>>250916>>250907I tend to agree with all of this. My disagreement lies in people saying that expensive gear is "worthless" or that cheaper gear is "just as good".
Of course you can do just fine (as I said above several times) with the budget option! Expensive gear of course does not make you a better outdoorsman, but on the same token when you buy a piece of gucci kit (assuming you're going to use it and not just wear it to take pics for /k/) you are paying for better quality of materials, design, and construction. You may do your own internal math to figure out of the cost/benefit ratio works in your own favor.
Also, before anyone accuses me of being a gear snob, let it be known that for the large majority of my /out/ career I was using 2nd and 3rd hand everything, nothing but tarp shelters for lack of funds for a tent, and generally having to be as cheap as humanly possible about my hobby, once I gained a bit of fiscal ability, I started buying nicer kit, and now my setup isn't exactly world class, but I have high quality everything from shoes to hat. I have definitely noticed how much easier and more comfortable hiking has become for me since I now have proper kit, and the older I get (nearing 30 now) the more I am concerned with staying as comfortable as is possible given the weight restrictions inherent to hiking.
In short, TAD Hoodies are expensive, and they do work as advertised and are an excellent, well designed, high quality product, and In my opinion have proven to be worth the money, but that equation is different for everyone. If you cannot afford one, than the quality or benefits of one are totally moot to you, and you will do just dandy with a $150 shell. That being said, I have one, I love it, and when this one finally gives up the ghost, I will cheerfully purchase another.
Not trying to get into a fiscal pissing contest or become a gear-queer, I'm just a hiker who owns and likes this jacket.
