I'm not a mountain guy, there aren't any mountains even close, but I do own some old North Face stuff, sleeping bag, jacket and tent. It's all quality goods.
I think a lot of purchase choices have to do with life style and economic choices. For example, I'm not rich, but I never buy cheap tools, I only want to buy them once. I don't buy cheap clothing, I don't wear a suit every day like I once did, but I had to go to court two weeks ago for a client's divorce. Both lawyers admired my suit, asked where I got it. Yes I had a dress shirt with a polo pony, a very conservative tie, black cap toe oxfords, and braces. They didn't believe me that everything I was wearing was over 30 years old, the shop I bought it at has been out of business for at least a decade. My point is that some things are timeless, worth the price and someone will be using it after you're gone.
NOTE: Unless you get buried in it.
