r/BuyItForLife • • Feb 03 '25

!Canada! Buyitforlife from Canada, what’s your favourite things made in Canada?

1.2k Upvotes

With the now starting trade war between the US and Canada I feel it’s best for us up north to support local more than ever.

One of my favourite clothing brands is Anian from Victoria, BC. I have a few of their shirts and will probably end up getting more.

Edit: Adding some other brands up here that I personally own and love.

Canada West Boots - Made in Winnipeg. Been wearing a pair of Romeos for a couple years now.

Popov Leather - Made in Nelson, BC. have a few of their leather goods, holding up really well.

Meyer - PEI. High quality made in Canada pots and pans, I have their non-stick 12”.

Edit 2: House of Blanks - I have a bunch of their t-shirts, nice heavy weight cotton. Very comfy


r/BuyItForLife • • Feb 03 '25

BIFL Non-USA edition! A list of BIFL not made in the USA

3.0k Upvotes

A timely reminder that this subreddit is obviously very USA-centric with its recommendations as that’s where the majority of users are from. It often leads to people not realising that comparable and/or better items can be found closer to home, easier, cheaper and free of tolls.

I thought it would be a good idea to crowdsource some manufacturers here for non-American users.

This isn't neccesarily items made in those countries as some manufacturers use factories across the world but with a commitment to quality

I can start (I'm kind of UK/Euro centric so it would be great to expand this):

Clothing
Portuguese Flannel - Portugal
Naked and Famous - Canada
Uskees - UK
Yarmouth Oilskins - UK
Carrier Company - UK
Old Town - UK (Closing down)
Farmer's Market - Iceland (may be hard to buy outside of Iceland)
Oni Denim - Japan
Iron Heart - Japan
Barbour - UK
Companion - Spain
NÄZ - Portugal (only women)
Meindl - Germany (they run a high quality fashion brand but are known for great hiking boots)

Outdoor Gear
Fjällräven - Sweden
Rab - UK (offer a very good repair service)
66° North - Iceland
Devold - Norway
Bergans- Norway
Haglöfs - Sweden
Klättermusen - Sweden
Alpkit - UK

Footwear
Solovair - UK
Mayura Boots - Spain
Church's - UK
Loake - UK
Wm. Lennon - UK
Astorflex - Italy

Kitchen/Cookware
Le Cresuet - France
De Buyer - France
Fissler - Germany
WMF - Germany (very wide and variable range but Made in Germany stuff good)
Fiskars - Finland
Duralex - France
Samuel Groves - UK

Appliances/Small appliances
Miele - Germany
Dualit - UK
Moccamaster - Netherlands (Coffee makers)
Zojirushi - Japan
Numatic - UK (vacuum cleaners)
Sebo - Germany (vacuum cleaners)
Ankarsarum - Sweden

Edit - Some excellent feedback. I'll try and work my way through and add what I can! Please note that I will only add stuff that I have experience with but all the comments help with crowd sourcing knowledge.


r/BuyItForLife • • 19h ago

Discussion Can we please stop with the uselessly unspecific recommendations for “good” and “quality” items?

332 Upvotes

Hear me out (or don’t idgaf)

Half of the posts that come up for this sub are along the lines of “what item did you not cheap out on that you now SWEAR by”. And the answers are almost all:

“a GOOD blender”

“a QUALITY so and so”

WHAT DO YOU MEAN. I’m here for recommendations of specific items that YOU have personally tried and tested. That’s the power and value of a community like this.

I don’t need you to tell me that the good, quality item you bought has, lo and behold, held up over time!

Also, how do I know what “good” or “quality” means to you when you’re providing a grand total of ZERO metrics which I should be looking for, or prioritising over others.

We get it. You’re over the moon your purchase has lasted and/or your research was well invested. But dear lord stop the meaningless bloating of this otherwise useful sub. Give me SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS.


r/BuyItForLife • • 2h ago

Discussion which plain tees actually hold up to years of washing without going thin and see through

10 Upvotes

just bagged up four tees that went see through at the shoulders and one that still smells like a gym no matter how i wash it. cotton always thins out within a year, the synthetic ones hold odor forever. im clearly bad at buying these. what actually survives a few years of normal washing and a dryer without turning into a rag? more a fabric question than a brand one at this point.


r/BuyItForLife • • 12h ago

[Request] Looking for a good electric kettle

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50 Upvotes

wife is a tea drinker.

my previous set up was a Saki Turkish Style Kettle which looked nice and felt nicely made but it has been a piece of crap and noisy and now it seems to have some electrical problems with faulty connections and weird static noises even when it is off the past 6 months but they are not providing much support (no longer supported model, no support in Canada, Contacted 1 month post 2 year term even though it has been having problems the past year). this has been a pretty dissapointing considering they are not exactly cheap.

