Do any Hunting-specific clothing companies have a usable warranty?

[swampmountaineer]

As I've been attempting to hold on to at least a few of my dollars while getting into hunting, I've become a huge stickler for gear with lifetime warranties. Specifically with clothing, I mix and match to get camo and earthtones from non-hunting companies like Patagonia, Marmot, etc. I'm not at all opposed to getting hunting-specific gear, but every time I need something new, I essentially have the choice between a no-questions asked, lifetime warranty from a company like Mountain Hardwear, Sea to Summit, etc. and a vague promise that this is the greatest product I'll ever buy and no mention of return or repair from First Lite, etc.

So are there companies out there that I am missing that offer a usable warranty on hunting-specific clothing? I probably won't find my next pair of duck waders on sale at Patagonia, but for pretty much else I wear, it's hard to see the benefit of spending twice as much on a "system" with Kuiu or Sitka when I can get something on sale that I can upgrade in the future without even having to turn in a receipt. Or buy at REI and return at the end of the season because "I didn't like it." Please educate me if I am totally missing something here, or not aware of a company that has a stronger policy.

 

[Jbehredt]

I had a useful reply until you stated that you’re one of those turds who returns worn out gear. I want to choke slam those people when we cross paths @checkout. Abuse of a generous warranty is a reason companies don’t offer generous warranties.

 

[swampmountaineer]

I had a useful reply until you stated that you’re one of those turds who returns worn out gear. I want to choke slam those people when we cross paths @checkout. Abuse of a generous warranty is a reason companies don’t offer generous warranties.

I didn't say that I do that, I'm juxtaposing the possibilities offered by a no questions asked policy where that's possible vs. none at all. A little concerning that REI's bottom line is important enough to you to choke slam someone, but that's not my business. Have a great day.

 

[displacedtexan]

I had a useful reply until you stated that you’re one of those turds who returns worn out gear. I want to choke slam those people when we cross paths @checkout. Abuse of a generous warranty is a reason companies don’t offer generous warranties.

Same here.

Clothes wear out. We're not talking about wrenches or a rifle that you can expect to pass down to your kids.

 

[doverpack12]

I’ve personally been treated right by KUIU, Sitka, and Stone Glacier. Honest issues and they never hesitated to make it right or replace.

 

[j3h8]

I probably won't find my next pair of duck waders on sale at Patagonia, but for pretty much else I wear, it's hard to see the benefit of spending twice as much on a "system" with Kuiu or Sitka when I can get something on sale that I can upgrade in the future without even having to turn in a receipt. Or buy at REI and return at the end of the season because "I didn't like it."

Wow... You probably siphon your neighbor's gas to save on your commute too.

It's clothing. It wears out.

 

[LongWayAround]

I expect them to replace manufacturer defects, not give me free stuff for life.

 

[Macintosh]

Ive not had any issues with hunting company warranty on stuff Ive owned. The items Ive had problems with were all handled painlessly by the company. That includes first lite, as well as a few companies that dont have any warranty policy Im aware of (example, nosler).
Rei is even backpedaling on their warranty on many products. Ll bean is another that has revised their warranty. Too many people taking advantage of their liberal return policy for unreasonable grounds, including those who buy it and use it perfectly happily, and then return it for a full refund just because they can. Rei doesnt bear that cost except on rei-branded equipment, they pass that cost on to the manufacturer. The companies have to eat that cost by building it into their pricing, so all of us are paying for those bottom-feeders.

Personally, where it makes sense I’ll happily choose to support companies that are friendly to hunting, guns, etc and support the conservation causes that I support.
If a company is crappy about warranty coverage (ie doesnt stand behind the policy they do have, or is deceptive about it) thats not what Im talking about. Im generally more ok with a concrete policy even if it “excludes wear and tear from normal use”, or that is less than lifetime, than I am with poor service or misleading policy.

 

[Tater86]

The best warranty I have seen is the business is weatherwool. No matter what, they will always give you a full refund on the product, but if you are returning it after using it for a full season and simply stating you don't like it, you will get tracked. Tracked customer's are giving the benefit of the doubt, but at some point they will blacklist you and not let you purchase anymore. The owner is very upfront on his business policy's and usually details a blog everyday.

But buying something at the beginning of the season and then returning it at the end of the season because you don't like it, just tells me all I need to know about a person. A more decent approach is to sell it aftermarket and recoup some of your cost.

 

[intunegp]

I didn't say that I do that, I'm juxtaposing the possibilities offered by a no questions asked policy where that's possible vs. none at all. A little concerning that REI's bottom line is important enough to you to choke slam someone, but that's not my business. Have a great day.

Why do possibilities play into the equation if you're not planning to take advantage of them?

Plenty of hunt clothing companies stand behind their gear and will repair or replace when manufacturer defects arise.

I have a pair of pants from a big name company that got a hole burned in the leg from an errant ember while stoking a fire...they told me that was not covered under warranty which is totally understandable.

The following year when a snap button on a pocket was coming unsewn, they sent me a replacement pair of pants without any more conversation than asking for my size and address. I now have a brand new pair and a pair with a pocket that won't snap and a patched hole in the leg that will still last many more seasons. I'm more than satisfied with their warranty service even though I can't return items/upgrade for no good reason.