Backpacks got worse on purpose

Post by mvdtnz » Wed, Apr 15, 2026, 6:41 PM UTC

drBonkers wrote: post #149

MostlyStable wrote: post #55

While I personally find this kind of thing extremely annoying, to me, the main problem is the _difficulty_ of determining quality. The Donut media guys did a (relatively unscientific) video comparing a whole bunch of products from the 50s to modern day across several price points. What they found was that the things that "looked" the same now were simultaneously worse and also much cheaper. They also found that, if i…

> They also found that, if inflation adjusted, you get could, in most categories, the same or better quality for the same price. I argue you must evaluate against median purchasing power; it accounts for inflation and (lack of) wage increases. Comments from your linked video: > The problem with the “adjusted for inflation” argument is that it does not factor in buying power. The increase in wages has risen at out hal…

Post by _whiteCaps_ » Wed, Apr 15, 2026, 6:53 PM UTC

kstenerud wrote: post #244

34679 wrote: post #170

If you're looking for a backpack, I can't recommend Osprey enough. They are still a independent US company with a lifetime warranty they actually stand by. I had to call their customer service just last week after I ordered the wrong size bag. I was connected to an actual human immediately, and he sent me a prepaid return label, even though it was my fault and I was fully expecting to pay for return shipping myself.…

Osprey USED to be good, but their quality has been on a sharp decline for the past decade. The Farpoint is a case in point. I have an older one where the mini-backpack actually zipped onto the bigger one, and had a proper lifting handle integrated for lifting when it's lying flat (among other niceties). I accidentally left butter in it, and the smell was so bad that no amount of cleaning would expunge it. I just boug…

Post by furyofantares » Wed, Apr 15, 2026, 6:56 PM UTC

tencentshill wrote: post #49

furyofantares wrote: post #16

> I'll be writing about those next. I doubt it, you didn't write about this! You prompted it and signed your name to it.

Keyana Sapp is the "author" Good to know they hire that kind of incompetence at Palantir. It makes them less effective.

Post by consumer451 » Wed, Apr 15, 2026, 7:06 PM UTC

theideaofcoffee wrote: post #260

consumer451 wrote: post #9

I spent way too much money on a Peak Design backpack. 4 years in, the zipper broke. They honored the lifetime warranty, and swapped me for a brand new one. That was my first time ever dealing with such a high-end product and a lifetime warranty. Just sharing because it was a good experience.

+1 for Peak Design. I have yet to use the warranty, but the thing still looks new after lots and lots of travel, shoving under seats, tossed into train and bus overhead bins. The only real wear is the corners of the metal clip for the flap. Expensive, but in this case, you get what you pay for.

Post by IAmBroom » Wed, Apr 15, 2026, 7:10 PM UTC

palmotea wrote: post #155

fwipsy wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perhaps it's gotten harder to determine by eye, but Google will still point you towards trustworthy brands in 2 minutes. The problem is people don't care or can't be bothered to Google.

> Perhaps it's gotten harder to determine by eye, but Google will still point you towards trustworthy brands in 2 minutes. One of the main points of the article is you cannot rely on the brand to determine quality. The marketers know how to exploit a reputation for quality and information asymmetries to push crappy goods, for instance: > Walmart's JanSport and REI's JanSport are not the same bag. But they carry the s…