That $130 rain jacket fell apart after 4 months of real weather

I figured a mid-priced shell would handle regular downpours here in Seattle, but the zipper started catching by week two and the inner lining peeled off near the hood. By month four, the seams on the shoulders looked like they went through a washing machine with sandpaper. Thing is, I babied it, hand washed it, never stuffed it wet, all that stuff. My buddy's $40 poncho from the hardware store is still going strong, which honestly stings more than the money. I get that outerwear has a range of quality, but this felt like a straight rip off at full price. Anyone else find that mid-range gear dies faster than the cheap stuff or did I just grab a dud?

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2 Comments

theajohnson2mo ago

I used to think paying more meant better gear, but your experience lines up with what I've seen too. I had a mid-priced jacket fail the same way while my old cheap one from the discount store keeps going. It seems like some brands charge extra for the label, not for the fabric or stitching.

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wader712mo ago

Used to swear by brand names, but this changed my mind. You see it too?

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