I've had 2 black rubber craftsman hoses since about 1986. Like my 1981 Sony color TV, they've outlasted several younger models. I always leave my hoses out and the only problem is that the sprayer attachments fuse to the connections, so when the sprayer dies, I can't tuen it off at the working end anymore.... I'm in that situation now and when I can't stand that anymore, I'll go after one each - Craftsman and Flexgen. And I'll get a coupla BRASS sprayer attachments! Then I'll be set for life.

Yes, you will! Let me know what you think about the comparriosn.

One thing I have learned is hoses are like jeans. You buy 2 pairs in a size 12 in a brand you love. One fits and one doesn't as well. My hose has been a perfect fit!

Ha!
Yes.

I've had a black craftsman hose since the 70's. It's had a couple of mishaps along the way (car running over the brass fitting) and we replaced it and spliced it with kits you can buy (or could buy in the past) at Sears. The newer ones do leave black marks on the concrete, so we bought some red rubber hoses that I'm not as fond of (they tend to kink a bit more) from OSH and Home Depot. At my last house, the builder left a red rubber hose, that has finally given up after 25 years of being left out in the sun, and it wasn't new when he left it. So I prefer the black rubber hoses out in the garden and use the red ones around the patio. The red fades to a soft terracotta pinkish color after a year or two.

When I moved here, I bought several hoses at OSH that were guaranteed for life. I thought they were Flexogen, but I still have one out there and it is Waterworks..
*I hate this hose.*
After the first year, it gets sticky, then discolors, and finally starts cracking then splitting. I only have one left, and I think the fact that it's in the shade has helped.

Vinyl, no! Rubber Yes!

Rubber hoses are just the best!

Henhouse said:I've had a black craftsman hose since the 70's. It's had a couple of mishaps along the way (car running over the brass fitting) and we replaced it and spliced it with kits you can buy (or could buy in the past) at Sears.

Vinyl, no! Rubber Yes!

We've had Craftsman Premium Rubber Hoses for at least 6 or 7 years now and I absolutely love the things. I'm the first to admit, I'm haphazard with the hoses. They get left where I finish for the day (since I'm usually going to start there again the next day). They're left in the sun, they're left out until cool weather arrives when we coil them over one of the wrought iron hose stands and they end up overwintering outside in the weather. They still perform like champs. The only time we had to repair two of them was right after my nephew brought in a large breed pup who thought the rubber hoses were chew toys (fortunately grown out of that). I got some of the barbed brass inserts with clamp, cut off the chewed part, and reconnected the two ends and it works perfect. I've tried too many other "premium" hoses and they just haven't held up as well as the Craftsman so I keep going backs for more (In fact, I just ordered another 50 foot one today; 50 feet I consider the best length because I can mix and match based on my needs). FYI, besides Sears, these can be found at K-Mart (may have to pre-order for store delivery), or I found my newest one on eBay (lazy, I didn't feel like driving 30 years to the nearest Sears store where we usually buy them. Plus it was no tax and free delivery to our home). Keep watch as you can find these on sale now and then.

It took me a long time to realize what a difference a rubber hose makes in a garden!

I got two craftsmans - 100 and 50 ft- on sale. They work just fine, no kinks!
Thanks, Becky for the article.

Best hoses ever, have 1 100' and 2 fifty footers from the mid 90s, only had to replace one on Craftsman dime, only way to go!