the kit included looks good, after all there is plenty of advice for people getting into outdoorsy activities on what is appropriate gear so why not take the next step and offer a package at a reasonable price.
It might not be that appealing for us gear junkies on OM perhaps but still a good idea.
Hi Deb, had a look at your site, and the Pre-Pack options seem to include decent gear, obviously put together by someone with a genuine interest in the outdoors rather than someone trying to make a quick buck. Good explanations for the various items too. The irony of the review, which IMO comes across as condescending is that those who wrote it would have little hesitation in suggesting a basic kit list for a beginner, thats exactly what you've done only you actually supply the gear as well at, I assume a discount over having to buy the items seperately from a variety of different sources.
Not everyone wants to spend hours browsing websites or trudging round gear shops, comparing and contrasting bits of kit and prices. Some folk just want a quick fix and are more than willing to pay someone else to do all the thinking for them. Good luck to such folk, I say, and good luck to Deb on this venture!
Yeah its a good idea, just don't get yer knickers in a twist when someones given you free advertising and was just shall we say 'lightning your load' with abit of humour.
Nope, my knickers aren't twisted (partly because I don't wear them ). I'm just human, though--can ya believe it!--and like to be able to explain my ideas. I mean, hey, setting up the business to begin with was much more difficult and time-consuming than I'd expected. (I've even questioned, on more than one occasion, if I should even have bothered.) I put a lot into it--moolah too--so I think it's reasonable that I pop in here and there and join the discussion--or start one.
As I've said, this isn't the only place someone has reviewed my stuff. And as I said, it wasn't all that bad here. I've previously apologized for my knee-jerk reaction. Perhaps if it was your project that you'd worked on for many months before the website even went live, you might be inclined to say, "Yeah, but...." as well. I was actually quite shaken by the downright nastiness I read in one blog post and can't figure out why someone is so angry about hiking gear.
Since the hubbub began a couple of days ago, though, I've actually had quite a few sales and some wonderful support AND I've made a few tweeks and changes to the website and the kit (minor on that last point). So I certainly do appreciate the "publicity." I'm still just scratching my head, though, as to why some others (not here!) have THEIR knickers all in a wad over a bunch of basic gear. Some have even freaked at the sight of the gear in the packaging (in my photos), as if anyone would shove it all in a backpack still packaged, no water in the bottles, etc., and hit the trail. If they are THAT stupid, no gear is going to make any difference whatsoever; some Search & Rescue team somewhere will have to go get 'em.
if there is a market for your product and it helps get people into the outdoors, keep going!
If people are upset that your items are wrapped and no water is in the bottles, I wonder how THEY bought THEIR items?
As you have already pointed out above somewhere, no matter what people have in their pack they need to engage their brain no matter how expereinced they are.
Stick with it and welcome, belatedly, to the forum.
I think there may be a little misunderstanding here about exactly what garment it is that mac didn't want to get twisted, and what (different) garment it is that Deb doesn't wear.
Let wikipedia explain discretely:
"In the United Kingdom, Ireland and some Commonwealth nations, knickers is a word for women's undergarments....The term "knickers" is still used to refer to knickerbockers in American English."
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