Patagonia

[arbnranger]

I just finished on a 5 day trip to Vail, Colorado. I'm not a skiing expert. I was actually there working although I did take in the scenery. While hanging out I started observing the little Patagonia tag everywhere I looked. At one point, much like a lift pass, it seemed this tag allowed you access into Vail.

I've looked at Patagonia gear many times and I always come to the same conclusion...thin and not worth the value I put on it ...so I don't buy it. 

Im a Columbia man myself. Love their kit and it's good quality and at a reasonable price most times. 

So here is my question. Why is the price tag for Patagonia so high ? Is this awesome branding or is the gear actually legit? 

Your thoughts ?

[Doc Holiday]

I like their shirts and they have good jackets. for pants though I like mountain khaki and Kulh, kulh has some nice fleece sweaters and stuff too. 

[stirs]

marketing, status = price

not necessarily the quality of the product

think Starbucks

[ooglechi]

Just because it's thin doesn't mean it's not warm. When you get into a lot of the higher-end outerwear, most stuff is going to be light and breathable while still being water/wind proof.

It's hard to understand the difference that good equipment makes until you actually try it. This year I bought a new Helly Hansen jacket and Kjus pants. Didn't have a single day where I felt truly cold, all while skiing in temperatures as low as -15.

[Hotsauce]

North Face is better

wayyyy better 

[PhillyB]

i was hoping you were going to argentina.

speaking of which, a few years ago i was in uruguay in a little town perched on the river plate, like 50 miles across the river mouth from buenos aires. it was a unesco world heritage site and a hugely popular tourist destination for insanely wealthy argentinians who wants to make a weekend trip and spend some cash. as a result all the stores with any kind of prestigious name brand were jacked to criminally high rates. we walked into one store looking for a windbreaker and found the cheapest thing in the store was a $400 USD north face jacket on sale. all the patagonia stuff started at around $750.

in other words... stay far away from patagonia to buy patagonia gear

[davos]

Arcteryx is the most ridiculous price wise.  You can at least find good deals on Patagonia here and there.  REI Garage Sales ftw. My north face gear has actually lasted me the longest over the years. 

[Crixtala]

when it comes to clothes lines like this... you absolutely get what you pay for

I used to be a Columbia guy, but their clothes just don't hold up as well to some of the other brands I've started picking up.  i'm mainly an eddie bauer person now since they're one of the few brands that make nice clothes in tall that will also fit my broad shoulders

the northface's, Patagonia's, etc. of the world generally cater to the 5'9" 150lbs club... but their stuff is built to last

 

one day, i'll have a weeks worth of clothing all from l.l.bean and i'll never have to worry about buying clothes again

[Donald LaFell]

I only buy Lands End and LL Bean because they have really good tall sizes. They even have medium tall. Carhart does too.

ive never needed ski gear though. 

[Ja Rhule]

Everyone at my workplace wear only Patagonia brand...

[PandaPancake]

16 hours ago, PhillyB said:

i was hoping you were going to argentina.

 

I was hoping he was a former governor of South Carolina

[arbnranger]

4 hours ago, PandaPancake said:

I was hoping he was a former governor of South Carolina

I think it's funny and I don't even get it.

-Lindsey

[Inimicus]

I tend to not get attached to brands and buy gear based on the quality of the piece.  Ive got Patagonia gear and Columbia and Helly and North Face and Arctyrex and REI and a whole slew of minor brands and sport specific brands.

 

 

[KendrickPanther]

I feel like Columbia has gone down in quality over time. Some of my older Columbia stuff is the best I've owned. I still wear a jacket from 12 years ago. Patagonia looks nice but for the money I rather hike naked.