best garden hose
- Thread starter SCWOOD
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indyokie
Well-known member
I purchased black Sears "best" hoses( largest diameter they stocked ) x 50 foot and 25 foot in 1997 and 2001. I've used them - run over them - rolled them up ever since. I'm shocked how well they have held up - I'm sorry I have no idea if the model is still out there- just wanted to let you know that purchaseing the best way back then paid off. Back then - they were the most expensive but they also were the largest ID, and most flexible hoses I could find. I would say- the ablity to reel them in ( I hand coil them ) also allows them to kink. Sometimes that's the only trade off.
5lima30
Well-known member
I have had great luck with the black rubber Craftsman hoses. I have (5) some are 12+ years old! I did have to warranty one that my wife cut with the riding mower 
rshadd
Well-known member
I have a few of the Craftsman Premium Rubber Garden Hoses and like them alot.
Made in the USA and backed by a full warranty.
Made in the USA and backed by a full warranty.
Falcon67
Well-known member
I might have to try the Craftsman hose. The only enjoyment I've had lately with hoses is running them over with the mower or cutting them up for something else. I have a ********* one from Lowes that has held up very well, but it's danged heavy. That one is a 100' model.
SweetD
Well-known member
Here's what I bought after two of my crappy HD / Wal Mart hoses blew up over the course of a year. Zero regrets - awesome hose as described:
http://www.factorydirecthose.com/site/932652/page/388991
Dave
http://www.factorydirecthose.com/site/932652/page/388991
Dave
volpster31
Well-known member
the craftsman hoses are great...i also buy neverkink hoses because they seem to last and target clearances them out every year in august for $14.00...
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
This past summer I needed a new backyard hose and I bought EVERY higher priced hose OSH and Home Depot sold. I ended up returning them all because they kinked until I got to the Home Depot black Goodyear hose. It's not perfect but waay better than all the rest.
In my front yard I have a 15+ year old gray hose I bought from Costco and; though its starting to now develop "ridges", it has been without a doubt the best hose I've ever owned. Costco still sells the same LOOKING hose, but no idea if its the same manufacturer as 15 years ago.
In my front yard I have a 15+ year old gray hose I bought from Costco and; though its starting to now develop "ridges", it has been without a doubt the best hose I've ever owned. Costco still sells the same LOOKING hose, but no idea if its the same manufacturer as 15 years ago.
StaggeringGoat
Well-known member
I love my 3/4" Gilmour Flexogen hose. The only issues I have is 3/4" is bigger than necessary for most jobs, and it make the hose a little hard to handle. (but the same is true with any brand, it's like wrestling a snake) It DOES NOT kink...and it comes with a fantastic lifetime warranty.
1949 caddyman
Well-known member
Swan soft and supple. Have had a few for 15+ years. Only problem was need to replace male hose end with a solid brass fitting after 10 years. The old one started to leak even with a new gasket.
bob_the_builder
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2010
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If you live in the states, Home Depot sells a very good rubber hose both in black and also in red for high temperatures. Heavy duty and flexible. The problem is they only sell it in 50' lengths. I needed about 100' so I could run the hose from the garage to the end of the driveway. I ended up going to my local hydraulic store and had them make me up a custom water hose using Goodyears Horizon hose. They hose comes in many different diameters and up to 500'. The cost was just under $1.00 a foot therefore it can get pretty expensive but so far it is the best hose I have purchased.
I also noticed that Adam's car care products sells the same Goodyear hose for about the same price my custom one cost.
http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-810-adams-commercial-grade-car-wash-hose.aspx
I also noticed that Adam's car care products sells the same Goodyear hose for about the same price my custom one cost.
http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-810-adams-commercial-grade-car-wash-hose.aspx
sparky7
Well-known member
the swan hose at lowes is very very good and also west marine sells a hose that does not kink, its very nice but expensive from them, im sure you could find it online thougha
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Craftsman.
I have some that over 25 years old.
One down side is that it leaves black marks on you hands when coiling.
I have some that over 25 years old.
One down side is that it leaves black marks on you hands when coiling.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
Craftsman. 30 years and counting.
I've been very happy with the black Goodyear hoses we've had.
They get driven over by the cars, left in the sun and they seem to be fine.
I've abused the heck out of mine with no problems.
AZ Pete
Well-known member
I wish that I had thought to ask this question a couple of weeks ago. I went through the process of trying to research garden hose, having a Swan another premium hose find their "end of life" due to permanent kinks (they were only 15 or so years old). I ended up with Apex "Neverkink" extra duty 5/8" hose, after reading tons of user reviews. Hope it works out, otherwise I will go get Craftsman black hose.
grissom
Well-known member
Armed Bear
Well-known member
I have a Goodyear hose and its pretty good
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Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
I've had 2 of the Black "Home Depot" Goodyears on my hose reel for 6 years now...excellent hose.
I just bought a 50' Flexzilla to add onto it because i've heard such good things. I only used it once, but was happy with it...
I just bought a 50' Flexzilla to add onto it because i've heard such good things. I only used it once, but was happy with it...
sophijo
Well-known member
Re length; long hoses are a bear to lug around, store, and drain. I'd recommend getting shorter lengths and connecting them.
bullfrog123
Well-known member
Another vote for Craftsman rubber hoses. 4 yrs ago I got pizzed off at the stiff brittle leaking Wally-World **** and got the Craftsmans. They coil up even in dead of winter when I need to top off the hottub. Lay out all summer on my blacktop driveway getting run over daily and never had a puncture. The ends are even beat to hell but not bent or hard to turn. Only ones I will ever buy again!!!
gregtwojeeps
Well-known member
I have bought and used a LOT of garden hoses over the passed 24 years and I cringe every time I read the " Guaranteed to NEVER kink" labels. Not going to happen unless it is the little blow up expanding hoses and they ....blow up eventually. ....
