There is nothing more important about you gear than the experience you get by using it. The marketing brochure or the sales pitch by some pimply kid in an outdoor store are not enough to put your trust in some piece of kit in a wild place. There's nothing like coming through an epic adventure and learning what gear options work (and what doesn't). That knowledge is absolute gold. Otherwise it's kinda like those online reviews where someone sets up a tent in their backyard and proceeds to review it's effectiveness on the trail, or boil water on a DIY stove in their kitchen and make comments about it's suitability for melting snow at 14,000ft.
My kit is a constantly evolving collection where every piece is constantly earning it's place. Try it in the field, use it, abuse it, refine it and eventually trust it or replace it.
So on a recent peak bagging trip in Kosciuszko National Park the weather was forecast to be poor and I was ready to test some gear. On test was a new shelter, the MLD trailstar in Silnylon. I was especially keen to see how it went in strong winds and driving rain. The forecast was true and we had some extreme weather. Driving rain and a midnight lightening storm right over us as we camping hight on Muellers pass.
I now can trust the trailstar in horrendous weather. When driving rain is so strong it stings my back through my shell.
So get out there and test your gear. Try new things. Work out what works and learn to trust your kit.
