What I Hate About Making Gear Videos, And Why I'll Always Make Them
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- Опубликовано: 7 июн 2024
- 00:00 Hey Y'all
00:28 I'm Not A Gear Nut
02:10 I Hate Shopping
02:48 I Hate Publicly Criticizing Other People's Work
04:03 I Can Steer People Wrong
05:07 So Many People Make Gear Videos Now
06:20 I'm Always Accused Of Being Paid
07:59 REASONS I WILL ALWAYS MAKE GEAR VIDEOS
My Gear Closet: • I Put Off Organizing M...
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* I do NOT accept anything from gear companies. I do not do paid reviews. I do not have any sponsors. All opinions are my own, based on my experiences. I do not plan to ever incorporate sponsorships on this channel in an effort to remain 100% impartial. If I were to accept gear in exchange for a review I would disclose it per FTC regulations.
Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate links in my gear lists and possibly in product links in this video description. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases (doesn't only have to be backpacking gear).
Amazon Affiliate Page: www.DixieAZ.com
WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL & ADVENTURES:
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(You can pledge as low as a $1/month to support my upcoming hikes.)
*Gear Wish List: a.co/cVZeFo3
(Purchase an item from my gear wish list. Some of the items may require contacting me for shipping details. See address below.)
*Buy My Book
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This is why I love your channel, when other backpacking channels constantly feel like an infomercial. Thank you.
yes! that is why i only watch like 3 hiking channels. every time i think a channel is great they start to get annoying with advertising things.
Just remember…the people that matter already KNOW that you are the genuine article. We KNOW that you don’t do brand sponsorships. That’s why we’re here. We’re here for YOU. There will always be trolls that need to be ignored. Can’t fix stupid. But thank you for being you in spite of them. 💕
Well said.
Couldn’t agree more! Well said!
I started watching you for the thru-hikes...I continue to watch to help support a good role model for my daughters...you could start making videos about Van Life, Engineering, cooking, or whatever you like and as long as you stay a good role model, and a genuinely honest person who approaches life in a meaningful way that shows the girls and boys in the future that there is a path you can take to challenge yourself and be triumphant in a "keeping it real" type way...I will continue to follow along and like your video's...and I am sure I am not the only one who has enjoyed your adventures and the fact that you show most of the highs and lows and those not shown are told about during those storming zero days or the days at home waiting/planning for the next adventure!
I love gear videos. I can't afford most of it and I'm good at sewing so I'll be making most of my own gear. I enjoy the videos because it helps my think about what features I want to add. Rip stop by the roll is awesome.
I love how she laughs at herself when she hears herself say "I want to tell you how the gear made me feel..." :) love this channel. My only outings are to catch the bus to work. One day though ...
Your amazing and we love you. Your honest and just a real person. THAT is why we watch you. We are your biggest fans and support you in your decisions.
You best video yet… why? You are fully 100% GENUINE!! You are quite respected because of that!! Keep being real, and being YOU!!
Having an Engineering Background (EIT) means you have the background & legitimacy for your recommendation. End of Story. I enjoy your videos.
Hey Dixie, don’t feel pressured to say all the stats for products! I want to learn about the user experience, and the last thing I want in gear review videos is for someone to just read the website description back to me. Your experience and opinions are all of the value, though it is nice to know how much something weighs.
Hiker coincidence! I'm in the middle of making my gear list to go on the AT in 2025 and you posted a gear video 😅 Hope you're doing well, Dixie! Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement over the years. The world can be dark but you're such a light ❤
I love your honesty about this topic, and that you always give an unbiased take on gear.
Also, if it helps, I learned about Altras from you, I'm on my 3rd pair, and I love them!
I really appreciate that you offer a diverse amount of gear reviews and recommendations. Gear can be expensive over time. Thank you for showing us affordable options. Thanks for videos such as "Would I use my original AT gear again?". It validates that we all have to start somewhere with what we are comfortable spending. Moreover, you have shown us throughout the years that it doesn't matter what gear you use. You can make it to Katahdin and not have the most ultralight gear.
That message is so empowering and needed. Everyone has a place at the campfire and on the trail. Thanks for all that you do and keep shining bright.
i love watching gear videos the most, because they give me reasons to buy things. and show me new things to buy that i didnt know of. and buying things makes me happy for a moment.
I bought an Osprey backpack because of you many years ago and while it is not the lightest pack I own it is still my favorite pack. You are the trusted standard in gear review probably because you are honest and it is not your passion!
Love to you and Fancy Mae! Stay safe from all the tornados we have coming thru today! Hope all is well and happy!
