So I am going into the bw this week with some gear that has never seen a night in the field (at least with me). I got a used canoe from an outfitter and never had a chance to give it a test paddle, so I will be testing it when I dump it in the water at our EP. Got a set of cheapie wood paddles from fleet farm, never used them or even ones like them before. I also got a new taj 3 from the rei outlet over the winter and I know the tent gets good reviews but I have never slept out in this tent before so I hope it is not a lemon.

Anyone else ever gamble with new gear? I usually try to get at least an overnight with my new stuff before I take it into a place like the bw where I depend on it a little more. I am a little nervous about it this time for some reason although I am sure it will work out just fine.

quote ChazzTheGnome: "...Anyone else ever gamble with new gear? "

Not when it is important. I generally make sure everything is working before I leave the house. I always set up the tent - even it is just in my basement. I always make sure my stove and water filter work. etc...

Not sure I would need to test drive a new paddle. I think I would "flex" it a bit to make sure it doesn't easily break. But I don't feel the need to paddle with it. The canoe, on the other hand, I would want to test. I would want to know for certain that it had no leaks. I would also want to play around with how I would organize the load and which packs I would use.

You're crazy!

I'd at least go to a local lake/river and get a good hour on the canoe and paddles.

as far as the tent, set it up in your back yard. that's all the test i do with mine when they are new.

BTW...

the "You're crazy" comment was intended to be light-hearted...

I also set up the tent in the yard, but then I turn the sprinkler on it. Best to do this in the back yard, if ya know what I mean.

Some other checks I make:
Make sure the thermarests hold air, had a leaky valve once.
Test the straps on my packs.
Run the camp stove.
Run some water through the filter.
Air out the sleeping bags.

JD

For quite a few years, we outfitted. One year, the outfitter had a bunch of new (wood) paddles in the bin. Took one new, along with a couple of beat up ones, and 50 yards out the blade one the new one split in two. Luckily the other two lasted the whole trip. So, no new paddle without a spare and no new stove without a couple of trials at home, for me.

I definitely test all gear by setting it up and inspecting it carefully. And I do that each year regardless of whether it is new or not. However, I do not test each gear on overnight trips before going to the BW. It hasn't always been possible.

A couple of years ago I took a truly new tarptent into the BW. The Hogback model was fresh off the presses and mine was rushed to me and was even a slightly pre-production version. It was off the production line but he made some very minor changes after setting it up. It was a bit strange going into the wilderness with a tent that no one had slept in overnight. I had faith in it because Henry at tarptent is great at what he does and had tested the prototypes and had camped in the BW. That faith was justified and the tent worked great.

If the new equipment is a stove, I make sure it works at home. If it is a new tent that has been reviewed to death on this site, I just set it up just to make sure nothing is missing. I make sure I know how to use a different kind of technology, such as a new SteriPen, and that it works as intended. Inflate a new (or even an old) sleeping pad and see if it stays inflated for a couple of days. Make sure there is a patch kit with the pad. Add duct tape and whatever emergency repair kit might come in handy.
Two thousand miles and a week in the BW is a long way to go for me, just to find stupid problems that should have been discovered at home.

Never skimp on paddles. That's the gear that you will use most on your trip. And IMHO, it's good to know how a canoe handles before you take it out in wind and waves and a load of gear. I HAVE taken unused tents before, and new Duluth packs. TW

Since I rent my canoe, yes, I have often gone out in a canoe I have never paddled, with a paddle I have never used. I take a spare paddle. I have taken tents that I have never slept in, or more frequently, that have never been tested by serious rain/wind.

I would suggest setting up the TAJ3, at least, before you go, since setup is a little different, certainly not what I would call intuitive. I wouldn't want to go through the learning curve in bad weather. I also flush the water filter and test the stove, air out the sleeping bag, test the headlamp, check straps, zippers,etc.

We have always used an Outfitter up to this point in the BWCA. Our rental canoe was used for the first time, when our trip began, since we have left either directly from the Outfitters or with the Outfitter delivering us at the entry point, felt safe that canoe was fine or could be replaced. So far, it always has been fine.
Paddles, I look over and as others have stated I bring an extra so feel the bases are covered.
Tents, I have felt a bit vulnerable here. The Outfitters tent has always performed quite well. My issue was a few years back we got to a site late and I was unfamiliar with the tent design and set-up. My son came to the rescue(At the time he had a job at REI), he had it up in no time. I always smile at what I may have done if he had not been there. Yes, I put up all my new tents in our house all the time to prevent surprises.
From the Outfitter's we have had sleeping pad failure twice. Since we always carry patches, easily solved, so no big deal.

Overall, we have been fine with our gear and its expected performance. Now remembering to bring it all, that is another story.
Boppa

Not in the BW, but many times while car camping.

