[greg_r]

Something has come over me lately. All my life I have been doing the most with the least. At first it was because I could only afford the least. But as things changed for me, I still bought the least.

I started some time back buying the least just to see if I liked what I was buying. If I did like it, I bought a premium version and kept the least as a backup. If I did not like it, my reasoning was that I was not out of much.

Tecently I have just started buying the premium stuff outright. I think part of it is that when I buy something if I buy it, it’s because I want it anyways. Over half the time I buy a new product to me, I end up liking it anyways. But I think the main reason is that stuff has been so hard to get that even the cheap stuff has risen to the point that it’s usually about 2/3rds of what the premium stuff is anyways.

Case in point. I decided I wanted to try a canister stove. One make that is considered the best of the best costs about $70. Another that is considered a decent stove costs about $50. it used to be around the $30 mark.

I also find it interesting that the premium stuff has not raised as much in price as the cheaper stuff. I guess that just says that the premium stuff is athe point that the market will bear.

 

[Rerun]

My favourite sporting goods store is Academy Sports and Outdoors.

I worked there as the Camping Associate for about a year.

I use Academy goods as much as possible. Their cheap brand was Austin, the mid range goods Magellan and the high range was name brand - Addidas, Nike, Puma, etc.

I stuck to the cheap brands as much as possible. They have lasted nearly as long as the mid range stuff and much longer than the name brand.

eldar

 

[greg_r]

My favourite sporting goods store is Academy Sports and Outdoors.

I worked there as the Camping Associate for about a year.

I use Academy goods as much as possible. Their cheap brand was Austin, the mid range goods Magellan and the high range was name brand - Addidas, Nike, Puma, etc.

I stuck to the cheap brands as much as possible. They have lasted nearly as long as the mid range stuff and much longer than the name brand.

eldar

I have found that the quality stuff will outlast and out perform the cheap stuff every time. That doesn’t necessarily mean name brand, Sometimes it means boutique. Hidden Woodsmen out performs and outlasts Outdoor Products, Buffalo Bore out performs WWB. Only you can decide if the cheap stuff is good enough to suit your needs. I can buy a 50 foot hose at the dollar store for $10 and it performs like a hose for a year or two. The $70 hose pipe from Tractor Supply will last the rest of your life.

My point with this thread is that it’s just not normally me to buy the premium stuff. I guess after 6 decades I have finally realized what my grandpa always said is true. It’s expensive to be cheap.

 

[Rerun]

I have found that the quality stuff will outlast and out perform the cheap stuff every time. That doesn’t necessarily mean name brand, Sometimes it means boutique. Hidden Woodsmen out performs and outlasts Outdoor Products, Buffalo Bore out performs WWB. Only you can decide if the cheap stuff is good enough to suit your needs. I can buy a 50 foot hose at the dollar store for $10 and it performs like a hose for a year or two. The $70 hose pipe from Tractor Supply will last the rest of your life.

My point with this thread is that it’s just not normally me to buy the premium stuff. I guess after 6 decades I have finally realized what my grandpa always said is true. It’s expensive to be cheap.

Maybe,
it's more important where one shops for inexpensive products.

eldar

 

[ajole]

My favourite sporting goods store is Academy Sports and Outdoors.

I worked there as the Camping Associate for about a year.

I use Academy goods as much as possible. Their cheap brand was Austin, the mid range goods Magellan and the high range was name brand - Addidas, Nike, Puma, etc.

I stuck to the cheap brands as much as possible. They have lasted nearly as long as the mid range stuff and much longer than the name brand.

eldar

I think you are talking clothing. That’s a whole different animal from the equipment market.

We have name brand gear for coaching equipment, the head coach wants to splurge a lit.e on the staff and make us look good.

I hate to admit it, but the Nike and Under Armor clothing is pretty good. And it’s lasted just fine for me, I have shirts and jackets and sweats that are over a decade old.

 

[ajole]

I have found that the quality stuff will outlast and out perform the cheap stuff every time. That doesn’t necessarily mean name brand, Sometimes it means boutique. Hidden Woodsmen out performs and outlasts Outdoor Products, Buffalo Bore out performs WWB. Only you can decide if the cheap stuff is good enough to suit your needs. I can buy a 50 foot hose at the dollar store for $10 and it performs like a hose for a year or two. The $70 hose pipe from Tractor Supply will last the rest of your life.

My point with this thread is that it’s just not normally me to buy the premium stuff. I guess after 6 decades I have finally realized what my grandpa always said is true. It’s expensive to be cheap.

Unless you’re being cheap on something you need once, that isn’t going to be under too much stress.

A cheap camp stove that gets used for one summer on a couple of weekend hikes is fine. If you’re going to do week long through treks, at altitude, where not freezing may be life or death, and want it to keep working for a few years, you better pony up for the good stuff.

 

[Rerun]

I think you are talking clothing. That’s a whole different animal from the equipment market.

We have name brand gear for coaching equipment, the head coach wants to splurge a lit.e on the staff and make us look good.

I hate to admit it, but the Nike and Under Armor clothing is pretty good. And it’s lasted just fine for me, I have shirts and jackets and sweats that are over a decade old.

