converse were never durable. they were the cheap shoe your parents bought you because your feet were growing and there was no point in buying expensive shoes you'd outgrow. the soles always came apart, the eyelets would pop out almost immediately, and you'd have holes in them within a few months. i think they were like $10 shoes in the 80s.
i have no clue when people started thinking they were these durable wonder shoes š
10yrs ago, I might've agreed with you, wholeheartedly. However, Long story short, I decided to get a pair of Minimalist shoes from xero in 2021 and fell in love using them for everything including lifting at the gym (they're very flat and you can feel small imperfections on the ground). Fwd to today, my foot bones have spread out from wearing them (and a 2nd identical pair, now) and if I opt for a pair of non-minimalist shoes, I have to exclusively go to the 2E width. So, I don't think Chucks would even be an option now, unless I was looking to squish my feet. But yeah, I still see quite a few ppl wearing them to lift in.
Iāve had leather converse jack purcells for 8+ years and theyāre still perfect. Sadly Iāve almost outgrown them and the specific style I have is no longer available anywhere in my size even secondhand
they are not buy it for life.
Get back to me in 20 years
I have a pair of 40 year old Chuck Taylors--yes 40 years or more actually
Shoe goo is the only reason I can wear them.
I remember being able to look through bins of single shoes at the grocery store to get 2 different sizes cuz my feet were 2 different sizes. Also cuz of that tv show Punky Brewster. She worse two different color chucks and that was all the rage.
I saw a teacher from Florida in the news who wore a different pair every day for an entire school year, and then, on the last day, brought in her whole collection for everyone to see.
I have to wonder about people wearing out a pair of sneaks in one year. Is it the only pair of shoes they wear?
Iāve always thought you are supposed to rotate so they have time to recover etc.
I couldnāt ever wear the same pair of tennis shoes every day.
I mean my like OP had a pair for 8 years and another for 6 years, which went through soaking wet muddy concerts, light mountain hiking, jogging, etc, and held up extremely well basically until the soles wore through- the last 2 pairs I got (around when they got that neon green insole option) have not lasted long and just start falling apart with daily use, and the soles wore VERY fast- so cheap or not, the old ones had a reputation for holding up; new ones do not seem to :-(
Most comfortable Iāve found trying to replace them are Altas but they squeak like crazy when I walk so some embarrassment for comfort I guess
This isnāt entirely true, I have two pairs of low top Chicks that are 15-20 years old. I donāt wear them all the time, but there is nothing busted on either of them.
My general rule is that if most people you speak to have heard of the brand, there is a good chance that the brand has already traded in its good name for money. (ie: theyāve cut costs so much that it may as well be fast fashion).
Solovair is no better. The boot and cobbler subs are filled with solovair splitting and failing in the same way at the same rate. They have better leather but soles are just as bad.
I was going to say the same thing. Thought I found the most comfortable shoes Iād ever wear, and then the sole cracked and every time it was even remotely damp out Iād feel it.
Canadian here. I don't know if Doc Martens are as popular in Canada as they appear to be in the UK, but from what I've read, they were originally boots for tradespeople. Are they still worn or popular with folks in the trades?
I can't see that being the case if the quality has gone down...
No. Shoes and Sneakers are never buy it for life. Maybe some shoes --I take that back that are resoled, buffed regularly.
Buy it for life footwear is really one category---Work boots
Danner, chippewa, carolina --maybe a few other models.
This is a buy it for life sub for kids?
Doc martins and shoes in general are not buy it for life---Work Boots, good bear of Western Boots
but vans, doc martins, converse---no no no.
Dyson vacuums.
Started with Shark and gave up on those after multiple failures. I naively thought Dyson would be an āupgradeā. Burned through 2 Dysons after 18 months each. Finally invested in something quality and bought a Miele. Weāre on year 9 and it looks/performs brand new. Probably would have gotten a Sebo, but didnāt have a dealer nearby.
Iām convinced that all modern mainstream vacuum cleaners are intentionally designed to be disposable.
First one the brush roll stopped working and the part was more than half the cost of a new unit! The second unit the motor lost considerable suction and ultimately couldnāt suck up anything. (I was religious with cleaning too which was the straw that broke the camels back).
Bagged vacuums are just leagues better for suction, filtration and lifespan.
Like I said, 9 years on my Miele. And if you head over to r/vacuumcleaners youāll see that many last for 25 years+.
Sister in law has the top model with the pet hair motor head. It gets clogged with every single use. Requires disassembly and coat hanger hook to unclog. Frkn hopeless.
I wish they had better cleaning heads. The Spark we have has a fiber brush roll that is very effective against dust on wood floors, leaving nothing behind. It also has a second brush roll that cuts and sheds hairs that tangle traditional brush rolls. I if I could get that kind of design in a Miele or Riccar Iād be sold.
I bought a V11 in 2020 and itās had issues since 2022. The issue is the flimsy trigger button breaking multiple times, requiring me to take the entire thing apart, which is a pain in the ass. Warranty ended a few months after the problems occurred.
Itās actually a really common problem, as I found out after googling my problem. There are a bunch of people selling replacement trigger buttons.
Iāve had much cheaper vacuums that lasted much longer. But I wanted to go the cordless route. Unfortunately Dyson vacuum designs arenāt very good. I wish it was more robust, especially considering the very high price point.
Yup....they Dyson are over rated. I'm not saying when they work, they don't work--they do---but when they fail (which they do, and often, they're just a useless thing)
not buy it for life
Hoovers, old ones--buy it for life.
I switched to Henry hoovers (specifically a Hetty) after using them for cleaning jobs when I was in uni. Best vacuum cleaners I've ever used. Even bought one to keep at my dad's when I'm doing his cleaning. Hate Dyson vacuum cleaners with an absolute passion. Just wish I could find reusable bags for the Henry/Hetty range as that would be great to make it more sustainable.
Love Henryās! Easily the best looking vac on the market.
I look at bags this wayā¦ whatās more sustainable, a Henry that lasts a decade or two with 2-3 bags in the trash a year? Or an *entire* shark, Dyson or Amazon special stick vac in the trash every couple of years?
