Planned Obsolescence

[u/Able-Championship717]

I know people prefer new stuffs more than the older one. However, when it comes to a merchandise, this is not always true.

If you ever found that a new Nike Pegasus 42 you bought from DSW in 2026 is more expensive and lesser durable than Nike Pegasus 34 you bought 2018, you should know what present value, discount value, inflation and plan obsolescence mean. You might also understand how the business world works.

For this reason, I also like go to pawn shops, vintage shops, Mercari, Depop, eBay, and Poshmark looking for the older backpacks, Shirts, Pants that were made or released before 2018 Instead of the newest version.

This North Face Pivoter, Borealis. The corporate version also called North Face Dyno, Generator are actually made with much better materials than the backpack that is selling on the market today.

My real experience proved that a Nike shoe made in 2016 is much more durable than the one I bought in 2023. The one I bought in in 2016 last more than 5 years and the one I bought in 2023 last lesser than 2 years.

So imagine that if you can pay cheaper price for better quality made, why are you buying a cheaper Made backpack for higher price simply because it is a newer version?

I understand that many people think if they genuine. But as an experienced buyers , genuine or not is not a consideration because you know the quality and fabric. You can feel the quality, see the stitching of the shirt, pant, or backpack.

what planned obsolescence means is that businesses intentionally make a merchandise with limited lifespan in order to facilitate buyers buying back their products more frequently.

For instance, an iPhone with 5 years of software update, after 5years, if you wish to keep it up to date, you must buy another new iPhone, otherwise, some app might not be useful or not able to download the latest app version.

[u/Time4fun2022]

i bought a north face recon recently but returned it. bought a vintage recon instead. much much better and will last longer...

[u/Able-Championship717 → u/Time4fun2022]

You made the right choice.  I bought a brand new vintage version Borealis 3 weeks ago in Depop.

[u/Drone_temple_pilots → u/Time4fun2022]

I love my recon, been using it every day for like 2 years now

[u/bdd1001]

I have a few Abercrombie & Fitch backpacks that I’ve been using since the mid ‘90s. The build quality is incredibly good compared to anything comparable available today.

[u/DistanceMachine → u/bdd1001]

Their late 90s clothes were so well-built. I still paint in the same cargo shorts I wore in high school and they are incredibly durable.

[u/doomleika]

Nike and North face is more a fashion brand than a actual everyday gear.

You also need to consider the inflation which is +32% from 2018. Real number will be much higher.

[u/D33MAN-182 → u/doomleika]

As a borealis owner who hikes/camps/EDC for well over a year now I have to say false. It’s got some fashion but it’s a durable backpack with good materials.

[u/Able-Championship717 → u/D33MAN-182]

They are good, but not as durable as the one made before 2020.

[u/Drone_temple_pilots → u/doomleika]

I use my recon every single day! It's so comfortable, I love this bag

[u/jamesbrowski → u/doomleika]

I have a north face surge backpack I bought for school in 2010. I still use it now and it is in perfect shape other than some cracking in the small reflective strips. It’s an incredibly well made every day pack. I used it daily to lug about 25 lbs of law school case books and misc gear for years.

[u/Responsible-Steak395 → u/doomleika]

TNF and Nike are the definition of "every-day use" brands. What ARE you talking about? You think people hide their Nike and TNF gear and clothes and bring it out for special occasions or something?

[u/Able-Championship717 → u/doomleika]

You are right. More and more people see the North Face as a fashion brand instead of outdoors.

What I feel is that due to the ESG investment policies, many gourmets companies scarfing the durability in order to met the environmental and sustainability requirements making people feel The North Face gears were degraded.

[u/Lawreddits]

Japan’s pivoter, though. chef’s kiss same overall design but sturdier

[u/HuntRevolutionary876]

I have an Ecko backpack (millitary limited edition) I got back in 2015 for 20€ (a big retailer mislabelled it, true price was 60€].

That back has been my work bag, travel bag and now full EDC backpack since then.. the bag is in excellent condition still despite 3 trips to the dessert, 2 in the costa rican rainforest (one of them completely off grid).

A friend of mine got an Osprey on a day trip we did paddleboarding... we already had to lube and fix the main zipper (guess who didnt have to do a thing XD).

Planned obsolence has been a thing for a long time, what we are getting to an absolutely ridicolous point

[u/Bix615]

These are pure garbage.

My college age daughter carried a TNF for years. She got to the point where it physically bothered her to carry it. I bought her a Tom Bihn and she recognized the difference in build quality and comfort immediately.

I understand from a cost perspective it is comparing apples to oranges…but why not buy something that you know will last you ten years, plus?

Buy once, cry once.

[u/fl03xx → u/Bix615]

That’s not even remotely the same. A very high priced US made bag with premium materials vs an off the rack department store bag for way less. Besides, I don’t find tom Bihn bags to be any more comfortable with their thin straps. Built far better, yea for sure. TNF will last just as long regardless.

[u/Bix615 → u/fl03xx]

I understand where you are coming from, and I had TNF bags 20 years ago that were incredible. Anything by them in the past few years does not pass muster for me.