This is a tricky one for sure. I think my favorite piece of gear over the years has been my wooly pully sweater (the brand that made what you called the commando sweater, but also the USMC issue sweater for many years). Been to hell and back with me, and I’ve worn them all over the world in terrible conditions. They’re usually the start of any winter wardrobe, because (after dalliances with synthetics) I’ve decided I much prefer wool as an insulator than whatever fancy primaloft they’ve come out with this week. And, when I’m fat and old, I’ll probably be able to pass them on to my kids.
Sometimes not having the right gear or not having any can make things interesting and force you to take some initiative. Back-packing in New Zealand we had to climb up and over a high point and then partway down to a hut. Of course I only had tennis shoes and light pants. And of course it started snowing (pretty hard too). Getting cold I slipped on plastic bread bags over my wet socks and wrapped a tee-shirt around my head. It did the trick and kept me warm enough until we got to the hut. I hadn't planned on a hiking in New Zealand and only brought gear for the more tropical climates of Australia and Asia. Glad I didn't have to try to make a shelter out of sticks and moss.
My favorite piece of ‘old gear’ is a shotgun I use every fall. It’s nothing fancy, just a Remington 870 Wingmaster pump gun in 20 gauge. It belonged to my great grandpa, then passed down to my grandpa and my uncle, and now to me. My son (5th generation) is almost big/old enough to use it so I’ll be upgrading to something new-ish once it’s his turn to take over hunting with it. But that gun will always be in our family and it makes me happy thinking about a piece of old gear being made new for the next bird hunter in our family.
Spot on, Jason. The inspiration one gets from trying on new gear, thinking about when and where to use it, the way it stimulates some kind of action is easy to underestimate. The best example is perhaps new running shoes; how quickly you feel the the difference from your old pair (or rather pairs), and how much you just want to get out and run.
But putting your gear to the test through a one-year shopping pause is a good method. If something is worn, it does not matter. If it gets broken, you mend it. If it is broken beyond repair, you look for the closest substitute in your closet. If there is no substitute (one might have only one pair of ski goggles, or ski boots, or ski poles) it is ok to go to the store. And yes, one should if possible support one’s local store.
And of course, buy quality, stuff that lasts, that can be fixed, that improves with age. Not all quality is expensive. And not all expensive has quality (this is where your local store comes in).
And assuming that one has a biannual shopping pause; do not be afraid to upgrade. New and better things do come along. But the more one invests in quality, the less one needs to upgrade.
Until the very latest carbon running shoe is launched, that is.
Man, this post hits home for me in a big way. Over the past 3-4 years, I have bought a lot of new gear specifically with the intention of doing exactly what you're talking about here: using it, using it well, taking care of it, and in a way, honoring it by getting the most out of it.
My go-tos have been my Guide Pro pants, Kirkland-brand wool socks from Costco ($30 for a 6-pack?! It's a steal for how good they are,) a wool watch cap from Sanborn Canoe, and any number of wool sweaters (I love my LL Bean commando sweater- thanks for the tip!) I would love to someday own an Aran fisherman sweater from Ireland, but they don't really cater to 6'3" guys with 38" long arms.
I've also got an old pair of Keen hiking shoes that are on their last legs. The seams are staring to let water in, so it may be time to send them out to pasture. I am with you, I have a nostalgic lilt towards the old-school, chunky leather hiking boots. That may be next thing in which to save up and invest.
Both the article and the comments were thoughtful expression of my split feelings between "retro reliables" and new technology advancements that make life outdoors safer and more enjoyable.
"I’ve always liked to see mountaineers with their duct taped down jackets, the dive guides with the threadbare wetsuits, and the old skipper with his scratched up Seiko. That’s proper use. That is respecting the quality and intention of that equipment."
If I've gotta choose one piece of gear, it's my Barbour x Tokito Military Jacket. Waxed cotton, fraying at the sleeves, small tears here and there that I've stitched up myself over the years. I bought it when work was slow and I was next to broke, but I knew if I didn't jump on it I'd never find it again. Probably paid double for it after credit card interest, but every time I put it on I smile. It's also my most complimented piece of anything I own.
Great article Jason, as always. We do devour “new” and shun old in a way that people sometimes know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
I have often reflected when out on a chilly dog walk in the woods that the likes of Mallory climbed on Everest and summited other mountains with Hobnail Boots, Hemp rope and a nice set of tweeds, and here I am “braving” the elements in the latest Gore-Tex etc. with other tech about my person that he couldn’t possibly dream of (although my woollen underwear probably has more in common with his than I’d admit to in certain circles).
