Keepers Updated September 16, 2026

Buy it once.

Everyday things scored on the warranty the maker actually honors, how they're built, how long they've been made well and whether you can get them fixed.

5 things made it from 6 we scored Next update October 1
Rank them yourself. Pick between two albums, games or films at a time and get your own list.Start
Cast Iron Skillet, 10.25" Things 90Keeper

Cast Iron Skillet, 10.25"

Lodge See the score
Warranty22/30

Limited lifetime warranty on defects, warps and cracks. Rust isn't covered.

Build30/30

One piece of iron with no coating to wear off.

Track record20/20

Casting in Tennessee since 1896.

Repairable18/20

A rusty pan can be scrubbed and re-seasoned back to new.

Full pageSourceFind it on Amazon
GR1 USA Heritage Things 88Keeper

GR1 USA Heritage

GORUCK · $525 See the score
Warranty28/30

Lifetime SCARS guarantee with no receipt needed. Repair or replace is at their discretion.

Build28/30

Waxed army duck canvas, full-grain leather and YKK zippers, made in the USA.

Track record14/20

Founded in 2008 by a former Special Forces soldier.

Repairable18/20

They repair bags under the guarantee.

Full pageSourceFind it on Amazon
Huntsman Things 86Keeper

Huntsman

Victorinox · $52 See the score
Warranty26/30

Lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship. Proof of purchase required.

Build26/30

Stainless tools on a design that's barely changed in decades.

Track record20/20

Making Swiss Army knives since 1884.

Repairable14/20

Parts and service are available, though wear isn't covered.

Full pageSourceFind it on Amazon
Things 83Keeper

Iron Ranger 6"

Red Wing · $349.99 See the score
Warranty15/30

No written lifetime warranty. There's a 30-day return window.

Build28/30

Full-grain leather with welt construction built to be resoled.

Track record20/20

Making boots in Minnesota since 1905.

Repairable20/20

Red Wing's own repair shop resoles them, for a fee.

Full pageSourceFind it on Amazon
Multi-tool Things 83Keeper

Multi-tool

Leatherman See the score
Warranty25/30

25-year limited warranty on defects. Rust and corrosion aren't covered.

Build26/30

Full metal body.

Track record18/20

Invented the modern multi-tool in Oregon in 1983.

Repairable14/20

Warranty repairs through the company.

Full pageSourceFind it on Amazon

Worth your time, not Keepers

Scored and mostly good, just without the staying power a Keeper shows. We score them again next month, and some will move up.

501 Original Things 64Not yet

501 Original

Levi's · $84.95 See the score
Warranty6/30

No durability warranty.

Build22/30

100% cotton, button fly, the original five-pocket pattern.

Track record20/20

Making jeans since 1853.

Repairable16/20

Paid repairs and alterations at Levi's Tailor Shops.

Full pageSourceFind it on Amazon

How the score works

Albums, games, films and shows

  • Critics, 40. The published aggregate from Metacritic, OpenCritic, Album of the Year or Rotten Tomatoes. Almost everything reviewed lands between 70 and 98, so a 70 earns nothing and a 98 earns all 40.
  • Audience, 20. What people who paid for it say, from user scores and Steam reviews. A 60 earns nothing and a 98 earns all 20.
  • Track record, 15. Whether the people who made it have made things that lasted before. Debuts start lower on purpose.
  • Staying power, 25. What happens after launch week: chart runs, players who stick around, renewals, sales that keep going.

Things

  • Warranty, 30. What the company will actually fix or replace, read from their own policy.
  • Build, 30. Materials and construction, and whether there's anything to wear out.
  • Track record, 20. How long the maker has been making this well.
  • Repairable, 20. Whether you can get it fixed instead of replacing it.

A Keeper is our bet on what lasts. Some releases show it right away: the reviews, the players and the people behind them all point the same way, the way they did for Elden Ring. For albums, games, films and shows, 85 or above is a Keeper and 75 to 84 is worth your time. Things need 80. We score everything again as time goes by, and a Keeper that fades loses the label. Nobody pays to be here or pays for a score. Every score links to where its numbers came from. Each one has a link to find it on Amazon, and as an Amazon Associate, Keepers earns from qualifying purchases.