Looking for a warm but not bulky jacket for every day usage in NZ. Prefer "BIFL" but does that align with Cheapies living?
"Buy It for Life" Jacket - Cheapies Edition?
nzsaver on 04/08/2026 - 15:52
Comments
Maybe I wasn’t clear enough. BIFL hardly ever comes from Kmart or the Warehouse. I was asking if BIFL jacket might be possible at a value range, like buying a cheap Tesla for $60k
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I see.
The reason I was confused is that "BIFL" usually implies paying a premium for higher-quality stuff. It's pretty uncommon to find true BIFL-quality clothing at the sort of prices people typically associate with Cheapies, which is why I wasn't sure what you meant by "Cheapies living." For example, you might see clothing sales every now and then, but maybe at most 50~70% off, not like a pricing error that brings a $200 item down to $10. Those are typically rare and mostly clearance sales or something.
Anyway, your best bet is to keep an eye out for clearance sales from good brands, check used marketplaces, or even browse places like Hospice and Red Cross stores. For example, the Red Cross store in Onehunga often has a good selection of quality clothing, including items from brands like Calvin Klein. Some pieces are brand new, while others are pre-owned but still in excellent condition. The reason is that some stores around Dressmart donate their excess stock or unsold clothing to charity shops, and the Red Cross store is conveniently located nearby. Dressmart Onehunga itself has a lot of outlet stores, so it can be worth checking both places when looking for bargains.
In terms of brands, I'd say Uniqlo is pretty good value and can be worn for a long time (maybe not for life). Macpac is also pretty good as well. I own a couple of Macpacs with different levels of downs, depending on the season. They're light, can be compacted easily and is breathable. I own a lot of jackets, but if I'm in a hurry to head out and don't want to choose, I can easily just pick a Macpac.
When it comes to clothes or bags or whatever, I personally don't always wait for a huge sale before buying. There were a few cases where Tommy Hilfiger had a 30% sale for watches, bags and clothes, but they don't always restock everything, which makes some items limited editions in a way. Even if Tommy does a sale next time, I won't necessarily find what I want to buy from a previous sale. So basically, I just buy when I think it's worth it.
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Fwiw I thought your message was pretty clear.
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Meant to say: "Some people don't necessarily have a tight budget—they just tend to live frugally most of the time. That said, they're happy to spend a good amount on quality products when they feel the value justifies the price."
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Also, if you really want proper warm, then wear a baselayer for insulation. Then it really doesn't matter what type of jacket you have. The perfect layering system will keep you both warm and dry. The inner layers keep you warm, the outer layers keep you dry. A down jacket is pretty crap once it gets wet.
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Puma. An interesting BIFL suggestion!
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Depends a bit on what your envisioned usage is.
I have a Macpac Sabre softshell jacket which I’ve loved. (Actually have two - one for tidyish/town use and one for thrashing outside.)
Not waterproof but will bead off a light shower or drizzle for long enough. Warm and very windproof though.The rough-use one has a small hole from barbed wire and has faded a bit, and after 8-10 years the zipper pull was worn to the point it won’t zip up any more, but I should just get the pull replaced. The tidy one still looks as-new after a similar timeframe.
I think they do make a slightly tidier looking softshell aimed at town use too.
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+1 for macpac sabre softshell mine one is pretty old and still in good condition. I wish I choose a different colour back then. lol
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I've had my Kathmandu puffer jacket since 2015 and been wearing it literally everyday from autumn to Winter. And it was like what $120 back in the day? I'd say that is pretty much bifl. The only thing is that the sleeves have some holes which show the white elastic but its not noticeable for other people
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Mountain warehouse is on sale. Decent jackets
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I find their stuff crap quality…
Not bifl
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I'd encourage you to look at the material of the jacket, the stitching, lining, fill and taped seams (if any).
Materials like PU leather deteriorate after a few years, especially in high wear areas like cuffs, collars and elbows.
You also need to think about whether the jacket can be mended (ideally yourself).
As other people have mentioned, it's not necessarily about the brand but the quality.
Things just aren't made to last anymore unfortunately. So a brand that previously made long lasting gear may not do so anymore…
You can get a jacket from a "cheap brand" but made with materials that last.
As an aside, Macpac have a repair service so that will help with the longevity of a jacket, should you choose Macpac.
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i recently went to Manawa Bay, Puma had some decent warm jackets, they were retails for $150 and priced down to $80, plus B1G1F offer on it.
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It's going to depend on what type of jacket you're looking for? To be honest, just for casual around town wear most jackets will last a long time with a little bit of care. I have a Uniqlo down jacket that's more than a decade old that still looks good.
If you want more technical type wear than you can look at outdoor brands like Patagonia, Arcteryx, Columbia, Marmot, Outdoor Research etc. I've been very happy with my Patagonia and Arcteryx gear, but they can be expensive. I'd rather pay more and own a bit less personally, rather than getting lots of cheap stuff I have to replace frequently.
