Is used gear really getting worse or am I just pickier now?

Tbh, I scored a Gregory pack off a guy in Denver 8 years ago and it still looks brand new after dozens of trips. But last month I bought a used Osprey from 2020 and the straps are already fraying, plus the zipper sticks. I'm wondering if the quality actually dropped after 2015 or if I'm just noticing stuff I didn't care about back then. Has anyone else seen a clear before-and-after difference in gear durability over a specific timeframe?

2 comments

2 Comments

wren65223d ago

Did you have to tweak the straps more on the older one or did it just fit better out of the gate? I used to think all used gear was a gamble, but you just made me realize my old pack from 2012 has outlasted every newer piece I've touched since.

abby_palmer23d ago

The older one just fit better from the start. No messing with straps or padding, it locked in right away. My newer packs always need constant adjustment before they feel right. That 2012 pack of yours probably has the same old school shaping.