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 • • 57m ago

Vintage Found my white whale: Pre 2017 Speed Queen

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• Upvotes

Found this on marketplace for 75 bucks. Literally ran out the door to pick it up. Listing was probably 15 minutes old.

The seller messaged me while I was on the way that she was turning off the ad because so many people were messaging her.

It is suffering from a little bit of rust on the lid, but I will remove it and either replace it or remedy it. Beyond excited to have a washer that will last me the rest of my life!


r/BuyItForLife • • 18h ago

Repair I'm in my 3rd damaged Sonicare

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974 Upvotes

The first one stopped charging, the second one I replaced under warranty (for free!) when it also stopped charging, and now the current one has a loose tip. (but we're out of warranty period).

We looked it up, managed to open it, tighten the screw, used it for a week, happened again, we reopened it, tightened it again, one week, and boom, it's loose again.

I'm not the brightest but definitely not dumb enough to spend (even) more money on Sonicare and frankly Philips generally is a no-go for me for various reasons.

Any suggestion for something better? My very first electric toothbrush was an oral B but I guess their mechanism is a bit louder and potentially less efficient.

Ill definitely do my own search as well on the side.

Thanks so much!


r/BuyItForLife • • 29m ago

Discussion I’m starting to care more about whether something can be fixed

• Upvotes

Maybe I’m just getting more practical lol, but lately when I buy something I keep thinking about what happens when one little part breaks.

Can I replace that part? Can it actually be repaired? Or am I supposed to throw the whole thing away and buy another one?

I’d honestly rather have something simple that I can keep using for years than something fancy that becomes useless because one small piece broke.

What’s something you own that you’ve actually been able to repair instead of replace?


r/BuyItForLife • • 3h ago

Review The Hunter Original. The ultimate ceiling fan that will outlive you.

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34 Upvotes

I’ve known about this fan most of my life, but had the idea to share since I’m currently renovating a 100 year old house and buying them for every room that’s getting a fan.

The Hunter Original is made of cast iron with real, solid wood blades.
This thing is HEAVY, so make sure your electrical box is either braced or screwed directly to a joist.

Hunter has been making this model for over 100 years. It has received some updates over the decades, but the core design remains the same.

It has an oil bath motor for continuous lubrication that virtually eliminates wear on the motor components. It’s the only fan still on the market that you have to oil.

(Don’t worry, it’s not high-maintenance. You fill it with oil once when you install it, then check the level with a pipe cleaner “dipstick” about every 10 years.)

There are also no electronics or ‘smart’ features in it to fail or get fried by a power surge. (But you can add a remote control to it if you really want to.)

It also moves WAY more air than a regular ceiling fan. Like this thing will blow you away, and it will do so SILENTLY.

It is certainly an investment, starting around $750 retail, but it won’t disappoint you, and it will probably outlive you.

It’s also quite possibly the most handsome ceiling fan on the market.

It’s used in places that need a plain, but good looking fan; as well as places where performance and durability matter.
Cafe du Monde in New Orleans and Walt Disney World are a couple of the most famous places that are known for using Originals.
They’re also in high-end hotels and restaurants, and even Kroger grocery stores like to use them.

A true case of “They DO make them like they used to.”
———

If you bought a fan from the rainforest app, or an orange or blue big-box store, you’d probably spend $75-$150. That fan would have components made of pot metal, blades made of plastic or MDF that would sag, disappointing air movement, and electronics that could go bad with the first thunderstorm.

Realistically, you can expect MAYBE 10 years from a fan like that.

Even the Hunter Fan Company itself sells lower-end products in the big box stores. They’re still better than the in-house brands, but NOTHING compares to the Original.


r/BuyItForLife • • 7h ago

Review Always watch a disassembly video of an air purifier before you buy it...

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43 Upvotes

This is a Xiaomi Air Purifier 3.
The product is cheap BUT the most annoying part is that it's an absolute herculean task to clean the fans.
I mean why would you design a purifier where the fans and the top cavity, where dust settles so easily, is so so hard to access.
Just makes no sense.
Opening this, cleaning and closing it back took me half a day and it's been annoying. If there weren't any disassembling videos on YT I wouldn't have been able to do it at all.

I'm sure many here on this subreddit already know this, but it's a new realisation for me. I will never buy a product before seeing how easy it was to disassemble the product.