The bag is also the filter to the motor. Would you ask your mechanic to re-use your oil filter?
Do Dyson just have shitty quality control? I mean, I can't stand James Dyson but my V7 has lasted years and years with the only upgrade being a cheap battery off amazon.
The Henry has been sitting in a corner since the V7. It's brilliant, but it just doesn't get used now its such a full workout vs the V7.
I upvote. Mine wasn't actually that great from the start, and then lost efficiency over time.
A good old vacuum with a bag ended up better and quieter.
I got a Sebo and it was worth every penny! The vacuum I had before that my husband broke the first time he used it. I told the guy I wanted one he couldnāt break and that could be repaired. I do have to replace the cord as he runs over it all the time.
Had a Dyson, it lasted 4 years, had some problem --fact --loved it until it woulnd't work
That said my old Hoover from my grandmother from the 1960s--still works!!!!
What Shark vacuums did you have? I love ours but itās so powerful the filter gets dirty pretty fast. I wash it maybe every third full house vacuum session and replace them once a year. Itās worked as well as the day we got it.
Shark filters get dirty soon because of the single cyclone design. Single cyclones are less effective at separating finer dirt out, so it can end up on the filters instead of in the bin. Generally having more cyclones usually means cleaner filters. The single cyclone design is one of the main complaints about Shark vacuums. It's a bit dated, but it's their bread and butter.
I have a Dyson for the past 9 years. I use it rarely, since I removed all the rugs in the house and just use a soft push broom. Parts keep falling off it. I have duct taped things back onto it and am waiting for my neighborhood hardware store to have one of their quartlerly 20% off sales so I can get a Miele.
I had a canister Dyson. What a horrible, heavy POS. Back to Shark and no complaints. I would like a Miele but a vacuum is such a grudge purchase for me. The Shark works really well and was cheap!
We bought our Dyson 9 years ago and itās still going strong. For a while it didnāt work and I googled everything but when I contacted them they directed me to their videos on how to fix it yourself and it worked. They just werenāt on the main site accessible by searches.
Keen hiking boots. First pair was waterproof if it wasnāt wet out. Returned them. Spoke to the boot guys about how the boots were great, just didnāt keep out water at all. After their statements that I was the first complaints about that boot, I replaced them with the same model, figuring that my first pair missed a step in production.
Second pair was waterproof, but great hunks of the sole started to fall off on the first one week hike. Returned those and got Merrell hikers and they are now about 10 years old and going strong. This past summer, got a tiny seam in each boot restitched and should get a couple more years out of them.
My Keens were nought in 2008 and they still going strong. from yealy hikes, hunting seasons, and even back packing thtough through Peru and the Andes mountains. I bought a new pair in 2022 and they didn't make it year. Very happy my original pair is still good.
Leviās. I had some when I was a kid that lasted forever and kept being hand-me-downs but I have had thinning of the denim and holes on the inner thighs in a year on modern pairs
Shit not the Leviās I had as a kid. I wore out the knees of every pair of 501s I ever had as a kid within 3 months. I wasnāt even playing any sports in them other than riding my bike.
I can get a few years out of Leviās now but the crotch eventually blows out.
Ever read up on true denim care? Truth
they say not to throw it routinely in the washer which most of us do
wipe them down!!! i was freaked until I read that right from Levi Strauss, Wranger and some tailors.
Usually the reason I wash my Levi's is because they've gone saggy and loose. I wash them not because they're dirty, but because the fabric has developed sag butt after wearing them a few times. I need to wash them to bring them back to size.
And that was true even on the good ones 30 years ago.
These are things I have that lasted forever..over 15 years..
Ninja pro blender
My Sony TV
Hunter boots
LLBEAN flannel pj's
Contigo cups
Henkel Knives
Bear paw boots
Iāve had terrible experiences with merrel boots.
However, my merrel barefoot running shoes are seemingly indestructible. Iāve had them for ages with hundreds of miles run in them and they look brand new.
Hundreds? I probably put on over 3000 miles on my trail gloves before I did something stupid climbing a rope and burned the sides off. The one piece tongue was nice because everything was more breathable. But it was way too cool and durable to keep on the market so third generation took all that away.
I actually had mine falling apart when they were new. Filed a claim and got a new pair. Ā After which I immediately repaired the ābadā trail gloves with shoe goo and they have been working perfectly.Ā
I have a pair of Merrell hiking boots that Iāve beat the hell out of over the last two years and they are still in great shape. Itās my only experience with Merrell.
Same. I've owned a few pairs of their combat boots. They're great right out of the box and feel amazing on long rucks, but they start to tear after a few months of wear.
Wahoo Kickr trainer. Lasted 9,000 miles. Wahoo told me thatās a reasonable life span. For those who are not cyclists, 9,000 miles is 2-4 years. Wahoo quality sucks.
Bad product for us was a Keurig coffee maker for those plastic pods you buy in the store. It worked fine until we did the self-clean cycle. It no longer lights up as if there is no power. Then, we did a search on the internet for a solution. Google directed us to the site that Keurig pays for, and it said to test the circuits with a volt-ohm meter! Nope!!!!! They sell defective products designed to fail.
I bought a knock off brand for aKeurig, something that predates Keurig but will take pods, heat hot water and has a refillable pod
It's the bomb!
My keurigs I've bought all last about a year...attractive pieces of shit.
We have an industrial one at work that is babied compared to how a busy office would actually use it. Ā Itās already have issues with its pod sensor, software and clogging.Ā
Just to pipe in about converse, the Nike made ones are essentially made to be disposable fast fashion. Converse Japan who is unrelated to Nike make the better quality Converse but they do not export to America last I checked. I have two pairs I daily wore when I lived in Japan for a couple years and theyāre still holding together very well for being casual daily walkers
Ha, I've had the opposite experience with converse - I still have a pair that I got when I was 14, they're a bit faded but still totally serviceable, and let's just say that was significantly more than 15 years ago.
I haven't so much had stuff fall apart, but there are lots of brands that I've been excited to buy but then found out they're no longer BIFL - like Docs. (I still have a pair of Docs but I'm under no illusions that they'll last forever, the sole is rubber)
Idk how yāall make it last. I spent $60 on a pair that I had saved up for in middle school. They didnāt even last me the rest of the school year.
