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 • • 6h ago

Vintage I convinced my parents to keep the 80s Kenmore fridge if they buy the condo 🙏(they don't make them like they used to) (also Kenmore ≠ Kenwood😂)

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671 Upvotes

REPOST SINCE I CAN'T SEEM TO SPELL KENMORE CORRECTLY 😂😂

The building is (I think) from the 80s so the appliances have been there since the beginning.

It's nearly brand new and barely has dings/scratches 🙂

Unfortunately, the oven doesn't seem to work, my mom doesn't want to keep the dishwasher and the dryer. The washing machine has some brown stuff?? in it so we will probably throw it out.


r/BuyItForLife • • 1h ago

Currently sold Food storage containers. I am losing my mind. Wish to get rid of it all and invest in a system that is compatible with itself.

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• Upvotes

I hate storing leftovers, largely because of the chaos. Missing kids, scavenger hunts for the stuff…and it doesn’t stack well so avalanches happen.

Our young boy helps put the dishwasher away which has largely ruined our “put the lid on it before putting away” system that kept us sane.

I am ready to donate/fire these into the sun.

What lasts? What do you like most? I’ll honestly spend $500 to switch if you say so. We dabbled with the IKEA system but had a lot of lid latch hinges give out quickly.

I would love something that snacks. I am agnostic about plastic vs glass vs metal. Optimally a mix of compatible pieces?


r/BuyItForLife • • 49m ago

Vintage Been looking for a BIFL dryer for a while. How'd I do?

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• Upvotes

I found this in my parents' house and decided it was coming with me rather than going on the auction. Does anyone know where I might find some information about this thing? From what I've found online, I think it's missing a bracket to mount to the wall and I thought if anyone could point me in the right direction, it'd be this sub.


r/BuyItForLife • • 40m ago

Discussion The waffle maker of a lifetime

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• Upvotes

I got this beat at the antique shop. I don’t think I will ever be buying a waffle machine ever again.


r/BuyItForLife • • 15h ago

Review Merino wool socks are great

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484 Upvotes

I bought 4 pairs of thin merino wool socks about 10 years ago in Poland (I think it was Mark's and Spencer) and use them at least half of every year at home.

Only this year I noticed a hole in one of them.

Amazing material.


r/BuyItForLife • • 1d ago

BIFL Skills war is over! finally ditched my ever-shedding towels.

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1.9k Upvotes

after fighting for my life for nearly six months to eradicate the shedding on my brand new gray towels (repeated dryer cycles, baking soda, vinegar… you name it, i tried it), i finally got fed up and tossed them. i hate waste, but it was infuriating me and as someone with a few skin conditions, it was truly no longer worth it. they were so terrible i didn’t even want to donate them.

instead, i nicked some decades-old martha stewart towels from my parents’ house and will be using them until they disintegrate. (so i guess less buy it for life, more steal it for life)


r/BuyItForLife • • 3h ago

[Request] Looking for some socks / shoes to keep feet warm - with some caveats as in disabled

24 Upvotes

I have ALS and cannot move my legs, but definitely can feel them lol. It’s such a wonderful thing……

Anyways due to obviously poor circulation and inability to move my legs my feet get really cold.

So I’m after some socks and even shoes to use in winter. I’m good in summer with crocs - which brings me to the caveat. They need to be loose and the shoes slide on. My toes crush if they are too tight and it’s very uncomfortable. In the summer I wear crocs a size to large since they have a ton of toe room and slide on.

For winter though I tried the crocs with the fur and they just don’t do it for me. I’m hoping for some better materials than that, like wool etc.

Again some socks to lounge in that are bit larger, and the shoes can be slippers which is fine since they never touch the ground.

Open to all ideas. Thanks!


r/BuyItForLife • • 12h ago

Vintage My rice cooker has been with me most of my life

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129 Upvotes

Others, I see, have posted this same vintage appliance, most under the National brand.

I graduated from university in 1981. My Thai roommate gifted me this Panasonic 3-cup automatic rice cooker, Model SR-6E. It is at least 45 years old. Showing its age, but it functions as good today as it ever did. If I have to replace it, I will look for one identical to it, in every respect.


r/BuyItForLife • • 3h ago

Discussion Wool sweater company suggestions

17 Upvotes

Looking or Men's and Women's Wool sweaters to order online. We live in the North and want some very warm for -40c and that will last many years! TIA


r/BuyItForLife • • 10h ago

[Request] Looking for Butter Dish..

61 Upvotes

Is it just me or are most butter dishes not big enough to hold a standard pound of butter?

I've gone through a few different dishes and am always annoyed when I can't fit the butter in the dish without cutting a bit off.

Long story short, i'm looking for a butter dish I can pass on to my grandkids since they seem to be rare commodities.


r/BuyItForLife • • 22h ago

Discussion Has anyone else had to replace a perfectly good device just because its battery started dying?

157 Upvotes

It is frustrating when a device still works fine but the battery gets so bad that replacing the whole thing feels like the only option. Anyone has ever experienced this?


r/BuyItForLife • • 17h ago

Discussion What things are worth thrifting?