I really like when people share their experiences and why it works or doesn't work for them. It is real easy to find specs or infomercial style show-n-tells. I like hearing their experiences. I've actually bought and have enjoyed using equipment that didn't work for someone as they shared their "why" and I was able to see it would work for for me. Thanks for sharing!
Your truthfulness and personal experience is what is valuable. I'm starting to hike the High Peaks in the Adirondacks this year,. I'm going to try my hand at making a video story to document the journey. Your story is helping people like me to turn the dream into action. Thanks for everything and keep trekking! :)
At the end of the day, you have your integrity, which nobody can take away from you. Please remember that you bring so much more to the plate that those others, who have not completed America's long distance trails like you have and cannot come close to duplicating your efforts.
Keep smiling! 😉
While most of us probably don't take your opinion on gear as a must-buy recommendation, I think a lot of us enjoy seeing new, interesting gear in use before we buy it. In that sense, I hope you continue to mention gear you use in the field and its pros and cons. I'd especially like to see you try a lot of the small, quirky stuff available at lesser known vendors like Garage Grown Gear. Some of the food choices there especially look good, but I'm reluctant to spend money on them until someone else tries them. So please continue to be our guinea pig for new stuff, at least from time to time. Cheers.
This. I certainly value Dixie's take, but it's not my sole input for making a purchase or not. I only want to buy the best gear once and price is usually not a concern, so I do a TON of research and this is a voice I feel adds values to the process. I've disagreed with some thoughts she had a couple times, but that's because I'm a different person, but at the end of the day, she's telling us about real-world gear use, which is awesome. She's good at making it clear that it's an independent opinion- she's going to be a great mom!
I'm somewhat the opposite. I think she should just use what she wants to use and then make reviews of that.
GGG is genuinely great, but with how many hiking youtubers review their gear, it seems very informercial/commercial (which is why I don't watch their videos even when I know they are genuine as well). Dixie on the other hand never feels like a commercial and just gives reviews based on personal long term use (rather than a 3 day trip) which ends up feeling more genuine in a video format
@@bananarama3624 you make a very good point. Cheers.
Honestly I’m here for hiking content. I know gear tends to be a popular topic because people use RUclips to inform buying decisions, but I just wanna see the hikes. So many others have decided to go gear heavy, and I’ve stuck around bc you don’t do that.
Your format has been working so if it Aint broke don't fix it
I LOVE gear videos. I'm pretty self restrained when it comes to not buying on a whim but I just love checking out all the products. Never stop making them plz!!! :)
Love that you’ve done all the work in testing and sharing ! The tips are excellent.
I’ve watched your gear videos for years and always appreciate your insights. I currently wear Topo Athletic and Altras and HMG backpacks because of you. Your engineer mind allows you to lay out the pros and cons very thoroughly. I like that.
I’ve loved your reviews and have used most of your recommendations. I love my Lone Peaks. Mitch from California.
I appreciate your videos so much, especially the honesty in the gear videos. Shopping and spending money gives me a little bit of anxiety, so knowing what to look for is a huge help. Unfortunately, I hadn’t found your channel before I went for my first 10 mile hike on the AT lol I walked out there with a cheap Amazon backpack that I didn’t adjust, new hiking boots, and no trekking poles. By the end of the day, my toenails were bruised (started lifting off the nail bed a week later lol), my shoulder was bruised to the point I couldn’t lift my arm, and my knees were so sore I could barely walk for 2 days afterwards. I watched your videos and upgraded from boots to trail runners and adjusted my pack’s shoulder straps and hip belt. Even just those minor changes made a world of difference. My next 10 mile hike on the AT went great, without a problem at all. No shoulder pain, no toe pain. My knees were still a little sore but not nearly as bad. I have new trekking poles coming tomorrow so I think that will help my knees. You’ve saved me so much pain and money so far, I can’t even express how much I appreciate it lol Plus when I walk by myself, watching your hiking videos feels like I’m walking with a friend!
Best outdoor channel ❤ Good boots is about the only gear I care about, the rest of my stuff is pretty random 😅 And I agree footwear is probably the most subjective thing! I know it's hard, but sometimes you just need to ignore the negative comments - the internet is full of annoying smart-asses! 😅
One of the things I've always enjoyed about your gear videos, is that you always make sure to tell us how YOU found that piece of gear to be. For me, when I look for in a review isn't to hear how great the thing is, or how wonderful the company is, I want to know 6 major and a few minor things:
A: What is it, and what is it for? (Unless it's obvious like a cook pot, or tent, or sleeping bag/pad, or backpack).
