Be a Backpacker Gear Tester!

Do you think you have what it takes to be an Official Backpacker Gear Tester? We’re creating a new reader test panel and want to fill it with passionate, frequent hikers who aren’t afraid to tell it like it is.

TO APPLY It’s a 2-part process.

1) Send a short (200 word) sample gear review of your favorite piece of gear to khostetter1@gmail.com. (Hint: Study the magazine. You get bonus points if you nail our style, voice, and formatting.) The email should include your name and a link to your …

2) YouTube video. Yep, you gotta make one. (We figure if you can’t produce and post a YouTube video, you might not fare so well with setting up complicated tents or navigating GPS menus.) The video should be no longer than 5 minutes. Introduce yourself, and be creative in showing us why you’d make the perfect BACKPACKER Gear Tester. (Tip: Make your video stand out from the pack!)

THE RULES

Deadline for submission is March 30, 2009. Backpacker editors will choose the finalists, and we might follow up with additional questions to pick the winners.

THE PRIZE

If you win, you’ll be given regular testing assignments for a 12-month period. You name will appear on the masthead; Your mug shot will be in the magazine! You’ll have the opportunity to not only test gear but, if you're good enough, try your hand at writing reviews for both the magazine and Backpacker.com. And if you kick ass, you’ll graduate into our regular corps of elite (and paid!) gear testers.