Anyways I am looking for something to replace it. I am not a fan of poor quality products and I am willing to pay more than the usual appliance level items to have something that will last a good few years unlike this one.

required : Needs to look nice on the counter, minimum 1.2L capacity temp adjustment not required but a hold is needed.

if I can place a teapot on top (lided vs the button popped top) it would be ideal. does not need to come with a teapot as long as I can semi safely place on top.

Drink bar pictured for aesthetic reference.

Budget : around 200$USD
Location is in Canada, Ontario Prefer local vendors
Currently Looked at Breville Models since they seem to be descent quality


r/BuyItForLife • • 5h ago

Discussion Percale vs Bamboo sheets if you actually wash them for years?

10 Upvotes

I like the crisp feel of percale, but bamboo sounds better for warm nights. I have been comparing a bedsure bamboo set with basic cotton percale and keep finding reviews that focus only on the first week. How do these materials compare after a year of washing?


r/BuyItForLife • • 11h ago

Vintage Can an Osterizer ever die? Mine hasn't in at least 30 years.

19 Upvotes

I inherited this from my grandparents. Stainless steel casing, glass container, all electro-mechanical. All I needed to do was replace the corroded cord, but after that it runs like a dream. No leaks, no bad smells, no problems at all. I swear these things are indestructible. My mom has a similar one that's all plastic, but it still runs flawlessly too. I wonder if the new Osterizers are just as good as this?


r/BuyItForLife • • 14h ago

[Request] Need a warm men's coat for cold, wet weather, but I do care about fashion

32 Upvotes

What are the best options for winter in Oregon? This means it can't be suede or leather, should be able to withstand wet, but would also like some kind of insulation lining. I always favor more natural materials and a more heritage look, NOT something from REI or techwear. Would love some kind of sherling collar, or some alpaca lining, though down is acceptable as well.


r/BuyItForLife • • 19m ago

Discussion duvet cover that still feels cotton-soft after washing?

• Upvotes

Several duvet covers I have owned felt soft at first and rough after repeated washing. I am considering a Bedsure cover, but I want to understand which weave stays comfortable longest. Is percale, sateen, or washed cotton the safest choice?


r/BuyItForLife • • 4h ago

[Request] Arcteryx Thorium Hoody or Aritzia Super Puff for everyday winter use as a dude?

2 Upvotes

(Disclaimer: I included the “as a dude” part because some of my girl friends said that aritzia is supposed to be for women and that seeing a dude wearing a super puff would ick them)

I know no jacket does it all but If I had to pick one for everyday use (walking to and from classes, standing outside waiting for the bus, walking my dog, etc), which one of these two should I pick? Any additional recommendations are definitely welcome.

Ideally I’d wear it from mid October till the end of the winter. Average winter temps are between 0C and -15C here where Im locating In Canada with some days reaching -25C/-30C.

Id also love some gloves reccs if you guys have any

Thanks In advance :)


r/BuyItForLife • • 19h ago

Discussion Wireless charger recommendations?

39 Upvotes

On my 4th wireless charger in like 5 years and I'm over it...

First one was a cheap flat pad that got stupid hot and then just stopped charging. then I got a Magsafe charger stand where the cable frayed right at the base and of course it's built in so whatever, it's trash now

I actually liked having a 3 in 1 wireless charger on my nightstand, Phone/Watch/Airpods all in one spot is super convenient. mine was just a no-name one so the watch part died after a year. I'd buy another one, just a better one this time

Mainly want a cable I can swap out myself and something that doesn't cook my phone overnight

Also is a qi2 wireless charger actually better or is that just the new thing they slap on the box?

Happy to spend more if it'll last. what's the best wireless charger you've had that's still working?


r/BuyItForLife • • 13h ago

[Request] Reliable and low-maintenance printer recommendations?

8 Upvotes

r/BuyItForLife • • 10h ago

Discussion Furniture? What brands are good quality for bedroom and dining room?

5 Upvotes

Moving and don’t want to take 30 year old furniture with me. But, went to local furniture store and the quality was awful and still pretty expensive. Nowhere near the quality of my 1990s furniture. So I’m considering keeping the bedroom set and maybe getting it refinished. I see some online stores that look good but am hesitant about buying online without being able to see the quality. What brick and mortar and online stores offer quality wood pieces?


r/BuyItForLife • • 12h ago

[Request] Dehumidier recommendations?

6 Upvotes

Can anyone here recommend a reliable dehumidifer.

I cant seem to find reliable products from a reputable brand.

Appreciate the help!


r/BuyItForLife • • 9h ago

[Request] Looking for a great rice cooker!

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I currently have a cheap aroma ARC-360NGP rice cooker, and I am looking to upgrade to something better, that will produce more consistent results. Budget I am looking for something 250ish.

