Brands and Stuff That You Love (Emphasis on Quality)

[Saltgirl]

Click Home page - Darn Tough Socks to view.

LOVE! these people. I do not know why anyone would buy SmartWool instead. These socks never get thin spots and SmartWool do in months.

[Pokilani]

Just wanted to post an update to announce that I've been chosen to be a member of their ambassador program for 2016!! So excited!!

What an honor!

[Lani]

- INKnBURN has a thriving ambassador program with several hundred members, who apply for these coveted spots. Ambassadors are active in social media, and post photos of themselves wearing INKnBURN gear, and also participate in running races wearing their gear. Ambassadors are appointed for a year at a time and get a bit of a discount on gear.

Just wanted to post an update to announce that I've been chosen to be a member of their ambassador program for 2016!! So excited!!

[Travelin'Light]

I don't want this thread to die a slow death as I think there is a lot of valuable info here. One other thing that I have found recently and love are Kuhl mens pants. I have a pair of the Free Rydrs, which are their "Klassik" fit and fit me great. Good quality pants and very comfortable.

+2 on Kuhl men's pants. I just wore the Ryder for three days of busting through briars and swamp. I also have a lightweight pair... I think they are the Revolvr, that pack up really well and may be my most comfortable pair of pants.

[Ginkgo]

Yes to Aigle boots and Mountain Rose Herbs! I have Aigle Parcours ISO boots, which are lined with neoprene. They were really tricky to source within the US, and they cost a fair penny, but worth it worth it worth it because I bought them in time for the super snowy winter a few years ago. Traipsing around in slushy freezing streets was no longer an issue.

Mountain Rose Herbs is fabulous. I have so many herbs and teas and spices from them.

[Dandelion]

La Siesta Hammocks

I swap between the family-size Flora and discontinued Casera.

[capncat]

I love this @LordBute. When I read the most recent blog post from Tom, it made me wish that there was a similar tag in my TB bags.

Duluth pack bags (made right next door in MN!) have tags like these, too. I have one of their market totes to use for work situations when my usual brain bag would be a little too informal. the thing is built like a TANK!

[Darcy]

@Pokilani if you try a pair of Aigles, let me know what you think! My hobbit-like Size 9 feet love them.

Here's one more:

Mountain Rose Herbs
I've been buying herbs and tea from these folks for years now. Huge selection and most items (if not everything?) are organic. They seem like a pretty cool company, too.

[Pokilani]

Thanks, @Lani! Looks like a great company! I'll have to check them out when I'm down south again. @Darcy, I must admit, I gasped when I saw those boots in a size 35! It's so hard to find shoes for my little feet.


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[John]

I have a mattress from a company called Beevers based in the north of England in a small fishing port called Whitby (famous for featuring in Bram Stoker's Dracula story, with a ruined abbey high above the town). Their mattresses are made by hand by joiners and seamstresses and use natural materials sourced from the UK where possible. The one I have is very thick and heavy but is really comfortable and I've used it many years and it should last many more.

Beevers Handmade Beds Whitby

[Darcy]

Yay! Glad to see activity on this thread. Here's two brands I've appreciated as of late:

Aigle Boots
I first learned about Aigle here on the Forums! Aigle boots are hand made in France; here's a video about the process. I get cold toes and had been looking at these boots longingly for a while. Then, on President's Day weekend, a coupon from Aigle arrived and I couldn't pass them up! I've pretty much been wearing the boots ever since. I think they'll be a good investment: they seem well-made and I get the sense they'll last me many years.

Evan Healy
Natural and simple skin care products made with ethically sourced ingredients.

[Tizi]

Shop Tommy Bahama | TommyBahama.com great quality clothes at reasonable prices. Easy living!

[Lani]

There is one other brand that I am as loyal to as I am for Tom Bihn, and that's INKnBURN (Art on Running, Yoga and Workout Clothes for Women, Men and Kids by INKnBURN).

INKnBURN makes exercise (running, yoga, etc.) clothing; more specifically, graphic print running shirts, shorts, running skirts, capris, and yoga pants.

They are different from the rest of the exercisewear market in that they are VERY similar to Tom Bihn:

- Their factory is located right here in the US, in Costa Mesa, California
- You can visit their factory store on weekdays to purchase products in person, although most of their sales are online
- Price is a little on the higher side, but just like Tom Bihn, their quality is without peer. Once you feel a shirt, try it on, you understand instantly that it's worth every penny
- INKnBURN fans are as loyal as Tom Bihn fans! There is a vibrant used market! Imagine buying a used running shirt for $70 -- happens all the time!
- Similar to some of the limited editions that Tom Bihn produces, INKnBURN makes limited edition runs of their products (which also explains why there is a strong aftermarket).

One of their hallmarks is the way they produce their shirts. The shirts are all dye-sublimation printed with bright designs and graphics, but unlike most other manufacturers, the designs are printed on rolls of fabric based on the intended size they will be cut to. That means all the designs match along the seams no matter what size shirt you get! It also means borderless printing, and printing on the sleeves and the back. Amazing, amazing stuff.

A couple of things INKnBURN does that Tom Bihn does not:

- INKnBURN introduced "Club INKnBURN" this year. Limited to 320 "memberships" for 2016, members got a black box with a bunch of stuff (a couple of shirts, water bottle, trucker hat, stickers, etc.) that were available only to members. Members also have access to a special club page on the website where you can order stuff only available to club members.

- INKnBURN sponsors elite athletes and helps gear them up for races.

- INKnBURN has a thriving ambassador program with several hundred members, who apply for these coveted spots. Ambassadors are active in social media, and post photos of themselves wearing INKnBURN gear, and also participate in running races wearing their gear. Ambassadors are appointed for a year at a time and get a bit of a discount on gear.

[Kirri]

Ergo baby carriers. The best and I tried lots before this. I discovered the ergo with my third child and wished I had had one for the first two. I found I could carry even my four year old in it as easily as I carried my baby. Almost considered another baby just to be able to use it more. Lol.

It is just so comfortable and makes the weight sit your hips like a hiking backpack.

[Juanito]

I don't want this thread to die a slow death as I think there is a lot of valuable info here. One other thing that I have found recently and love are Kuhl mens pants. I have a pair of the Free Rydrs, which are their "Klassik" fit and fit me great. Good quality pants and very comfortable.

+1 on Kuhl pants. I have several pairs of their Renegades. They are made of a stretch fabric that repels water and dirt and comfortable in a wide range of temperatures. I bought them for hiking, but soon repurposed them for everyday wear in place of jeans. They fit well, look good, and are very durable.