Useful, durable finds that you just might wish you'd known about sooner.
We hope you love the products we recommend!
1.A belt made with full-grain leather, aka a thick single piece that won't break, tear, crack, fray, or split, even if you wear it every single day, year in and year out.
Seriously, these belts have a 100-year warranty because they mean it. The buckles are easily replaced, too, if you have one you like better.
Promising review: "I can’t express how happy I am to have found this product. In 2017 alone I went through 5 belts! From torn belts to broken fasteners, I’ve seen it all. I purchased this belt in Jan 2018, and have thrown everything at it and it hasn’t blinked! I’m a big guy, and recently dropped a few pounds. Where I would normally have to buy a new belt, with this one I grabbed a drill and made a few new holes that are holding up just as well as the original ones. I also pull my belt very tight to keep my pants from sagging from lack of a backside, so my belts tend to warp and start to roll a little. Not Hanks, this belt is freaking rock solid as the day I opened the package." —Steven McDowell
Get one on Amazon for $54.99 (available in sizes 32–60 and three colors).
2.A three-in-one avocado tool that you definitely need if you eat at least one avocado a week — you'll be able to cut it open, pit it, then slice each half into seven perfectly even pieces before you can say "toast."
Promising review: "I’ve owned mine for over three years now and use it regularly at home. The knife is more than sharp enough to cut an avocado in half quickly and easily but not sharp enough to cut skin. I’ve let my 10-year-old granddaughter use it all the time since she was seven. Pitting couldn't be easier or safer: three slightly rounded, blunted, recessed blades grab the pit, and the finger hole allows you to push it out easily. My blades are still fine after three+ years. Then in one fast easy motion I have seven even slices of avocado ready for my sandwich or salad. I didn’t even need to scrape it out with a spoon." —Tony C Get it on Amazon for $9.99.
3.Some airtight OXO pop containers because they keep pantry staples fresh for longer than the original packaging ever possibly could and they'll make everything easy to find — that's money + time saved.
In 2030, you'll STILL be marveling at how well they work: they're designed to be incredibly efficient with the space on your shelves, the rounded corners make for easy pouring, and you press the button on top to open and seal the containers.
Promising review: "I bought the really big set a while ago and was hooked. No longer will my white rice/grains/rolled oats/grits go wormy ( I know...yuck), my cat's kibble is stored in a clear container so I can see when it's running low. (FYI: the pet food container is not included in this set, but is worth the additional purchase.) I love these containers. They are lightweight so there's no strain on my wrists, yet heavy enough that they don't tip over easily. The lids are easy to clean, and you could apply labels to distinguish between flours and sugars. They are expensive, but I believe you get what you pay for — quality costs extra money. If I need another set in the future, I will buy it." —Judith A Loue
4.And a produce saver that does exactly what it says: keeps fruit and veggies fresh longer (up to two weeks), so you actually end up eating more of your food instead of tossing it.
The average American household ends up throwing away $2,200 worth of food each year, so they'll save you money, too.
I've been using a set of two of these containers since March 2018 (that's basically two years) and STILL love them, because they actually do work and at this point have saved me from throwing countless strawberries, spinach leaves, bell peppers, nectarines, and cherries in the trash — instead, I've been able to enjoy basically every last bite, even when it's taken me 10+ days to finish something! Read my full FreshWorks produce saver review for more. They're completely top-rack dishwasher-safe (I run 'em through all the time). And although it's not surprising considering they're plastic containers, they show absolutely zero signs of age after the two years of regular use. (Note: don't put anything showing signs of mold in the containers, because in my experience it can make it grow faster.)
Get a two piece set with a lettuce-sized container and a blueberry-sized container on Amazon for $15.29 (also available in a three pack of strawberry size, or six other sizes).
5.Some tip-out drawers for your kitchen sink, so every time you do dishes from now until who knows when, you have an incredibly convenient storage spot that keeps clutter at bay.
Plus they let you take advantage of all the extra storage space hiding behind those fake drawers! The trays themselves are designed to install with screws (which would be the most permanent and durable way to go about it), but some reviewers have had success with Command Strips. Either way, you can easily pull them out to wipe down in the sink if they get gross. My parents have had these in their house for over three years at this point, and they're still just as functional and useful as they were on day one.