To broaden your point from leisure activities alone and go a little off topic, I shudder when I think of my Firefighter colleagues who only hay their yellow plastic leggings removed from service in May of 1990 (whoever thought plastic leggings in a burning building was a good idea!! ). My kit today is rated to 475 deg Celsius (887 Fahrenheit) and we still on occasion get burns through it. Also Spare a thought too for combatants in previous conflicts and the kit they had at their disposal (think the trenches in WWI, SOE agents escaping over the Pyrenees in everyday civilian clothes or Paras & Marines marching across the Falklands to Port Stanley in cotton, the list goes on…)
I too don’t advocate we make adventures more difficult for the sake of it, anyone can be uncomfortable and there have never been any cool point awarded at the end of any adventure I’ve been on.
However as with so many things in life (and watches), sometimes less is indeed more.
I have a pair of nondescript old walking boots that I've had for about 7 or 8 years now. My parents bought me them when I was about 16 and they have steadfastly gone with me everywhere, from the glaciers of Prince William Sound to hiking in the Grand Canyon and well beyond to the beaches of Ireland and visiting family in the Alps. They might be worn and falling apart but they're so full of memories that I refuse to get rid of them.
I am absolutely in tune with your love of good old kit. I own and use my Chippewa mountaineering boots purchased in 1982. They are heavy, so they are relegated to cold/wet winter hiking. Still, when I put put them I am reminded of miles covered in the past.
Same as my Tony Lama boots purchased in 1979 during a brief sojourn as a surveyor in Wyoming and my leather jacket (a gift from my wife) that has travelled around the world since 1992.
Good kit with regular maintenance will last a lifetime.
I almost broke the bank when I bought my Lundhags shell boots years ago. It turned out to be my favorite outdoor gear. Strap them on and you're ready for whatever nature throw at you.
Great article, Jason. It can be so easy to get caught up in the latest and greatest new gear.
While it's always fun to try new gear, over the past few years I've tried to do a better job of embracing the gear I already own and love. Some of my favorite older pieces of gear is an Osprey daypack, North Face fleece, REI hiking pants, Sidi cycling shoes (both mountain & road shoes), and my Bianchi road bike.
Love it! Pretty much on a daily basis at the moment, I wear my Icebreaker Merino Hoodie- 13 yrs old, MacPac Waterproof 8 yrs old and an ancient pair of Salomon Walking Shoes. They were all a bit too expensive at the time, but have proved amazing value on a £/wear basis. Long may they last!
This is a tricky one for sure. I think my favorite piece of gear over the years has been my wooly pully sweater (the brand that made what you called the commando sweater, but also the USMC issue sweater for many years). Been to hell and back with me, and I’ve worn them all over the world in terrible conditions. They’re usually the start of any winter wardrobe, because (after dalliances with synthetics) I’ve decided I much prefer wool as an insulator than whatever fancy primaloft they’ve come out with this week. And, when I’m fat and old, I’ll probably be able to pass them on to my kids.
Sometimes not having the right gear or not having any can make things interesting and force you to take some initiative. Back-packing in New Zealand we had to climb up and over a high point and then partway down to a hut. Of course I only had tennis shoes and light pants. And of course it started snowing (pretty hard too). Getting cold I slipped on plastic bread bags over my wet socks and wrapped a tee-shirt around my head. It did the trick and kept me warm enough until we got to the hut. I hadn't planned on a hiking in New Zealand and only brought gear for the more tropical climates of Australia and Asia. Glad I didn't have to try to make a shelter out of sticks and moss.
My favorite piece of ‘old gear’ is a shotgun I use every fall. It’s nothing fancy, just a Remington 870 Wingmaster pump gun in 20 gauge. It belonged to my great grandpa, then passed down to my grandpa and my uncle, and now to me. My son (5th generation) is almost big/old enough to use it so I’ll be upgrading to something new-ish once it’s his turn to take over hunting with it. But that gun will always be in our family and it makes me happy thinking about a piece of old gear being made new for the next bird hunter in our family.
Spot on, Jason. The inspiration one gets from trying on new gear, thinking about when and where to use it, the way it stimulates some kind of action is easy to underestimate. The best example is perhaps new running shoes; how quickly you feel the the difference from your old pair (or rather pairs), and how much you just want to get out and run.
But putting your gear to the test through a one-year shopping pause is a good method. If something is worn, it does not matter. If it gets broken, you mend it. If it is broken beyond repair, you look for the closest substitute in your closet. If there is no substitute (one might have only one pair of ski goggles, or ski boots, or ski poles) it is ok to go to the store. And yes, one should if possible support one’s local store.
And of course, buy quality, stuff that lasts, that can be fixed, that improves with age. Not all quality is expensive. And not all expensive has quality (this is where your local store comes in).
And assuming that one has a biannual shopping pause; do not be afraid to upgrade. New and better things do come along. But the more one invests in quality, the less one needs to upgrade.
Until the very latest carbon running shoe is launched, that is.
