Gear history anyone?

[lilricky]

S&H Green Stamps, I remember them fondly. Got a inflatable raft from them due to my Mom shopping at the local IGA.

[MAD777]

I too remember the S&H Green Stamps. That was the height of consumerism back then

[PATripper]

All that and still have my "Class 5" sleeping bag. Hey, I'm old!

[beep]

I still have a zero degree Holubar bag (serviceable but heavy and bulky) and a Gerry Down Sweater (both items purchased about 1970), but my old REI external frame backpack finally gave up the ghost many moons ago.

Of more recent vintage, I still have my Dana Designs Astralplane and Bomb Packs (both US made).

If I had to guess what gear I now have that will be uber-durable and long lived, I'd suggest:
1. WM down sleeping bags
2. Hammock Gear down insulation (TQ and UQ)
3. Empire Canvas Works Camp Coat, Vest, Arctic Parka...frankly anything they make is a lifetime item. Kevin Kinney (the owner) makes AWESOME gear.
4. Feathered Friends Volant Jacket with Hood
5. Wintergreen Designs fleece parka and wind parka (featured in my avatar photo).

[mph5]

What a fun website!

I still have my Stephenson Warmlite catalog from forever ago.
Ultralight before most other people thought about ultralight.
I always wanted one of their tents.

My first polypro long underwear came from Early Winters.
I made my own gore-tex tent after seeing one in their catalog.
I still use and Early Winters thermos to take coffee to work everyday.

The Yak Works catalog was another that I kept for a long time.
Very interesting backpacks!

Marti

[dblhmmck]

I still have an Early Winter's goretex bag cover and their mesh stuff sacks. I was also a fan of "Yak Works", and still own a solar battery charger that they made.

And let's not forget "Walrus", a spin off of Sierra Designs. I have the "Rocket" tent a two hoop marvel not unlike the Henry Shire TarpTent (Cloudburst). But the best years for cottage industry gear are IMHO the present ones. Thanks for the fond memories though.