Quality = Longevity

Repost – This post was originally posted in January of 2009

Big price tag items can be very intimidating to those of us on a tight budget. We are often tempted to find low cost options for items with a cost higher than we are comfortable with. While this may work for some items, there are just some areas where cutting on the cost on the short term will result in a long term higher cost. The reality is, if you investment in a well made item of quality materials the item will last longer than a similar item of lesser cost and lesser quality. A tent is a good example of an item you will want to last long time and not want to replace every few years. Therefore, your initial investment and choices are important. You want a quality material and construction. You also want a size and type that will work for you long term. Now that I think about it, my first tent which I sold to a friend before I went back to school, is now 12 or 13 years old and still looks good. That was a Panther Primitives slightly wide giant A tent. I miss that tent even though I am happy with my current PP tent. I would suggest either tent for use. Comparatively, I’ve felt tents with a significantly different quality canvas and seam construction. I can’t imagine these tents lasting many years.

Another investment is footwear. As far as my boots go, it took me a very long time to settle my self on boots because I have issues with wearing leather. I lucked out to find Robert Land made a pair of wool upper boots. (I still feel bad each time I put them on.) Prior to these boots, I had several pairs that just didn’t wear well or comfortably. The sore feet, several sets of insoles and replacement pairs probably cost about what I spent on my RL wool boots.

One of my personal pet peeves on quality I have to mention is in corset boning. This isn’t a high-cost item, but it is one that fits under the category of quality equals longevity. Spring steel comes in different thicknesses as well as widths. I think I’ve discovered three different thicknesses to the ¼” wide boning. One is way to thin and breaks. One is good for most people. One is thicker then the middle one. I prefer the thickest version offered by Farthingales.

When you are facing a purchase you know you will have to save up for or a purchase that you will want to last for a longer period of time, please take the time to evaluate all the cost and quality options. Find out who has purchased different items and how satisfied they are with their purchase. A little bit of planning at the beginning can save allot of money and frustration in the long run.