Backpacking Light is kicking off a new series of profiles with outdoor industry professionals, long distance hikers, adventure trekkers, land managers, conservationists, and others who will be of interest to lightweight backpackers. We'll talk with them about their vocations, their passions, and their outlook on topics of interest to the lightweight backpacking community. In this installment, we talk with Dana Parnello, Manager of Product Research and Testing at REI. Dana shares his thoughts on lightweight trends, gear testing, breakthrough products, and assorted other topics.
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Discussion
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Companion forum thread to:
Dana Parnello on Controlled Product Testing at REI
Cal Magnusson who is mentioned at the end, has a fantastic little park named after him in the town of Enumclaw, Wa – Pete's Peak (it has a couple other names as well) sits in it – a little bump left by the last ice age that sports a fantastic section of Basalt Rock 2/3 up the little peak.
I wouldn't return an item after it wore out- but they will take things like that back. The danger is that they might not carry lightweight or fragile products because of excessive returns.
Most of the cottage UL manufacturers are pretty clear about the fragility of UL gear. Their warrantees and satisfaction guarantees reflect that and the fact that they might not have super deep pockets.
Jim
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