Wasted $400 on a "budget" travel backpack that fell apart after 2 trips

I bought one of those no-name 40L bags off Amazon because the reviews were good and it was half the price of an Osprey. First trip to Thailand the zipper broke on day 3. Second trip to Mexico a strap ripped right off. Had to duct tape it together just to get home. Now I'm stuck buying a proper one anyway so I basically lost $400 total. Anyone else get burned by cheap gear that ended up costing more in the long run?

2 comments

2 Comments

nancy_king2910d ago

Yeah I read somewhere that those Amazon backpack companies basically copy the design from good brands then use the cheapest materials they can find... the zippers and straps are almost always the failure points. I got burned on a similar thing a few years back with a budget daypack that looked fine in the photos but the stitching started pulling apart after like 3 hikes. Ended up having to buy a proper Deuter anyway so I feel your pain on the wasted money thing. It's frustrating because you think you're being smart and saving a buck but really you're just paying twice in the end. The reviews on those things are probably fake too or from people who only used it once around town.

maxl9310d agoMost Upvoted

That "stitching started pulling apart after like 3 hikes" line hit home. My wife bought me a cheap backpack for Christmas one year and the strap literally ripped off halfway up a trail. Had to carry it like a grocery bag the rest of the way.