Promising review: "This is a great use for wasted space in the front of your sink. It gives you an added space for sponges and even a safe place to keep jewelry while washing dishes. The pull down feature is very easy to use. It would also be a great place to hide valuables. Very unsuspecting." —Katie Gick
Get it on Amazon: the 11-inch tray for $10, the 14-inch tray for $12.71, and the soft-close hinges you'll need for full functionality for $13.19.
6.A hard-wearing leather tote bag that pairs with almost any outfit, will go with you everywhere, hold basically anything you need it to — and look better and better the more you carry it. Oh, and you can get it elegantly monogrammed, too.
One of my good friends has had this bag (in black) for a little over six years now and carries it regularly/basically every time I've seen her, and it's still in excellent condition — if you saw it, you wouldn't know it wasn't brand new. And she's brought it work, to bars, to picnics, and basically everywhere but the beach.
Promising review: "Great everyday bag that lasts forever! I've had this bag for about four years. I've carried it pretty much every day filled with lots of heavy law books. I thought it would eventually break because the straps do look thin, but it hasn't even gotten close. Still looks amazing and sturdy as ever. I highly recommend!!!" —LBF22
Get it from Madewell for $168 (available in three colors; personalization available for $10, and in 11 colors).
7.The One Line A Day journal: each page asks you to record a little about that calendar date over the course of five years, so as you flip through each year again, you get to reflect on what's changed — or hasn't!
Promising review: "This is my second One Line A Day. I started the first one the day I got it...no reason to wait til Jan 1 — that's the beauty of it! I HATE journaling, but this is totally manageable. I write small and don't actually do "one line;" I just write about my day. The best thing is you can easily look back on what you did on a particular day up to five years ago, and you can compare each year. Kind of cool. It's interesting to note coincidences, like I happened to be sick at the same time a few years in a row — weird. And my kids saw a movie one year, and three years later saw the sequel, to the day, with the same friends, even though they'd moved away!!" —Cleanin' Mommy
8.A leather jacket that will become your signature piece anytime and anywhere the thermometer dips below 68 degrees.
There's a reason why YouTubers, fashion bloggers, and everyday reviewers across the web swear by this classic style by Allsaints — the more you wear it, the more it will break in to the unique way you move in your body and develop a fit that's custom to you. It's made of super soft sheep leather, which is lighter and stretchier than cow leather. Not what you'd want for maximum safety on an actual motorcycle, but plenty durable for years of everyday wear.
Get it from Allsaints for $498 (available in sizes 00–10).
9.A few pairs of hiker-favorite merino wool socks that stay in place no matter what your day brings, wick moisture away from your skin, resist odor, and best of all, last for miles and miles without any holes.
Oh, and the company has an unconditional lifetime guarantee, so if / when they do wear through, you can get a new pair, no problem.
Promising review: "I originally purchased one pair of these socks in Alaska for hiking. Liked them so much that I bought a second pair the following year. I lived in those socks for three years before they wore out. Bought replacements and realized they had a lifetime guarantee. Returned the two worn-out pairs and received replacements. Got a couple of pair for my husband and he loves them. I also purchased the lightweight ankle socks for myself and my daughters for summer biking and hiking. Not so expensive when you can keep returning them for replacements." —Sylvia
Get them on Amazon for $21.80+ (available in sizes small–large and sixteen colors/patterns).
12.A non-slip rubber jar opener so you can effortlessly open the stubbornest of lids with just a simple twist – both now and literally decades from now.
Promising review: "These work when nothing else does. I stole one from my mom 20 years ago when I moved out. I have used it numerous times for all these years, and it just gets better as it gets older. It will open anything, and makes my grip strong. I always wanted another one to keep on my RV. Then I found these — same product! Every home should have at least one." —Dianne
13.A pair of precision-point tweezers so heavy-duty that the ones in the pictures below have literally been run over by several cars and hardly look worse for the wear. Plus, they easily attach to your keychain so you have them wherever you need them.
Reviewers swear they're great for splinters (even metal splinters!) and ticks, along with all kinds of other little things. (No mention of eyebrows, though, lol.)
