You just correctly summarized all the things I don’t like about my Henry. But it’s still a very durable and powerful vacuum-cleaner.

Guns

If you’re looking at service boots (i.e. Thursday Captains) you could but White’s MPs, Grant Stone Diesels, etc. The most aesthetic service boots are Viberg’s IMO, also the originals (and quite pricey), but they are a Canadian brand (still probably easier to acquire in the US than the UK).

I'm not sure if you understand what you're talking about. That's just how you grow business.

Patagonia has no external investors that are looking to make easy money. It used to be owned by the founder and the trust and nonprofit mentioned in an earlier comment were specifically set up that any profit the company makes can be put towards helping the planet and environment and not get the company into the hands of some crappy investors in the future.

Yeah I looked at WLs before deciding on Thursdays. Look great but not what I'm after this time around.

Depends on what you need and are looking for. If you like the outdoors, it might be worth hitting up a REI store if it’s convenient.

Or a company like William Lennon who is based in the UK.

https://williamlennon.co.uk/product-category/boots/

There are plenty of boot makers in the UK and you should be able to get something in a style you like. Someone like William Lennon is still making boots the same way they always have but you will have to wait for them.

https://williamlennon.co.uk/product-category/boots

Yeah, but you can get reusable bags

Yeye keen to have some genuine Chicago deep dish! Definitely asking around for suggestions, especially if there's an old family business.

Not sure what else Chicago is famed for though, food wise.

I have a Patagonia jacket I bought a few years back. It's well made and wearing really well, but that's about all the good I can say about it. It's not as warm as the very similar Columbia jacket I bought it to replace, and the DWR coating on it was not durable at all.

Also, the hood is helmet compatible, but the adjustment system isn't very good so the hood just doesn't work well if you're not wearing a helmet.

All in all, I wouldn't buy it again and I may end up replacing it long before I end up wearing it out because it just doesn't work very well. If I wasn't allergic to spending money it would be gone already.

I think the north face summit series is still legit compared to the other mass marketed stuff.

Goodwill, local thrift shops are fun. You never know what your going to find.

Also, you should ask about local food. Food here is regional dependant. For example: Texas has great beef bbq, NJ has pork roll egg and cheese on a bagel. Etc.

Also, on carpet performance is dramatically improved with the Henry Turbo

Most of my stuff is Wera. I have the Toolcheck Plus and it's honestly pretty clutch when paired with Knipex, fixes nearly everything I need to do.

Some feel gimicky for sure, ie the Zyklop (didn't get that). But imo they're high quality, ie check out Project Farm for tests.

But yeah all of these and the ones you mentioned are a HUGE step up from the average person just not thinking about tools and grabbing some Walmart box.

Important fact, whilst tech has moved on, these are like the AK47 of Vaccum Cleaners, they will soak up abuse and keep going, seemingly forever.

Yeah but you know Wily isn’t cutting his salary

I might go try a pair on. Then I at least a) know for future so I could order from UK and b) have a bar to judge others against.

Yeah thanks. Might hit a goodwill actually, we have charity shops in the UK, but very different to what you have!

Wow, what are the odds you are going to Chicago! How cool 😎 is that!? Took me a while to pull the trigger on buying a pair because of the price but they are completely worth it. I also bought the cedar shoe trees, might be a good idea to get them too if you are going to spend $500+ on boots, that was my thought process when I originally got mine.

Amazon has the official bags for sale in the US. That’s where I bought mine.

I have a new one and I love it! I did a ton of research after learning about Henry on r/vacuums (where it is highly rated & recommended). Very pleased with my purchase!

If you have cast iron, skip lodge. It's not that good. Wagner is better, but old.

My Fjallraven collection is out of hand BUT ITS SOOOOO GOOD

They look great. It's Chicago that in going to, so will check it out.

No doubt better than Thursdays. But also 2.5x the price. A price I'm sure is justified though.