I have a brand-whore friend who wears only $$$$ technical outdoor gear because it has a label
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Anonymous
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OP, as a (former, before kids) backcountry hiker and climber, i understand where you are coming from. a PP had a good point about patagonia giving back to the community and earth, so know that some proceeds from your friend's $ spent there is going to a good cause. there is also a difference between owing something like a regulator vs. those patagonia dresses or puffer coats. i.e. like anyone who wants to minimize weight would choose a puffer coat. have your own internal chuckle. i am certain your friend isn't selecting the techical gear here vs the fruity pieces designed to appeal to the general customer base.
i think the part that is so annoying is that she is making fun of you for owning less expensive gear. maybe you should start pointing out the technical aspects of your gear as a way of teaching her why people *really* select gear. i.e. yeah but my 14oz fleece is 10oz less for me to carry with me on the trail than patagonia X product. i'd also ask her point blank if she'd like to test out her "gear" on the trail with you. that should be a reality hit where it counts. |
Anonymous
| 15:57 PP here - all this talk is reminding me of when i used to meticuously pore over catalogs to select gear. sigh. thanks for reminding me that i need to get back out there again! nothing like the feeling of being truly outside in the middle of no where. and that, OP, is the feeling your poor friend will never feel regardless of what she owns. but you know it well, i am sure. |
Anonymous
thanks for being nice, PPs. You do 'get it' and I feel so stupid and small that I feel irritation at my friend. (and yes, you DO need to get out there, 2 PPs  ]
One day I was loading up the vehicle to go hiking/camping and, I am not making this up, friend started physically poking at my sleeping bag and asked if it was Patagonia, "because it looks like Patagonia, that green color. I don't like that green color ..." I love Patagonia as a corporation and a state of mind -- Patagonia's not the problem here! -- it's the searching for confirmation that I spent a lot, rather than wondering if my bag sheds water properly. OK, everyone get outdoors next weekend! |
Anonymous
PP here. I consider stretching for wine a good workout! |
Anonymous
What I really hate is when I see someone wearing a polo shirt who's never even played polo! I mean, really. 
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Anonymous
| I have an acquaintance who is like a flashing billboard. She is never without a minimum of three labels between her earrings, belt, purse, whatever. I simply don't get it. There is a LOT of new money (which I have NO problem with). She's a well-educated woman although not working in her field. She's nice enough but I just wish she would tone it down. Also, over the top gifts for children's parties, etc. |
Anonymous
NP here. I am not a serious hiker, so when we went on a hiking vacation DH and I actually had to go to REI and buy hiking boots. He nearly ran out of the store because he didn't want to become one of "THOSE people" and I had a hard time convincing him that real hiking boots, wicking shirts (from Marshalls, though), and a lightweight windbreaker / rain shell were worth it. He credits the hiking boots with saving him from a badly twisted ankle on the trail AND he wore them all winter walking back and forth to work during the two-blizzard year. So, yes, it is rewarding to see people appreciate that the gear is actually designed for a purpose, not just to look good in a Seattle coffeeshop. 
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Anonymous
Not to put too fine a point on it but Patagonia does not sell sleeping bags. They don't even sell backpacks. The don't sell fishing rods or ski equipment or hiking equipment. They sell clothes, a good chunk of which is more casual than technical. Your friend seems like a jerk, but you seem excessively sensitive abut it. |
Anonymous
actually, i think they do sell day packs. and i don't think OP was saying they sell sleeping bags; her friend was.i would argue that patagonia's roots are technical but they have had to develop more general stuff over the years to keep viable. and i don't think the OP is being sensitive. her friend is looking down on her by judging her gear when it sounds like she doesn't have a clue. |
Anonymous
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Yes they do sell daypacks, most with laptop sleeves so obviously meant to be used as book bags. I meant actual backpacks that one would use for backpacking.
I get that OPs friend is a jerk, and she probably needs to drop the friend, but I also think that Patagonia has a pretty broad customer base which includes many people who are not using their jackets, dresses, laptop bags, etc for outdoor activities. |
Anonymous
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OP you need to embrace the snark.
Like, if your friend asks, 'Is this Patagonia?' you say, 'No, I got it at Kmart.' (you can also replace with Sears, Army Surplus, some homeless guy, your ass, etc.) She'll get the hint and you'll get your point across. |
Anonymous
It's what people, who actually hike, wear when they hike. |
Anonymous
I find it hard to believe that the hundreds of people that I see driving Hummers, Hummer H2's and Hummer H3's have ever driven those vehicles off paved roads. But, it's a status symbol to be able to get 8 gallons to the mile. |
Anonymous
Kind of old news - didn't they stop making Hummers a couple of years ago? |
Anonymous
All production stopped in 2009, but you can still get them used. I still see a fair number of them driving around town. To me, it's ridiculous to see any Hummer driving on a highway at highway speeds. |