B: Do I have a use for it?
C: How user friendly is it? That is, is it intuitive to use/figure out how to use, or do I need to thoroughly read the instructions?
D: How well did it work for YOU? Would you not leave home without it, or did it fail every test you put it through?
E: What pros and cons do you feel are relevant to it?
F: How much does it weigh and cost?
Anything other than that is gravy. What I don't want to hear is how it's of no use in the winter, when MY winter's average temperature is 75° for instance. Which is not to say that I don't want to know that it may not be good in below freezing temperatures, or could be trouble in a snow/rain storm. Those things can happen almost anywhere you are. But, blanket statements don't do anyone any good because it may not apply to where your viewer is.
Bottom line though is one needs to do one's own research into a product before determining to spend $$$ on it, regardless of how glowing the review is.
Man, you are glowing.
Well I do appreciate your gear vids! They are more detailed and informative than most. I appreciate seeing the detailed assessment so I can decide what features are important to me before I buy. So thank you!!
I feel ya on trying to get into gear research but it’s hard to keep up with! There’s always something new coming out, and they’re not cheap either!
"Hey y'all Dixie here" says it all for me. Please continue to do what you do. I/we love what you do and you.
Thank You for sharing all your experiences! I guarantee you that you make a huge impact on the hiking and backpacking world. Super informative and entertaining. Rock On!
Thanks!
Always a pleasure watching your video's
In 2019 I bought a duplex tent, I don't ever search for another. With good information and good choices it's not necessary to continue to change gear. My kit will be different, but ir what I like. Everybody finds there match and if it works, it works. Thanks for your live to your community🎉
I’ve learned a lot from your reviews and it’s more about how you explain them and share the information. The on the trail experiences is my favorite.
Love your videos. I've been watching since you were hiking the A.T. Your videos gave me more confidence in taking my family on hiking trips. I can't speak for the world but you've made mine better.
Thank you Dixie, great video. After all these years you still inspire me!!
Thanks for opening up about this subject. While I am a gearhead, I tend to focus more on the makeup (materials composing and how they are made) than the band name (maybe why I like cottage producers).
I have really enjoyed your channel. Your videos have been a bright spot in some dark days. I have followed you for 4 years. Thank you for sharing your journey.
You are one of the small handful of truly objective gear reviewers. I like to hear your opinions on the gear you use, plus your gear lists you share for the PCT, AT, etc are very helpful. So many gear "reviewers" are not truly objective and are basically pitchmen/pitchwomen. 'Nuff said. Keep up the good work and get out there!
It's the honesty and practicality of the gear you are reviewing and you openness and like you said you explain why you feel the way you do.
I'd like to know more about your photography interests. I think the cinematography and still photos you take are fantastic, and show a lot of talent.
your always honest in your reviews. keep up the good work. iam Currently on the Appalachian doing the Virginia triple crown
Hey Dixie, you are doing pregnancy beautifully. You look wonderful! BTW, I hear you about gear preferences. Once you had recommended light weight gloves (Possum Down I think) and I just didn't love them. For me they were too short, I could feel a breeze through them, and worst of all they were so slick it was hard to grasp things. Yet they ARE super light, and I still use them. So everything is a personal preference I guess. Keep up the great channel!
While you may hate making gear videos, your honesty about what works and doesn't work for you is still helpful. It gives the rest of us things to consider as we evaluate gear for ourselves. Also, because of how you do these, if the manufacturers see your evaluation, they may take your comments into consideration as they make adjustments to what they make. You may be sharing things that did not get considered in the design of the items. This allows for future improvements in their products.
Thank you for taking the time to make these. It is a valuable service for all of us.
Dixie, you are such a good person to share ALL your videos with us and I love to hear your opinions about your gear. Please ignore those people who don’t understand that those are your opinions and nobody should have to agree with what everyone else has to say. You are such a genuine person and I hope that you continue doing what you do!!! God bless you and your family!!!
And this, this video right here, is what I love so much, about you and your videos. Down to earth, honest, and always courteous! Your husband, and littlehikersoontobe, are very fortunate! Happy Mother's Day to you and your Mom!
Keep on keeping on Dixie! Hope to run into you sometime on the trail. SLC is within 6 or less hours of the best hiking in the country.
Thanks for the video
The fact that you don't accept any gear or sponsorships is exactly why I trust your opinion. Even if your recommendations sometimes don't work for me, I know that you were giving your 100% honest review, which is so refreshing in this saturated genre of hiker channels. I don't have to second guess anything about what you say. You are honest, relatable, humorous and refreshing. That's why I watch your channel. Thank you for doing this. Keep on keepin' on!
