reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
Posts: 11,160 
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Post by reuben on Apr 13, 2024 10:42:25 GMT -8
I have too many shoes, boots, flip flops, water shoes (kayak), and sandals. Way too many. They all have a legitimate purpose, but geez.
I have some REI pants and shirts that I still wear. I don't know what they were called but I'm pretty sure that most were nylon (tight weave, so somewhat skeeter/horsefly resistant) with a bit of polyester for stretch at knees, elbows, etc.
I like companies such as Patagonia, prana, and others who try to create practical and durable goods in a manner which is relatively kind to both the environment and their employees and suppliers, so I try to buy from them.
I also think that we definitely greenwash ourselves at times. "Lookitme, I can afford cool looking environmentally conscious gear from companies with cool mission statements!"
Think about it.
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Post by leadbelly on Apr 13, 2024 18:13:13 GMT -8
the only wear and tear i've been able to inflict on Olukai flips, aside from wearing the sole treads flat, was the toe post on an old pair of Hokuas - the leather-looking cover fabric on the toe post ripped near the sole. the functional part of the toe post is still fine, and newer models of the same sandal are built differently to eliminate that leather-like cover piece. expensive, but absolutely worthwhile because they're so durable and comfortable. the same could be said for Chacos, for me anyway.
'cottage' brands go in a few directions, not just light weight. One of my fave larger day packs is the Cold Cold World Ozone. It's a pack for rock climbing, carrying and hauling, a simple pack made from ballistic nylon that carries well & is very hard to damage - plus they'll customize it on request, which is nice. Regarding house brands like REI, I think what you sacrifice are features, weight in some cases, & cutting edge innovation - not quality. Son's REI backpacks both outlasted The North Face and Osprey packs, and it wasn't a close call. (both TNF and Osprey repaired but didn't replace packs where shoulder straps pulled away from the pack bag - major fails, and they didn't replace, which was pretty lame in my opinion. I won't use their backpacks any time soon).
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,960
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Post by Westy on Apr 14, 2024 6:13:50 GMT -8
I'm not a best price advocate in gear. Lowest price more often than not does not equal lowest cost. Here's my current 3-season hiking kit list. Starred items intended for SOBO PCT from Ashland, OR to Tehachapi, CA - Start date June 11th. lighterpack.com/r/u8gh8gHere's my current 3-season daily core hiking attire. lighterpack.com/r/k0peekNote: Many prices have increased on most items. One cost driver I have is inventory. On Merrill Moab Ventilators I maintain an inventory of (6) six pairs, Arc'Teryx Quick Dry Pants (4) four pairs, (2) two each in fat and skinny waist sizes and finally (12) twelve pairs of Smartwool Bike Zero Cushion Crew Socks. Not to mention over 300 plus backcountry food items, a whole other discussion. I tend to repair, retire and replace gear annually. This winter had significant repair and alterations to tent, custom water bottle holder, Timbuk2 Accessory Case, HMG Junction 3400 Pack to extend the useful product life cycle. This process also allows me to predict gear life cycle end and can plan purchase well in advance. This year I retired my MSR Pocket Rocket and replaced with a new one. Every season I replace Be Free water filter as I deem it a disposal gear item. Another cost driver is redundant, brand-new items and consumables ready for immediate shipment to support on trail needs or replacement. Learned long ago, that every time I made a purchase based on best price, I bought that gear item twice. Although the less expensive gear might be suitable and functional, I always ended up buying what I really wanted anyways. (Spoiled Brat Hiker). Thus, the famous saying, "Buy Once, Cry Once!" applies to me .
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Post by trinity on Apr 30, 2024 16:52:54 GMT -8
On the subject of purchasing quality gear that is also durable, Patagonia has just released a film that is part faux-documentary, part infomercial, about how we're living in a age of cheap crap. The film is called... wait for it... The Shitthropocene.  |
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