i love durable, dependable gear -- maybe a bit too much:
* i bought a pair of pearl izumi shorts from the discount rack at my LBS in 2016 that are still going strong and showing virtually no signs of wear. i use them on the bike, for running, playing soccer -- basically any and all physical activity.
* i have a pair of pearl izumi shoulder-season gloves i bought from that shop beside mighty riders in 2014 that are only just looking like they'll need imminent replacement. wear them on and off the bike for 4-6 months of the year. pi stuff just lasts, i'm surprised not to see more of it on this page
* the specialized therminal tights i reviewed for nsmb back in 2014 are still going strong. i probably wear them on ~30-40 rides a year and on the odd time i run during the winter. i replaced the defroster boots after a couple of years on the shore with another pair that see lots of action (pretty much any ride that is cold and/or wet) but less abuse and are holding up just fine 4 years in
* i have several pairs of bikeco branded merino sock guy socks that just won't die. i used to buy a couple of pairs every few years, but haven't been up the S2S in 3 years and still have a bin full of them. again, used for all activity except when it gets really cold; they're looking pretty beat but refuse to die
* i have a couple of ice-breaker t shirts that are probably 5 years old. like the pi shorts and sg socks i wear them pretty much any time i'm going to sweat. they're pretty trashed -- both have torn sleeves from crashes and virtually see-through patches -- but they fit and work so well i'm having a hard time giving them up
i'm not at all adverse to spending more up front for durability and performance. but i haven't found much of a correlation between good reputation, reviews and high prices, and actual durability -- more often companies that claim longevity seem to rely on a generous warranty, rather than quality construction and materials, to back it up. i'm looking at you arc'teryx, mission workshop, rapha, and search and state :-(
Nov. 11, 2021, 8:06 a.m. - boomforeal
i love durable, dependable gear -- maybe a bit too much: * i bought a pair of pearl izumi shorts from the discount rack at my LBS in 2016 that are still going strong and showing virtually no signs of wear. i use them on the bike, for running, playing soccer -- basically any and all physical activity. * i have a pair of pearl izumi shoulder-season gloves i bought from that shop beside mighty riders in 2014 that are only just looking like they'll need imminent replacement. wear them on and off the bike for 4-6 months of the year. pi stuff just lasts, i'm surprised not to see more of it on this page * the specialized therminal tights i reviewed for nsmb back in 2014 are still going strong. i probably wear them on ~30-40 rides a year and on the odd time i run during the winter. i replaced the defroster boots after a couple of years on the shore with another pair that see lots of action (pretty much any ride that is cold and/or wet) but less abuse and are holding up just fine 4 years in * i have several pairs of bikeco branded merino sock guy socks that just won't die. i used to buy a couple of pairs every few years, but haven't been up the S2S in 3 years and still have a bin full of them. again, used for all activity except when it gets really cold; they're looking pretty beat but refuse to die * i have a couple of ice-breaker t shirts that are probably 5 years old. like the pi shorts and sg socks i wear them pretty much any time i'm going to sweat. they're pretty trashed -- both have torn sleeves from crashes and virtually see-through patches -- but they fit and work so well i'm having a hard time giving them up i'm not at all adverse to spending more up front for durability and performance. but i haven't found much of a correlation between good reputation, reviews and high prices, and actual durability -- more often companies that claim longevity seem to rely on a generous warranty, rather than quality construction and materials, to back it up. i'm looking at you arc'teryx, mission workshop, rapha, and search and state :-(