I like old gear, making a high quality piece of kit last a long time is a point of pride for me. For tripping I understand the newer ultra light stuff is in a new class at times— but the phrase “they don’t make em like they used to” often rings true for me. Woolrich stuff, for one example.

But My favorite piece of OLD wearable gear, by far, is a Lands End parka that is absolutely stuffed with down and has a great fluffy coyote ruff on the hood. I have yet to experience the slightest sensation of cold in this thing. I don’t have a sense of how old it actually is. It was made in Canada and has the old “direct merchants” tag. I inherited it from a family member in the 90s, he had used it in Alaska before moving back to the Midwest.

I have newer and lighter winter gear, but nothing beats the old yote.

So, what’s hiding in your closet? (Literally)

I have a Pendleton hip length wool jacket I bought at the Ben Franklin store in Grand Marais in 1969. Still in great shape. Had the cuffs re-hemmed about 30 years ago. Nice fall or early spring jacket. Wore it on my last trip to Grand Marais two years ago. Was shopping in the same store and mentioned to the clerk that I bought the jacket I was wearing there in 1969. She wasn't impressed.

Have a Levi's jean jacket of similar vintage (but it's feeling a little tight).

jhb8426: "I have a Pendleton hip length wool jacket I bought at the Ben Franklin store in Grand Marais in 1969. Still in great shape. Had the cuffs re-hemmed about 30 years ago. Nice fall or early spring jacket. Wore it on my last trip to Grand Marais two years ago. Was shopping in the same store and mentioned to the clerk that I bought the jacket I was wearing there in 1969. She wasn't impressed.


Have a Levi's jean jacket of similar vintage (but it's feeling a little tight)."

That's great! Yeah, I stopped expecting other people to be impressed by my parka. A couple years back it was in bad need of a dry cleaning and I was counting out some spare pocket change to buy a cup of coffee. The person working there gave me this sincere look of pity/empathy and said "its OK, coffee's on me today." She thought I was homeless.

Not wearable - but I've got a couple of really old Eddie Bauer down sleeping bags that were handed down that I'm particularly fond of. I don't know the exact year. They were my father in-laws and he was routinely going to the BW in the late 60's early 70's. Here's a pic of the logo.

I take my uncle's Army duffle bag he used in the Southern Pacific Islands during WW2. In the 80's, that was only 40 years removed. Now, add another 40 years and you have old gear. Has a lot of wear showing, but is still functional and will certainly outlast me and likely be used by the next generation. I plan to give this to a career Army nephew. I am reminded of this favorite uncle daily when on my BW trips.

This uncle was with some of the mess hall work and would take a native and go fishing for meat when regular rations ran low. The local would see to it that only edibles were collected after the underwater explosive "bait" was detonated. Times have certainly changed, I think.

bwcadan: "I take my uncle's Army duffle bag he used in the Southern Pacific Islands during WW2. In the 80's, that was only 40 years removed. Now, add another 40 years and you have old gear. Has a lot of wear showing, but is still functional and will certainly outlast me and likely be used by the next generation. I plan to give this to a career Army nephew. I am reminded of this favorite uncle daily when on my BW trips.


This uncle was with some of the mess hall work and would take a native and go fishing for meat when regular rations ran low. The local would see to it that only edibles were collected after the underwater explosive "bait" was detonated. Times have certainly changed, I think.


"

OT - My dad was WW2 Army Air Forces. He and his buddies would go swimming in an area at low tide when the exposed reef made an enclosed area. They had been told to watch out for barracuda. So they would clear the swimming area with a few hand grenades. The local islanders soon learned to be on hand to collect the stunned fish.

I have a pair of Kuhl convertible pants that I bought about 20 years ago, back before they were a "fashion" brand. They're my go-too camping pants and are still in great shape (they're not all nylon) after 20 years of abuse.

I also have a synthetic 20-degree bag I bought at Midwest Mountaineering back in 1981 or 1982 that's still very serviceable. It packs huge and has been replaced in my gear rotation by an EE quilt, but I use it as a loaner when someone needs a bag.

I have a 1943 Army quartermasters knife that I ALWAYS bring with me. It's tough, keeps an edge, and does everything from slicing cheese to splitting kindling. Needs a new a sheath, but blade and haft are still going strong.

Also, while not exactly "gear" I have a "zero zone" insulated outerwear by a brand called "Walls". Like a jumpsuit, ankles to neck. It was a gift, so I don't know where it came from, but is probably over 35 years old. Got some tears and rips, despite washings has some dirt/grease that won't go away, but I love it. When I was unloading trailers on a forklift in a building that had its loading docks facing north, it kept me warm even in weather like we are having now. The wife hates it, naturally.

I have a whole slew of them, but my Sorel Caribou boots were bought for me by my grandmother when I was in high school in 1978. I just had to make my first repair to them this winter! They will faithfully help me navigate some lakes this weekend when I winter camp the BWCAW. 43 years and still going.

thegildedgopher: "That's great! Yeah, I stopped expecting other people to be impressed by my parka."

I really don't expect most people to be impressed, but I thought maybe the clerk might be given that I bought it there and she was of an age that she might have been working there when I bought it. ;)

She was probably thinking "Well it's about time you bought something new here."

TRadam: "I have a whole slew of them, but my Sorel Caribou boots were bought for me by my grandmother when I was in high school in 1978. I just had to make my first repair to them this winter! They will faithfully help me navigate some lakes this weekend when I winter camp the BWCAW. 43 years and still going."

Got me a pair of Sorels, too. Not as old, but probably over 30 years on them. A little wear on the heels, but still in good shape.

Alayeska Pipeline Jacket/suit, Mickey Boots & Filson Mackinaw Wool Bibs

Another happy owner of Sorel Caribou boots from the 70's! They were my grandpas! I also have a Thermarest pad from 1978-79! From him too. I actually swapped some e-mails with Cascade Designs Pro Services Team for help ageing it. Both still going strong.

Sort of a twist on the definition of old, but one of my absolute favorite winter items is a wool hoodie (similar to a Boreal shirt) that I made out of an old Yugoslavian army surplus wool blanket. In a sense the item is new, but the material, the wool, was made in Belgrade in 1968 - more than half a century ago. It’s very thick, quality wool that’s getting hard to find without paying a fortune.