North Face:
Fifteen years ago, I bought a backpack made by Alameda-based North
Face. Thousands of backpacking miles
later, not a stitch has popped, not a buckle has broken – the thing doesn’t
even smell bad. Best of all, The North Face folks anticipated
wishes that I didn’t develop until years after I bought the pack. “I wish this thing had a place for a water
bladder – oh look, it does!” Or “I wish
there was another compartment right here – oh, look, there is!” Mountain Hardwear: For more than a decade, Richmond-based Mountain Hardwear has been my go-to supplier for camping-and-backpacking clothing and gear. I do not own a Mountain Hardwear backpack. Perhaps I never will – my North Face pack seems indestructible. Based on my experience with their tents and other gear, however, I certainly will shop Mountain Hardwear if I’m ever in the market for a backpack again.
Patagonia: With Ventura-based Patagonia, you
get what you pay for. What you pay is a
lot. What you get is exactly what you
want. Patagonia’s gear and clothing
looks great, it works perfectly, and it is manufactured as ethically and
sustainably as reasonably possible. I
own a broad cross-section of Patagonia backpacking gear, all of which may very
well last me forever.
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