You do a great job!
It's always a good day when you post a video. Much obliged.
I love your videos! Thank you for making them! You are 100 right about it almost always comes down to personal preference. Like the shoes I wear for a week long section hike are totally different than what I wear for a four hour hike. Something with rain gear, and hats and socks and packs.
I also think there are two hiking hobbies (maybe three). Hiking and buying gear. Separate hobbies for sure 😂😂
Talking about hiking is probably the third 😂
I like your gear videos. Im not into the sponsored ones the guys put out. I discovered you while doing research on bear cans before my 1st trip into Desolation Wilderness. Fan ever since. Your reviews are realistic, the kind of honesty I like in a review. I dont own a lot of the gear you have but I have my own collection. Keep up the great videos.
It would be SO COOL (although incredibly labor-intensive) if you eventually went backpacking with mostly gear you made yourself. Actually, even if you did a video for a homemade item or two at a time, I think it would be really interesting. You could let us know how it compares to a store-bought *insert item*, what you think worked well, and what you would do differently after testing it.
I totally get the pain point. As a consumer, it is REALY HARD to pick the diamond.. from all the rough. ALOT OF JUNK has infiltrated the camping / hiking market. Most of want the quality stuff.. but can’t afford but to buy one to two high quality options. I fell I live w your vlog on the PCT, & blessed to b able to back watch your AT thru. Keep doing whatever YOU like.
Thanks. Dont overthink it.
I just want to say I love all of your gear videos. As far as I am concerned you can leave a lot of the details out and just hit the highlights. I know how to use google. I would much rather hear the things you like and don’t like. I may or may not agree with you, but it gives me something to look for when checking out new gear. So thank you for what you do. I hope this day finds you and your family healthy and happy.
I love your channel becuase it is not a gear channel, I'm here for the hikes and inspirations to hike my own hike!
I appreciate your channel no matter where you take it. Do what you like, and the results will follow. No amount of reviews by anyone is going to sway me to try a product. By the way, I hate Altras, too. I got a good deal on a pair once, and the only thing I like is the zero drop. They don't last long enough to justify the cost, and my foot slips around too much in them. I believe they are probably fitting for a very specific foot type.
One of your best videos, and you have done a lot of good ones, ❤herbi
I appreciate hearing this. I stopped watching other channels because I can't stand how focused they are on gear. We want to hike for the experience of being outside with nature; the good and bad. You provide that and not how to win a competition on base weight.
What makes your channel so great is how accessible you make the content, regardless of the experience level of the subscriber. I don't subscribe to you for your gear videos, but instead your love for wildlife, critters, and other beautiful things God put on this earth. Besides, after you reviewed your experience with a hammock, I almost unsubscribed! But then I remembered why I subscribed in the first place - we get to live vicariously through your adventures. Don't waste time on gear videos, at least for this subscriber. :)
I cant wait till you start reviewing Baby carry back packs!😍
We have to be related.
I HATE shopping....like will pay waaaayyyy more to purchase something online than going into a shop.
I also don't really care about the specs. Even though I try to go as UL as I can - I find the details boring. Great video!
thank you for all of your comments and for being so gracious with people who are not gracious with you. To thine own self be true, they say and you are doing it! Godspeed
1st video of yours I ever watched was a gear video BECAUSE I WAS INTERESTED IN YOUR PACK COMPARISON!!!! you did a osprey vs hyperlite thing!!!! Interesting!!!! PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW BEFORE THEY GO!!!
To be honest, I no longer watch gear videos because I’ve learned what my preferences are and what my backpacking style is. This means I’ve formed my own opinion ms on what works for me and most gear videos seem to be trying to sell me something I don’t really need. I do appreciate a good ‘how to’ video which this channel seems to excel at.
I love how in the section about how most of your family doesn't like Altras, you put in a clip of Fancy Mae trying to kick off her shoes! LOL FANCY! She's adorable. She's also your family!
What are you thinking of making for hiking? Sounds intriguing.
I love your gear video’s!
Great video. I think some people ALWAYS want the latest greatest gear, and are SHOCKED when someone doesn't show up with or do a video on the latest "trending" piece. As had been stated already-you come across as FAR more genuine anyway when you DO do a gear video. I know that, being on knife forums and knife channels, it's almost comical sometimes to see someone posting the knife they "trust (their) life to" and yet it's not got a blemish on it (translation-it's not been anywhere but a few park trails MAYBE) and it's a model that hasn't been out two years yet, but they act like they survived Kilimanjaro with for 9 years...! 🙄
Your the best Dixie.