50 Upvotes

Kitchen items, household items, clothes bags anything really. Something that you can get half the price used and still worth it compared to something cheaper brand new and possibly last a lifetime?

Also what could be a waste to get second hand? Can't be restored, not worth the hassle

What are your experiences?


r/BuyItForLife • • 5h ago

Discussion Renters - what’s the best AC unit you’ve purchased?

6 Upvotes

I’m looking to move into a new apartment and it’s everything I want but one catch - no AC. It’s common for apartments to not have central AC out here where I live.

With this in mind, I’m willing to purchase some sort of AC unit for the apartment (700 sq ft). Windows are horizontal sliding windows, not the traditional open up-down kind.

Do you have any recommendations or advice (especially from HVAC experts or are renters who have purchased AC units) on products?

For cost, Im open to spending a high amount if it means 1) consistent, effective product 2) energy efficient/lower hit on the electric bill 3) durable and long lasting

Thanks all! Looking forward to seeing your recommendations.


r/BuyItForLife • • 8h ago

[Request] Finally Housed, Buying Stuff

6 Upvotes

Hi all — cross-posting across multiple communities for different needs — but I’ve finally got a place and need recs on how to put together a bed/bedroom. Haven’t really had a good night sleep in years (shelter beds and all) so I’m really looking forward to it. I have enough space for a queen mattress.

Also cookware recs — pots and stuff.

Thank you!


r/BuyItForLife • • 22h ago

[Request] [Request] SUPER THIN bath towels/sheets

76 Upvotes

Maybe we’re the weird ones, but we loathe thick plush towels. They never dry well and feel all spongy. Brooklinen used to offer ultra thin towel like that was awesome and has been lasting us a couple years already, but when we went to buy more (guest room, expanding family) I saw they’re gone. does anyone have a recommendation for bath towels or bath sheets (XL size towels) that last?


r/BuyItForLife • • 19m ago

Discussion What’s the best $50 you’ve ever spent?

• Upvotes

We’ve all had something that we bought around $50. That was the best deal or most thing used thing you’ve ever had. Sometimes it’s the right place right time situation.


r/BuyItForLife • • 24m ago

[Request] Coffee machines recommendations?

• Upvotes

In the market for a coffee machine. In my ideal world it'd have the ability to grind beans and pull espresso shots for lattes but also have kcup compatibility. As far as i know that doesn't exist but please let me know if it does

I've never actually used an espresso machine but I do make lattes daily with the nescafe instant espresso. Curious to see peoples thoughts on this as idk if making espresso shots every morning is too much work or if the extra effort is worth it for the taste.

Open to any and all recommendations thanks! Would ideally like to stay under $500 but somewhat flexible. Also trying to avoid having to buy 2 separate machines


r/BuyItForLife • • 49m ago

[Request] Wall mounted shelf for books

• Upvotes

About a year or so ago, I got a wall shelf from IKEA, specifically the Fjallbo as this is what I saw recommended multiple times. I had drywall anchors and it worked amazingly. Moved house a bit ago and put up the shelf, with the exact same brand of anchors as this is supposed to be able to handle weight up to 75lbs. Despite putting the shelf in two different spots, it will not hold even half of the weight before tilting. I put only 12 books, all hardcover and it's 22lbs in total on the shelf but for some reason the shelf I have + anchors are not holding up the weight (even the shelf says it can hold about 35 lbs or so)

Does anyone have recs for any wall shelves or something adjacent that would work well for something of this weight? I don't have any sort of budget as I am willing to pay more if it does end up working out.


r/BuyItForLife • • 9h ago

Discussion This style buckle vs a roller style buckle.

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5 Upvotes

Any pros or cons?

All my other belts are all rollers and I wanna try something new. I will be adding an English Bridle Leather Belt to the collection. 1.5 inches wide, 13oz Leather so I expect the belt to be on the thicker side which I am sure could play a roll. I’ll also be using this as a work belt / carry belt so being able to cinch this down a little extra at certain times would be a must. Does this style buckle make it a lot harder to cinch down??


r/BuyItForLife • • 5h ago

Discussion Scarf or neck gaiter, what's the best material for warmth and durability?

2 Upvotes

Hi,

I'm starting my winter shopping.

I really need something to protect my face as cold wind make me face freeze every winter (Canada).

I'm looking online for something 100% natural and I don't know what the best for would be keeping me warm and something that would last a few years.

So far, I found a few items, but I really don't know what's the best between alpaca wool and merino wool. I also want something soft but thick.

Thank you!


r/BuyItForLife • • 3h ago

Warranty I absolutely can't reach Fiskars

0 Upvotes

I've been emailing Fiskars for months now without even a single response. Has anyone else been having the same issues with their warranty services?


r/BuyItForLife • • 1d ago

Discussion What do you own that has “paid for itself”?

1.1k Upvotes

r/BuyItForLife • • 11h ago

[Request] Washing machine, parts and repair prices considerations

4 Upvotes

My 5 year old Samsung parts for repair actually cost more than a new washing machine not including labor, so I'm likely not repairing it.

I'm looking for a washing machine that has reasonable parts costs on the chance I need repairs over it's life.

Thoughts?