What luxury items are not worth it?

[myrdale]

Arcteryx clothing (their jackets) are something I don't think is worth the spend. It's very exclusive, distribution is limited so when you want one, you find it and pay the price. Are they worth $400-$500 more than a perfectly good Columbia or Patagonia jacket? No, not for keeping you warm or dry. It's like The North Face on steroids, remember 25 years ago when those were all the rage? They're still nice, but as a middle-upper class symbol of athleisure clothing, they're much more common now.

I wasn't aware Arcteryx thought so highly of their jackets.

I own a Patagonia micro puff jacket which I paid around $250 for about 8 years ago. I purchased it for backpacking because of how light it is, but I've ended up using it for about 4 months a year since. I thought it was expensive at the time but I've gotten my money back several times over.

If Arcteryx is marketing towards people who actually need it for outdoor activities (I'm thinking skiing and the like) then $1000 price tag isn't so unreasonable. If people are purchasing them so they'll look cool when they go to the grocery store, well that is a different case.

I've been considering purchasing a couple of new sweaters lately. I've come across Blarney Woolen Mills. They're upwards of $150-$200, but I'd expect them to last for a decade or longer.

Canadian Goose is on the high end also, but worth it if you're working in Antarctica .

Stone Island and Supreme are just stupid.

[Fishindude77]

In hunting gear the high end muckety mucks are all very proud of their Sitka Gear and Kuiu clothing and accessories.
With a complete layering system of their clothing including underwear, socks, mid layers, insulation layers and waterproof outerwear you could easily wrap up $2000 or more.

I probably spend as many days in the field hunting as anybody and have yet to find the need for that stuff, nor have I suffered and frozen miserably.
I'll put that money toward the next trip and get along fine in my mid priced gear.

[disneysteve]

I probably spend as many days in the field hunting as anybody and have yet to find the need for that stuff

I think that's really the key to any of this. Nobody "needs" luxury items. That's part of what makes them luxury items. A Chevy will get you to work just as well as a Mclaren. A Timex will tell you the time just as well as a Patek Phillipe. A Nine West handbag will carry your junk as effectively as a Louis Vuitton bag. Once you've met the utility function of an item, anything above and beyond that is purely "want" not "need".

[ua_guy]

There's big money in recreational hiking in these parts and same thing... people show up with a couple grand in gear to do a 2-mile hike. It's overkill to me, it's the same trail I do in a pair of trail sneaks and athletic shorts/shirt.

[disneysteve]

There's big money in recreational hiking in these parts and same thing... people show up with a couple grand in gear to do a 2-mile hike. It's overkill to me, it's the same trail I do in a pair of trail sneaks and athletic shorts/shirt.

I was "hiking" at the Grand Canyon a few weeks ago. I was wearing my basic New Balance sneakers that I wear every day for everything except the gym. Others were in a wide variety of hiking shoes, many of which I'm sure cost a lot more than mine. I got up and down the rocks just as well as everyone else.

[ua_guy]

I was "hiking" at the Grand Canyon a few weeks ago. I was wearing my basic New Balance sneakers that I wear every day for everything except the gym. Others were in a wide variety of hiking shoes, many of which I'm sure cost a lot more than mine. I got up and down the rocks just as well as everyone else.

One of my things is buying good footwear, but I don't do luxury stuff. Basic New Balance sneaks are great but I find I wear out most everyday sneakers pretty quickly. I've always been tall, and with that comes a bit more weight. The world of hiking shoes/sneakers is amazing for us clydesdales. They take so much more abuse. Like all-terrain tires, they're all-terrain shoes. I've been buying Merrell and Solomon brands when they go on sale. Normally about $130/pair I was getting them for under $100 and they seem to last significantly longer than a highway shoe, or basic athletic trainer.

I also spend on a good pair of boots with a reinforced toe for outdoor projects and work. $350 for a pair of Danner Quarry USA boots, and they are going the distance. Are those luxury? I don't think so, they're competitive for a truly good boot.

