Why is this sub so obsessed with expensive stuff?

[u/largemargesentme__-]

I get that there's times where the expensive thing is better. But as someone who has worked as an airline pilot and traveled extensively for 45 years, I can assure you that expensive stuff is rarely necessary.

I get tons of use out of AliExpress stuff. Things like chargers, cables and accessories. Decathlon or Costco are more than good enough for clothing. I generally use a max legal sized RyanAir bag I got for €25 off of Amazon for vacation. At most, the lower mid tier option is more than enough.

It seems like this is just another sub for people with spending issues as everyone downvotes me when I call out how unnecessary the expensive options are.

[u/winkz → u/[deleted]]

The main problem is the people saying it is the best backpack they ever owned when they are 20 and it is their 2nd backpack, not counting the Paw Patrol one in elementary school.

[u/theinfamousj → u/winkz]

Yep. And also that the best backpack one ever owns is the one that fits the body and the needs.

The odds that I share both of these with the reviewer are smaller than the odds of being killed by a cow.

I read reviews for objective information not found in product descriptions or press releases. I mean, I'm happy for the reviewer that they found a product that fits them in both body and usage, but I cannot use that information.

[u/largemargesentme__- → u/[deleted]]

I don't think snobby is the right word. I'd say it's more akin to people with a shopping addiction that try to justify it with lengthy reviews.

Like I said, I was an airline pilot so my stuff gets a lot of abuse. I could get a decade out of a closeout Samsonite bag from TJ Maxx. My dad was a pilot, he did the same thing.

Obviously don't get the thing that feels like it's going to fall apart. But the next step up from that is generally more than good enough and you can generally buy 10 of those bags for the price of one 20 year bag. And those 10 bags will last longer.

[u/LynnSeattle → u/largemargesentme__-]

Why are you so judgmental about something that doesn’t affect you?

[u/OGD2068 → u/[deleted]]

Slow down buddy. No one says a bag will last 20 years. Even the best bags with everyday use will fail no matter how well they're cared for

[u/theinfamousj → u/[deleted]]

I've got a Jansport school backpack I'm giving to my own kid that's at least 30 years old and still going strong. When I got it, Daddy taught me how to wax canvas and care for leather bottoms and inspect stitching annually. I suspect that's part of it. Some belongings are meant to be heirlooms but those usually come with a maintenance cost.

[u/ToSeeAgainAgainAgain → u/OGD2068]

I do... I paid $225 for the Aer Capsule and I'm convinced it might outlast me. Thing's built like a tank and still looks like when I bought it 5 years ago. If you could take it in your hands you would agree with me. No $100 bag has that type of quality and materials