It is a smart move to try out any and all camping or hiking gear. Like mentioned above who gets a tent and waits to set it up until your at the camp site or 50 miles from no-where. Besides I want to set it up and take it down several times so I can do it myself if necessary. Who wants to go camping or hiking with someone who has not a clue about setting up or using their own gear? It's not just the tent. Can you use your cook stove or do your own cooking? Can you read a compass or use a map? Just getting firewood would be a hassle if your saw or ax is dull and you don't have anything with you to sharpen it. Cleaning a fish is hard without a knife.
I hate going anywhere if I am required to do some form of task and not know what I am doing or how it is suppose to be done. Nobody wants someone along that says "I don't know how" many times during the course of a day. So why would camping or a hiking trip be any different.
To be fair to yourself and others, do your homework and test all of your gear at home. That way you know what works and how it works, and if it is not up to expectations you have time to swap it for something that does work and is to your liking. This can be any gear or clothing. Getting it right before leaving home is my take on things.
Do you agree?