Not just clothes.

Academy's store camping gear is great.

They sell a summer weight bag for $10, a spring/autumn bag for $15.

7 x 7 tent for $30, 9 x 9 tent for $40.

Ditto propane camping stoves, lanterns.

I use what I buy hard, and their quality shines through, even five years later.

eldar

 

[ajole]

Not just clothes.

Academy's store camping gear is great.

They sell a summer weight bag for $10, a spring/autumn bag for $15.

7 x 7 tent for $30, 9 x 9 tent for $40.

Ditto propane camping stoves, lanterns.

I use what I buy hard, and their quality shines through, even five years later.

eldar

Ok. But you listed Puma, Nike and Adidas as the upper scale high quality...those are clothes, not lanterns and stoves.

 

[moona11]

You get what you pay for. Unless its crap. Kimber comes to mind.

 

[CamoDeafie]

Boots. Its like boots.
Buy a pair of cheap boots at $20 a pair, they last 6 months to a year.
Buy a decent to mid range boots at $200, they'll last 10 years or more. No real cost savings there, you're spending $200 in 5 to 10 years on $20 boots, or more money with inflation and less quality/value.

Cars......... that's a whole subjective thing.


Clothing..... I do a LOT of thrift shop browsing. So I save a lot of money on clothes that fits me and looks good and lasts decently. A few times I've found brand new with tags on thrift racks in my size.. they've last me long time.
But...
I have a pair of Tru-Spec BDU heavy weight (winter cotton?) pants in black that my parents bough way back in 1996 or so... and they're still going strong, if just a little faded.

Down sleeping bags from the 1960s-1980s, much warmer and loftier than the USGI MSS system granted, the MSS system likely was stored tightly compressed for a good long time versus the vintage down bags, all of which I acquired from thrift stores. Ditto for the wool blankets I have. They have remained pretty dang warm and scratchy compared to the plush fleece stuff my wife likes. I may have a wool blanket thst's more than 120 years old if the old guys in another forum are correct about the styling and finish... I do have a 1960s VN era wool casualty blanket that goes camping along with a 1980s off-white NATO wool blend (80% wool) naval blanket.

Tents...... that's a toss up. I've had to toss tents abd tarps because of the vomit smell of the failing polyurethane coating... but they were cheap tents and tarps to begin with... and I still have a 1950s maybe, BSA or homemade pup tent in canvas that looks decent... my BushCraft Outfitters 1.9oz.10x10 coyote tarp is still going strong, I think its maybe 8 to 10 years old?

 

[greg_r]

Boots. Its like boots.
Buy a pair of cheap boots at $20 a pair, they last 6 months to a year.
Buy a decent to mid range boots at $200, they'll last 10 years or more. No real cost savings there, you're spending $200 in 5 to 10 years on $20 boots, or more money with inflation and less quality/value.

Cars......... that's a whole subjective thing.


Clothing..... I do a LOT of thrift shop browsing. So I save a lot of money on clothes that fits me and looks good and lasts decently. A few times I've found brand new with tags on thrift racks in my size.. they've last me long time.
But...
I have a pair of Tru-Spec BDU heavy weight (winter cotton?) pants in black that my parents bough way back in 1996 or so... and they're still going strong, if just a little faded.

Down sleeping bags from the 1960s-1980s, much warmer and loftier than the USGI MSS system granted, the MSS system likely was stored tightly compressed for a good long time versus the vintage down bags, all of which I acquired from thrift stores. Ditto for the wool blankets I have. They have remained pretty dang warm and scratchy compared to the plush fleece stuff my wife likes. I may have a wool blanket thst's more than 120 years old if the old guys in another forum are correct about the styling and finish... I do have a 1960s VN era wool casualty blanket that goes camping along with a 1980s off-white NATO wool blend (80% wool) naval blanket.

Tents...... that's a toss up. I've had to toss tents abd tarps because of the vomit smell of the failing polyurethane coating... but they were cheap tents and tarps to begin with... and I still have a 1950s maybe, BSA or homemade pup tent in canvas that looks decent... my BushCraft Outfitters 1.9oz.10x10 coyote tarp is still going strong, I think its maybe 8 to 10 years old?

I pretty much agree with this. I will differ with the boots thing. There is an old adage "never skimp on anything that comes between you and the ground". The $20 boots are a prime example. While the cost outlay may be the same over a 10 year period, what happens to your feet is an entirely different story.

I have always been fitted for foot wear. Something that my parents did for me even as a child. We would go to Learner's, a local cobbler, every year and be fitted and have our shoes made. I still get fitted today. Actually have an appointment coming Wednesday to be fitted. Sure, the shoes are expensive, but then again, they are also covered by insurance. All it takes is a prescription drom your family doctor. I get a pair every 6 months. I do have boughten footwear, but the difference between off the shelf and fitted is astronomical.

Clothing is different. I normally wear Dickies brand and have always been very happy with them.

Wool blankets? Thats another of those things that come between you and the ground. A waxed canvas tarp and a wool blanket is what has been between me and the ground and elements for many years. Something to sleep on, in, and under all wrapped up in a single kit.

