RE: Bivvy bag group test issue ?
I like the reviews in trail, obviously they have a commercial minded approach to reviews but i find GT's reviews honest and informative, he, over the years has built an indepth knowledge on gear, hows it made and whats it made from, and gives the reader his honest opinion on stuff he's tested.
If gear junkies are brutally honest there is not much difference between high end gear, from event to gortex, from a lightweight msr stove to a lightweight crux stove. they do a job, so what if one stove using a tiny bit more gas, boils water a nano second quicker or weighs micro gram lighter.
Most people nowadays would buy a high end waterproof jacket because it looks good in the mirror and not be bothered by the double sided A4 label telling you how great it is.
the whole gear market is an obvious con to walkers and in this day and age where money is tight, they are all wacking up the prices (mark up) and put it down to development etc etc for next years all singing and dancing product that was just as good as last years but they've shaved a gram of it, made it with less material and are charging us more and more and more.
Next time your talking with rab why dont you suggest they make a budget range of their clothing using designs of their gear from a decade ago, it was great kit then and would still be today up against the current budget brands. they would not have to pay for the designing then it might just save us a quid or two.
only downside is " why do they all make stuff so shiny " 
bit like lights on the gambler in the pub 