The "Buy it For Life" Thread

raksrules

raksrules

Oracle
Taking inspiration from the subreddit by similar name, I have opened this thread. I would encourage members here to list down the stuff they own and think that it comes in the "buy It for life" category.
Couple of important things I would like to mention are

  • Preferably avoid electronics as we all know they are designed with planned obsolescence.
  • List products that are actually still available in market. So listing something your parents bought in 1980 and is no longer available doesn't really help potential buyers.
I will start with mine.

Everki Atlas Backpack - https://www.everki.com/us_en/p/atla...-inch-to-17-3-inch-adaptable-compartment.html

Back in 2017, when I was in US and my Swiss Gear backpack (which lasted me like 8 years) got worn out a lot, I was searching for a good quality backpack and was fully planning to buy Swiss gear only. But I stumbled upon this brand which was expensive than Swiss gear and after reading lots of reviews, bought the above linked 17.3" compatible backpack. It cost me $112 in Jan 2017 when I bought it and it is now 7.5 years and still this thing looks brand new and it has seen really rough days and being packed to brim and stretched and what not. This is my primary office bag. It seems to really use super tough materials. There is no tear, no color fading, nothing giving way, all zippers intact.

Stock pics:

bag1.jpg bag3.jpg bag2.jpg

My actual backpack:

IMG_0004.JPG IMG_0005.JPGIMG_0006.JPGIMG_0007.JPG
 
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Bumping, just to see if people have something to post on this topic.

My Everki backpack is still going strong. Still looks like how I posted last June 2024. This backpack is one I use for my travels too to store everything from snacks, gadgets like powerbank wires etc and anything and everything. The always open slot is a great thing I feel as it allows me quickly access (or put inside) to stuff I want and I am not too concerned if it falls (it doesn't) or something.

My wife hates this backpack as it is "bulky" but I love it for the plethora of slots, quality and sturdiness. She insists I buy a lighter backpack for future travels. We will see. If someone does have something in mind, do chime in.
 
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Speaking of backpacks. Am using Osprey Farpoint 40 since 2017. Been through countless trips. Held up really well and likely to last forever.

It use to have cult like following due to it's reliability, light weight and versatility it offers. It was sold in India up until 2020. Some offline sellers might have it.

Been a single backpack guy. Wherever I go. everything I need fits in this bag.
 
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Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag​

Link

It was on sale for $50 approx in 2013. I told my cuz who was coming down to get it for me.
Still using it. Repaired (stitches came loose) it myself. It is a bit limp/saggy now. Use it even on all my trips.
More pockets and compartments than I can count ;-)
The one I have is slightly different from the one in the link.
Love it. Perfect for me with all the odds and ends I love to carry around - pocket knife, tiny torch, med kit, pen and notepad, JioFi ...
Did not have a pocket for mobile but luckily I got a matching pouch, attached to strap. Also attached a digital watch to the strap.
Attached pic of the Ol' Faithful.

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20250327_121958_PS_1024x768.jpg
 
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^ Timbuk2 bags are really durable, I got one in 2011 and used it every day for about five years before I sold it because I needed something more corporate looking.

It worked well as a laptop bag, book bag and photography bag. I wish I didn't sell it. It's probably the only non-tech purchase that I regret selling.
 
Liviya.jpg


The above pic is from my recent trip to Vietnam, dated 18th March. It's a Liviya backpack. I bought this back in college when I first went for trekking in 2009. I don't think I paid more than 1500-2000 for that since I was, of course, tight on budget then. I am still using this after all these years and it still looks sturdy and almost new, even. Granted, it wasn't used daily but 5-6 times a year by me and my brother for a week or two at a time, for various trips, treks, hikes etc. It's been through a lot, my brother was big into rough trekking in the mid 2010s for 3-4 years. I also carry it as a laptop/day backpack on all my trips. Recently, as in this very year, it has developed its first big tear (that can't be seen in the pic. It's on top from where you hang it on a wall hook.) I might upload more pics another time, currently it sits in an overhead drawer that needs a ladder to access. The tear looks repairable and it might last another 4-5 years. Even if it doesn't, 17 years is a long long time. I don't own anything else (apart from a few keepsakes) that lasted that long.
 
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