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The clothing brand I've had the best experience with in terms of longevity is Patagonia. I have some items that are passing the 20-year mark now, things I wear

The clothing brand I've had the best experience with in terms of longevity is Patagonia. I have some items that are passing the 20-year mark now, things I wear every year like Hawaiian shirts in the summer and fleece gloves and insulated jackets in the winter. In the few instances where a piece has failed sooner than I expected, they repaired or replaced it. In terms of longevity in outerwear, one of things I look for is nylon fabric. A lot of brands (including Patagonia) are using polyester more for jackets, bathing suits, etc. There are some advantages, like it holds DWR treatments better, and can be made with recycled plastic. But in terms of durability there is no comparison; nylon is just tougher gram for gram. For socks, wool hiking-style socks seem to last well for me. By hiking-style, I mean the socks have different "zones" of thickness, usually thicker on the sole and heel, thinner across the top and ankle. I have Wigwam hiking socks and Smartwool dress socks have lasted well; in fact I'm having trouble remembering if any of them have actually worn out. Mostly they just get slightly thinner over time. I have tried a bunch of cotton socks, and Gold Toe seemed the most durable, but I still like the wool padded style better.

germinalphrase 7y ago
Wool socks definitely wear out over time; however, Darn Tough has a free replacement program. Send in worn out socks, receive new pair.
- davidw 7y ago
  I couldn't find that on their site. They have an 'unconditional warranty', but I kind of expect even good socks to wear out over time.
- sp332 7y ago
  Flint and Tinder has a 10-year guarantee on their hoodies, and instead of replacing them, they'll repair them. https://huckberry.com/store/t/category/flint-and-tinder/hoodies-and-sweatshirts https://huckberry.com/store/t/category/flint-and-tinder/hood...
- starpilot 7y ago
  With all these buy-it-for-life garments, there needs to be some kind of control to demonstrate the advantage of the BIFL version. Some heavy, $100 wool hoody might last 10+ years, but so has my $20 cotton one from Americal Apparel (and I don't need the additional warmth from wool, I'd wear my Pata Nano-Air if I did). A $300 GoRuck pack is bomber, but my $50 North Face backpack from college has lasted 12 years through snowy winters, international traveling, hiking etc. Sometimes "overbuilt" is just that and not really needed, unless you really treat your belongings roughly (you're an actual soldier or thru-hiker).
  - snowwrestler 7y ago
    I definitely don't think there is any reliable connection between price and durability. North Face or Jansport backpacks are classic examples of items that are well-known for their durability but are not very expensive up front. Patagonia is not an inexpensive clothing brand, but it's also far from the most expensive clothing brand.
- OedipusRex 7y ago
  Got some on right now, love them.
tomxor 7y ago
Patagonia is great, I discovered their garments through my needs as a climber, but the quality and durability of their clothes emerges from core values deeper than merely serving the physical needs of climbers: > [...] Our criteria for the best product rests on function, repairability, and, foremost, durability. Among the most direct ways we can limit ecological impacts is with goods that last for generations or can be recycled so the materials in them remain in use. Making the best product matters for saving the planet [...] https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/company-info.html https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/company-info.html They also do more than simply make longer lasting clothes: Ifixit style repair: https://www.patagonia.com/worn-wear-repairs/ https://www.patagonia.com/worn-wear-repairs/ Re-used / recycled: https://wornwear.patagonia.com/ https://wornwear.patagonia.com/
Alupis 7y ago
Kind of turned off by their front-and-center political advert on the home page though[1] I mean, regardless of where you stand on this particular pet issue... it's not what I came to their site for! I came there to look at their clothing... instead I got a face-full of politics. Why do that??? Some of you will support this particular cause - but what if it were something you don't support? Right to life, build a wall, etc... Would that change your impression? Keep the politics out of your business - in particular - keep it off your home page! [1] https://www.patagonia.com/home/ https://www.patagonia.com/home/
- JohnJamesRambo 7y ago
  The owner of Patagonia cares about environmental issues. I’m sorry that bothers you. He’s not a conglomerate with a board afraid of offending someone. But he has a record of putting his money and time where his mouth is. He was a world renowned climber and original dirtbag. The earth is important to him. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvon_Chouinard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvon_Chouinard https://www.earth.com/news/chile-new-national-parks/ https://www.earth.com/news/chile-new-national-parks/
  - Alupis 7y ago
    The earth can be important to him, and he can "put his money where his mouth is" without placing politics on his webstore's home page. Like I said - if it was some issue that wasn't your kind of politics, it would be a turnoff to see this when you're just trying to do some shopping. It's a turnoff even if it is your kind of politics - I was interested in their clothing. Now I'll shop someplace else.
- devindotcom 7y ago
  I think for an outdoors apparel company, being visibly concerned about conservation and global warming is very on-brand. Part of why people choose Patagonia is their politics. Most companies you're not quite sure where to find those politics listed - because the front page is all products. I think it's brilliant for Patagonia to do the opposite here. It's not like people can't find the jackets after hitting the landing page.
bookofjoe 7y ago
Arc'teryx makes great looking and very long-lasting products; quite expensive, though.

