I feel the same way about my motorcycle gear. You get what you pay for. I've had crappy budget minded boots, jackets, helmets in the past but now I only buy the best stuff. Rukka jacket/pants, Daytona boots, Shoei helmet. They cost a lot more than the average gear but I feel its well worth it.

Shoei RF1200 Daijiro Kato race replica (best fitting helmet I've ever had)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1556903425.jpg

Rukka Merlin Gore-Tex leather jacket/pants
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1556903526.jpg

Daytona Road Star Gore-Tex boots (warm, comfortable, well padded)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1556904072.jpg

[QUOTE=ckelly78z;10446566] This tells me you set priorities well. Hang in there, it will come. When it does? You'll realize it's all "just stuff" and not what's truly important.

I tend to buy very high quality things for things I care about and the cheapest of the cheap for things I dont have any emotional investment in. My stereo costed more than my daily driver but my TV is a cheapo they had on sale at Walmart. I have a pretty nice collection of new and vintage watches, yet my clothes and shoes come from costco / amazon basics

I really hate the disposable mentality of modern day society, I like than if you buy something truely high quality it can last a life time and beyond. Though admittedly I do buy some cheap disposable crap at times.

This too...we all have various interests. In some things we look for the best. In others, couldn't care less.

There was a tiny backpack manufacturer in Schenectady NY. They made VERY high quality backpacks.

https://toughtraveler.com/

They still exist and are a lot bigger now. Everything made in New York

My story is a seam opened up on one of my day packs. I brought it in to the store. They whisked it into the back and 5 minutes later they had torn out the entire seam and re-worked the backpack. I wish we had a place like that here in Houston.

I totally get the urge to have nice things. Been there, done it. You get over it. There is a thread here from the days I was into “nice things.”

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/634626-best-way-sell-watch.html

The best, most comfortable pair of shoes I've ever had was a pair of Piloti black leather, I think they were Prototipo.

I still look on eBay for a decent pair but they are hard to come by. Not sure if the resurrected company is the same quality but man I miss those shoes. They were in clearance for $40 and in hindsight I should have bought 10 pair!

For most of my young adult life I didn’t have much. I bought cheaply out of necessity. What I quickly learned was what we all know now, buy cheaply and eventually it will cost you more since you will have to replace it and will probably buy something more expensive now exceeding the price of a good product if bought originally. I had to learn this lesson many times before 1. It stuck, and 2 I could afford to buy good quality.

Now that many years have passed since being perpetually broke to now being comfortable (not rich), I always buy good quality (not superior) for longevity and to perform its function well.

I do draw the line by justifying that I deserve something over the top or outrageously expensive or that it is owed to me because I used to sell my plasma to eat. My needs for status or worse yet envy by others, has subsided many years ago when I came to the realization I can’t buy my way to happiness. Many try and try and try just like the 1% thinking if they only had a few more millions their life will be complete.

If you can afford it, good on you. Keep the economy strong.

From inside the Filson store in downtown Seattle you can see a hundred sewing machines with people sitting at them. Last time I was there, there was a sewing machine and operator right in the showroom. I guess Filson stuff, after eighty years or so, could need maintenance. ;)

Lots of great stories and perspectives here. I own seven brand new Brooks Brothers dress shirts. At 61, I likely will never, ever, buy another dress shirt.

Oh....and I have a 1978 Porsche 911. In good shape, this is probably the cheapest car to take on a trip of five-figure miles. Just sayin'.....

I own the Daytona Road Stars. They’re like riding in warm slippers that are protective. I also just purchased the Shoei Neotec 2 helmet. The most comfortable helmet I’ve ever owned.

Even when young and dirt poor I still found the money for high end motorcycle gear.

+1.
I have a pair of Prototipos that are 15 years old. Think I paid $90 for them. I do not wear them often but they have held up great and still look like they are a only month old. Super all-day comfortable and actually designed for an American foot.

I would kill a Filson in about three seasons, maybe less.

The briefcase isn’t -that- great. It’s taken on a stain and a couple of holes have appeared in the pockets in 5 years. I wish I’d got the leather one tbh.

I bought an old! BMW last week, does that quality for a old purchase?

You can have those shoes resoled...multiple times so long as the insoles and uppers are good.

I have 2 pairs of Vasque hiking boots one made in the USA in 1973 and the other in Italy in the 1980s..you can not wear em out.

Vaque is a Red Wing company..

Vintage Florshiem Imperials are considered to be just about the best shoes ever made. They have international appeal..

Hubbard's are made in Portugal..which is better than Asia.

I like Mephistos..and have around 10 pairs..

Even very expensive shoes can be cheaply made..Tom.Ford

Bally Scribe...975
Alden..600
Sutro Mantellassi..850 to 7500
Par West..custom golf shoes
Edward Green..1000 plus

It doesn't get better.

Mother Marcos passed it on ...LOL :)