In an age of fast fashion and planned obsolescence, not only does it seem like everything is more expensive but it simultaneously seems like everything is made cheaper. Fewer and fewer products last long enough to pass down to your children as my father has done with plenty of items that I still cherish today.
This is a generalization, of course, and not a universal truth. There and plenty of companies making high-quality products that last, you just need to do your research – or have Gear Counsel do it for you!
Buying quality ties in to so many things that are worth caring about – whether it’s sustainability, over-consumption, responsible materials/fair trade, consumerism, or just having what best fits your needs, it matters where you spend your money.
Doing your research, investing in a high-quality product, and caring for it is 100% the ethos of Gear Counsel. If you care about what you buy and use, it’s always worth the investment to do it right. As my father has said to me on many occasions, “buy it cheap, buy it twice.”
Table of Contents
The Trusted Brands
These brands made the list by standing behind what they make – whether that’s stellar warranties, lifetime guarantees, ability to replace/repair, or just a wonderful customer experience and reviews.
These are what we have deemed worth supporting and welcome additions and feedback!
This should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the brand. They are one of the most outspoken eco-conscious clothing retailers out there, known for their Worn Wear program and their Ironclad Guarantee.
If you are not satisfied with one of our products at the time you receive it, or if one of our products does not perform to your satisfaction, return it to the store you bought it from or to Patagonia for a repair, replacement or refund. Damage due to wear and tear will be repaired at a reasonable charge.
This is easily one of the best warranties out there.
A legend in the tool space, Leatherman is a staple that everyone should own. They are still made in Portland, Oregon and have a 25-year warranty on their products as well as a repair/replace program.
Our tools are built to last, but if anything happens, your Leatherman is backed by our 25-year limited warranty. Our warranty is simple; submit the online form then send us your tool.
Seattle-based Filson is an incredible brand for clothing, bags, and general outdoor gear. Like many things worth investing in, yes, it is a bit expensive but you are paying for the quality of something that will last a lifetime.
Failure of materials, workmanship, craftsmanship, & manufacturer's defects. Every item for the lifetime of the product
US-based Osprey might not be on everyone’s radar – but definitely should be! They have a legendary “All Mighty Guarantee” that they definitely don’t try to hide as it is all over their website. Osprey is another great brand that has a wonderful story and absolutely stands behind their incredible products
Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge — whether it was produced in 1974 or yesterday. If we are unable to perform a functional repair on your pack, we will happily replace it. We proudly stand behind this guarantee, so much so that it bears the signature of company founder and head designer, Mike Pfotenhauer.
Don’t read “socks” and keep scrolling. If you have never owned a pair of Darn Tough socks, then you don’t know what you are missing. The same goes for merino wools socks, but that’s for another post. Darn Tough makes socks for all different activities from formal to hiking, running, work, and more. Their socks are “unconditionally guaranteed for life” and are the only socks that I want to wear year-round.
If these aren’t the longest lasting socks you’ve ever owned, you can return them to us for another pair. No receipt needed, just the pair in question.
Sunglasses are very subjective, everyone has their preference in style, material, etc. But California-based Sunski is a wonderful way to have quality sunglasses without a huge price tag that also comes with a lifetime warranty. Not only do they stand behind their work, but they have a fun “Warranty Hall of Fame” that you should check out with fun stories of how/why they needed replacing.
Our Lifetime Warranty covers your sunglasses frames for the lifetime of the product. We guarantee against all defects in materials or workmanship, as well as frame breaks that occur during normal use of the sunglasses. Under our warranty, if your sunglasses frames break, we will replace your sunglasses, excluding the cost of shipping. ‘Normal use’ does not include damage that occurs during outrageous or negligent events surrounding your sunglasses (i.e. run over by a car, or intentional abuse or damage to the frames). Importantly, our warranty policy only covers ONE warranty replacement for each pair of sunglasses purchased.
This is by no means a finalized/exclusionary list nor is it pay-to-play, it is simply a list we have determined is the best related to what we cover. This list should and will update over time with more experience and research.