germinalphrase 7y ago

Wool socks definitely wear out over time; however, Darn Tough has a free replacement program. Send in worn out socks, receive new pair.

davidw 7y ago
I couldn't find that on their site. They have an 'unconditional warranty', but I kind of expect even good socks to wear out over time.
sp332 7y ago
Flint and Tinder has a 10-year guarantee on their hoodies, and instead of replacing them, they'll repair them. https://huckberry.com/store/t/category/flint-and-tinder/hoodies-and-sweatshirts https://huckberry.com/store/t/category/flint-and-tinder/hood...
starpilot 7y ago
With all these buy-it-for-life garments, there needs to be some kind of control to demonstrate the advantage of the BIFL version. Some heavy, $100 wool hoody might last 10+ years, but so has my $20 cotton one from Americal Apparel (and I don't need the additional warmth from wool, I'd wear my Pata Nano-Air if I did). A $300 GoRuck pack is bomber, but my $50 North Face backpack from college has lasted 12 years through snowy winters, international traveling, hiking etc. Sometimes "overbuilt" is just that and not really needed, unless you really treat your belongings roughly (you're an actual soldier or thru-hiker).
- snowwrestler 7y ago
  I definitely don't think there is any reliable connection between price and durability. North Face or Jansport backpacks are classic examples of items that are well-known for their durability but are not very expensive up front. Patagonia is not an inexpensive clothing brand, but it's also far from the most expensive clothing brand.
OedipusRex 7y ago
Got some on right now, love them.

tomxor 7y ago

Patagonia is great, I discovered their garments through my needs as a climber, but the quality and durability of their clothes emerges from core values deeper than merely serving the physical needs of climbers: > [...] Our criteria for the best product rests on function, repairability, and, foremost, durability. Among the most direct ways we can limit ecological impacts is with goods that last for generations or can be recycled so the materials in them remain in use. Making the best product matters for saving the planet [...] https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/company-info.html https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/company-info.html They also do more than simply make longer lasting clothes: Ifixit style repair: https://www.patagonia.com/worn-wear-repairs/ https://www.patagonia.com/worn-wear-repairs/ Re-used / recycled: https://wornwear.patagonia.com/ https://wornwear.patagonia.com/

Alupis 7y ago

Kind of turned off by their front-and-center political advert on the home page though[1] I mean, regardless of where you stand on this particular pet issue... it's not what I came to their site for! I came there to look at their clothing... instead I got a face-full of politics. Why do that??? Some of you will support this particular cause - but what if it were something you don't support? Right to life, build a wall, etc... Would that change your impression? Keep the politics out of your business - in particular - keep it off your home page! [1] https://www.patagonia.com/home/ https://www.patagonia.com/home/

JohnJamesRambo 7y ago
The owner of Patagonia cares about environmental issues. I’m sorry that bothers you. He’s not a conglomerate with a board afraid of offending someone. But he has a record of putting his money and time where his mouth is. He was a world renowned climber and original dirtbag. The earth is important to him. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvon_Chouinard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvon_Chouinard https://www.earth.com/news/chile-new-national-parks/ https://www.earth.com/news/chile-new-national-parks/
- Alupis 7y ago
  The earth can be important to him, and he can "put his money where his mouth is" without placing politics on his webstore's home page. Like I said - if it was some issue that wasn't your kind of politics, it would be a turnoff to see this when you're just trying to do some shopping. It's a turnoff even if it is your kind of politics - I was interested in their clothing. Now I'll shop someplace else.
devindotcom 7y ago
I think for an outdoors apparel company, being visibly concerned about conservation and global warming is very on-brand. Part of why people choose Patagonia is their politics. Most companies you're not quite sure where to find those politics listed - because the front page is all products. I think it's brilliant for Patagonia to do the opposite here. It's not like people can't find the jackets after hitting the landing page.

bookofjoe 7y ago

Arc'teryx makes great looking and very long-lasting products; quite expensive, though.