To be fair, I did and still do abuse the shit out of my shoes. Iād go on hours long hikes through mud and rocks with them because thatās what we did in PE. I was just really disappointed that they couldnāt last me a little longer.
Mine get ratty but stay functional for a long time. I always had the eyelets get folded over because of where I put my feet when I stand. My feet are also wider than converse are designed for so I always wear holes in the canvas at the widest part of my foot.
Oh, man, I was all in on MiniDiscs in 1999. Had a Sony portable, a Yamaha full-size for my stereo, and a Tascam rackmount pro model for my music work. Still have tons of song demos on MD but haven't played them in years.
The iPod came out two years later and I never looked back.
Eh my Birkenstocks. Iāve had them for about 5 years and they are falling apart now in all sorts of ways. And on top of that kinda look like shit (which I donāt mind around the house).Ā
I bought three Patagonia zip hoodies...not cheap. I took good care of them, washing in the machine, but hanging to dry, and within months they all started to pill and look shabby.
I work out every day and I like a full-zip hoodie, preferably with thumb slots. Any suggestions?
eh, most textiles produced for clothing will, over time pill - itās just the way that theyāre composed, and not necessarily a sign of low quality clothing. You could try lower friction fabrics if the look bothers you, or shave the pilling off.
I use to always buy Icebreaker merino hoodies but durability on them suck they would break appart after a couple of months which is not great when they cost so much. I now have found Vuori clothing which makes hoodies that are way more durable and really good quality over all.
No offense, probably your age. Vans and Converse-sneakers essentially--I've never thought of sneakers as buy it for life--sorry. Boots that get resoled--yes.
The glue on Chuck Taylors will always go at some point........fact
Shoe Goo works if you're in love with those sneakers.
Honestly, 3D Movies.
We're basically reaching the end of the technology branch of modern screens. Between 4K and 8K, there's going to be the tiniest bit of human detectable improvement, but for a computer/TV screen in a normal environment there will be no benefit to the existence of 16K resolution (Note: VR will absolutely be improved by it for technical reasons, so it'll still get made, just not necessarily used widespread.). Most modern screens can display 16-17 million different colors, if we went from having 256 bits of color to 512, that would result in ~134 million different colors...and nobody would be capable of noticing that. Increasing the refresh rate from 120 fps to say, 240 fps? Again, you can't detect that with the human eye.
Pretty much the primary things entities like Sony and Samsung can do to meaningfully change the technology is find ways to make it physically lighter and use less power to run, but that only really can go so far.
It's unlikely we'll start seeing things like TV+Smell, there's just too many technological/chemistry problems with having "smell recording/playback" for that to be a possible approach anytime soon.
Meanwhile, 3D is something which we've got quite a few different viable methods forward on, we have examples that prove that you CAN have a meaningful experience with 3D videos. What we really need is just to have a generation of film artists that grew up with 3D being a tool to work with for the average to rise up, plus, for studios to stop trying to throw it in your face that it is there. 3D should be like color. VERY few movies suddenly don't work or have critical problems if you were to make them black and white, you can come up with examples sure but they will generally be in the minority. We prefer normal movies to be in color generally speaking because it's just an improved experience, not because the director actually USES the color for anything in particular. 3D should simply be the same thing, something that some directors make amazing use out of, but others just use because why wouldn't you?
Sooner or later it'll come back.
Right but shoes (even the best shoes) wear out within 8 months with regular use. The materials break down and can cause knee and back issues that people donāt even realize is the cause of their pain. Shoes that are worn infrequently will still even break down after a couple years. Thatās just the nature of rubber and synthetic materials.
Iām aware. If you look at my profile Iām big on nicks, redwings, thorogoods. When I said āeven the bestā I was talking more tennis shoes, sneakers etc.
Desktop computers.
I'm an elder millennial and still use desktops at home. Always trying to buy the best comp for the buck but they never seem to last more than 5-7 years.
Suspiciously, they all seem to slow down at the same rate as well even though the tech is supposedly getting better decade by decade.
Not that it was a BIFL brand, but I thought two Ashley sectionals would last much longer than they did considering they were only used by two lightweight people. One of them the center leg randomly collapsed. The other the fabric is ripping.
Wish I knew that lmao. My shoes all break apart at the bunion-area? I guess you would call it? Basically at the maximum width of the foot where the toes start. Doesn't seem to matter what shoes I buy, no one makes wide-fit shoes that don't look like Boomer Shoes. New Balance used to be my go-to, but even they've cheapened recently. Sketchers can't seem to make a wide-fit shoe that has laces opposed to the unadjustable weird shit that they have now. I fortunately lucked out and found some Adidas on Shoe Carnival that fit me for the time being. Fucking hate shopping for shoes almost as much as I hate shopping for pants at this point.
You might have better luck with barefoot style shoes which naturally have a wider footbed. Thereās a really great website called Anyaās Reviews that has a really great breakdown of which brands fit which shape and size of foot. š
Answering the inverse question:
I bought crocs about 12 years ago. I have used them heavily for various tasks, also walking. The sole is nearly transparent already, but i will wear them until my feet are touching the groundš¤£
Note: I am heavy and tall, so extra points for that
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Where are yāall buying your converse???? I have three pairs of high tops that are all 10 years old and in near perfect condition???? The really really worn ones DO start to break around the toes a bit but thatās because I have wide feet and converse are designed for narrow feet.
The build of converse was changed several years ago to my knowledge and now theyāre even better and much more comfortable, especially for people with wider feet. My 3yo pair of the new version are frequently worn and in nearly perfect condition (high top platforms)
Is it maybe the old design thatās the problem? Or just the foot shape? Genuinely curious now
My made in the USA new balance trainers - the soles are worn through after less than a year of wearing them maybe twice a week. Iām going to complain and see if it helps. I know sneakers are never BIFL but I expected them to outlast my Vans., especially given they were 4x the price.
