I've had a few 10+ year old packsĀ that took on regular use with solid durability. One was a Camelbak pack that I eventually retired when it started to fail in many different areas and the fabric delaminated. There was no easy repair option. It was like breaking up with a long-term GF and to this day I still reach for it only to remember it's history.
I also have an Ortlieb pack that's 15 years old or more. Its claim to fame was that it was 100% waterproof. It's now about 90% waterproof with the bottom full of tiny pinprick holes. I've thought of getting a new version because being fully waterproof was nice for stuff like hauling a $$ camera or laptop in Coastal BC winter weather. I've also thought about trying to repair it with various sealant products, but nothing comes to mind that wouldn't be so F-ugly I'd be disinclined to want to keep using the pack.
Given how hard it is to find a sweet pack that fits great and has all the features you want without a ton of features you don't want having a local repair option to keep it in service as long as possible is very nice. Especially when, as you note, sending a pack back for warranty/repair work from Canada isn't super financially practical/environmentally sensible.
May 19, 2022, 6:49 a.m. - Vik Banerjee
I've had a few 10+ year old packsĀ that took on regular use with solid durability. One was a Camelbak pack that I eventually retired when it started to fail in many different areas and the fabric delaminated. There was no easy repair option. It was like breaking up with a long-term GF and to this day I still reach for it only to remember it's history. I also have an Ortlieb pack that's 15 years old or more. Its claim to fame was that it was 100% waterproof. It's now about 90% waterproof with the bottom full of tiny pinprick holes. I've thought of getting a new version because being fully waterproof was nice for stuff like hauling a $$ camera or laptop in Coastal BC winter weather. I've also thought about trying to repair it with various sealant products, but nothing comes to mind that wouldn't be so F-ugly I'd be disinclined to want to keep using the pack. Given how hard it is to find a sweet pack that fits great and has all the features you want without a ton of features you don't want having a local repair option to keep it in service as long as possible is very nice. Especially when, as you note, sending a pack back for warranty/repair work from Canada isn't super financially practical/environmentally sensible.