Promising review: "My husband and I have each had a pair of Uncle Bill's Sliver Gripper Tweezers on our key rings for OVER 20 YEARS near as we can guesstimate! They're still perfect! LOVE them. A friend saw my husband using his, asked what they were as he had never seen them before, and that friend's birthday is next week." —Roxana
14.A durable and basically genius clothes washing bag because it captures the microplastics from all your polyester, nylon, and other synthetic clothes, swimsuits, and towels *before* the tiny fibers rinse down the drain and make their way into the water system.
Yes, the oceans and fresh water bodies of this planet are all pretty much contaminated by the teeny tiny (and often microscopic!) pieces of plastic known as microplastics, and while there's very little we individuals can do about the large-scale problems, this is one small thing. Plus it's made from untreated and *recyclable* polyamide fabric. It's big enough to fit one queen-sized sheet at a time, or multiple other garments.
Promising review: "I bought a Guppyfriend a little under a year ago and haven’t looked back. The bag itself is durable and shows no signs of wear. The designers obviously aimed for quality and hit their mark. You can see the microfibers accumulate after the first half a dozen to dozen washes, which I find comforting (this is actually a solution) and discomforting (how many people have no idea washing their clothes is contributing to ocean pollution?).
I wish it was bigger so I could fit more clothes per load, and thus use less energy and water. But one step at a time. All in all, an affordable, easily implemented lifestyle change and solution to one of the many ways our everyday lives are slowly eroding the health of the planet. " —Rachel0122
15.A pack of six wool dryer balls that are good for at *least* 1,000 loads: that means you could use them in one load every single day for over two and a half years without wearing them out.
And you're definitely not doing laundry THAT often. These also replace SO many dryer sheets *and* help your clothes dry faster! (Some reviewers do note extra static — to avoid, lower your temp so you don't end up over-drying.)
Promising review: "I was pretty skeptical about these but thought the the price was minimal enough to try them out. I gotta say that I love them. I use all six of them in each load, which has shortened the drying time by about 10 mins and my clothes come out fluffy and with less static. I wishes I had tried them sooner! I've been using for a few weeks now and the balls have held up nicely. I don't even take them out of my machine, I leave them in there when not in use. They couldn't be easier to use." —KrisE
Get the pack of six on Amazon for $7.99+ (available in two colors).
16.A set of three knives with micro-serrated edges that you can chop with every single night for the next ten years without ever needing a sharpener, as long as you take care to hand wash them every time you use 'em.
And store them somewhere like a universal or magnetic knife block, where their blades won't hit against other knives.
Promising review: "These are not professional knives. They each have a micro-serrated edge that keeps the knife sharp and very useful for daily needs. I've had a set for six years and they still cut as good as new. If you want a knife that can cut paper-thin tomato slices these aren’t the type. They will do all your ordinary slicing and dicing without the worry of finding you have a dull knife." —Mike Murphy
17.A cookbook packed with all kinds of delicious, simple recipes that you'll reach for time and again to figure out what, exactly, you want to make for dinner.
Promising review (for the newly revised 20th century edition): "I have loved both prior editions of this book, going back 20 years. I've only had this new edition for a week, but Bittman's dialed back the showy, 'project' cooking from prior HTCE books. There are certainly some complicated recipes, but the overwhelming majority are things we actually make and eat today, with a broader palate for international ingredients. It's just as proscriptive as ever, but with a pronounced bias toward home cooking — not chef-style excess. Yes, important recipes reappear, but so do new recipes for, say, kimchi rice and microwave fish tacos. This would be an excellent book for graduates and other young people setting up their first kitchens or experienced cooks looking for a reference work to inspire their own creativity." —Brendan Hasenstab
Get them on Amazon: the completely revised 20th-century edition (with full-color pictures) for $18.59 or the vegetarian edition for $23.67.
18.A silicone zip-top sandwich bag that can replace hundreds — if not thousands — of the single-use ones without sacrificing any of the useful function that those old-school ones offered.
I LOVE these. I've been using the same two for almost four years now, and tossing them in the top rack of the dishwasher for the past two years: they still look perfectly brand new AND they've pretty much completely replaced disposable plastic bags in my life.