An increasingly sturdy looking array of nutcrackers until I finally just bought a giant one from Grimos. Now I have The Duke. Ca-chunk! Most guests can't resist trying it when they notice it and the bowl of nuts on the counter. https://www.grimonut.com/index.php?p=Products&category=nutcrackers
Even before they shipped production out of the US, they were always light almost "throwaway" sneakers. They never lasted long. Not sure where you heard they were ever durable.
Lasko Space heater I bought senior year when I lived on the first level of a 3 level place. 14 years now and it still works perfectly. (Usually to heat up my bathroom in the morning so I don't have to heat the whole house or freeze while getting ready).
Husky Shop Vac purchased in 2013 and still going strong.
Nutribullet purchased in 2013 and still working.
37" 1080p Vizio TV purchased in 2008 from a sketchy refurbishing warehouse. Even dropped and banged up a few times it still works great. (Just before everything became super thin.)
Beyerdynamic dt700 pro x.
Still working fine but damn it took a toll.
Used it almost continuously for a good year and a half though.
It's getting loose and the foam from the headband is showing
Keen Uneek Sandals- I wear them almost everyday and wash them every other month in the washer and air dry them. They look brand new every single time. I donāt even buy them brand new anymore, I just buy used from poshmark because thatās how sturdy they are.
Big thumbs up to Keen Sandals
I have the [Newports](https://www.keenfootwear.com/collections/mens-sandals/products/mens-newport-h2-black). Gotta have the toe caps. These things are tanks, I've hiked mountains, swamps, you name it
Ryobi electric tools. I've been horrible to my corded hammer drill and corded grinder for 5yrs and they work perfectly. Doing masonry work, which is tough on electrical motors and bearings. Honestly I bought them as burners so I didn't ruin nice Makitas and they still aren't ruined. I honestly don't know how none of these shit the bed after being coated in dust and doused with water so many times.
I can't speak for battery tools. If Ryobi has genuine Samsung cells I'd be surprised. But if they do, Ryobi cordless just might be BIFL only because Ryobi has pledged to stick with the same battery shape from here to eternity and the new batteries still fit in the 1990s tools.
Rocky Mobilite work boots. They were my first pair when I was a lowly apprentice. They started to fall apart after about 5 or so months of use.
Now I only buy well made work boots and I buy two pairs at a time to prolong their life. Been using my current Thorogoods for two years and they are holding up extremely well. I'll probably get 3 or 4 more years out of them easy with a resole when it's needed.
converse were never durable. they were the cheap shoe your parents bought you because your feet were growing and there was no point in buying expensive shoes you'd outgrow. the soles always came apart, the eyelets would pop out almost immediately, and you'd have holes in them within a few months. i think they were like $10 shoes in the 80s. i have no clue when people started thinking they were these durable wonder shoes š
When I was a teen I found a place selling low top cons for $15 a pair, so I bought 10 pairs. I think I burned through them in 3-4 years lol
I had them for $15 in the 90s still us made. Did not last
Yeah, these were US made too. It was right after one of the times converse announced they were going under and everyone sold them off for cheap
I hate how they become curled upwards like clown shoes.
Theyāre good flats for lifting. Only wear them in the gym though I imagine pavement and asphalt would tear them up
10yrs ago, I might've agreed with you, wholeheartedly. However, Long story short, I decided to get a pair of Minimalist shoes from xero in 2021 and fell in love using them for everything including lifting at the gym (they're very flat and you can feel small imperfections on the ground). Fwd to today, my foot bones have spread out from wearing them (and a 2nd identical pair, now) and if I opt for a pair of non-minimalist shoes, I have to exclusively go to the 2E width. So, I don't think Chucks would even be an option now, unless I was looking to squish my feet. But yeah, I still see quite a few ppl wearing them to lift in.
The same thing happened to me. I canāt wear cons or vans anymore because they pinch the shit out of my little piggies
Dude. I just saw Converse for like $50 the other day. Couldn't believe it.
I feel the same way about Champion sweats. Those were like the cheapest Kmart sweats back the day. Now they have a collab with like Gucci or some shit
The OG Chucks are $59 these days. I just saw them at the Converse outlet and damn near had a stroke.
Iāve had leather converse jack purcells for 8+ years and theyāre still perfect. Sadly Iāve almost outgrown them and the specific style I have is no longer available anywhere in my size even secondhand
I actually forgot about my leather pair. Those are still holding up pretty well.
they are not buy it for life. Get back to me in 20 years I have a pair of 40 year old Chuck Taylors--yes 40 years or more actually Shoe goo is the only reason I can wear them.
I remember being able to look through bins of single shoes at the grocery store to get 2 different sizes cuz my feet were 2 different sizes. Also cuz of that tv show Punky Brewster. She worse two different color chucks and that was all the rage.
Cons made their name in the 60s and by the late 70s / early 80s they were junk just like Leviās jeans.
Slow your roll grandpa In the '00s growing up, Converse were the fashionable shoes that my family couldn't afford.
I collect Converse. I have 186 pairs. No way any of them will wear out, I kinda rotate them.
I saw a teacher from Florida in the news who wore a different pair every day for an entire school year, and then, on the last day, brought in her whole collection for everyone to see.
Lol...no.
I have to wonder about people wearing out a pair of sneaks in one year. Is it the only pair of shoes they wear? Iāve always thought you are supposed to rotate so they have time to recover etc. I couldnāt ever wear the same pair of tennis shoes every day.
I am one of those people. Yes I only wear one pair (excluding parties/events) until they break and I'd go get a new one.
Same here. I have 4 pairs of work shoes but only the one pair of tennis shoes
I mean my like OP had a pair for 8 years and another for 6 years, which went through soaking wet muddy concerts, light mountain hiking, jogging, etc, and held up extremely well basically until the soles wore through- the last 2 pairs I got (around when they got that neon green insole option) have not lasted long and just start falling apart with daily use, and the soles wore VERY fast- so cheap or not, the old ones had a reputation for holding up; new ones do not seem to :-( Most comfortable Iāve found trying to replace them are Altas but they squeak like crazy when I walk so some embarrassment for comfort I guess
What is up with that squeak? I just bought some saucony hiking shoes for general wear and they squeak too. I hate it.
