So, i've spent 3 1/2 of my last weeks under canvas in Iceland and Germany (pics etc to follow when I get time).
Most annoying thing is the amount of kit i've had fail on me in the space of a few weeks. As follows:
Hyalite Peak Elite AC - leaking seal
Montane Fireball Smock - seam fail (poor stitching)
Craghopper "BG Survivor" Trousers - seam fail (poor stitching)
Quechua sleeping bag (for Germany, Enlightened quilt still excellent) - seam fail
Kindle - frozen screen (same thing happened 2 weeks previous to my other half's).

And no the seams haven't failed cos i've got fat - i'm actually 1/2 st lighter as I sit here......

To be fair, all the companies concerned have been good about sorting replacements etc, I just need to post them the articles but it is a fair bit of hassle when I really try to look after my stuff and pay a premium for most of it......

Anyone else this unlucky?

Nope, but then my usuage is probably less.

However, after all the recnet comments there's no way on earth I'd be buying a POE / Hyalite mat

However, after all the recnet comments there's no way on earth I'd be buying a POE / Hyalite mat

In fairness it only seems to be the Peak Elite mats that have troubles. The Ether and Thermo mats seem very robust.

I think that Anything cages must be my worst kit fail ... 4 cages, no crashes and all cracked / snapped in the same spot (as I'm sure loads of others have too)

Above brings to mind an article on 'gear made just good enough' that I came across a few weeks back. Gist was; 'most mainstream manufacturers know that 99% of the time their kit will only ever be used to (say) 50% of it's capability so they actually design & manufacture for that (which naturally also keeps the cost down). The 1% that does get 'fully' used and fails is such a small amount that it's more cost-effective to just replace the failures with no loss of brand value'

Argument went on to say this was one good reason to go with cottage manufacturers - their (relative) volumes are so low & they have direct relationships with their customers that they can't afford to go that route ...

Don't know how true it is, but made me think..

(will post if I can find it again)

Agreed. It seems to be happening to me with kit that used to last well.

Time xc6 pedals are the most recent offender. I used to buy a set of time time pedals and run them for years. The xc6 have done 1200 to 1500 miles and they're about done. (Bearings anyway).

Tyres are the same, the tread lasts in a lot of cases but the sidewalls dont

FLV wrote:
Tyres are the same, the tread lasts in a lot of cases but the sidewalls dont

I end up with sliced Maxxis sidewalls long before the tread nears the end.

Just got back from an overnighter and the soles on my Shimano shoes have pretty much come away from the tops, maybe a 1000km!!! Will take the opportunity to try flats for bikepacking.

I saw this thread when it was first posted, and thought I've not had any kit fail on me in ages, great 8-)

A few on here have seen a new multitool I got from a project I backed on Kickstarter called Fix It Sticks. I was dead chuffed with them: finally a tool that was easy and simple to use, I could exert enough force to get stuff done/ undone without the faff of other tools I'd used. At 50g, I was pleased with the weight etc.

Yesterday, I had one of those rides that didn't go right. I noticed my rear tyre was loosing pressure, so put some air in. Latex emerged from a small tear in the side wall, so I tried to turn the wheel until the hole was plugged. Rode for a bit, added a bit more air before finally giving in and putting a tube inside. Removed wheel said Fix It Stick, put tube in, re-fitted wheel and carried on my ride. Subsequently got a thorn puncture, pulled up to remove the wheel again and get it fixed. At the first bolt, one of the bits split out of the end. Irritated, I turned it around and the other end consequently did the same. So that was that. One Fix It Stick is next to useless as you've nothing with which to turn it. Can't change the tube because I can't get my bolted rear wheel off. Ride ended.

So my once wonderful Fix It Sticks are resigned to scrap

(I've emailed them in the hope of a replacement, but unless they've addressed the issue to make them stronger, I can't see me having any confidence in them)

Edit: they've come back to me immediately to say replacement set is on its way. There was a issue with some of the early ones, so they say, but nonetheless I'll be more cautious with them in future.

Ian wrote:I saw this thread when it was first posted, and thought I've not had any kit fail on me in ages, great 8-)

A few on here have seen a new multitool I got from a project I backed on Kickstarter called Fix It Sticks. I was dead chuffed with them: finally a tool that was easy and simple to use, I could exert enough force to get stuff done/ undone without the faff of other tools I'd used. At 50g, I was pleased with the weight etc.

Yesterday, I had one of those rides that didn't go right. I noticed my rear tyre was loosing pressure, so put some air in. Latex emerged from a small tear in the side wall, so I tried to turn the wheel until the hole was plugged. Rode for a bit, added a bit more air before finally giving in and putting a tube inside. Removed wheel said Fix It Stick, put tube in, re-fitted wheel and carried on my ride. Subsequently got a thorn puncture, pulled up to remove the wheel again and get it fixed. At the first bolt, one of the bits split out of the end. Irritated, I turned it around and the other end consequently did the same. So that was that. One Fix It Stick is next to useless as you've nothing with which to turn it. Can't change the tube because I can't get my bolted rear wheel off. Ride ended.

So my once wonderful Fix It Sticks are resigned to scrap

(I've emailed them in the hope of a replacement, but unless they've addressed the issue to make them stronger, I can't see me having any confidence in them)

Edit: they've come back to me immediately to say replacement set is on its way. There was a issue with some of the early ones, so they say, but nonetheless I'll be more cautious with them in future.

Ian, Here's a similar tool that I'm using - a tad heavier at 54g, but not made of alu. Just something to consider as it seems similar to the fix it sticks (not that I've seen them in the flesh or used them).



And here's how I bring it on rides.



And then here's a photo to compare against the bargain priced version I found on eBay...which was a bit crap to be honest.



Admittedly I've then weighed a more traditional multi-tool and this setup is only a bit lighter but I'm convinced it's a better tool overall for a similar weight.