Promising review: "I've tried a LOT of reusable bags as there are a lot of options out there all using a variety of materials. The fabric ones just get gross over time. The vinyl ones are hard to clean and aren't usually dishwasher safe. There are other silicone one that need a separate rod to close them that you can easily lose. This one is the most simple and easy to use. No separate pieces to lose. Can withstand any temperature/microwave/dishwasher/whatever. And if they get gunky they are very easy to clean." —Megan A.
Get one on Amazon for $11.99 (available in five sizes and up to seven colors).
19.A classic Jansport backpack — they're ultra-durable, come with a lifetime warranty, and these days you can get them in all kinds of colors and patterns.
Yes, even after years of wear and tear, you can get it fixed or replaced for free, and continue carrying it for many more years to come.
Promising review: "I bought this three years ago and it's still holding up. I use it every single day, and when it starts looking rough I just throw it in the washing machine and it comes out looking nearly brand new. The color still looks great and hasn't faded too much. Sometimes I pre-soak it and scrub it with a soft or silicone brush to get the deep-set dirt stains out. Definitely looking forward to using this backpack for the next couple of years if not more." —Aleah
Get them on Amazon: in solids for $30–35 or in prints for $20–45, depending on the color/pattern — there are at least 100 to browse through.
20.A countertop hydroponic garden kit that will make it unbelievably easy to grow fresh herbs, salad greens, and cherry tomatoes through every season, even the next six winters.
Growing tons of fresh greens with this thing takes basically zero effort: you fill the tank with water, insert the little pods, set the light to shine at the same time every day, and watch 'em grow! My co-worker Yi tested and reviewed it if you want even more details.
Get it from Amazon, exclusively at Macy's for $95 .
21.A refillable water pitcher perfect if your fridge doesn't have a dispenser in the door — besides reducing your water's mercury, copper, and chorine content, it'll also make the stuff from the tap taste soooo much better.
Meaning you can switch to reusable water bottles, too. One of my former roommates has owned an older pitcher from the brand for nearly nine years now and it's still going strong. All you have to do is replace the filters every few months (two with the original filters, six with the "longlast" ones).
Promising review: "I chose this because some of the bigger pitchers are just too heavy once they are filled. This is a nice size and I like the indicator on the handle that tells you when to replace the filter. We have very hard water and the city uses a lot of lime in processing the water, so filtering is a must. And all my Brita pitchers have lasted forever, this is a well-made product that does what it's supposed to do. Tip: be sure you have your filter seated in the top part and don't run the water over the filter, let it settle around it. Great tasting water!" —Snowbird
Get them on Amazon: this small five-cup one for $19.99 (available in three colors) or a bigger ten-cup one for $26.99.
22.A compact umbrella designed to withstand winds up to 70 miles per hour, repel rain, and open and close at the touch of a button. You'll face so many storms together that by the time this umbrella retires, it'll feel like a good friend.
Totes / Amazon
Well, as much as any product can feel like a friend. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Promising reviews: "Here in the Midwest we can get some pretty strong storms with wind gusts to over 30 mph. So far it has held up well without bending or breaking in the wind. And the no-wet fabric does seem to work better at not dragging in a bunch of water into the house." —Alex P
"It works great, the button open makes life easy. I had one previously that lasted me eight years before I decided it was time to replace it." —Amanda Brewer
"Three years in NYC and still going strong." —Andrew
Get it on Amazon for $18.97+ (available in black or two patterns).
24.A classic Stanley vacuum bottle you truly can count on to keep your coffee (or tea or soup) hot for hours, both tomorrow morning and a morning thousands of tomorrows from now.
Promising review: "I drink six to 10 cups of coffee per day. I tired of constantly hitting the "keep warm" button on my coffee brewer hot plate every two hours (or forgetting and finding cold coffee). This Stanley vacuum bottle seemed like a good solution, and it has not disappointed. My dad owned one of these Stanley vacuum bottles when I was a kid. He had it for years and years, so I knew they made a durable and solid product (40 some-odd years ago). Turns out, they still make a great product today. My coffee stays hot all day long — even down to the last dregs at the bottom. It's not the same temperature it was eight hours previously, but it's still hot enough to retain that most of that "first cup of the morning" taste." —R-Dub
Get a one-quart bottle from Amazon for $19.82 (also available in two bigger sizes).
24 Things You’ll Probably Use For Years After You Buy Them
Reviewed by ElektonikRusya
on
12:23 PM
Rating: 5
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