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Thank you. Is it realistic to get some of the technical gear at cheapies prices?
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I'd guess it depends on what your expectation of a cheapies price is. You'll never find some of them super cheap, even second hand. Looking at their regular retail price, you can understand why.
All these brands usually have some kind of last season sale at the change of seasons, however it usually means you have to buy your jacket half a year before you get to use it, i.e. buy your winter clothes at the start of summer and vice versa. Just have to keep an eye out at the outdoor shops that sell them.
I wouldn't put Marmot quality as high as Patagonia/Arcteryx, but they regularly go on sale and they seem to have a bunch of stuff being sold at The Outlet. I was tempted by this Marmot Novus LT jacket in their last sale as it went down to $185, but ultimately decided against it as I didn't need another jacket.
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Arcteryx is good quality but a complete rip off and you're paying silly prices for the name. It 100% does not fit your 'cheapies' brief and have no idea why that was even mentioned - insane.
Just get macpac or Kathmandu when on special - they are good value for what they are - various price points too, like the new XR series from Kathmandu.- 0
I guess it really depends on what BIFL means to OP and what they perceive as value. I did say they were expensive and agree that not everyone needs it.
The original OP said he preferred BIFL and asked whether it aligned with the cheapies mindset. There was no brief that it had to be cheap.
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For me the jackets that have lasted the longest have been the ones I don't wear much. The woolen (blend) winter coat from Europe for example, still looks great after 8 years in my closet!
My raincoats get 5 years of use I suppose. I've never had great results from waterproofing wash/sprays so I don't see much chance of going beyond that with them. But I've never owned a genuinely $600+ raincoat (only the fake 50% discount of kathmandu/macpac style) so I dont know if there is really a long life product in those top end coats.- 0
The Outlet has a great stock liquidation sale on right now, I'm sure you'll find something good for a good price. Better if you can visit a local store if there is one near you though, it's always nice to try on clothes before you buy them.
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Army surplus is the only answer. Get an M65 field jacket that will outlive you for well under $100. Otherwise, second hand wool bush shirts and puffers.
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While I can see why people get this idea and suggest this - the army (any army) isn't exactly known for supplying their troops with high quality faultless equipment. As much as they'd like everyone to think they do.
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My experience with surplus jackets hasn't been the same thankfully.
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The M65 has a proven track record. It's been around for 50 years, the nyco fabric is extremely tough. Mine has been thrashed in dense native bush on many tramps and hunts, and hasn't ripped. Loads of pockets, brass zip. The British army windproof jacket is similarly proven across decades. The 'army stuff is low quality' is an internet truism by people who haven't tried them.
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I usually wear down jacket as it has a light, protection against wind and light rain, keeps me warm in AKL weather. I don't like to carry umbrella and jacket as I forget umbrella on public transport, office or gets stolen couple of times. Hoodie is good if it rains or I have forgotten to carry my beanie:
https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-mens-halo-hooded-down-jacket…
Kathmadu jackets are good and stylish but can be bit expensive than Macpac. Look during sale season.
I got them during off season (Summer Jan - Feb) when they go on clearance sale $110-140. Try them in store the right size for you before purchasing them and get what you want will last at least 2-3 years. You can wash them and dry them follow the instruction as it may make it less water repellent. I usually don't have any soup or noodle broth wearing them in restaurants to avoid stubborn stains.
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Kathmandu jackets are a bit overrated, in my opinion. They look good and the quality is decent, but I wouldn't say they're noticeably better than Macpac in terms of build quality or performance. I own a couple of expensive Kathmandu jackets, but after comparing them with my Macpac jackets, I feel that Kathmandu is often priced at around 2–3 times what they’re actually worth.
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What does "Cheapies living" even mean?
Based on your comments, it sounds like you're implying that Cheapies is for people on a tight budget, or that it's just a site that shares budget brands and cheap products. I don't look at Cheapies the same way. As long as it's a genuinely good deal, it belongs on the site. For example, people have posted deals like Tesla or BYD and those are 40K+ purchases, but they would cost more if not for the discounts. It's about finding value, not just buying whatever is cheap or budget.
Anyway, it sounds like you're on a tight budget and want something cheap. Why not just go to The Warehouse or KMart and try on something and see if you like them? Or, if you want to go for brands, then get 2nd hand ones from FB Marketplace.
Or maybe get a Macpac jacket, check out the clearance section or something. Uniqlo jackets are good too.
Some people just want something cheap because they're on a tight budget, while some don't have a tight budget, but don't mind spending good money on quality products as long as the value is good. For example, if a luxury brand jacket normally costs $1000+ and it's now on sale for $300, I'd buy it as long as I like it. It's hard to recommend something when we don't know what your budget is and the rest of your requirements/criteria.