Man, this post hits home for me in a big way. Over the past 3-4 years, I have bought a lot of new gear specifically with the intention of doing exactly what you're talking about here: using it, using it well, taking care of it, and in a way, honoring it by getting the most out of it.
My go-tos have been my Guide Pro pants, Kirkland-brand wool socks from Costco ($30 for a 6-pack?! It's a steal for how good they are,) a wool watch cap from Sanborn Canoe, and any number of wool sweaters (I love my LL Bean commando sweater- thanks for the tip!) I would love to someday own an Aran fisherman sweater from Ireland, but they don't really cater to 6'3" guys with 38" long arms.
I've also got an old pair of Keen hiking shoes that are on their last legs. The seams are staring to let water in, so it may be time to send them out to pasture. I am with you, I have a nostalgic lilt towards the old-school, chunky leather hiking boots. That may be next thing in which to save up and invest.
Fantastic read, as always. Cheers!
Absolutely wonderful article. Hits all the right points and love the diving origin story.
Both the article and the comments were thoughtful expression of my split feelings between "retro reliables" and new technology advancements that make life outdoors safer and more enjoyable.
"I’ve always liked to see mountaineers with their duct taped down jackets, the dive guides with the threadbare wetsuits, and the old skipper with his scratched up Seiko. That’s proper use. That is respecting the quality and intention of that equipment."
If I've gotta choose one piece of gear, it's my Barbour x Tokito Military Jacket. Waxed cotton, fraying at the sleeves, small tears here and there that I've stitched up myself over the years. I bought it when work was slow and I was next to broke, but I knew if I didn't jump on it I'd never find it again. Probably paid double for it after credit card interest, but every time I put it on I smile. It's also my most complimented piece of anything I own.
Great article Jason, as always. We do devour “new” and shun old in a way that people sometimes know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
I have often reflected when out on a chilly dog walk in the woods that the likes of Mallory climbed on Everest and summited other mountains with Hobnail Boots, Hemp rope and a nice set of tweeds, and here I am “braving” the elements in the latest Gore-Tex etc. with other tech about my person that he couldn’t possibly dream of (although my woollen underwear probably has more in common with his than I’d admit to in certain circles).
To broaden your point from leisure activities alone and go a little off topic, I shudder when I think of my Firefighter colleagues who only hay their yellow plastic leggings removed from service in May of 1990 (whoever thought plastic leggings in a burning building was a good idea!! ). My kit today is rated to 475 deg Celsius (887 Fahrenheit) and we still on occasion get burns through it. Also Spare a thought too for combatants in previous conflicts and the kit they had at their disposal (think the trenches in WWI, SOE agents escaping over the Pyrenees in everyday civilian clothes or Paras & Marines marching across the Falklands to Port Stanley in cotton, the list goes on…)
I too don’t advocate we make adventures more difficult for the sake of it, anyone can be uncomfortable and there have never been any cool point awarded at the end of any adventure I’ve been on.
However as with so many things in life (and watches), sometimes less is indeed more.
Take care-stay safe.
Ollie
I have a pair of nondescript old walking boots that I've had for about 7 or 8 years now. My parents bought me them when I was about 16 and they have steadfastly gone with me everywhere, from the glaciers of Prince William Sound to hiking in the Grand Canyon and well beyond to the beaches of Ireland and visiting family in the Alps. They might be worn and falling apart but they're so full of memories that I refuse to get rid of them.
Jason,
Another great piece!
I am absolutely in tune with your love of good old kit. I own and use my Chippewa mountaineering boots purchased in 1982. They are heavy, so they are relegated to cold/wet winter hiking. Still, when I put put them I am reminded of miles covered in the past.
Same as my Tony Lama boots purchased in 1979 during a brief sojourn as a surveyor in Wyoming and my leather jacket (a gift from my wife) that has travelled around the world since 1992.
Good kit with regular maintenance will last a lifetime.
I almost broke the bank when I bought my Lundhags shell boots years ago. It turned out to be my favorite outdoor gear. Strap them on and you're ready for whatever nature throw at you.
Great article, Jason. It can be so easy to get caught up in the latest and greatest new gear.
While it's always fun to try new gear, over the past few years I've tried to do a better job of embracing the gear I already own and love. Some of my favorite older pieces of gear is an Osprey daypack, North Face fleece, REI hiking pants, Sidi cycling shoes (both mountain & road shoes), and my Bianchi road bike.
Love it! Pretty much on a daily basis at the moment, I wear my Icebreaker Merino Hoodie- 13 yrs old, MacPac Waterproof 8 yrs old and an ancient pair of Salomon Walking Shoes. They were all a bit too expensive at the time, but have proved amazing value on a £/wear basis. Long may they last!
As my wife says (normally after having just bought something eye wateringly expensive) “buy right, buy once”.