When it comes to finding stuff built to last, some things are easier to unearth than others. For instance, most well-made cast iron pans are ready to last a lifetime, but can you put a guarantee on a toothbrush?
Our Research Team has wide-ranging expertise in what makes a truly exceptional product, and we’ve tested hundreds of items of all kinds. However, there are a few categories that consistently leave us stumped.
Fortunately for us, we know the Buy Me Once community is just as discerning as we are. If you have a recommendation for any of the following items, we’d love to hear from you.
Oven gloves
Many of us own decent oven gloves that we’ve had for a while. But we want to find ones that perform brilliantly, last a lifetime and won’t get tatty. Perhaps they could even get better with age?
Sieve
It’s likely you’ve had a sieve that has had the mesh come away from the rim, rendering it practically useless. In theory, this fault shouldn’t be too difficult to design out - but we’ve yet to find a really well-made sieve carrying a guarantee.
Clothes airer
Laundry dryer, clothes rack, clothes horse, whatever you want to call it - these things are almost always terrible quality. We’d like to find a properly-made, sturdy airer offering a generous amount of space.
Mop
Mops seem to have become semi-disposable items: flimsy, hard to clean and not especially user-friendly. We’d love to find a well-made, sturdy mop with a removable head, that (dare we say it) is a pleasure to use.
Gardening gloves
Gardeners will know how difficult it is to find comfortable gloves that go the distance. Rubbery, grippy gloves that fit well and allow for a degree of dexterity are destined to break, usually at the fingertips. But with the right materials or proper reinforcement, this shouldn’t have to be the case.
Alarm clock
For those not wanting to bring their phones to bed, alarm clocks are not yet a thing of the past. Of course, it’s essential that your alarm clock doesn’t let you down - a good guarantee in this category is a must. It should also be quiet, and not require batteries (plugging into the mains if it’s digital).
Toothbrush
Toothbrushes are a tricky one. Do we even want to use the same toothbrush forever? In theory, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be able to deep clean a long-life toothbrush every so often. However, a toothbrush that is sufficiently soft won’t be that durable. We’d like to find a low-waste solution that's at least as durable as regular toothbrushes.
Running shoes
We were told that resoleable trainers don’t exist - and that turned out not to be true. However, proper running shoes continue to elude us. Performance footwear must be lightweight and slim - something that’s at odds with traditional durable materials. Are there any running shoes out there designed to live a longer life than the rest?
If you think you know a great brand making long-lasting versions of any of these products, please let us know in this quick survey. If we can’t find a product that’s up to our standards, who knows? Maybe we’ll make our own...
