Whenever I need stuff, I try and look for the really high-quality stuff that'll last me forever, even if it's expensive. But the good stuff is hard to find. What have you bought that has lasted you a long time? Or what's on your to-buy-one-day list?
My most recent purchase is the Peak Design Everyday Backpack. I needed a backpack that could hold and protect all my work tech while also having enough pouches for random small stuff like adaptors and cookies. I totally love this bag - every part of it is and feels well-designed. Top notch build quality as far as I can tell. The side-zippers have turned out to be extremely useful, too, and it manages to fit my laptop, iPad, keyboard and accessories so easily.
edit: I'm also the proud owner of a Herman Miller Aeron. Haven't had it for long but it's great and should last me forever.
I have given this question 23 hours of thought. My answer is leather.
I have a Schott Perfecto purchased used at an army surplus store in 1991. It remains in perfect shape despite being in a crash.
I have a Hein Gericke Dakar, branded Victory Motorcycle Corp, purchased used on eBay for $80 in 2003. It remains in perfect shape despite being in a crash.
Shit, I have a J Crew leather jacket gifted me new in 1995 that, despite being faded, despite being a piece of shit J Crew leather jacket, has been relined twice and remains in excellent shape. For that matter I have a hand-me-down Brooks Brothers nubuck suede leather trenchcoat from the '80s that looks new.
My first pair of Carolina 116s were purchased new for $120 in 1991, resoled twice, and finally discarded after my utter and total lack of care over 20 years caused a crack big enough to push my thumb through. I tried filling it with shoe goo and it made a bump that hurt my toe. My second pair is still on their first soles.
My $7800 leather sectional, which I bought for $1100 one year old in 2002, needs some refinishing but I know I could get the leather filled, get it restuffed and have a brand new couch for about $600.
Leather. Leather, treated well, lasts forever. And the older it gets, the more it's worth.
Unless it's Doc Martens. Docs fall apart in like 4 years. Fuck Doc Martens.