Overheard a guy at the trailhead say his $20 foam pad from 2012 is still his favorite piece of gear

It made me realize I've been chasing expensive upgrades for years, but maybe the simple, reliable stuff you already own and trust is the real win, so what's the oldest piece of gear you still use and love?

3 comments

3 Comments

jennyh552mo agoTop Commenter

My old blue Jansport backpack from high school, 2006. I used to want all the fancy new packs with the special frames. Now I just see it's been on every trip for 18 years and never once let me down. Why fix what isn't broken, you know?

the_blair2mo ago

Honestly @jennyh55 I get the love but I see it the other way. Newer gear can be a real upgrade in comfort and weight. Sometimes fixing what isn't broken lets you enjoy the trip even more.

spencer_perry7726d ago

The Jansport is a classic for a reason, but even those old ones had a weak spot. I had one from around that same time where the bottom seam started to fray after a few years of heavy use. @the_blair kind of has a point about newer packs being more comfortable, especially on longer trips with a real load. Still, if yours is still going strong with no damage, that's awesome. Just keep an eye on that bottom seam is all I'm saying.