[disneysteve]

One of my things is buying good footwear, but I don't do luxury stuff. Basic New Balance sneaks are great but I find I wear out most everyday sneakers pretty quickly. I've always been tall, and with that comes a bit more weight. The world of hiking shoes/sneakers is amazing for us clydesdales. They take so much more abuse. Like all-terrain tires, they're all-terrain shoes. I've been buying Merrell and Solomon brands when they go on sale. Normally about $130/pair I was getting them for under $100 and they seem to last significantly longer than a highway shoe, or basic athletic trainer.

I also spend on a good pair of boots with a reinforced toe for outdoor projects and work. $350 for a pair of Danner Quarry USA boots, and they are going the distance. Are those luxury? I don't think so, they're competitive for a truly good boot.

If I was planning to do any serious hiking, I would have dressed differently. We were just doing a day tour and I was not expecting to do the climbing that we ended up doing.

[Fishindude77]

Regarding footwear, that is one area of hunting gear where I buy premium priced.
If you are doing any kind of mountain hunting for elk, etc. in steep rugged terrain you need high quality boots such as Meindl, Kenetrek, Schnees, etc.
Twice I've seen where different buddies lower cost Danner boots literally fell apart. They finished the trip with sore wet feet and boots held together with duct tape,

[disneysteve]

Regarding footwear, that is one area of hunting gear where I buy premium priced.
If you are doing any kind of mountain hunting for elk, etc. in steep rugged terrain you need high quality boots such as Meindl, Kenetrek, Schnees, etc.
Twice I've seen where different buddies lower cost Danner boots literally fell apart. They finished the trip with sore wet feet and boots held together with duct tape,

I don't hunt but I agree that good footwear is well worth the cost. For running, as soon as I bought myself some quality running shoes (Brooks) and stopped using lower end stuff, suddenly my knees stopped hurting. Almost immediately. My previous ones weren't cheap. They were probably $60 or $70. But when I switched to the $150 ones, there was a world of difference. I wouldn't call $150 running shoes luxury items, but I guess it depends on your point of view.

[ua_guy]

Regarding footwear, that is one area of hunting gear where I buy premium priced.
If you are doing any kind of mountain hunting for elk, etc. in steep rugged terrain you need high quality boots such as Meindl, Kenetrek, Schnees, etc.
Twice I've seen where different buddies lower cost Danner boots literally fell apart. They finished the trip with sore wet feet and boots held together with duct tape,

That's disappointing about Danner. I've only had Quarrys from them. What initially drew me is they're actually made in the US and Danner stands behind them. HQ'd here in the Northwest. For a work boot they're a good product, never had them out hunting though.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

i'm all about good footwear. 20 years brooks adrenalines and nothing else. I didn't even have a ton of money when i started but broke my foot and was told to use good sneakers with insert supports. I've never stopped since. I just bought the same model and size. DH finally is feeling it and switched after the person at the store called his nike costco brand ****. LOL. He's like when did you start wearing $150 shoes. I said 20 years ago and i never stopped. Guess i just inveted in health earlier.

[myrdale]

Good Feet is a company that sells shoe inserts. It is my opinion that they are a cult. If your at all aware of "balance bands" they ran some of that propaganda on me. Basically they push against your shoulders and you stumble back, then after sizing the insert they repeat the push. They want to sell you three sets of inserts at $500 each. I purchased one set only. I will admit they absolutely helped my feet, it is a good product. But the theatrics they went through was nonsense, and buying more than one set (at least for me) was non-sense.

[srblanco7]

I can not think of any luxury items that I'd consider as being "worth it". I do try to purchase quality items - brooks running shoes and no bull gym shoes, garmin smartwatch, etc.

[ua_guy]

Colognes and Perfumes seem to be a lot less popular these days. A lot of office cultures have been discouraging use in those settings as a matter of policy for more than a decade now. I don't think I've ever had an expensive cologne. I know highly sought after brands can bring serious money for their scents but it's not something that's worth it to me.

[pacerob]

Luxury labels often reflect branding and marketing more than true craftsmanship, so researching materials and customer feedback is essential before purchasing. Reviews on the Country Store Catalog page at PissedConsumer highlight its selection of home goods and apparel, helping shoppers make informed, value-focused decisions.