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Killer-Barbie t1_iy0s954 wrote

Also, north face will replace the zippers (because they're usually what breaks) for less than $20. They will also replace torn panels for cheap from other reclaimed pieces.

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The_Christ_is_Right OP t1_iy0st0s wrote

Good to know! The only piece on this bag that has failed is the little piece of velcro that holds the main compartment's loose stuff towards the front of the compartment. It doesn't effect functionality much so I've just ignored it. I'm glad to know that they will probably fix it!

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elvisiscoolbeans t1_iy2si67 wrote

Amazing tip about the zippers! I’ve also had an awesome north face backpack since 2011 or 2012 and one of the zippers on the main opening broke like 5 years ago.

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Big_Fecker t1_iy4om8w wrote

Buckles too. They sent me one for free when my pup chewed it.

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ROBWBEARD1 t1_iy0m9jy wrote

I got a North Face Jester in 2006 and I eventually gave it to my brother. He still uses it daily.

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njf96 t1_iy1jw2u wrote

I have a north face backpack that I begged my mom to get me my freshman year of high school. That was nearly 15 years ago, and I still use it almost daily. It’s been to 3 continents, probably 25 states, and gets abused at work now. I can’t give it up.

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Wintrgreen t1_iy0luoq wrote

I have a north face backpack as well (different model) that I’ve been using almost daily for 10+ years. The bottle holders on the sides have tears in them but other than that it’s still in near perfect condition.

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ClutchWhale07 t1_iy1hs47 wrote

I have a Northface Recon from 2012 going strong. Thought about getting another newer one but it felt cheap when I saw it in person.

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The_Christ_is_Right OP t1_iy4cz16 wrote

I thought about upgrading to a recon 2 years ago but I had the same experience of it feeling cheap.

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ClutchWhale07 t1_iy59uc4 wrote

I was so disappointed because I absolutely love my current one. I think I’m going to have to look on eBay for one.

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lulzerjun8 t1_iy1k10x wrote

My parents got me a Northface Borealis in 2008 when I first went to college. I used it every day for 5 years of undergrad and 3 years of grad school. And my husband uses it now as his commuter work bag. He used it recently as his carryon on a work trip to Europe. It’s still in fantastic condition. Can’t kill it.

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MissTania1234 t1_iy20l1t wrote

At first I thought this was a post on a buy nothing thread and got excited 😂

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The_Christ_is_Right OP t1_iy210os wrote

I’m unfamiliar with that sub!

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MissTania1234 t1_iy3oyws wrote

They are local subs where people post things they are giving away for free!

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Chowbasa t1_iy44gee wrote

https://buynothingproject.org

Hyper-local groups on FB, no buying and no selling; just giving away for free. Now they have an app but that’s not so “hyper-local” as your neighbors from a few blocks away

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Laoscaos t1_iy147sl wrote

I have a Swiss army backpack my mom got me in 2002 (grade 4), and it's still looking new as well!

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Midget_Masher t1_iy0lsjo wrote

I’ve got a Yavapai from the same vintage, still kicking, BIFL all day.

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MikeMont86 t1_iy1dsgr wrote

I have been carrying my Yavapai daily for 12 years and it’s still kicking. Little elastic details on the straps are kind of blown out, but it’s perfect otherwise!

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jools4you t1_iy0zaq7 wrote

I have a North Face jacket, the zip sticks all the time, I so regret buying it.

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Fruitndveg t1_iy37sn0 wrote

That could happen to any brand in fairness. All zips are outsourced.

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jools4you t1_iy7yoo6 wrote

No it's how the zip was sown on it catches on the coat fabric and gets caught

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anon_throw-away t1_iy1m0g2 wrote

I picked one out of the work anniversary catalog because it was the only non-pathetic option. Glad to hear it's BIFL!!

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Dry-Organization-426 t1_iy1nije wrote

Reminds me of my jansport I got for college and has lasted me through grad school and beyond

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OpinionatedNonsense t1_iy4cy20 wrote

I've never had a Jansport backpack last more than 6 months, but maybe I was buying the school-oriented ones and not the outdoor ones? I've gone through at least 10 in my life because my grandma would buy them for me every year.

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Dry-Organization-426 t1_iy4dahk wrote

Don’t get me wrong it’s on its last legs now but did it’s duty for school. I also have an old jansport for backpacking somewhere that has served me well

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Girl-Incognit0 t1_iy3k3oq wrote

I love these! Got one when I started college in 2011, and then used it to travel overseas with for 3 years, and now it’s my go to bag still for everyday hauling of stuff I need or going to the gym. Still looks great aside from a side pocket that’s stretched out a bit from a water bottle.

It only recently occurred to me that this is a BIFL item. I just assumed all backpacks should last this long, which is why I’ve been so upset that my kids go through so many backpacks every school year. I just though they were rough on them. I guess I’ll be buying these moving forward for them and seeing how that goes.

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banana4815162342 t1_iy3lw60 wrote

I have this same pack from the same year, and it has been everywhere with me. It's still in good condition, except a new cat moved into my house recently and peed on it. I can't get it out and feel like a part of me died a tragic death.

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The_Christ_is_Right OP t1_iy4dfsh wrote

😭😭😭😭 I’m so sorry. Cat pee follows whatever it’s on for life.

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OpinionatedNonsense t1_iy4c9va wrote

I've only had mine for a year, but it's literally the only backpack I've ever had that's lasted an entire year. It looks good as new. I have faith it's gonna hang in there for awhile!

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16596 t1_iybfpmt wrote

I still have my north face backpack from freshman year in high school back in 98!

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FunkiestLocket4 t1_iyd45d8 wrote

Those things can protect against bear attacks ive seen it on the news

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The_Christ_is_Right OP t1_iyd4ehg wrote

I will make sure to keep that in mind the next time I’m walking around insert large metropolitan downtown area 😭

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iNouda t1_iy2siy3 wrote

I use TNF Borealis bags for about 10ish years before I swap, not because they're unusable but because I wanna change styles. They last pretty much forever other than some fading. I'm about due for my 3rd set but I haven't found a design I've liked and I'm not really fond of their recent design changes with regards to the compartments and sizes.

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28nov2022 t1_iy392c2 wrote

Do you wash your backpack?

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The_Christ_is_Right OP t1_iy4dbdw wrote

Yes!

This picture was taken immediately after drying it from a deep clean. I try to wash it yearly but missed the few years before washing it this year. I just use dawn dish soap and a scrubber to get into every little nook I can. I clean all the teeth on the zippers as well.

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Banana_Canyon t1_iy4t7p0 wrote

I only have North Face backpacks and theyve all lasted years and years of abuse-- still just as good as they were on the first day I got them!

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CeeRiot t1_iy6ye1q wrote

Yes! Still have mine (bought it off a friend in 2009), use it nearly every day and still looks great 👍

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yodippiddy t1_iy85kc5 wrote

Yes! I have my red jester from 2004 still. I travel with it everywhere still.

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edificeraks t1_iy9ezsg wrote

These things cost 20000 bucks in India!!!!

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