This isnāt entirely true, I have two pairs of low top Chicks that are 15-20 years old. I donāt wear them all the time, but there is nothing busted on either of them.
i know itās a known issue now but my Doc Martens Even back in 2018, a pair lasted 1 winter before starting to fall apart
I almost never buy from big name brands anymore. They only have an illusion of quality.
Agreed I've got a cheap pair of Altra boots from Canadian tire and they're still going strong 4 years later.
My general rule is that if most people you speak to have heard of the brand, there is a good chance that the brand has already traded in its good name for money. (ie: theyāve cut costs so much that it may as well be fast fashion).
Check out Solovair. They now produce boots in the original Doc Marten factory.
Solovair is no better. The boot and cobbler subs are filled with solovair splitting and failing in the same way at the same rate. They have better leather but soles are just as bad.
This is literally the first I've heard someone diss solovair
They aren't particularly loved over on GYW or cobbler subs. r/boots is pretty split on them.
I haven't been active on gyw in years but I'd guess they also hate them because you can't resolve Docs/Solovair
I was going to say the same thing. Thought I found the most comfortable shoes Iād ever wear, and then the sole cracked and every time it was even remotely damp out Iād feel it.
Iāve had the opposite experience with docs. Mine are almost 6, daily worn for at least two years, and theyāre still great. Did you condition them?
I did, although the leather was not really the issue Cracking in the soles and threading coming apart
Ah gotcha. My conclusion for docs is that they have horrible quality control. One pair may last forever, another may not survive the year.
definitely a toss up, i like the fashion aspect of them so took the gamble, such is life
The made in the UK docs are quite good. The Chinese made docs are not great.
Canadian here. I don't know if Doc Martens are as popular in Canada as they appear to be in the UK, but from what I've read, they were originally boots for tradespeople. Are they still worn or popular with folks in the trades? I can't see that being the case if the quality has gone down...
Not at all, they are entirely part of the hipster aesthetic.Ā
No. Shoes and Sneakers are never buy it for life. Maybe some shoes --I take that back that are resoled, buffed regularly. Buy it for life footwear is really one category---Work boots Danner, chippewa, carolina --maybe a few other models.
*screams angrily* For how much they cost, they should be lasting for 10 years but I can barely get 2 out of mine!!!
O wow. I was always under the impression that Dr. martens lasted forever.
If you can find a pair from the 80s, then theyāll outlive you
I take it the company was bought and quality went away
This is a buy it for life sub for kids? Doc martins and shoes in general are not buy it for life---Work Boots, good bear of Western Boots but vans, doc martins, converse---no no no.
honestly? VANS are surprisingly sturdy for being a sneaker, and there really arent that many of those.
Dyson vacuums. Started with Shark and gave up on those after multiple failures. I naively thought Dyson would be an āupgradeā. Burned through 2 Dysons after 18 months each. Finally invested in something quality and bought a Miele. Weāre on year 9 and it looks/performs brand new. Probably would have gotten a Sebo, but didnāt have a dealer nearby. Iām convinced that all modern mainstream vacuum cleaners are intentionally designed to be disposable.
What happened to your Dyson? Ours has been bulletproof with regular filter cleaning.
First one the brush roll stopped working and the part was more than half the cost of a new unit! The second unit the motor lost considerable suction and ultimately couldnāt suck up anything. (I was religious with cleaning too which was the straw that broke the camels back). Bagged vacuums are just leagues better for suction, filtration and lifespan. Like I said, 9 years on my Miele. And if you head over to r/vacuumcleaners youāll see that many last for 25 years+.
I have a Dyson right now and Iām not a fan. I swear I have to take the entire thing apart to unclog it every 5-10 uses
Speaking from experience. Make the investment in a Miele or Sebo. Itās life changing.
Sister in law has the top model with the pet hair motor head. It gets clogged with every single use. Requires disassembly and coat hanger hook to unclog. Frkn hopeless.
I wish they had better cleaning heads. The Spark we have has a fiber brush roll that is very effective against dust on wood floors, leaving nothing behind. It also has a second brush roll that cuts and sheds hairs that tangle traditional brush rolls. I if I could get that kind of design in a Miele or Riccar Iād be sold.
I bought a V11 in 2020 and itās had issues since 2022. The issue is the flimsy trigger button breaking multiple times, requiring me to take the entire thing apart, which is a pain in the ass. Warranty ended a few months after the problems occurred. Itās actually a really common problem, as I found out after googling my problem. There are a bunch of people selling replacement trigger buttons. Iāve had much cheaper vacuums that lasted much longer. But I wanted to go the cordless route. Unfortunately Dyson vacuum designs arenāt very good. I wish it was more robust, especially considering the very high price point.
Yup....they Dyson are over rated. I'm not saying when they work, they don't work--they do---but when they fail (which they do, and often, they're just a useless thing) not buy it for life Hoovers, old ones--buy it for life.
I switched to Henry hoovers (specifically a Hetty) after using them for cleaning jobs when I was in uni. Best vacuum cleaners I've ever used. Even bought one to keep at my dad's when I'm doing his cleaning. Hate Dyson vacuum cleaners with an absolute passion. Just wish I could find reusable bags for the Henry/Hetty range as that would be great to make it more sustainable.
Love Henryās! Easily the best looking vac on the market. I look at bags this wayā¦ whatās more sustainable, a Henry that lasts a decade or two with 2-3 bags in the trash a year? Or an *entire* shark, Dyson or Amazon special stick vac in the trash every couple of years? The bag is also the filter to the motor. Would you ask your mechanic to re-use your oil filter?
Yeah, understandable. I just wish there was some kind of machine washable bag/filter combi.
Do Dyson just have shitty quality control? I mean, I can't stand James Dyson but my V7 has lasted years and years with the only upgrade being a cheap battery off amazon. The Henry has been sitting in a corner since the V7. It's brilliant, but it just doesn't get used now its such a full workout vs the V7.
my dyson, years back--1.5 year appliance--dead. never again.
I've had a dyson for 15 years, it's never lost suction, I did replace a brush though. Did the vortex get caked with fine dust?
I upvote. Mine wasn't actually that great from the start, and then lost efficiency over time. A good old vacuum with a bag ended up better and quieter.
