Brands that have lost their way...

Horsesforever1 said:
I hope the company making the old hunters does start up again. They were so good in ye olde days.
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Look on Uttings web site Century Dipped Boots (This used to be the Safety Boot Name at Gates Rubber who made Hunters after Uniroyal sold out to them) When Hunters went into liquidation they were made for a time on the Continent where these boots are made and their was Nothing wrong with them at all.

I dont know how they will get away with such a close copy:confused: But the China made Hunter original is only a copy anyway not the genuine article.
 
I get so angry when more British companies set up their manufacturing in cheap countries,denying people work in this country and affecting the quality of the goods.I think the Government needs to step in to support British products and keep manufacturing here,rather than abroad.It's ironic how rich China and India are becoming on the back of foreign industry.
 
Old Hunter went into administration hence why they're so rubbish these days. I've had my pair 10 years and they're still going *love my old hunters*

Joules definitely used to be very good quality and reasonably priced. Now it's neither.

Barbour most definitely still do the old school jackets amongst their fashion range. Just need to go to one of their shops to see this. What makes me laugh is people forget that Barbours need waxing and of course if you don't look after them, they won't keep your dry :rolleyes:
 
This thread is depressing... Capitalism as its best :(

The profit margins are higher than they used to be, instead of making hunters for £10 and selling them for £30 for example, it is now made for £2 and sold for £70 for example.
The hunter factory in Dumfries is depressing, and they made everyone redundant too. Now the area, as does most of Britain have a massive unemployment problem. No wonder the economy is like it is, its inevitable and any idiot should of been able to see that it was circling the drain.
 
Yep, Derby House and Robinsons are now much the same and both stock rubbish. I used to buy Jaguar Aquacats (think they were Westgate at the time) and loved them, then all of a sudden I tried a pair at Olympia and they were completely different - really stiff, uncomfortable - just not the same at all. They only lasted a few months as well then they started leaking :(
I havent bought Musto for a while but would be disappointed if the quality has dropped as they were one of the few that did make lightweight technical jackets that were really waterproof.
 
Old Rambo rug still going strong after 18 years and never had to be repaired. New one didn't last 2 years without drastic rebuilding! Old Brasher boots (for walking) lasted 15 years. New ones bought last year and leather split wide open after 9 months. AAAgh!
 
Muck boots for me - only a few years ago they were the one wellie I could rely on!

Sadly they have changed the soles on the Derwent - they are now very lightweight and 'foamy' so the grip wears down very quickly. I have given up wearing my 'new' pair as have slipped over so many times....

Back to good old Dunlops and although not very warm, last well and have good grips.
 
teapot said:
Barbour most definitely still do the old school jackets amongst their fashion range. Just need to go to one of their shops to see this. What makes me laugh is people forget that Barbours need waxing and of course if you don't look after them, they won't keep your dry :rolleyes:
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Fear not. I still have a pot of wax left from my last one and will be diligently stinking the house out on a semi regular basis! :D Shame I got too fat to wear the last one as there was naff all wrong with it!
 
Pinkvboots said:
Used to love lavenham rugs, I have a quilt made by rainbow had it years my current horse did wreck it but had it repaired and its still going strong, I also have a horseware nz it has never leaked its about 18 years old and its got nice fluffy fleece as lining had all the straps replaced and repaired the holes its the best rug I have, new rugs are rubbish they dont fit very well and the buckles break easily and rust.
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Lavenham rugs are still going, I bought a medium and heavyweight NZ from them with detachable neck, you choose the rug colour and the binding. No centre seam fab rugs.

Some of my stable rugs are 30 years old and still in one piece.
 
singlefarmer said:
Applies to everything today i'm afraid. Definitely a throw away society. No wonder landfill sites are filling up so quick.
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Exactly what I was going to say. Things just do not last be it my own shoes or anything horsey. We do seem to be a throw away society, I was saying this only this week to a friend as this rain this week has showed up that not one, but two pairs of my shoes have raging holes in them!
 
cobden99 said:
I used to buy Jaguar Aquacats (think they were Westgate at the time) and loved them, then all of a sudden I tried a pair at Olympia and they were completely different - really stiff, uncomfortable - just not the same at all. They only lasted a few months as well then they started leaking :(
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Oh no! I've had three pairs of lynxs over the years (last pair died about ten years ago) and have been hankering after another pair for ages as they were my favouritist, bestest boots ever. I'll not bother with another pair now.:(

I had a pair of Ariats when they were first becoming popular-they lasted about six months! Put me right off. I've also had newer Hunters that were pants-wouldn't be so bad if they weren't so expensive! I've an old Rhino Wug with 'made in Ireland' on the label, it's ancient (used as a spare these days) but still keeps the beastie dry and an Amigo 600 from when they first came out and that is surprisingly good. The lightweight one I have is pants though.

I think things tend to go down in quality and up in price depending on how fashionable they become. Companies trading on a name bug me too-Mercedes for example used to build cars to last forever, not any more. How many rusty Mercs do you see around these days?
 
