Can be found easily in Europe though. Perhaps they cost slightly less in the US?

Chicago has great steakhouses, and I've got to assume a lot of good Polish food options (sausages, pierogies...)

You ask Timmy in Lawrence, KS. Timmy is 4'5" and his opinion will skew your decision. You don't know Timmy's height as he didn't state it like you didn't state your height.

You ask Sally in Chula Vista, Ca. Sally weighs 586lbs and her opinion will skew your decision. You don't know Sally's weight as she didn't state it like you didn't state your weight.

I can go on with the variables and you can go on taking advice from everything but the horse's mouth.

When you say imported to the US? Do they handle plug/voltage differences?

You should edit to add where in the US in your post, that will impact what we suggest since you can't find everything everywhere! If there is a Patagonia store where you are going, for sure visit that. If you are outdoorsy at all in fact, there are a ton of things much easier to get in the States.

Hasn’t Arcteryx been sold off to Chinese investors? They’re not usually paragons of sustainability.

The only way capitalism "goes away" is if our society collapses on a global scale. That's not going to happen, so the only way forward is adapting. Either capitalism "saves it", or it does not. North Korea isn't going to do it lol

Yeah I mean, Wera is overall pretty great and the bits and tips are top notch, I just dislike their handle shape. Most manufacturers offer at least two or three shapes and a soft/rubber grip and classic hard version.

I like that the sockets have the color coding, that's awesome, and very grippy knurling for sockets which typically aren't. Just hate that the numbers are only laser etched on, not stamped - in 20 years that probably will no longer be visible, I have some old chinese sockets like that and the etching just faded away. Btw they make all the ratchet mechanisms (also for wrenches) and sockets in taiwan. In the Czech they pack them up, but also forge the wrench handles, ratchet handles and all the bits and screwdrivers and allen keys.

I think Wera allen keys are the best on the market overall. They messed up with the annoying sleeves and holder, but functionally, no other allen key offers what Wera does...

For screwdrivers, Vessel is simply the best. Fraction of the cost of PB Swiss or practically any other brand, but in their catalogue there's around 60 pages of solely hand tool screwdrivers (electric screwdrivers and bits are separate). Around 30 handle shapes and types (soft, hard, composite, wood...). The Vessel Power Grip is probably the most beefy screwdriver on the market. The Crystalline is the classic hard handle with extremely clear acetate. There are eco-composite handles, there are true wood handles, there are non-acetate (some solid color plastic) hard handles, there's a few types of soft handles, from the most common megadora to the spongy gel type, there are wood-composite (kind of like very hard cork) handles meant for use in oily conditions where typical plastic handles get slippery, and lots of goofy Japanese gimmicky stuff too (want glow-in-the-dark neon handles? yeah they got them).

Not sure what you mean by collapsible but mine can go long/short by pressing a button on the metal pole, telescoping it.

Agree with the top heavy but it's not a huge issue, if it's empty it's light enough to carry around, if it's full, it won't fall over.

As for suction, this thing blows away any Dyson I've ever had (240V UK).

I know you'll know this but for anyone else who doesn't: It's good to give the cotton filter thing a good wash every so often, the air struggled to get through when it's blocked and hinders suction.

I don't use bags, it has a big material filter in that can be washed, I just empty it in the bin and wash the filter.

Can't be dealing with emptying reusable bags and not wasting single-use ones.

I got a Henry Wet and Dry as a gift from MIL when we moved into our new place. I used it on some "light" construction around the house and it looked a total mess, took it outside and washed everything except the black part with the hose and it looks and works good as new.

The smaller ones like OP seems to be priced around £180 these days in most of the local places I've looked (and Costco), but the W&D is the same size as the XL Plus can be had for the same price, and it comes with an insert for vacuuming liquids as well as the usual filter insert.

I don't use bags, I just empty it in the bin and wash the filter with the hose.

Use it almost daily to vacuum cold ash out of the log stove as well as the usual house work.

I'd recommend Johnnie's Beef where I'd get a beef and sausage combo with hot giardiniera and a lemon ice. One of the locations in really close to O'hare airport.

With good reason - yes.

Without reason, yes if below a specific length and non-locking.

Think we have leatherman here, though unsure if same range and price.

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I loved North Face trail running shoes in the early 2000s. The worked really well for running and I’d continue using them as work shoes when I replaced them every few years.

Now all my running shoes fall apart at the toes.

I second this. Nothing worse than paying $600 for a rain jacket that falls apart at the seams after a few years of light use.

Their old stuff before China shift was fantastic.

What power do you get for defeating him?

Leatherman Wave+, although not sure if you guys can even carry them

I mean I did. I checked their QNA nothing really. All I was asking in the original post was if anyone has had a similar experience. Some brands run weird where they will fit differently. I also said in the post where they weren't fitting right which was round the calf as they slipped a bit. Other people have responded and stated they have had similar issues. I find that it's nice to get other people's opinions and experiences because it helps create a more informed decision :)

Wesco and Truman Boot Co. are noteworthy brands that others haven’t mentioned yet.

FYI: there’s a store in Chicago on Milwaukee Ave. called Mildblend that carries footwear from many of the American companies mentioned in this thread. It would be a good place to try some pairs on and compare options. They also have an excellent selection of raw denim.

The experience of someone else matters zero. If you have a question, call the horse's mouth as "they didn't fit right" is vague as shit and not one can help you. Respectfully, call the maker and seek the best advice or buy something else.

Duluth Trading Company makes some damn fine stuff

Duluth Trading Company makes some damn fine stuff

I don’t use bags in mine

I love my henry!! he’s a handmedown from my nan and he still works great :)