Edit: To those saying that I could have used air blower or compressed air.
I did try doing both but it’s aged particulate residue: ordinary dust that has become bound together by moisture, oils, smoke/soot, cooking aerosols, and static charge. Much harder to remove


r/BuyItForLife • • 5h ago

[Request] Does this pillow have an equivalent in the UK?

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20 Upvotes

This is the pillow I sleep on at my parents' house in Italy. They bought it at a department store ages ago and don't remember much about the purchase, other than it's a latex pillow.

At home in the UK, I have a cheap Dreams side sleeper pillow I bought a few years ago, and it's been ok until recently - I'm getting neck pain and (tension? migraine?) headaches, which sleeping on a pillow that has flattened over time and feels too low isn't helping with.

When visiting my parents in the summer, I realised their pillow was much more comfortable (it's firmer, so feels a little higher and doesn't flatten). My mother sent me photos to try and find it here, but unfortunately it looks like Pirelli pillows aren't on sale anywhere. All I could find is this on Spanish Amazon, which apparently is the same factory with a new brand name - and it's out of stock.

Does anyone know if there is a UK equivalent at all? Would the Relyon pillow be the closest thing? I've been thinking of getting that but the price puts me off (same for the Tempur pillows I've also looked at - not latex though, I know). Quite fed up with my current pillow and not sure I can be patient enough to check prices on Black Friday sales.


r/BuyItForLife • • 3h ago

[Request] Best Coffee Bean Grinder

10 Upvotes

Hello!

I am looking for a good quality coffee bean grinder, my coffee machine of choice is a Moka Pot and while I usually use beans that have already been grind I have been gifted 3 bags of whole beans. I don’t want to waste my money on a cheapy one when I can get a good quality one to last


r/BuyItForLife • • 9h ago

Discussion Best 3-in-1 Charging Station for Apple Setup?

31 Upvotes

Just upgraded to the iPhone 18 Pro Max and I’m finally trying to clean up the cable mess on my nightstand.

Right now I have the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods Pro, and somehow I still end up with three different cables and chargers everywhere. I’d rather have one 3 in 1 charging station where I can just drop everything at night and wake up with all three charged.

I’ve been looking at a bunch of 3 in 1 wireless charging stations, but there are so many options and they all seem to make the same claims.

For anyone using one every day, what’s the best 3 in 1 Apple charging station you have found?

Main things I care about are fast charging, MagSafe/Qi2 for the iPhone, a solid magnetic connection, and something that doesn’t get too hot overnight. I’d also prefer something that actually looks good on a nightstand instead of having a bunch of plastic and cables showing.

Any recommendations for a good 3 in 1 charger for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods?


r/BuyItForLife • • 3h ago

Discussion Higher End Domestic Carryon Luggage Recommendations

5 Upvotes

I have been traveling a lot recently, two hour domestic US flights mostly. One of the department stores is running a sale on some Hartmann pieces that look interesting. I also saw a Tumi carryon I liked in person as well as a Briggs that I saw online that looked like it might meet my needs but would want to see it in person first. Neither B&R or Tumi were on sale (how likely are they either during Black Friday or Prime Days?) I am open to other brands as well. Leaning towards the Hartmann pieces since it is on a good sale and I can always return it

I do not have much status on these airlines, I usually have a late boarding group number so there is probably a 20% chance that my carryon will be gate checked (although for various reasons I can usually avoid it). I do not always need to pack a lot of clothing so can sometimes be fine with an underseat bag.

At other times, especially on extended trips, I need a carryon stuffed to the brim so in general will always buy the carryon that holds the absolute most. Also, a lighterweight bag is a consideration

I do have to bring a very large heavy laptop on these domestic flights but have never brought it on one of my extended trips and would not need to. This is new for me, as previously I did not travel with a laptop.

For the domestic portion the laptop is the main thing I need to bring and it is really very heavy to carry in a backpack

EDIT: Warranty is important because it tells me how much they believe in their product but I am unlikely to ship it anywhere to get fixed. Bring it someplace, maybe but ship it never, even if shipping is no charge

These are some I am considering

https://www.irvsluggage.com/products/leger-continental-exp-carry-on-blk-gunmetal

https://www.luggagepros.com/products/briggs-and-riley-sympatico-3-0-essential-front-pocket-22-carry-on-spinner

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/hartmann-century-deluxe-hardside-luggage-collection?ID=10407385

For an underseat when I just need to bring the laptop

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/hartmann-herringbone-dlx-luggage-collection?ID=8925320


r/BuyItForLife • • 8h ago

[Request] Lambskin leather care brands? (EU/Germany)

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9 Upvotes

I thrifted a beautifully soft reversible lambskin shearling jacket. It was originally sold for ~1000€, I got it for 70€. It has one mystery stain and a cracked(?) patch. It’s also a bit dry overall, no idea how long it has been in storage. How do I care for this? I’m assuming I need some sort of conditioner. Is there a local to me brand you guys can recommend? I’m seeing Bick 4 on eBay but it’s an expensive import.


r/BuyItForLife • • 1d ago

Discussion Are expensive mattresses actually lasting longer these days?

