I realized that when I suddenly had to replace my backpack way earlier than I used to. Looked around, switched to Osprey, and never looked back. Awesome quality. Had mine for 5 years now and it still looks brand new. No wear and tear at all. Gifted one to my wife, same story with hers.

osprey.com

@JensHannemann I went the same way with Timbuk2 bags. Have had many over the years, and never really switched them because they wore out...just because there was a better model.

I've had good luck with my Osprey hydration packs too.

One nice thing about consumer products is that the only lock-in they can get is in (a) distribution or (b) brand awareness. And we still have ways of discovering good products and buying directly from the manufacturer. But as Amazon, Google, and others tighten their chokehold over the digital end of our economy, we risk losing that too.

We have a wonderful independent outdoor store here in Lexington that really helps with discovery of this stuff. They really know what they’re talking about. I buy from them as much as I possibly can, which, given the quality of the stuff they sell, unfortunately isn’t that often.

jhoutdoors.com

Outdoor Clothing, Equipment & Accessories - J&H Outdoors

J&H Outdoors is your headquarters for Outdoor Clothing, Equipment, and Accessories. Locally Owned Since 1972, J&H has a large selection of for your outdoor life including apparel, boots, hiking gear, camping equipment, and much more.

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