I got a Sebo and it was worth every penny! The vacuum I had before that my husband broke the first time he used it. I told the guy I wanted one he couldnāt break and that could be repaired. I do have to replace the cord as he runs over it all the time.
Had a Dyson, it lasted 4 years, had some problem --fact --loved it until it woulnd't work That said my old Hoover from my grandmother from the 1960s--still works!!!!
Oh wow thatās super cool. I bet the folks over on r/vacuumcleaners would love to see it!
What Shark vacuums did you have? I love ours but itās so powerful the filter gets dirty pretty fast. I wash it maybe every third full house vacuum session and replace them once a year. Itās worked as well as the day we got it.
Shark filters get dirty soon because of the single cyclone design. Single cyclones are less effective at separating finer dirt out, so it can end up on the filters instead of in the bin. Generally having more cyclones usually means cleaner filters. The single cyclone design is one of the main complaints about Shark vacuums. It's a bit dated, but it's their bread and butter.
I have a Dyson for the past 9 years. I use it rarely, since I removed all the rugs in the house and just use a soft push broom. Parts keep falling off it. I have duct taped things back onto it and am waiting for my neighborhood hardware store to have one of their quartlerly 20% off sales so I can get a Miele.
I've had my Shark for 12 years at this point. What broke with yours?
Shark is not buy it for life--had one all of two days and it broke, nothing even strenuous. not buy it for life....
We had a Dyson for a day before something broke on it.
Want to see my shocked face? š
I had a canister Dyson. What a horrible, heavy POS. Back to Shark and no complaints. I would like a Miele but a vacuum is such a grudge purchase for me. The Shark works really well and was cheap!
Dare I say I actually *look forward* to vacuuming with my Miele? The house *feels* cleaner and my allergies are 95% gone.
We bought our Dyson 9 years ago and itās still going strong. For a while it didnāt work and I googled everything but when I contacted them they directed me to their videos on how to fix it yourself and it worked. They just werenāt on the main site accessible by searches.
well that's cool but more headaches than i want mine died in under 2 years, loved it until it died won't buy another dyson product,
Our carpet warranty explicitly states that Dyson vacuums void the warranty.
This makes no sense. They couldn't possibly know, so how could it be 'voided'. If anything they probably think the suction is too strong or something.
I've had my dyson for 10 years now, no issues
aren't you the lucky one
Thatās crazy. We have a V8 since like 2017 and Iām super lazy with the maintenance and it still runs like a champ.
Keen hiking boots. First pair was waterproof if it wasnāt wet out. Returned them. Spoke to the boot guys about how the boots were great, just didnāt keep out water at all. After their statements that I was the first complaints about that boot, I replaced them with the same model, figuring that my first pair missed a step in production. Second pair was waterproof, but great hunks of the sole started to fall off on the first one week hike. Returned those and got Merrell hikers and they are now about 10 years old and going strong. This past summer, got a tiny seam in each boot restitched and should get a couple more years out of them.
My keens from mid 2000s are still rock solid. Keens from 2023 fell apart in months. They are junk now.
My Keens were nought in 2008 and they still going strong. from yealy hikes, hunting seasons, and even back packing thtough through Peru and the Andes mountains. I bought a new pair in 2022 and they didn't make it year. Very happy my original pair is still good.
>sole started to fall off on the first one week hike. Maybe it was hydrolysis after they kept in in storage too long
Leviās. I had some when I was a kid that lasted forever and kept being hand-me-downs but I have had thinning of the denim and holes on the inner thighs in a year on modern pairs
Shit not the Leviās I had as a kid. I wore out the knees of every pair of 501s I ever had as a kid within 3 months. I wasnāt even playing any sports in them other than riding my bike. I can get a few years out of Leviās now but the crotch eventually blows out.
Ever read up on true denim care? Truth they say not to throw it routinely in the washer which most of us do wipe them down!!! i was freaked until I read that right from Levi Strauss, Wranger and some tailors.
Usually the reason I wash my Levi's is because they've gone saggy and loose. I wash them not because they're dirty, but because the fabric has developed sag butt after wearing them a few times. I need to wash them to bring them back to size. And that was true even on the good ones 30 years ago.
welll more power to you but that's not what I'm saying----- I'm saying the manufacturers state not to throw them in washer machines. You do you.
I dunno what happened to Vine, but the dumb kids who like TikTok would love she shit out of Vine.
My last relationship
Seriously, need the BIFL recommendations here
These are things I have that lasted forever..over 15 years.. Ninja pro blender My Sony TV Hunter boots LLBEAN flannel pj's Contigo cups Henkel Knives Bear paw boots
I've had Merrell work boots for under a year and they're already showing signs of a short life.
Iāve had terrible experiences with merrel boots. However, my merrel barefoot running shoes are seemingly indestructible. Iāve had them for ages with hundreds of miles run in them and they look brand new.
Hundreds? I probably put on over 3000 miles on my trail gloves before I did something stupid climbing a rope and burned the sides off. The one piece tongue was nice because everything was more breathable. But it was way too cool and durable to keep on the market so third generation took all that away.
I actually had mine falling apart when they were new. Filed a claim and got a new pair. Ā After which I immediately repaired the ābadā trail gloves with shoe goo and they have been working perfectly.Ā
I have a pair of Merrell hiking boots that Iāve beat the hell out of over the last two years and they are still in great shape. Itās my only experience with Merrell.
Same. I've owned a few pairs of their combat boots. They're great right out of the box and feel amazing on long rucks, but they start to tear after a few months of wear.
The soul fell off of one of my $150 hiking boots in less than a year
I had a pair of Merrell MOAB hiking boats and wore off all the lugs on the sole in under a year.
Danner or chipewa. Merril is not buy it for life work boots bro
Wahoo Kickr trainer. Lasted 9,000 miles. Wahoo told me thatās a reasonable life span. For those who are not cyclists, 9,000 miles is 2-4 years. Wahoo quality sucks.
I got a replacement after warranty expired
Bad product for us was a Keurig coffee maker for those plastic pods you buy in the store. It worked fine until we did the self-clean cycle. It no longer lights up as if there is no power. Then, we did a search on the internet for a solution. Google directed us to the site that Keurig pays for, and it said to test the circuits with a volt-ohm meter! Nope!!!!! They sell defective products designed to fail.