Tents are the same. Honestly until this past summer i have really never found a commercial tent that i really liked. Plenty have been adequate, but thats about all i will say. My go to has always been milsurp. Specifically the US and Polish shelter halves.

This past summer i bought a Litefighter. Its still military, but i bought this one new direct from the manufacturer. I will never need to buy another. The pup tents and Laavu's are offically retired.

 

[greg_r]

Unless you’re being cheap on something you need once, that isn’t going to be under too much stress.

A cheap camp stove that gets used for one summer on a couple of weekend hikes is fine. If you’re going to do week long through treks, at altitude, where not freezing may be life or death, and want it to keep working for a few years, you better pony up for the good stuff.

Coleman has always been good to me, as has been Ozark Trail. Never had one to fail as long as it has been properly maintained, which is easy for the Coleman stuff. The Ozark Trail i pretty much consider disposable though. Adequate and long lasting, but in the end disposable.

My other camping stoves are another story though. While i do have a $20 Lixada gassifier stove that is very good and a favorite, most of the cheap stuff burns out in short order under heavy use. Basically if it does not have Firebox, Siege Stove, or Solo on it, i am not too interested. Yes, I pay $100 - $150 for a stove, but i have that much invested in a year or 2 if i buy the cheap stuff anyways.

One exception are the Hobo Stoves. They are basically free and they will last a long time. Acceptable cans are becoming more difficult to find now a days though. So much today is the thin weak stuff or paper or plastic. Good steel coffee cans are still available though. I habe a cook kit made from a Chock Full Of Nuts and a Cafe' Bustello can that has lasted me a long time now. Its a good un'

 

[MaryB]

Only cheap thing I buy are sneakers... I destroy then inside 6 months due to the nerve damage in my legs(drag my right foot, left I wear funny on the toes) and all the crap I get on them. BBQ grease eats the material they are made from, spray paint over spray eats the material, garden mud and wet adds to the problems... and yes I wear them in winter, wet from walking in snow happens. I do have a $100 pair of hiking boots I wear in winter if I am going to be outside a lot but to get mail or somethig from the workshop in the garage? Nah, sneakers in the snow! Heck I wore them to shovel my way to the mailbox yesterday.

 

[Rerun]

Last pair of boots I bought, I got at an army surplus store back on 2015 - good as new.

I use a lot of ozark trail equipment - can't afford coleman.

My two burner stove works good'ern new! Same with pots and pans.

eldar

 

[undeRGRound]

Boots. Its like boots.
Buy a pair of cheap boots at $20 a pair, they last 6 months to a year.
Buy a decent to mid range boots at $200, they'll last 10 years or more. No real cost savings there, you're spending $200 in 5 to 10 years on $20 boots, or more money with inflation and less quality/value.

Cars......... that's a whole subjective thing.


Clothing..... I do a LOT of thrift shop browsing. So I save a lot of money on clothes that fits me and looks good and lasts decently. A few times I've found brand new with tags on thrift racks in my size.. they've last me long time.
But...
I have a pair of Tru-Spec BDU heavy weight (winter cotton?) pants in black that my parents bough way back in 1996 or so... and they're still going strong, if just a little faded.

Down sleeping bags from the 1960s-1980s, much warmer and loftier than the USGI MSS system granted, the MSS system likely was stored tightly compressed for a good long time versus the vintage down bags, all of which I acquired from thrift stores. Ditto for the wool blankets I have. They have remained pretty dang warm and scratchy compared to the plush fleece stuff my wife likes. I may have a wool blanket thst's more than 120 years old if the old guys in another forum are correct about the styling and finish... I do have a 1960s VN era wool casualty blanket that goes camping along with a 1980s off-white NATO wool blend (80% wool) naval blanket.

Tents...... that's a toss up. I've had to toss tents abd tarps because of the vomit smell of the failing polyurethane coating... but they were cheap tents and tarps to begin with... and I still have a 1950s maybe, BSA or homemade pup tent in canvas that looks decent... my BushCraft Outfitters 1.9oz.10x10 coyote tarp is still going strong, I think its maybe 8 to 10 years old?

Id love to know which mid range boots last that long
I'm having zero luck with boots.

 

[CamoDeafie]

Rocky and Danner boots are the ones I've heard last a long time... me... Bellevue USGI boots... they weren't $200 lol but I'm cheap. Old black leather Bellevues, I bought about 8 years ago in surplus shop, wore for 5 years, were made in 1991. Dad got me desert tan suede side out Bellevues a few years ago, they're still going strong
He has a pair of Rocky tactical boots, I remember him buying them new for like $230 in 1999... they're still going strong.

 

[undeRGRound]

Rocky and Danner boots are the ones I've heard last a long time... me... Bellevue USGI boots... they weren't $200 lol but I'm cheap. Old black leather Bellevues, I bought about 8 years ago in surplus shop, wore for 5 years, were made in 1991. Dad got me desert tan suede side out Bellevues a few years ago, they're still going strong
He has a pair of Rocky tactical boots, I remember him buying them new for like $230 in 1999... they're still going strong.

I wear pull ons, if that matters for brands.
$230 in 1999 is like a grand now