I don’t think it’s so much the product Fierce is selling that people are discounting. Every company can make mistakes. The issue is how it was handled by Fierce. And the fact that the OP still has the smooth bore “rifle” in his possession is proof enough…
Durston XMid 2P Solid was my favourite new piece. Very well thought out design and really impressed with the silpoly over silnylon.
SG Grumman jacket gets an honourable mention as well.