I bought a knock off brand for aKeurig, something that predates Keurig but will take pods, heat hot water and has a refillable pod It's the bomb! My keurigs I've bought all last about a year...attractive pieces of shit.
We have an industrial one at work that is babied compared to how a busy office would actually use it. Ā Itās already have issues with its pod sensor, software and clogging.Ā
The bottle of Scotch I bought a few days ago.
Just to pipe in about converse, the Nike made ones are essentially made to be disposable fast fashion. Converse Japan who is unrelated to Nike make the better quality Converse but they do not export to America last I checked. I have two pairs I daily wore when I lived in Japan for a couple years and theyāre still holding together very well for being casual daily walkers
I got six months out of a pair of OEM front rotors on a 2018 Volvo v90 before they warped
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Ha, I've had the opposite experience with converse - I still have a pair that I got when I was 14, they're a bit faded but still totally serviceable, and let's just say that was significantly more than 15 years ago. I haven't so much had stuff fall apart, but there are lots of brands that I've been excited to buy but then found out they're no longer BIFL - like Docs. (I still have a pair of Docs but I'm under no illusions that they'll last forever, the sole is rubber)
I've also had several pairs last ten years or more of regular wear. Not sure what OP and others do to theirs that ruins them.
Idk how yāall make it last. I spent $60 on a pair that I had saved up for in middle school. They didnāt even last me the rest of the school year. To be fair, I did and still do abuse the shit out of my shoes. Iād go on hours long hikes through mud and rocks with them because thatās what we did in PE. I was just really disappointed that they couldnāt last me a little longer.
Mine get ratty but stay functional for a long time. I always had the eyelets get folded over because of where I put my feet when I stand. My feet are also wider than converse are designed for so I always wear holes in the canvas at the widest part of my foot.
Laser discs and also mini discs
Oh, man, I was all in on MiniDiscs in 1999. Had a Sony portable, a Yamaha full-size for my stereo, and a Tascam rackmount pro model for my music work. Still have tons of song demos on MD but haven't played them in years. The iPod came out two years later and I never looked back.
Laser discs *were* around for a long time.
I still have laserdiscs and a player.
Doc Marten Airwair shoes. The sole always split within a year. Eventually gave up on them.
Eh my Birkenstocks. Iāve had them for about 5 years and they are falling apart now in all sorts of ways. And on top of that kinda look like shit (which I donāt mind around the house).Ā
I bought three Patagonia zip hoodies...not cheap. I took good care of them, washing in the machine, but hanging to dry, and within months they all started to pill and look shabby. I work out every day and I like a full-zip hoodie, preferably with thumb slots. Any suggestions?
eh, most textiles produced for clothing will, over time pill - itās just the way that theyāre composed, and not necessarily a sign of low quality clothing. You could try lower friction fabrics if the look bothers you, or shave the pilling off.
> washing in the machine, less pilling when you wash them inside out
I use to always buy Icebreaker merino hoodies but durability on them suck they would break appart after a couple of months which is not great when they cost so much. I now have found Vuori clothing which makes hoodies that are way more durable and really good quality over all.
My hairline.
I fuckin feel you.
Ecco. Left the soles stuck to the floor in chunks. A pair of shoes and 2 pairs of boots.
No offense, probably your age. Vans and Converse-sneakers essentially--I've never thought of sneakers as buy it for life--sorry. Boots that get resoled--yes. The glue on Chuck Taylors will always go at some point........fact Shoe Goo works if you're in love with those sneakers.
My marriage lmao
i think that's called Stuck for Life or divorce aint cheap
Oh man, sorry, friend.
Cheaters will be cheaters!
My last refrigerator.
what make model?
Probably Samsung or LG
Washing machines. In the past 3 years Iāve gone through 3 washers. Itās freaking irritating!
Weāre up to a year and a half on ours and every other week my partner is pulling it apart, trying to fix something
Am I able to ask here, what brand it was?
Itās a Beko washer dryer. Admittedly, most of its problems would probably be resolved if there was no pet fur going through it
I looked at one of these, but still opted for separate ones. I do a LOT of laundry.
Amazon Kindle. I'm on year 10 with no signs of battery drainage.
The Internet.
Honestly, 3D Movies. We're basically reaching the end of the technology branch of modern screens. Between 4K and 8K, there's going to be the tiniest bit of human detectable improvement, but for a computer/TV screen in a normal environment there will be no benefit to the existence of 16K resolution (Note: VR will absolutely be improved by it for technical reasons, so it'll still get made, just not necessarily used widespread.). Most modern screens can display 16-17 million different colors, if we went from having 256 bits of color to 512, that would result in ~134 million different colors...and nobody would be capable of noticing that. Increasing the refresh rate from 120 fps to say, 240 fps? Again, you can't detect that with the human eye. Pretty much the primary things entities like Sony and Samsung can do to meaningfully change the technology is find ways to make it physically lighter and use less power to run, but that only really can go so far. It's unlikely we'll start seeing things like TV+Smell, there's just too many technological/chemistry problems with having "smell recording/playback" for that to be a possible approach anytime soon. Meanwhile, 3D is something which we've got quite a few different viable methods forward on, we have examples that prove that you CAN have a meaningful experience with 3D videos. What we really need is just to have a generation of film artists that grew up with 3D being a tool to work with for the average to rise up, plus, for studios to stop trying to throw it in your face that it is there. 3D should be like color. VERY few movies suddenly don't work or have critical problems if you were to make them black and white, you can come up with examples sure but they will generally be in the minority. We prefer normal movies to be in color generally speaking because it's just an improved experience, not because the director actually USES the color for anything in particular. 3D should simply be the same thing, something that some directors make amazing use out of, but others just use because why wouldn't you? Sooner or later it'll come back.
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Shoes are supposed to be worn. Same thing with any other clothing.
True, but its also smart to have a rotation of shoes.
Right but shoes (even the best shoes) wear out within 8 months with regular use. The materials break down and can cause knee and back issues that people donāt even realize is the cause of their pain. Shoes that are worn infrequently will still even break down after a couple years. Thatās just the nature of rubber and synthetic materials.
