Anyone Found a Good (or Great) Garden Hose?

[68X426]

Seriously.  All the garden hoses out there today seem to be completely defective.  They are all delicate and fragile. 

I used to buy Swan brand.  Rarely had to buy them because they lasted.  They were more costly but they were great hoses.  Now can't find the "old" style anywhere, they are discontinued at Lowes.  Home Depot and Jet carry Swan, but they are a new style, and at best only 1/3rd the quality of the older style, and yet same high price (of course).

Today it seems that every hose from every retailer is crap quality.  Whether it's from big boxes or hardware stores, expensive or cheap, they all break down, and break fast.  They all kink badly, then full on crack the inner structure, and are beyond repair.  Tried the "never kink" type.  Haha, kink anyway.  Tried the high end contractor hose from Lowes, sure enough kinked, folded over, broke down.  Just bought a top end one at Costco, busted in 2 months.  The Costco one has got to be the worst hose ever made, I'm shocked that they bother selling it (it gets returned on the next visit).

Does any one have any success with any brand and any retailer?

[sunfire69]

wish I knew....been looking for years myself....

[Charger_Fan]

wish I knew....been looking for years myself....

Me too.
The last one I bought was made in America & the label touted how superior it was. The fittings look great & the hose is heavy, so I bought it. That damn thing kinks if you look at it sideways!

[XH29N0G]

I just bought one of these http://www.homedepot.com/p/Premium-5-8-in-Dia-x-50-ft-Commercial-Grade-Rubber-Red-Hot-Water-Hose-20258070/100580705
I only use it in the yard, so no real heavy duty usage, but so far it has been OK.

[ws23rt]

I just bought one of these http://www.homedepot.com/p/Premium-5-8-in-Dia-x-50-ft-Commercial-Grade-Rubber-Red-Hot-Water-Hose-20258070/100580705
I only use it in the yard, so no real heavy duty usage, but so far it has been OK.

I bought two of those several years ago.  If we are talking about the same hose?  It is heavy and tough.  Mine is out in the weather all the time.

IMO not kinking easily of this hose comes from it being so heavy.  And with water pressure -on- kinking is less likely.  

The down side is it's  Heavy ----Come on hi tec---I want just the nozzle end.   --We need a water modem not a hose.--

[LaOtto70Charger]

I have the Grey version of that hose works good so far. It replaced a mid-grade harder plastic one from Walmart that never kinked but developed leaks after 13 years. They didn't have it anymore though.

[A383Wing]

I just bought one of these http://www.homedepot.com/p/Premium-5-8-in-Dia-x-50-ft-Commercial-Grade-Rubber-Red-Hot-Water-Hose-20258070/100580705
I only use it in the yard, so no real heavy duty usage, but so far it has been OK.

I have a couple of the black versions of that hose....best I have found so far

[polywideblock]

 if their sold in the us try to find nylex or pope brand  they are both made to aussie conditions and last . if you can find them nylex triple flex aint bad 

[Mopar Nut]

Craftsman hose comes with a lifetime warranty, going on twenty years with no problems.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-5-8-in-x-100-ft-all-rubber-hose

[68X426]

Thanks guys for the options.  I will find my way to a Home Depot and check that one.  Didn't know Sears had hoses, I'll find one to look at.  Nylex - google search says it's just an Aussie brand, not found north of the equator. 

[b5blue]

Do what I did. Go to Home Depot and ask the garden shop gang, they will tell you as they handle returns and complaints constantly. I got the one they said will not kink up and it's fine for years.

[garner7555]

The ones suggested above are good.  I also like the Goodyear brand black hose.  I have been letting my employees use them on the farm for 5 years and they are still great.  (I have discovered not much holds up to employees  )

[Dino]

I've been using the ones shown on the infomercials that retract when you shut the water off. I've been using a few of them for several years and I love them. I finally threw away the oldest and most used hose because it sprung a small leak in the plastic fitting, probably my fault as I tend to screw the nozzles on way too tight. The other hoses have brass fittings. Very convenient hoses.

[white]

My parents still have the same hose they bought in 1968. Works fine.

[PlainfieldCharger]

My parents still have the same hose they bought in 1968. Works fine.

That's when we could make the good stuff. Rubber manufactures in the US do not get to play on the same field as the manufactures overseas. I am not talking China either. The rubber rollers and printing blankets made in Europe are better than their US manufactured items. 

[white]

You are correct !

[A383Wing]

I also have a couple of those black Goodyear hoses here....very heavy, but also very good quality and will not kink

[kab69440]

I bought a heavy gray one at Odd Lots probably twenty years ago. It hangs outside on the east side of the house (where the sun is the worst) year round. I believe it is a high pressure hose that did not meet spec for its intended application and so was sold as "heavy duty garden hose". It has stainless fittings on both ends and does not kink. It is a real chore to play out and roll up, though. It has served admirably with an ancient brass twist sprayer since I bought it.

[68X426]

I located one of the Sears (Craftsman) hoses, on sale even, at an Ace hardware.  The nearest Sears is 50 miles away, and they didn't stock the hose (huh???) but the local Ace does stock Craftsman.  It is the black rubber type, claims to be made in the USA, but no manufacturer is listed.

It's been great for one week, so that bodes well for a long future.  I hope.

[68 BENGAL R/T]

Sears Craftsman black rubber hose is the best I have found. They are heavy and a little difficult to wrap up sometimes, but they can't be beat for quality and durability.
I have been using them for 25 years, still think I am using my original hose.  I used them to build a homemade solar pool heater by draping them across my garage roof.
It handles 120 deg F water and has been on the roof for 15 years through Michigan summers and winters without any issues.   

[Old Moparz]

Bought one of these 7 or 8 years ago & went back to get two more & they are great. It's made in the USA, not too expensive, has a lifetime warranty & does what it's supposed to do, squirt water.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Neverkink-5-8-in-Dia-x-100-ft-Heavy-Duty-Water-Hose-8605-100/100661317