# What's a specific brand of consumer product that's worth the money and then some? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 15, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680 "2017-05-15T19:51:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/41 "2017-05-16T14:53:08Z")
There are other fine brands of charcoal available, but I find Kingsford never disappoints. It lights quickly and burns longer and more consistently. It can frequently be purchased on sale for the same price as some inferior brands of charcoal. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/42 "2017-05-16T14:53:13Z")
Heinz ketchup? Yeah. Definitely. My old GF tried to fool her son by putting store-brand ketchup in a Heinz bottle to save money. It took exactly ONE French fry for him to say, “This isn’t Heinz!!” Logitech mice? Also a big thumbs-up. The M305 was the best wireless mouse available. It worked on virtually any surface, including fabric upholstery. The newer ones don’t work nearly as well. The similar models from other manufacturers hardly work at all in challenging environments. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/43 "2017-05-16T14:53:32Z")
S&W canned beans. Store brand beans are just uniformly bad. Kettle brand potato chips. Lie-Nielsen woodworking tools, if you’re really serious about the hobby. Also pre-1950 Stanley blade tools, if you’re on a budget. Lucini olive oil. Kerrygold butter. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/44 "2017-05-16T14:57:52Z")
Vernors Ginger Ale. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/45 "2017-05-16T15:07:10Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Vernors Ginger Ale. Ghod, yes. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/46 "2017-05-16T15:07:38Z")
Rab walking clothes Meindl walking boots Silva compasses Ordnance Survey maps - works of art IMHO Garmin GPS handhelds Stihl power tools ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/47 "2017-05-16T15:24:12Z")
Boar’s Head mesquite smoked turkey. It’s $10.99 per lb at Kroger, and worth every penny. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/48 "2017-05-16T15:28:03Z")
Mountain Hard Wear and Arcteryx camping gear. Pricey, but worth it. Mountain Hard Wear went to great lengths to honor a lifetime warranty on one of their discontinued products for me as well. I also have no complaints about Keen footwear. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/49 "2017-05-16T15:41:53Z")
Heinz ketchup, yep. I buy the Simply Heinz type – has sugar instead of corn syrup, and it’s worth the extra money. Before the Simply type came out I was willing the spend the bucks for Heinz Organic. A few things I think everyone should be willing to spend the money for: Pendleton wool blanket Tilley hat Smartwool NTS shirt ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/50 "2017-05-16T15:48:38Z")
Best Foods Real Mayonaise ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/51 "2017-05-16T15:49:53Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > Not challenging you, just curious. Is REI really that much better? Or is it mainly better for heavy/rugged users (who actually get out in the wilderness)? REI makes decent gear, quite useful for actual adventure. There are many better brands out there that are top end, but most REI brand gear will suffice for rugged adventures. Having said that, I have only a few pieces of gear from REI other than basic clothing items. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/52 "2017-05-16T16:36:47Z")
> [@boffking](#): > > Cabot cheese. Seconded. As it is the only lactose free brand of real cheese I have ever found, it is all I buy. As for shoes, I bought a pair of Skechers running shoes with memory foam padding. It was like running on pillows. I am on my 5th pair and still love them. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/53 "2017-05-16T16:42:10Z")
Now that Turble has been in the thread, how did I forget Kem playing cards? You know the paper playing cards you probably have in your house? You might as well be playing cards with toilet seats or potato chips. Paper cards are for crap. Hie thee to Amazon or Kem’s website and order a two deck set of Kems. Oh, you’ll wonder “why am I paying $30 for two decks of cards?” but when you get them you will wonder no more, because you’ll save money on playing cards in the long run. They’re near-indestructible. Don’t tear or nick (unless you really try) and and are stain-resistant and washable. We’ve played hundreds of games of cards with our Kems and every card looks brand new. You’ll go to your friends’ houses and play with their paper cards and wonder why they choose to live like animals, and resolve to always bring your cards if they won’t buy Kems. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/54 "2017-05-16T16:46:30Z")
What are variously called “side”, “safety”, “safe-cut”, or “smooth-edge” can openers: The ones which pry the lid off instead of cutting it, which is both easier and safer compared to the classic can openers which required you to cut metal and left a gratuitously sharp edge. The smooth-edge can openers are how can openers always should have been, and they make the older kind seem like a bodge job perpetrated by someone who didn’t fully understand the problem. Also, the lid can’t fall into the can when the lid is bigger than the can, as it is when you’ve taken off the whole top, as opposed to just cut off a piece of the top. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/55 "2017-05-16T16:47:39Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > You’ll go to your friends’ houses and play with their paper cards and wonder why they choose to live like animals, and resolve to always bring your cards if they won’t buy Kems. I always bring my own cards anyway. For some reason, I do much better with them. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/56 "2017-05-16T16:55:42Z")
Ziplock bags: Store brand resealable bags just don’t seal as well From the way down scale end: Top Ramen noodles: They are about 20% more expensive than Manuchan, but 20% comes up to about 5 cents per brick, and they are much crisper than Manuchan which always end up tasting pasty to me. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/57 "2017-05-16T16:58:27Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Genuine Victorinox Swiss Army knives. Most of them come in well under a c-note. They’re beautifully made, genuinely useful, and you’ll lose it before you wear it out. That was going to be my nomination as well. I have several and always have one on me. They are amazingly well made and useful especially compared to their fairly low cost. Victorinox kitchen knives are fairly inexpensive and excellent as well. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/58 "2017-05-16T17:26:50Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Genuine Victorinox Swiss Army knives. Most of them come in well under a c-note. They’re beautifully made, genuinely useful, and you’ll lose it before you wear it out. > [@ZonexandScout](#): > > Logitech mice? Also a big thumbs-up. > [@The\_Tooth](#): > > Mountain Hard Wear…camping gear. Pricey, but worth it. Good picks. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/59 "2017-05-16T17:38:37Z")
> [@astro](#): > > [These](http://k2b-bulk.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ListingConsole¤tpage=LCActive&pageNumber=1&searchField=ItemTitle&searchValues=chaco&StoreCategory=-4&Status=All&Format=All&matchCriteria=and&srcFld_1=Title&searchOpDd_1=CONTAINS&srcVal_1=&lrowcount=1&srcType=0&goToPage=) Bad link. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/60 "2017-05-16T17:39:45Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Genuine Victorinox Swiss Army knives. Most of them come in well under a c-note. They’re beautifully made, genuinely useful, and you’ll lose it before you wear it out. You can buy them cheaply on ebay from guys who buy bulk lots thru TSA. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680.md?page=4)