I have heard a lot of good things about the zojirushi rice cookers but there are so many different models! Does anyone else have any specific models or recommendations on rice cookers? Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks so much for your help


r/BuyItForLife • • 13h ago

[Request] Sectional recommendations?

3 Upvotes

I’m looking for a sectional that ideally has a pop-up sleeper function. I have a dog that is pretty high energy so id like something that will hold up or have a good coverage option for damages.
I’m getting a ton of instagram ads for couches now and I’m overwhelmed.
Does anyone have good recommendations?


r/BuyItForLife • • 14h ago

Review Tupperware went to hell in a handbasket

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5 Upvotes

I wanted to replace a sandwich keeper that snapped in half and all they offered me was half of the value of it and then I still had to pay the whole value of it for shipping. How is that a warranty when I said this is an outrage because technically if something breaks after only a few years four to be exact, they should cover it and they said oh we went bankrupt on this new company doesn't do that now you get the value of the one item even if it's in a set and you still have to pay a ton for shipping. They won't let you wave shipping to get a warranty replacement. So basically I have to pay double the value of the item to get it replaced for free. Seriously forget them.


r/BuyItForLife • • 20h ago

[Request] My husband loves to bake. I want to get him a nice BIFL pastry blender. Anyone have a nice one they enjoy using that will last?

11 Upvotes

r/BuyItForLife • • 7h ago

[Request] Good quality super smooth cotton sateen nightgowns on amazon

1 Upvotes

Title ideally lingere like but still practical if possible


r/BuyItForLife • • 1d ago

[Request] How has your robot vacuum held up over the years?

57 Upvotes

My husband has been wanting a robot vacuum for a while now, and I keep asking why we need another vacuum when the one we have works fine lol

I've always been the type to use appliances for as long as I can. I don't mind spending money on something we'll use regularly, but I want to know it'll last for years.

He's mostly thinking about the time we'd save cleaning the floors. I'm thinking about replacement parts and whether we'd be buying another robot in three years.

How long have you had yours? Have you mostly just replaced small parts, or have you had to pay for bigger repairs?


r/BuyItForLife • • 1d ago

Repair Got these wolverines resoled

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253 Upvotes

The original one had become separated, the heel was falling off. Still lasted over 17 years working at a glass plant, can’t complain too much.


r/BuyItForLife • • 15h ago

[Request] [Request] Looking for a durable budget microwave

2 Upvotes

I'm not sure if they exist, we have been using Sharp microwaves for the last couple of years and the first one failed after 1-2 years (it simply wouldnt heat up anything) and the second one had the paint inside the microwave corrode and reveal the metallic casing after 1-2 years.

Now my mother wants me to buy a microwave as a spare because we cannot carry the microwave ourselves from the store (physical issues) and it would take several days minimum to get a new one delivered.

I'm looking at budget brands for a 20L, basic digital microwave...and i have no idea if any of these brands are durable...

I live in South East Asia and the main budget brands here are:

  • Cornell
  • Midea
  • Comfee (Seems to be a subsidiary of Midea)
  • Europace
  • Powerpac
  • Mayer
  • Electrolux
  • Sharp
  • Tecno
  • Toshiba
  • Russel Taylors
  • Whirlpool
  • Panasonic

They are all about $100 or below, although Panasonic seems to be about $120.

I'm particular impressed by the specs for the Comfee CMO-EM7P012LY, but it's a Chinese brand...and i'm not confident on the durability.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Edit : Probably going to get the Panasonic NN-ST21QWYPQ as i found a great deal for it at Courts, its discounted down to $89.


r/BuyItForLife • • 10h ago

[Request] Lucite furniture and longevity

1 Upvotes

Recently scored two very nice lucite side tables.

I am wondering where these fall in terms of BFL? Obviously scratches happen and yellowing can, but is lucite known for lasting forever or is there varieties better than others?


r/BuyItForLife • • 1d ago

Discussion Why do so many security cameras now require a monthly subscription?

555 Upvotes

I recently added up how much I have spent on cloud storage for my security cameras and it came to around $180 in just three years. The cameras themselves only cost about $280 so it feels a bit crazy to keep paying every month for something I already own. I did rather pay a little more upfront and avoid another subscription. I am looking for cameras that store footage locally do not require a monthly plan and can reliably last for several years. What security cameras have worked well for you without a subscription? Which ones would you recommend for long term use?


r/BuyItForLife • • 1d ago

Discussion J crew barn jacket vs ll bean field jacket

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56 Upvotes

Hello, im trying to choose between these two barne / field jackets, and i know neither are bifl but which one is the better quality if anyone has experience the ll bean has nylon sleeve lining and the j crew has full cotton lining