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Post by downriver on Jul 29, 2023 17:25:08 GMT -8
Are you loyal to any particular outdoor brands? If so, why? What makes you dedicated to certain brands?
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 29, 2023 20:34:22 GMT -8
Haven’t we had this discussion before? I see no reason to be “loyal” to a brand. However, when I find something that works, I’m apt to buy it again if it’s that sort of thing (e.g. boots or clothing), or buy a similar product from the same maker.
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Post by downriver on Jul 29, 2023 21:51:38 GMT -8
Haven’t we had this discussion before? I see no reason to be “loyal” to a brand. However, when I find something that works, I’m apt to buy it again if it’s that sort of thing (e.g. boots or clothing), or buy a similar product from the same maker. I can think of several reasons to be loyal to a particular brand. Excellent environmental practices, a top of the line return policy, and impeccable quality control are just a few things I look for in a brand. I also like to support cottage industries made in the USA, if possible. Western Mountaineering is a brand that comes to mind. Respectfully, DR
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Jul 31, 2023 7:59:22 GMT -8
There are certainly brands that I trust for specific gear items, e.g., Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering for sleeping bags, ULA for packs, Arcteryx for rain gear, Smartwool for baselayers, MSR for water filters, and there are companies that I like for their practices and policies, e.g., Bivouac (my local gear shop), Patagonia, REI, but I wouldn't say that I'm "dedicated" to them.
In the end, it's business. However much I may like a company or a brand, they're still in it to make money, and I'm not naive enough to think otherwise or that I really know what maybe behind a carefully curated image. I'm much more dedicated to avoiding doing business with companies run or owned by obviously bad people.
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Post by Coolkat on Jul 31, 2023 9:10:05 GMT -8
I'm not really loyal to any brand. If you'd look at my gear it would bear witness to the truth of that statement. I have a smattering of brands in both gear and clothing. Possibly with the exception of my footwear. My last 3 pair of backpacking shoes have been Hoka Speed Goats and will continue to be until they do something to the new model and that changes the fit. Even then I'm more loyal to the fit than I am to the brand.
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on Jul 31, 2023 12:24:40 GMT -8
Land of Lakes butter, Tide laundry detergent, Orville Reddenbaker's popcorn, and a few other brands, mostly because it makes my grocery shopping easier. I know what the packaging looks like.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jul 31, 2023 18:25:51 GMT -8
For a first option; yes. I know their style and build quality so there’s a short list i goto first.
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Post by georgeofthej on Jul 31, 2023 19:23:42 GMT -8
No, I guess I'm not loyal to particular brands. Like Coolkat, I take an assortment of different brands on the trail. Smartwool is probably the brand I've bought the most pieces of over the years.
I'm pretty happy with most of my gear and would be inclined to look to those brands first when in the market for new stuff. Except for my Bear Vault; I replaced my old one with a new model, which is similar, except it's an extreme pain to open.
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Aug 2, 2023 9:47:31 GMT -8
I tend to be though that’s more to brand “feel” against the skin than anything (if the fabric changes I might drop it). There’s also the growing issue of PFAS and other “forever” chemicals though my concern is against the skin items.
I have some Japanese and some UK based clothing items. Most of my gear is cottage sewn in the U.S. That also gets into personalizing custom pieces (7d ripstop nylon liners for instance for breathability).
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Post by gcvrsa on Aug 4, 2023 13:04:18 GMT -8
I am loyal to what works. As a result, over the years, I've purchased from a number of companies over and over, because they have proven themselves to consistently make high quality gear. A company with a reputation for quality is a company I'm going to consider first when selecting new gear, but I always evaluate each piece on its own merits. Any time I have a major new gear purchase to make, I will always look to companies that have satisfied my needs in the past, but I won't restrict myself to looking only at their products.
Companies I am predisposed to giving space in my pack, based on past experiences: MSR GSI Outdoor Sea to Summit Columbia Nike Merrell Teva Nalgene SOTO Snow Peak Smartwool Fenix Victorinox PackTowl Thermarest Atwood Rope Hammock Bliss Paria Outdoors The North Face Sierra Designs Lowe Alpine 3M Scotch
I just finished packing my daypack for a local hike this weekend. Almost all of these companies will be in my pack or on my person.
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