How have you test your new gear before hitting the trail?

[Livesilly]

The son and I picked up some new 4.5Lb negitive 20 degree bags the other day and gave them a go! We leveled the snow in the yard, pitched the tent and hoped for low temps. Well....that night we hit -10 and stayed quite warm. How have you tested your gear before you hit the backcountry?

[RUTTIN]

I'm like you, I set up a mock camp in the back yard to try out what ever new gear it might be, the kids think it's a blast to camp in the back yard!

[T43]

Back yard or short summer trips.

[Firearrow]

Scoutnig trips, or just shoot from the hip, and hope for the best. It doesn't work out so well sometimes.

[shed]

My favorite is ground chucking with new archery equipment and finding any noise with my bow. Other items I just take packing and camping.

[MLYCRZY]

Tested our Sitka Nimbus rain gear by standing in the shower on full force before we took it to Alaska. Figured 5-10 min in there was a pretty good test. I doubt I'll be somewhere where it's raining that hard and direct on me. My wife thought I had lost my last marble.....but hey it worked.

[mthuntress]

I hit the Backcountry for some preseason scouting and take my Emmrod fishingpole and do some fishing while I'm at it.

[woodtick]

Rain gear gets the 30 min shower test!! If it holds out the water its a keeper, if it leaks I send it back.

[goatpoop]

A month ago I bought the badlands monster pack. I used it to go looking for sheds. I cannot wait to use it for archery this year.