I have had the tent sent up a few times. I switched out some of the guy lines and cut some plastic for my innie. I sure am glad that I set that one up a few times (the only piece of camping gear I have ever had that sets up counter-intuitive, I felt like I was setting up something baby thing (pack-n-play, infant swing, ect (which all set up counter-intuitive))) and the canoe I got is a used alumacraft, so I have paddled this model lots of times, just not this one. We will have a spare paddle for sure. Always.

I think you have all confirmed my thoughts, that this is a little crazy, not my norm or preferred, just how it all worked out this time.

I will let you all know how it works out…hopefully:)

Not ideal, but I think you'll be ok. The big concern for me was that you knew how to set the tent up and that it wasn't missing any pieces. It sounds like you have done that.

The canoe should be fine. I certainly would trust a used canoe from an outfitter more than from a private party. Afterall, they have a reputation to be concerned with. Bring duct tape just in case.

I think you'll find the paddles to be crappy, but they'll work. I'm glad you have a spare.

When you get home consider this. I have had some luck (and fun) using those cheapie wood paddles as blanks. Reshape them, especially the blades. and then either varnish or give them a coat of epoxy. It might help them.

Also if you are on a budget, I have found the plastic-aluminum paddles from manufactures like carlsie are decent and inexpensive. I still own one that I won't sell. It is very durable and a worthy back up. You can cheaply up-grade from the wooden ones. Buy two plastci-aluminum paddles, and keep one wooden as a back up. The other two wooden ones can be used as decorations for your home or made into hat/coat rackes. :)

Well...last summer I borrowed a tent. I set it up in the back yard just to make sure all the parts were there. Forgot to run the hose on it...Night 3-Big fast T-storm blew through and water started dripping on me. Luckily the storm was moving so fast that it was gone before very much water got in.
We set up a tarp over the rain fly for the rest of the trip. On Night 5 it rained hard all night and into the morning. The bottom of our pads were soaked, but since we were sleeping on a slope [another story!], we stayed dry. If I had tested, I could have sealed it up very easily as I have waterproofing material for both seams and fabric in the shop.
Hope you have better luck!

I'm taking my first trip that's not fully outfitted this June. New tent, new sleeping pad, new stove...never used but they have all been tested to make sure they work.
Set up my REI half dome inside when I got it in January but my wife wouldn't let me spray water on it. Fairly sure it'll be fine.

I'm probably guilty of it. I don't camp before I camp on purpose. I took my new canoe to the BW last fall and her maiden voyage was right there. Granted, if it sank at the EP, I would have been ticked, but not likely. I did regret not fitting my new portage pads on the new canoe better before departing, but there was time to fiddle with those in camp.

I gamble with fishing lures every year. Last year I gambled with my hammock. I have took naps in them before but never spent a night in one. I figured that if I did not like it I could lay it on the ground and use it like a bivouac. I ended up really liking it.

my biggest gamble was buying a bell magic without previously paddling one. i scored big on that wager.

I think you'll be OK. You should a little nervous though. I would at least set up the tent just to be sure the parts are complete. It may take some time to get the "feel" of the boat, but you'll get that down pretty quick. I'd be a little concerned about the paddles. Make sure you have a spare.......And have FUN!!

I purchased a new tent for this summer. I have only set it up in the living room (did not put any water on it). So, it will be tested in the BW. Seam sealer and duct tape are always with me if needed.

I'm in a similar situation as the OP. Being this is my first trip since my wife and I split up. all of my gear before was designed for groups. This solo trip, I am having to almost start over with all new outfitting. And I have not had a chance to test most of it either. Now, the cedar strip canoe I just purchased I will definitely take out for a few test spins but most of the rest will be field tested unfortunately.

My son and I bought a retired rental Minnesota-II canoe from Piragis and paddled it for the first time at our entry point, but we had both paddled MN-II's before so there wasn't much risk there.

I'd go in with all new or used untested gear rather than not go at all. Maybe you'll be uncomfortable or wet and miserable but at least you'll be OUT! I've been wet and miserable before and lived through it. Go for it!

I like to check all the gear over before we go. That is actually fun for me.

I need another hobby. :)

I'm not bringing any lighters for the stove or fire grate this year. I bought those waterproof matches that relight if put underwater and a new fire steel.

My friend Pikehunter just bought a used canoe from LaTourells that we will be paddling on the next trip.

New CCS tarp for the Hammock I have never tried, Not much of a gamble because it is a great tarp.

Two years ago I made a canoe paddle and had not tried it until we got on Splash lake.

New gear to try is part of the fun.

Good point from someone about always setting up tents to make sure they are complete. A few years ago this conversation happened:
My sister-in-law (who wasn't going): here is our 4-man tent.
Me: Wow, that's light. Is that the whole thing?
Her: Yes, that's the whole thing.
Me to myself: Really, a cheap 4-man weights that little?
Me to her and others: That's amazing. Are you sure that's the whole thing?
Everyone: yep, that's the whole tent. It's great.

First night in: where's the rain fly?

Fourth night in (we were lucky the first three): let's take the tyvek ground cloth and make a rain fly before that storm we can see heading this way gets here.

Worked but was noisy in the wind.