Hairy Old Cob said:
Look on Uttings web site Century Dipped Boots (This used to be the Safety Boot Name at Gates Rubber who made Hunters after Uniroyal sold out to them) When Hunters went into liquidation they were made for a time on the Continent where these boots are made and their was Nothing wrong with them at all.

I dont know how they will get away with such a close copy:confused: But the China made Hunter original is only a copy anyway not the genuine article.
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Thank you
 
Gorridge breeches, brought a pair at Olympia for Christmas, tried onto find 3 holes in them. Back to retailers but sell on so that well one off, now pair has been ridden in twice and in holes. Used to get years of wear out of them. Love ideal saddles still Walsall.

Think when you look pretty ponies, desinger browbands do look god but then compared to cheap brands such as Dublin try do fit nicely.
 
Stephens sheepskin products are still quality. I've got a girth cover that is at least 3 years old and as good as new.
Amerigo bridles are expensive but fabulous quality.
Berghaus goretex jackets continue to be as wonderful as ever they were. I've now got a very lightweight one that I put on over various layers whenever its raining (Often LOL!) Its great. :)

I'm not impressed with Mountain Horse riding boots. High Riders used to last 18 months - 2 years if I was lucky before developing holes in the leather. I only ride 3 times a week!

I really like Derby House own brand turnout rugs. I've had 2 now. Bought the first one about 7 years ago and used it as a turnout and stable rug. It didn't rip or rub and it stayed waterproof. When I sold the horse I sent it with her. I've just bought another one for my other horse and I'm very impressed with it so far. Horse stays dry even in monsoon conditions and its lovely and light. Its even better considering it was 75% off and cost me about £20. :)
 
Volkswagen!!! My 2007 beetle was a load of c**p and the main dealer service was appalling.

My mountain horse high riders have been good, worn daily for riding for past 3 years. As have my Ariats.

Joules is a fashion brand now BUT their baby clothes have been the best I have found and never shrink - far better than next etc.

Amigo rugs rip in a light breeze. Derby House rugs lose their waterproof within a week. Weatherbeeta seem to be the best I have found.

Leadropes!!! Trigger clips ALWAYS break. On Amigo headcollars too.

THe new Greenguard is made out of butter I think, horse managed to eat through it in a month.

Derby House jods never fit properly.

Mark Todd leather gloves are superb. As are Roekl.

And don't even START me on Smeg kitchen appliances!!!!!!!!!!
 
This thread so made me smile. I bought the loveley dubarry galway boots for £298, did'nt even get 6 months out of them, sole split and detatched on one boot and stitching wore through on the calf area on both of them. Bought 2 premier lightweight turnouts which both only lasted a day (never had a rug trashed before). Leadropes, why is it so hard to find ones without mazac fittings - i want real metal!!!
But on the whole i have some great stuff like my clarendon boots (fur lined horse ones) which are still going strong after 24 years, the old rambo's and fal pros and cord gorringe breeches.
 
Captainmouse said:
Echo derby house are pants
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I totally agree, I used to love their own brand rugs, last few I've bought have been rubbbbb-ussh! :D

I have a pair of Hunter Wellies (short ones, kind of mid calf length) they've so far lasted 3 years, but they're not pretty, just plain brown. My daughter has had 2 pink pairs in that time, they seem to be rubbish too.
 
I've recently written letters of complaint to Musto for a failed zip after 6 months and Hunter for perished wellies after 11 month :(

I'm really struggling to find a new waterproof jacket which does everything it should...! Just can't seem to find the quality in the products now...!

You pay more and get less!
 
Just to be fair, Fal have got their act together (another new owner) and I'm pleased with the rugs I purchsed last winter, viking and saracen.

Regarding waterproof jackets, I now only buy goretex. Just the thought of wax cotton makes me feel cold and damp.
 
I agree with mtj, goretex is really waterproof. I find that a lot of non horsey outdoor brands are more waterproof, such as north face or berghaus, Cotswold outdoors has a good range. I find that the horsey jackets I've had have leaked like a sieve as soon as I've washed them, and I've followed the manufacturers guidelines :-(
 
chestnutmarelover said:
Completely agree :( Seems to be a 'throw away' society nowadays.
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Throw away society with not so throw away prices :(


You have to wonder if the manufacturers have gotten wise to the fact their products were hard wearing / long lasting and decided to cut corners and make items less durable. If someone buys a pair of wellies / rug / coat etc and it lasts for 10+ years then they aren't going to need to buy a replacement anytime soon are they?!

Poorer quality = more sales as people will have to replace items more often.

That and of course cost savings by having it made in china / india etc
 
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Definitely a throw away society. Might as well buy stuff from primark where the price does reflect the quality. Would also agree that good outdoor brands are still worth having (though Berghaus and North Face you pay extra for the label). Karrimor is pretty crap now but at least it's generally cheap, needless to say my Karrimor shoes sprang a huge hole whilst I was standing in several inches of slush waiting for a very delayed train.

Stuff from specialist military kit suppliers can be quite good too, I've just bought a BCB backpack and it's a nice piece of gear.
 
Just for the record if you're really in to your outdoor clothing (or know someone who is) they say exactly what we're saying about North Face stuff.

Apparently it really isn't what it used to be since it became popular and more mass produced ;)
 
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