Same. It's exhausting and it seems you kind of become sort of an ambassador for that particular piece of gear. I don't want that responsibility lol. The gear videos you make are thorough and fair. I understand but they are helpful.
Makes me think of what's happening with the largest tech RUclipsr who does reviews. It's a bit different because outdoor gear deals with cottage companies. But if a product is bad, then the consumer should know. I appreciate how you word it "with respect to the company."
1:45 Yes please, I love that!
We've ALWAYS loved your videos for gear. You make one of the most balanced and complete videos for gear on the Tube. We know you'll be honest and let us know the difference between opinion and fact. Thank you. Btw, how does someone who is not a gear nut become an engineer?
I did agricultural/environmental engineering. I like being outside 😅
Is that a dark corner of REI you are sitting in? ;)
Thanks!
And we also like watching your gear videos as part of our research. 👊
I so want to see you try making more of your own gear. You'll make mistakes along the way, but it's enormously rewarding to have your very own custom made pack for the trail. (Start with something easy, though, like stuff sacks and camp socks!)
LOL, get a kick out of seeing your videos from "the bunker". Like seeing your videos on the trail, but understand you are probably busy with getting ready being a mommy. Interesting and very valid points on doing the gear reviews, definitely agree there are plenty of review channels out there, I think you present a even more interesting view of hiking.
You were going to try out the Nevo Rhino, how did that turn out?
The gear videos I like the best are when you review budget camping equipment, things I could see myself buying for a once a year trip.
Thanks
One of a kind, Dixie. You stopped being an Engineer, to be true to yourself. Full Stop. Fantastic, you honest marvelous wonder of the pathways through time, and place. You sit high and strong, along with Max, bless his soul, the beautiful Dog that captured our imagination. You stand proud for your continuing engagement in the backcountry, of many places, some call wild. Love you all ways..........
Dear, dear Dixie, there will always be trolls who find glee in tearing down others. But the rest of us think you are better than sliced bread, lol! Anyone who actually listens will easily realize that you present your personal opinions and assessments as just that: the results of one individual's tests.
Because of you, I know about several good tent brands, enabling me to select one that fits my need AND my budget. Same for the rest of my gear.
Thank you for creating these videos in spite of the disagreeable aspects (I'm not a techie either), so the rest of us know what is available. Try to ignore the trolls; maybe they'll eventually crawl back under their bridges...or rocks, lol.
This old world needs people like you. 💗
I still love your grandma gatewood (is that her name?) video. It was amazing.
That was so fun! Thank you :)
Gotta love this lady.
I'm very grateful to you for making gear videos. Yes, there are other people who make them, but 1. I trust you, and 2. You are a woman, and as a woman who likes to hike, your reviews are going to be more useful to me than any dude reviewing the same gear. So thank you!
Dear Dixi, I was thinking about you the other day as I was driving to the store. I wanted to post a photo i took just for you but. I could not find the add a photo link. Is there a way I can send it or add it to your page? Its a photo of the street sign that says Dixie Trail then the block number with its cross road. I was hoping to get others to do the same if they have such a street named like that.
Perfect gear video.
It is a pretty great job 😊
No no! Dixie recommendations are the best! 🎉❤
OK, so what you need, my friend, is partner with someone who LOVES gear and all things gear related, but does not have the time or perhaps the ability to go through hiking. Then they can do the research and review, then send the results to you, to do the “feel good” field testing.
There are always jealous miserable people who try to make you feel bad , stick to your guns girl .
You don’t need to make gear videos if you don’t want to. Just talk about what you use and why, and what type of hiker would probably also like it. Gear is very dependent on context and preferences. Viewers can decide for themselves if they match that profile. Keep up the great work!
I’m so happy I’m not alone in disliking shopping. If I can’t find something online, I don’t have it. My husband thought it was awesome to marry a woman who hyperventilates, leaves her shopping cart and bails until he realized he’d be doing 99% of the shopping (including groceries) on his own. After 26 years, he’s become accustomed to it though. ❤
Instead of doing the thing , it’s ez to get obsessed with how to do the thing or what to do the thing with . It’s that way with every hobby. Just get the cheap bare minimum then figure out out for yourself what more you need
You said it early on. How did the gear feel to use? Did it suit your style of hiking? That’s why your gear videos are great. When I see a video with someone reviewing a shiny new piece of gear they’ve obviously never used, it turns me right off.