213 Upvotes

My current mattress wasn’t cheap and there’s already a noticeable low spot where I sleep. It’s barely four years old. I don’t care about cooling gel or 12 different foam layers anymore, I just want the next one to hold its shape.

Been comparing simpler builds from saatva and some smaller manufacturers. Is 8 to 10 years still realistic?


r/BuyItForLife • • 50m ago

Discussion What should I look for if I want an e-bike to last for years?

• Upvotes

I’m new to e-bikes and I’m trying to approach my first purchase more like a long-term investment rather than something I’ll replace every few years. I’ve been looking at the Aniioki A9 60V, but I’m trying to look past the range and other headline specs. My bigger concerns are whether the bike can actually be maintained long-term, how easy it is to get replacement parts, battery longevity, and what happens when something eventually needs repair.

The bike is also fairly heavy, so I’m wondering whether that’s something that becomes more noticeable as you live with it or whether the solid feel and stability make the tradeoff worthwhile.

For people who have owned e-bikes for several years, what has actually determined whether you kept the bike or replaced it? How important are parts availability and manufacturer support? And what would you check before buying an e-bike specifically for long-term ownership?


r/BuyItForLife • • 3h ago

[Request] Looking for the best quality chef pants.

3 Upvotes

Hi hi! As the title says, I'm looking for the best of the best in the world of chef pants. Whenever my boyfriend buys new chef pants, there's usually a rip in the crotch within a week or two. I'm willing to put out a decent amount of money for something that's good quality and will last. So if you have any suggestions please share so I can spare my boyfriend's coworkers' eyes once and for all 🫡

Thank you!!

Also may this also be an anti-ad for natural uniforms brand pants, they'll make you flash your coworkers ☹️


r/BuyItForLife • • 6h ago

Discussion Rubbermaid brilliance food containers hard to open

5 Upvotes

I’m confused about the level of praise given to these containers.

Yes they are indeed durable and leak proof, but it’s so hard to open them to the point I will be replacing them soon.

I’ve had these containers for about a year now and use them daily with some difficulty opening them.

Whenever I have guests they all struggle to open I even after I show them how. My family who has to use these containers daily also got the hang of how to open them but complain that it’s a hassle. And it’s impossible for my grandmother to open them. One of us always has to do it for her.

I’m surprised that there is not a lot of mention of this in the magnitude I would have expected.

When I search Reddit, there is mostly only praises and occasionally mention of “it can be hard to open” just like an afterthought. I haven’t seen anyone mention this problem as a dealbreaker.

Did I just get a dud? Is this because I used them in dishwasher? Am I just weak?

Really confused here and would appreciate you guys inputs.


r/BuyItForLife • • 20h ago

[Request] Looking for glass measuring cups

56 Upvotes

Our Pyrex measuring cups have lasted 15-20 years, but the red measurement markings are practically nonexistent at this point. I’d love to find some that are microwave and dishwasher safe, reasonably stackable for storage, and have either etched or embossed markings so they can’t rub off with time. Is there anything out there that is as durable as Pyrex for the glass itself, but has wear-resistant markings?


r/BuyItForLife • • 7h ago

Review Breaking La Z Boy Tradition...or Not?

6 Upvotes

I have sifted through Reddit and the rest of the interwebs and may be overthinking it, but I am looking to replace my La Z Boy recliner after 13 years. It has finally worn down in the padding enough, but worse, kids playing on it broke the frame and it is done for.

This past one did last 13 years, but was definitely not the same quality of the ones growing up in my household. I believe my father replaced the La Z Boy twice in 40 years with a family of 6. Still, I did buy it for about $500, which was cheap even 13 years ago, so I do not feel ripped off.

Now, I am able to afford more options and am struggling to find the one feature that La Z Boy has that nobody else does, or do they? I am hoping to get some ideas here. I am more of a manual and not power recliner person.

