Our lab is a bit different than most folks might picture. It isn't a sterile place with test tubes and microscopes like
the one pictured at left. Instead, our lab looks remarkably like the places you visit while backpacking, hiking, camping or canoeing.
The conditions in which the products are tested are remarkably like the conditions where you use them. That's because our tests are conducted
in real world environments and under the same conditions you would expect the products to be used in. We're not beyond
tossing items in the washer and dryer either. Let's face it, you sometimes forget to take stuff out of your pockets before laundry.
It's no accident that our testing turned out that way. We want our products to perform flawlessly for you and by testing
them in the same environments in which they will be used we can learn pretty quickly which ones will work and which ones
won't. We weed out the bad products before you spend your hard earned dollars on them.
We want to know how well they perform if they are dropped over the side of a ledge or land in the mud. We need to find out
what happens when hinges get loaded up with sand or "stainless steel" gets wet. Why? Because it is going to happen when
you use it. And we think that is a terrible time to have a product fail. Your life just might be on the line. That's why we take
prospective products into the field and run them through their paces. Then, if they pass, we test them some
more. And only when they pass our tests do they earn a place in our store. But we don't stop there. Hardly. We carry the same products into
the field that we sell. So they are tested all year long. We want to be absolutely certain they live up to their advertised claims
and your expectations. And just between us, your expectations are a lot more important.
You won't find the compass who's cover broke the first time we opened it or military surplus water purfication tablets that are ten years old. And you won't find the
bogus signal mirrors that are currently on the market. While our profit margin might look better our ethics would be violated...as would
your trust. Our ethics are not for sale and your trust is far too important to us.
We want you to be completely satisfied with the products you purchase from us. After all, there are a lot of outdoor sites you have to choose from.
That's why we go the distance to test all of our products, offer some of the best prices you'll ever find, provide you with a no questions asked
return policy, the very best in customer service and tons of information designed to keep you and your family safe.
So, if you happen to hike past Adam or David and it appears they are manhandling some kind of product, they probably are. Or, if you find Ruth canoeing
with gear dangling in the water, think nothing of it. If you see Rick tossing gear over the side of a ledge or stomping it down in the mud it's okay.
Really. It's what we do. It's just hard to believe we actually get paid to do this crazy stuff.
