Do many people test gear at home first?

[gunwharfman]

I remember testing my tent (Zephyros 1) in the garden before I went walking with it. I also tested out my £9.99 Decathlon long johns recently, but apart from wanderingaround our house with new boots on and walking locally in the rain with a new hiking umbrella I can't remember testing anything else.

I'm sure that someone wrote once that they tested the waterproofness of their jacket under a shower but have I imagined this?

[fernman]

I tromped 90 feet up and down the garden path several times when I bought and fitted new insoles for my boots a year ago (a first for me). Hope the neighbours weren't watching, but they already know I'm a bit cracked. The boots felt a bit strange at first, a bit tottery like when you're wearing heels on a Friday night  , but they were just fine when I went out and did my first few miles in them.

I wore my baselayers, fleece top and fleece hat for three days when the central heating broke down once, and I've had tents up in the garden a number ofl times but I wouldn't sleep out there, not even to get away from the wife's snoring 

[clyoung]

I'm sure that someone wrote once that they tested the waterproofness of their jacket under a shower but have I imagined this?

I did that when I was arguing with Rab over my leaky Spark jacket. They said it wasn't a fair test, I had to go out in heavy rain in it    I bought another jacket and keep the Spark for when it's not likely to rain and I'm doing low level walking.

[Ridge]

I put up new tents in the garden to check that they are OK and also to be sure how to put them up.

[BuzyG]

Fortunate to have some nice walks right outside our front door.  Plus Dartmoor and Bodmin moor within half an hour by car.  So any testing is done out and about.

[tenmilesplus]

I do try everything on at home, boots I wear but only for a short time, I tend to go for a short walk to try out new kit or I buy what I need on advice..
 My tent I put up as a practice several times before I needed it.

[sunnydale]

I usually do a shortish walk from home when I wear new boots for the first time, even though I buy the same ones each time and I know they will be fine.
Best to be a bit cautious!

[Rather be walking]

I'm sure that someone wrote once that they tested the waterproofness of their jacket under a shower but have I imagined this?

Wasn't me  however I've tested jackets and stuff in the garden with Mrs RBW using a hose. 

Jon.

[archaeoroutes]

I test a lot of gear, for myself and for manufacturers. With the exception of footwear (which gets a few walks near my house first) I just use it in my normal activity. If the test kit has problems, I just have to cope - all the rest of what I'll have with me is tried and tested. Even a complete failure of waterproofs like I had recently just means I'm a bit uncomfortable for the day (OK, it was minus 2 with wind chill, but I just kept moving - I did have sufficient spare kit in case of emergency).
I did used to do the standing in shower with waterproofs, but I found things would pass that but fail while walking. For things like drybags, I do still fill them with water first, but that is more to decide what level of use to put them to (last week I was given a new one to test, I was going to take it on a SUP journey yesterday, but the seal failed the fill test so I'll use it inside a rucksack on my next heavy rain walk instead).