Name Brand versus Off Brand Gear

[Shawn]

Do you have to have the top-of-the-line name brand gear?

Or will you settle with off brand gear that's usually 10 times cheaper?

I sometimes wonder if hikers and backpackers are spending more for the name than the functionality of popular brand outdoor gear items.

I have cheap insulated cup that will keep my ice frozen and water cold all day long. That cup cost me around $10. I also have a Yeti cup that does the same, but it cost me around $35. I feel like I paid extra for the brand name. Does this seem to be the case when we looking for outdoor gear?

How do you all feel about this topic?

 

[Jeff Ulrich]

Like most things you buy there are tradeoffs between price and quality on hiking and camping gear. I think the thing to seek out is gear that is the best value.

That may depend a lot on the level of usage that the gear will get. For someone who only goes out hiking on a well-maintained trail or camping in a campground a couple times a year, cheaper gear may perform fine and be the best overall value. On the other hand, someone who goes out every week will probably want to spend more to ensure dependability, especially for important items like footwear or tents.

Sometimes cheaper gear can be a good value if you look at it as expendable. If it's something that you aren't absolutely depending on, just buy another inexpensive replacement and you're money ahead. If your safety or the success of your trip depends on it, then better quality is worth the extra money for peace of mind. I find in buying things like gear or tools that how much and how hard you will be using it makes a big difference.

I agree that some well known brands are not necessarily worth the extra money. They are often the original leaders in the field like Yeti that enjoyed market dominance and have rested on their laurels as competitors have came into the market with cheaper products that equal or even excel in quality.

 

[Shawn]

There are some name brand things that I like, like Osprey Packs but in all honesty, I've heard people using backpacks from Walmart and loving them.

I think it all boils down to the comfort and functionality of the gear that you personally get rather than what the brand is.

 

[Danl]

It depends. My day pack is a Land's End pack that I can't remember where it came from but I'me sure I didn't pay for it. It's super light, has structure only because I have a couple improvised sit pads in the back, and I love it. My backpack is a fairly low end Teton that I really like and has what I want. OTOH, I have a fleece made of Alpha that I paid a silly amount for but I can easily thrown in my pack without adding much bulk or weight. My car camping tent is an REI Basecamp, which has been reliable in storms, so is worth the stiff price. My backpacking tent is a Sierra Designs Sleeve Flashlight tent that I paid close to $200 for in the 1990s (a lot then) and is only now starting to have problems in rain (admittedly I haven't used it hard). Some of my gear is cobbled together on the cheap but I am willing to pay for higher end stuff when I think it is warranted.

I'm not paying Dyneema prices, but if I was backpacking long distances, I might

 

[Shawn]

I'm not paying Dyneema prices, but if I was backpacking long distances, I might

I agree. If I were to be living out my pack for a long time, then it would be like my vehicle and my footwear would be like the tires on my vehicle.

 

[Driftwoody]

My current shelters are a Warbonnet tarp & hammock (Blackbird XLC), and a Durston X-Mid 1 tent. These may qualify as off-brand cottage industry, but they're not cheap. Still, each set-up costs less than a top of the line Big Agnes tent. My backpack is a Granite Gear Blaze 60, which is sold by major retailers like REI. It's comfortable and carries loads well.

I've bought a lot of smaller items from sources like Hilltop & Garage Grown Gear.

My primary hiking shoes are low cut Merrell trail runners, but for backpacking and particularly rugged terrain I recently ventured into hunting boots and have the Crispi Thor II. This is considered "ultralight" among hunting boots, but my size 12 weighs about 1.4 lbs per boot. They're 8" tall and have very firm underfoot support, but they don't feel clunky at all. Currently list for $335. At age 68 with arthritis in my right ankle and my left ankle held together by a titanium rod & 7 screws (severe dislocation & broken fibula 5 years ago) I place a high value on avoiding injury. I don't plan long daily miles, giving myself plenty of time to enjoy the route and reach camp by mid-afternoon.

 

[Shawn]

My primary hiking shoes are low cut Merrell trail runners

I use Merrel hiking shoes for hiking and trail running and so far, they're my ALL-TIME favorite shoes!