There is perhaps nothing more important to our outdoor adventures than the gear that accompanies us along the way. It needs to be there without fail, ready at a moment’s notice. And due in part to its importance throughout our pursuits, we approach the gear we choose to buy with great care. We take ample time to read the reviews, we compare the results, and we’ll even “test drive” our products to ensure they meet our outdoor standards.
So when an outdoor brand offers their products with a lifetime warranty, we listen. Our ears perk up, our spine stiffens, and suddenly we’re walking out the door with a 35L pack that’s meant to last us a lifetime. After all, nothing feels better than purchasing something you need for your next adventure, knowing it should be there for every adventure.
While the list could go forever on, these are the largest outdoor brands that offer lifetime warranties on their gear, thus ensuring you’re ready for every adventure.
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Osprey
Per the brand’s website: “Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge — whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday. If we are unable to perform a functional repair on your pack, we will happily replace it. We proudly stand behind this guarantee, so much so that it bears the signature of company founder and head designer, Mike Pfotenhauer.” If there was ever a lifetime guarantee you could rely on from the wording alone, it would probably be this one.
L.L. Bean
Remember those L.L. Bean backpacks from your days in elementary school? Kids would beat the shit out of them, and for good reason apparently. The Freeport, Maine-based company stands behind all of their products, ensuring that if you’re “not 100% satisfied with one of our products, you may return it within one year of purchase for a refund.”
Outdoor Research
The brand now owned by Dan Nordstrom — yes, that Nordstrom — was once leaderless when it’s founder, Ron Gregg, died during a climb in British Columbia over 16 years ago. Since then the outdoor brand has expanded, offering not only accessory gear but clothing as well. As such, any Outdoor Research gear is backed by the company’s Infinite Guarantee, meaning the “gear is guaranteed to perform throughout the lifetime of the product.”
Black Diamond
A manufacturer of equipment for climbing, skiing and mountain sports, Black Diamond has quickly become a household name in gear since its inception in 1989. Like many established gear brands, the company backs their equipment with one of the bolder claims amongst their many competitors, getting straight to the point in the process: If for any reason, you’re not 100% satisfied with your Black Diamond apparel, we’ll repair, replace, or refund it. No charge. No fine print. No debate. Guaranteed.
Eddie Bauer
As one of the older outdoor brands in the lineup (they’re celebrating 100 years in business in 2020), Eddie Bauer has a longstanding reputation for creating gear that sticks around. While it’s true that the company altered their “100% Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee” warranty over time, the brand still offers a return policy in which you can exchange your gear for a full refund within one year of purchase. Hopefully that’s enough time to break in your boots and determine if you like them…
Patagonia
Perhaps the single brand that’s best known for their lifetime warranty, Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee seems to have no limits, but then again, it would only be the Patagonia way to offer such an outstanding warranty. “We guarantee everything we make. If you are not satisfied with one of our products at the time you receive it, or if one of our products does not perform to your satisfaction, return it to the store you bought it from or to Patagonia for a repair, replacement or refund. Damage due to wear and tear will be repaired at a reasonable charge.”
Cotopaxi
A newcomer in the gear industry, Cotopaxi has quickly shaken up the outdoor market with its colorful inventory of backpacks and gear that cater to the millennial generation. The startup brand drives home their message of “Gear for Good” alongside their many initiatives to play a role in the planet’s well-being. Perhaps unsurprisingly then, Cotopaxi’s warranty states that “ If your product does not hold up, we’ll work with you to resolve the issue. That may mean instructing you on how to repair the item yourself, returning the item to our team for repair, replacing the item, or refunding your purchase.” Though one could argue that the Salt Lake City-based company’s warranty holds less merit when compared to Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee, still they choose to stand behind their gear where others couldn’t, essentially, care less.
Camelbak
The outdoor equipment company based in Petaluma, California, is best known for their extensive array of hydration products such as water bottles and hydration packs. With a Got Your Bak Lifetime Guarantee, “all reservoirs, backpacks, bottles and accessories” are protected “from manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product.” The company goes on to state that “CamelBak will repair or replace at its discretion any manufacturing defect in these products free of charge.” And if you don’t believe the quotes, head to your local REI and pick up a CamelBak bottle sometime — each one has a sticker that proudly boasts the very same guarantee.
What About the Others?
It’s true that a number of other brands offer guarantees on their gear in some shape or form. Kelty, The North Face, Arc’teryx, Dakine, Mountain Hardwear, and a countless list of others do in fact offer warranties on their gear. But unlike the brands mentioned above, these companies only offer limited lifetime warranties, meaning “that a manufacturer is contractually obligated to replace parts of a product that break or are defective over the life of the product. However, the manufacturer is not legally obligated to replace parts that are not mentioned in the warranty or are broken or misused by the consumer.”
So yes, other brands do offer warranties, many of which are rather extensive. But for the very best brands that are likely to provide you with less BS when the time comes to replace a product, refer to the list above. While their gear may be more expensive, it should also come with a bit more peace of mind as well.
Know of any brands we missed? Comment below with the gear brands that you’ll endlessly stand behind.
