In a world where consumer capitalism seems to take precedence, the lure of buying new is hard to resist.

The High-Quality Outdoor Gear Investment

Getting new gear is exciting. We get it. As an outdoor retailer, we’re not trying to discourage you from purchasing new items altogether, because let’s be honest, it’s what keeps the business afloat. However, buying more wisely and investing in longer-lasting, high-quality outdoor gear is a sure way to help avoid the Anthropocene we humans have inevitably fallen into.

Unfortunately, the consumerism epidemic isn’t just damaging society; it’s damaging the environment, too. Movements like the fast fashion movement and the never-ending cycle of large-scale brands churning out new ‘on trend’ products, whether clothing or other items, are literally costing the Earth. This is why, here at Trekitt, we like to make things last. It’s also why we sell things that do, too!

The art of making things last

While all quality outdoor gear has a baseline for longevity (that baseline depends on the product in question), there are also different things that we can do to help our kit last even longer, whether it’s a pair of leather walking boots, a well-loved backpack or a waterproof jacket that has seen one too many wet British summers. Practising the art of making our clothing and equipment last has enormous benefits, and those benefits don’t have to be solely environmental, either.

Creating relationships with our outdoor gear?

When we care for and look after our gear, we can add years to its lifespan. During those extra years, we will accumulate more memories of the adventures that those pieces of gear accompanied us on. That pair of boots you’ve owned for a decade or the backpack you’ve had for even longer becomes sentimental. Once something becomes sentimental, you become more attached to it, meaning you want to care for it further and avoid saying your goodbyes to it. This little loop not only allows us to appreciate items that are worn and well-loved, but it helps to keep them out of landfills, too, which in turn is (of course) better for the environment. It’s a cycle! But how do we actually make these things last even longer than they already would?

How To Make Quality Outdoor Gear Last Longer

There are a variety of ways that we can help our clothing and equipment to last longer, even when they’re being used regularly in rugged environments.

Buy good-quality, well-fitted, durable products

Admittedly, higher-quality outdoor gear comes with a higher price point. However, don’t let this put you off. It’s far more likely that the pair of walking shoes you see on sale for £24.99 will last a year or two at best, compared to the more expensive ones.

Buying the cheaper option often means you’ll continue unnecessarily spending money on new items because your cheap first-choice has broken or failed; this quickly amounts to hundreds of pounds lost and a lot of waste created! Despite the higher cost, choosing a product made with quality materials will actually save you money in the long run, as it’ll likely last you for years, if not decades.

Quality outdoor gear from well-established outdoor brands also often comes with product guarantees and repair options to ensure it won’t just end up in landfill.

Doing a little extra research before you make a purchase, reading the reviews, and trying a product on before you buy it will also ensure that, as time goes by, you don’t suddenly feel unsatisfied with your purchase or realise that it’s not actually what you need for your intended use.

Trekitt is here to help

Trekitt’s Assortment and Purchasing Team works incredibly hard to pick durable products with the highest performance standards for various activities and experience levels. However, we know our range can be a little extensive, and that narrowing down the best choice for you can be tricky.

If you need help making a decision, why not contact our fantastic customer service team or even visit us in-store at our Hereford Service Centre? With Trekitt, you can get expert advice on clothing, boots and equipment and even arrange fitting appointments to ensure you purchase the correct size.

Look after your gear

Whether it’s clothing, footwear or equipment, if you don’t look after your gear, your gear won’t look after you. The best way to get years and years of performance out of your items is to take care of them; keep them clean, store them properly and don’t neglect them.

We stock various care products that will help you do this, including Nikwax Tech Wash for clothing and insulation, and Grangers Footwear Cleaners for walking shoes and boots. Using technical cleaners instead of usual household detergents has many benefits. For example, it can help remove odour-causing bacteria from your clothing that builds up as you sweat. Cleaning your footwear is also essential for helping to prevent it from further damage, cracking, splitting, or leaking.

If you’ve never used technical cleaners before, they’re pretty simple to use. Guides are also usually provided on the packaging of care products to help. If you want to be extra sure, you can even check out the guides on our YouTube channel. For example, why not check out our ‘How To Clean Your Leather Walking Boots’ guide, shown below?

Being mindful when choosing outdoor gear

Being mindful of what your gear is built for also helps it last longer. Suppose you wear a super lightweight trail running jacket to go mountaineering across a rugged, rocky landscape. In that case, it’s very likely the jacket will rip, as it’s not designed for this purpose or these environments.

Therefore, make sure you do your research when you’re looking to purchase a new piece of kit. We can’t stress this enough! Read the descriptions. Ask questions. Look at the reviews. There is so much information out there to help you make an informed decision. Our own website is a great tool for this, as it features extensive product descriptions, comparison tools and even a product rating system, which is slowly being rolled out to more technical products across the Trekitt website. Our YouTube channel also features a range of ‘Inside Look’ videos that give you a more in-depth, visual outdoor gear review of particular products.

Once again, if you’re feeling a little stuck or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team is happy to help you find the right item for your adventures!

If you enjoyed this blog, then why not check out our previous post, covering ‘Trekitt’s Top Ten Eco-Conscious Outdoor Products’ by clicking here.

Got a question? Contact Trekitt

Reach out to us on our social media channels, whether Facebook or Instagram, via email at [email protected], or call our friendly customer service team on 01432 263 335. If you’re local to Hereford, why not visit us in-store? You can speak to one of our lovely staff members in person and get some hands-on assistance with finding the right product.

Written by Rachel Tooley.