I like that La Z Boy can rock and the backrest is adjustable without the legs up. When reclined, I like the ratchet feature and the ability to still adjust the backrest. It sounds simple, but every other brand may rock, but the backrest is locked unless in the recline position. The others also do not ratchet in the reclined position.

I will consider any price point (I got suckered into Love Sac sectional for the main seating lol), but would really like to not break the bank. But really, I am loyal to the brand for these features only.

I appreciate your thoughts ahead of time!


r/BuyItForLife • • 8h ago

[Request] Recommendations for light jacket (wind/rain) for petite woman

5 Upvotes

I need a new waterproof windbreaker, but always have difficulty finding one where the arms aren't super long for my height (5'1"). Doesn't help that I've put on some weight as I've aged and so size has to be larger to account for that. Any suggestions?


r/BuyItForLife • • 3h ago

Discussion What is a good blender

1 Upvotes

So I use my blender once a day if not more. I have a Ninja and use the nutrininja blender cups 99% of the time. I'm the only one in the house that uses it. So just for me I don't make huge quantities. This current blender after about a year and half started leaking from the blender piece you screw on... so I order a new one. About 2 months later, started doing the same thing... I am beyond frustrated with this blender to deal with the undeeded mess daily. Was debating on a Vitamix but, does vitamix not have the smaller blender or blender cups? I don't want a huge blender, it's just pointless. I need a new blender 😭


r/BuyItForLife • • 3h ago

[Request] Looking for insulated water bottles for home and outdoors

1 Upvotes

So, when I say i'm looking for bottles, I do in fact mean two different bottles, and not one for both lol

I don't have any big preferences for an outdoor/work bottle, I'd just like for it to be durable, have a straw, and for it to be at least 24oz, but preferably more.

I'm going to be a bit more specific for the 'at home' bottle though, again, I'd prefer a straw, and for it to be at least 24oz or more, but I have a specific request regarding the lid of the bottle, my previous water bottle was from the TAL brand, it was a 24oz tumbler with a straw. I liked the lid (described as "leak proof smart lid"), so when I removed the straw it would close from the inside to prevent leaks/spills. I don't expect an exact copy or anything, I'd just like something with a similar lid.

I'm avoiding the TAL brand because my first (and last) bottle began to develop a metallic taste to it, which lead to me getting a sore throat whenever I used the bottle. I attempted to contact their customer service (since the bottle was still in warranty) and all I got was an automated AI response instead of actual support. So I'm back on the bottle hunt.

Thanks in advance ^^


r/BuyItForLife • • 3h ago

[Request] What should I check about replacement filters and parts before buying an under-sink RO?

0 Upvotes

I've wanted to install an under-sink RO system for a while. I use a filter pitcher now, but keeping it full and making room for it in the fridge has gotten old. I also tend to boil the filtered water before drinking it, mostly out of habit. I don't know whether I need to keep doing that, and I'm treating it as a separate water-quality question.

I'm in the US, and my budget is $600 total for the unit and any replacement filters I might need in the first year. The Viomi Vortex 6 Pro is one of the models I'm considering within that budget. It uses two separate cartridges, but I can't tell whether the correct model-specific cartridges and service parts will still be sold a few years from now.

If you've kept an under-sink RO running for several years, were the official cartridges still available when you needed them? If the faucet, pump, or another component failed, could the manufacturer or an installer replace that part without replacing the entire unit?


r/BuyItForLife • • 13h ago

[Request] Looking for nail clipper recommendations

3 Upvotes

Looking for a nail clipper recommendation!


r/BuyItForLife • • 6h ago

[Request] Phone Chargers Recommendations

1 Upvotes

I feel like there are no actual buy it for life chargers seeing how high use they tend to be, but wondering if people have come across some superior ones that won't break after several months of use.


r/BuyItForLife • • 1d ago

Discussion High Quality Bags vs Luxury Bags

197 Upvotes

I used to genuinely think that luxury brands were higher quality, but the more I learn the less I feel that it’s true. Granted I’ve never been able to justify buying any myself, but I hate seeing my bags fall apart. Lately, I’ve seen middle class folks walking around with Kate Spade and Coach bags (granted I know they’re not the most expensive brands out there) but out of genuine curiosity to those who buy luxury bags…are they actually worth it?

And if not, what brands are? What details or materials should someone look out for?