Buy These 10 Items ONCE for a Lifetime of Use
And a little rant about planned obsolescence
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Have you heard of planned obsolescence? In a nutshell, it’s the practice of designing products to break quickly or become obsolete. The premise behind the practice is to encourage (force?) the sales of new products and upgrades. Products designed to break? What insanity are we living in?
I became so enraged at this very strategic and environmentally catastrophic business practice, that I started immediately researching products that are designed to last a lifetime.
I believe that we vote with our dollars by purposefully supporting brands who are designing products that are built to last and better for our planet. I’m sharing my findings below, with a summary linked here, and I hope you’ll chime in with your own recs in the comments so I can further build out the list. Here we go…
A Toolbox That Stands the Test of Time
Designed to last a lifetime by Keiyu Hisashi in 1947, the Trusco toolbox is still made in Japan in its iconic blue color (although I love the blush). The online reviews are wildly effusive - people are hyped about the quality, design, and durability of this workhorse. Linked here (other color options here).
The Stand Mixer Your Grandma Probably Had
The KitchenAid stand mixer might just be the most universally beloved buy-it-for-life item on the market. I have yet to hear of one being faulty or breaking, so you can buy it once and pass it on to your kids. Linked Here.
One Suitcase for Life
I’ve been very pleased with my Away suitcase, which has held up for years, but if I were to do it all again I would probably invest in Rimowa luggage (linked here). Rimowa suitcases are impeccably designed and come with a lifetime guarantee and free repairs. I have my eye on this one, which meets most international carry-on standards.
Unbreakable Hangers
I often get asked about my favorite hangers, and my answer has always been the same: any wooden hangers you like. Wooden hangers are sturdy, sustainable, and built to be bought once and last a lifetime. I am NOT a fan of the popular velvet hangers that bend and snap and get dusty. After years of looking, I highly recommend these wooden hangers that are sturdy, slim, and space maximizing. Linked here.
The Only Umbrella You’ll Ever Need
When I think about how many umbrellas I’ve owned that have snapped, broken, or busted, I want to hold my head in my hands. Davek umbrellas are compact enough for travel and backed by an unconditional lifetime guarantee. If your umbrella breaks, the company will send a new one for free (minus shipping). From $95 Linked here. Repel umbrellas are similar for less, and highly rated via The Strategist. $26 Linked here.
An Indestructible Pill and Vitamin Case
$100 for a pill case? I know, I know, but hear me out. After a lifetime of buying the cheap, plastic, drugstore version, and having them crack and break, I realized I would have been better off investing in one highly durable version from the start.
Ikigai Cases were invented by two brothers who were tired of watching their father struggle with his pill case. Featuring a sliding lid for ease of use, Ikigai cases are engravable (no more fading days of the week), made of the highest quality aluminum, TSA approved, and guaranteed for life. I took the plunge and have no regrets. Linked here.
Cookware Built to Last
Stainless steel cookware (not coated) holds up very well and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. I discovered 360 stainless cookware through the Buy Me Once website, which I highly recommend as a resource. 360 sells pots, pans, and baking sheets that are built to last and come with a lifetime warranty. Linked here.
The Skillet That Gets Better with Age
My brother (who is a chef) told me years ago that a Lodge cast iron skillet is the best non-stick pan you can buy, and it just gets better with age. Bonus: no chemicals or toxins to leach into your food. Linked here.
A Timeless Backpack
After a few years of investing in cute, trendy backpacks for my girls, and watching them literally self destruct, I made the decision to get them each a Jansport and stop replacing backpacks - for good. Jansport backpacks are so sturdy and well made, they even come with a lifetime guarantee, which means they'll fix or replace should anything go wrong. Linked here.
The Most Durable Socks
An unconditional lifetime guarantee for socks? Feetures, are engineered for athletes. The company provides a lifetime guarantee on all socks, allowing you to swap out old pairs for fresh ones - for any reason. Linked here.
Darn Tough socks are so confident in their product quality that they guarantee them for life with free replacements. Bonus: their socks are made in Vermont by a family-owned company. Linked here.
I’d love to know: which products have you invested in that have stood the test of time? Please share in the comments.
Buy-It-Once Product Roundup: Everything all in one place for you. Linked here.
Watching: Sprint on Netflix. Elite sprinters navigate training, media scrutiny and fierce competition in this sports docu-series following their race to become the world's fastest humans. SO. GOOD. Watch it here.
A Shower Cap That Isn’t Gross: Shower caps are sometimes necessary but often…disgusting? I’ve been on the hunt for a quick-dry option that won’t get instantly mildwey or smell horrific. So far this version by Shhhower Cap is really delivering the goods. It gets the job done, dries super fast, and doesn’t smell. Please enjoy.
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These are great ideas! I bought a Marmot brand winter puffer down coat years ago - they have a lifetime warranty, so when the zipper broke this past year, they sent me a credit to purchase a new one!
I love your generosity in sharing practical, durable, and beautiful goods for us to ogle over—and without a paywall. You're a welcome visitor in my inbox!