When I recently shared in the Nomadico newsletter that I was finally discarding a pair of Darn Tough Vermont socks I’d had for fifteen years, many readers reached out to me, saying, “Don’t throw them away—the company offers a lifetime warranty!” I was aware of that, but I’m trying to stay out of the USA as much as possible these days and thought I had certainly gotten enough use out of them. I have other pairs from them that are newer and I’d be happy to purchase more later, especially if they are on sale.
I’ve previously mentioned this brand in my article about travel gear I couldn’t destroy. Generally speaking, if a company has a policy that their products are guaranteed for life, you can assume they produce quality items that last. Conversely, if a company only provides limited warranties or a few of their products have a lifetime guarantee, they’re hedging and implying, “Our products may hold up, but they might not.”
Some corporate firms, led by bean counters, may voice concerns that some customers will exploit the policy, but anyone working at genuinely reputable travel gear companies will tell you this worry is unfounded: very few customers actually take advantage of the warranty because they don’t need to. For instance, I believe the return rate at Osprey and Eagle Creek is around 1%.
I’ve been traveling since the early ’90s and spend as much time away from home as I do at home, so the items I take with me certainly get tested. The ones I still use a decade or more later have accompanied me on numerous trips and in many instances, they appear nearly new.
Over the years, I’ve learned to prioritize quality, relying on brands that won’t fail me during critical times. Like a reliable friend who is always there, well-crafted clothing and luggage won’t let you down simply because times are tough.
Here are the clothing brands, luggage brands, and accessories you can trust, all of which have a lifetime guarantee that’s straightforward without convoluted legal language or complicated return procedures. Unless they cease operations, these brands will support you for as long as you need them.
## Travel Clothing and Outdoor Adventure Apparel
There’s a considerable overlap in the travel gear market, with companies frequently selling clothing, footwear, luggage, and more. However, here are those that primarily focus on travel apparel and have robust guarantees and return policies. There aren’t many of these—LL Bean and Eddie Bauer both eliminated lifetime guarantees that had been in place for years—so those that offer it (or something similar) truly merit your patronage.
Just remember to be reasonable in your expectations: just as you wouldn’t return a pair of running shoes that have completed eight marathons, they don’t want you to return a shirt you wore for four months straight from Cairo to Cape Town because it got stained.
### Craghoppers
The British travel clothing brand Craghoppers exited the US market for a period, roughly around the same time ExOfficio quit selling anything other than underwear, so I was overjoyed when they resumed offering their durable apparel in the states. They launched a year after I was born, and I’m not exactly young.
I own clothing from them dating back to the early 2010s that still looks fantastic and performs well, so I’ve never had to put their warranty to the test that states, “All our outdoor clothing and equipment is Guaranteed For Life.” Especially in the realm of travel shirts, these are among the best-made choices available.
### Darn Tough Vermont
*Socks* guaranteed for life? With this company, absolutely. Imagine acquiring a pair of hiking socks, using them on over 50 hikes in various countries spanning a decade and a half, and still not wearing them out. That’s the story of my first pair of Darn Tough Vermont socks, which are finally showing signs of wear. From Patagonia to Mexico to Kyrgyzstan, those socks kept my toes blister-free in the mountains and never came close to developing a hole.
When I return to Patagonia on the Chilean side next month, I’ll be bringing along some newer pairs that I trust won’t let me down. Purchase them directly, on Amazon, or at your nearby outdoor apparel retailer.
### Orvis
This outdoor gear and clothing brand has been in existence since the 1850s, and you don’t achieve that level of longevity without cultivating substantial customer loyalty. Here’s their commitment: “100% customer satisfaction has been our pledge since 1856. It embodies who we are. If you’re not satisfied with a product or service, we want to hear about it. And we’ll make it right.” While not explicitly a lifetime guarantee, their online feedback suggests that they don’t make it difficult for you to return something that