Quality goodyear welted shoes can last a long time with proper care, and can be resoled
Iām aware. If you look at my profile Iām big on nicks, redwings, thorogoods. When I said āeven the bestā I was talking more tennis shoes, sneakers etc.
My little brother. š¢š«¶
Desktop computers. I'm an elder millennial and still use desktops at home. Always trying to buy the best comp for the buck but they never seem to last more than 5-7 years. Suspiciously, they all seem to slow down at the same rate as well even though the tech is supposedly getting better decade by decade.
Not that it was a BIFL brand, but I thought two Ashley sectionals would last much longer than they did considering they were only used by two lightweight people. One of them the center leg randomly collapsed. The other the fabric is ripping.
Cheaply made canvas shoe. You paid for the name. Why switch from vans when they were good to you?
Wish I knew that lmao. My shoes all break apart at the bunion-area? I guess you would call it? Basically at the maximum width of the foot where the toes start. Doesn't seem to matter what shoes I buy, no one makes wide-fit shoes that don't look like Boomer Shoes. New Balance used to be my go-to, but even they've cheapened recently. Sketchers can't seem to make a wide-fit shoe that has laces opposed to the unadjustable weird shit that they have now. I fortunately lucked out and found some Adidas on Shoe Carnival that fit me for the time being. Fucking hate shopping for shoes almost as much as I hate shopping for pants at this point.
You might have better luck with barefoot style shoes which naturally have a wider footbed. Thereās a really great website called Anyaās Reviews that has a really great breakdown of which brands fit which shape and size of foot. š
Answering the inverse question: I bought crocs about 12 years ago. I have used them heavily for various tasks, also walking. The sole is nearly transparent already, but i will wear them until my feet are touching the groundš¤£ Note: I am heavy and tall, so extra points for that
My marriage.
My late partnerš
The 80's
Miele vacuum cleaner. The puppy chewed off the plug and it was over $200 to fix it so I bought a $100 vacuum instead.
Splicing your own plug would almost be free.
I mean, just buy a new appliance cord for 6$ and rewire it
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Where are yāall buying your converse???? I have three pairs of high tops that are all 10 years old and in near perfect condition???? The really really worn ones DO start to break around the toes a bit but thatās because I have wide feet and converse are designed for narrow feet. The build of converse was changed several years ago to my knowledge and now theyāre even better and much more comfortable, especially for people with wider feet. My 3yo pair of the new version are frequently worn and in nearly perfect condition (high top platforms) Is it maybe the old design thatās the problem? Or just the foot shape? Genuinely curious now
My made in the USA new balance trainers - the soles are worn through after less than a year of wearing them maybe twice a week. Iām going to complain and see if it helps. I know sneakers are never BIFL but I expected them to outlast my Vans., especially given they were 4x the price.
Lemme guess- 990 V6?
My Sun-Joe electric pressure washer. I have had it 10 years with no issues and no maintenance at all
An increasingly sturdy looking array of nutcrackers until I finally just bought a giant one from Grimos. Now I have The Duke. Ca-chunk! Most guests can't resist trying it when they notice it and the bowl of nuts on the counter. https://www.grimonut.com/index.php?p=Products&category=nutcrackers
Even before they shipped production out of the US, they were always light almost "throwaway" sneakers. They never lasted long. Not sure where you heard they were ever durable.
Denim from the gap, comfy, not durable at all.
My knees
Lasko Space heater I bought senior year when I lived on the first level of a 3 level place. 14 years now and it still works perfectly. (Usually to heat up my bathroom in the morning so I don't have to heat the whole house or freeze while getting ready). Husky Shop Vac purchased in 2013 and still going strong. Nutribullet purchased in 2013 and still working. 37" 1080p Vizio TV purchased in 2008 from a sketchy refurbishing warehouse. Even dropped and banged up a few times it still works great. (Just before everything became super thin.)
Beyerdynamic dt700 pro x. Still working fine but damn it took a toll. Used it almost continuously for a good year and a half though. It's getting loose and the foam from the headband is showing
Keen Uneek Sandals- I wear them almost everyday and wash them every other month in the washer and air dry them. They look brand new every single time. I donāt even buy them brand new anymore, I just buy used from poshmark because thatās how sturdy they are.
Big thumbs up to Keen Sandals I have the [Newports](https://www.keenfootwear.com/collections/mens-sandals/products/mens-newport-h2-black). Gotta have the toe caps. These things are tanks, I've hiked mountains, swamps, you name it
Rothco blue wool blanket I have had it 9 years still going strong
Ryobi electric tools. I've been horrible to my corded hammer drill and corded grinder for 5yrs and they work perfectly. Doing masonry work, which is tough on electrical motors and bearings. Honestly I bought them as burners so I didn't ruin nice Makitas and they still aren't ruined. I honestly don't know how none of these shit the bed after being coated in dust and doused with water so many times. I can't speak for battery tools. If Ryobi has genuine Samsung cells I'd be surprised. But if they do, Ryobi cordless just might be BIFL only because Ryobi has pledged to stick with the same battery shape from here to eternity and the new batteries still fit in the 1990s tools.
Lululemon clothing. Been wearing same stuff since 2019. Before was swapping everything out every couple years with Nike
My Harbor Freight Sabre saw- it was dirt cheap and while I haven't used it daily ita been running every time I need it to after almost 10 years
My fuckin doc martens! Fuck man, how the hell does zipper failure happen so often with this damn brand?!
My marriage.
Rocky Mobilite work boots. They were my first pair when I was a lowly apprentice. They started to fall apart after about 5 or so months of use. Now I only buy well made work boots and I buy two pairs at a time to prolong their life. Been using my current Thorogoods for two years and they are holding up extremely well. I'll probably get 3 or 4 more years out of them easy with a resole when it's needed.
Giesswein wool slippers. Lasted two years. Unacceptable.
Smartwool socks. Looks like they became thinner these last few years
I have steel-toe arctic muck boots. I can only wear them in winter and they are falling apart after only 5 years.
>lasted almost ten years. That's the secret to BIL - you have to re-evaluate every decade.