I bought one of these in a 100ft. and one in a 75 ft. and for the second summer now, I have been pleased with the way they roll up and dispense. I like the soundness of the way they are built and have good fittings.
If looped over themselves while pulling across the yard they will kink, but just rolling the hose in the hand cures that. I really like them and JMO
http://www.lowes.com/pd/NeverKink-Max-5-8-in-x-100-ft-Premium-Kink-Free-Garden-Hose/50328057
I bought one of these in a 100ft. and one in a 75 ft. and for the second summer now, I have been pleased with the way they roll up and dispense. I like the soundness of the way they are built and have good fittings.
If looped over themselves while pulling across the yard they will kink, but just rolling the hose in the hand cures that. I really like them and JMO
http://www.lowes.com/pd/NeverKink-Max-5-8-in-x-100-ft-Premium-Kink-Free-Garden-Hose/50328057
BearsFan315
Well-known member
I bought a Craftsman Black Rubber hose with the machined ends, by far the best hose i have ever used, and ends are machined so they do not crush or strip easily.
only draw back is turn your hands BLACK and get hot in the sun, but never stopped me.
only draw back is turn your hands BLACK and get hot in the sun, but never stopped me.
rlitman
Well-known member
That hose may "kink", but I believe it is one of those hoses that still flow to an extent, even when kinked. They have ribs that run the length of the hose on the inside that keep a space open in the kink. OTOH, if you cut it and try to use a hose mender, you'll find that those ribs ensure it will leak when clamped onto a barb.
Have there been developments in garden hoses. Yeah, but nothing great.
Those expanding hoses look AWESOME. I suppose they might make sense if you can justify buying a new one every year. I've had my Craftsman and Goodyear hoses for about 10 years now with no troubles.
The Goodyear hose "lifetime" warranty still isn't worth the paper it is printed on (just look at the fine print). The Craftsman hose lifetime warranty is still rock solid (as much as people here will bash Craftsman).
On one side of my house I have two wall mounted hose reels. One has two 50' black rubber hoses on it for everyday use. The other has a 150' extra cheap green hose for the walking sprinkler. The rubber is both heavier and stickier, and the walking sprinkler struggles with it if it is pulling more than 50' or so.
The other side has two 50' rubber hoses in it. The inner one (the one that sees less wear) is a Goodyear red hot water rated hose. I've used it for flushing my boiler, etc. Seems ok enough.
Have there been developments in garden hoses. Yeah, but nothing great.
Those expanding hoses look AWESOME. I suppose they might make sense if you can justify buying a new one every year. I've had my Craftsman and Goodyear hoses for about 10 years now with no troubles.
The Goodyear hose "lifetime" warranty still isn't worth the paper it is printed on (just look at the fine print). The Craftsman hose lifetime warranty is still rock solid (as much as people here will bash Craftsman).
On one side of my house I have two wall mounted hose reels. One has two 50' black rubber hoses on it for everyday use. The other has a 150' extra cheap green hose for the walking sprinkler. The rubber is both heavier and stickier, and the walking sprinkler struggles with it if it is pulling more than 50' or so.
The other side has two 50' rubber hoses in it. The inner one (the one that sees less wear) is a Goodyear red hot water rated hose. I've used it for flushing my boiler, etc. Seems ok enough.
rlitman
Well-known member
Yeah, the machined and plated ends are real nice. They USED to be stainless, but that hasn't been the case in a long time now.
TedU
Member
I've got two 'Flexzilla' garden hoses made by Legacy.
Had the first one for around a year, so far so good.
http://www.flexzilla.com/water/garden-hose/
Had the first one for around a year, so far so good.
http://www.flexzilla.com/water/garden-hose/
1949 caddyman
Well-known member
I bought this Eley hose & reel last year. Got the cover for it. Very high quality, works great.https://www.eleyhosereels.com/collections/garden-hose-reels/products/wall-mount-garden-hose-reel
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skcj213
Well-known member
Flexzilla!!!
PCMusicGuy
Well-known member
I've had the Flexzilla 50' hose for nearly 3 years. It does not live up to the hype. Don't get me wrong, it is a good hose, light and nimble, but it does still kink and get tangled, and has a memory for coiling.
I would love to hear more about the Flexzilla hoses. I have a few of the Craftsman hoses but I cold use another 75 ft. of hose around the house.
One trick for the Craftsman hoses (and probably most others) I have found to keep them from kinking. If you are like me and can't tolerate a crappy hose reel, you just end up coiling the on the ground. If you coil it in a circle, it will kink with you uncoil it. If you lay the hose down in a figure eight pattern, it won't kink when you pull is out straight. Hard to explain but it works great for me.
One trick for the Craftsman hoses (and probably most others) I have found to keep them from kinking. If you are like me and can't tolerate a crappy hose reel, you just end up coiling the on the ground. If you coil it in a circle, it will kink with you uncoil it. If you lay the hose down in a figure eight pattern, it won't kink when you pull is out straight. Hard to explain but it works great for me.
black00lightning
Well-known member
I also use the Lowest NeverKink Max. I have 2 of the 100' and 2 of the 50' hoses and I am totally happy with their performance. They actually never kink!
flexzilla is really soft and lite compared to a rubber hose. it's really flexible. but once you turn the water on it gets stiffer and tends to coil up, a simple tug and a twist will straighten it out and it will lay flat. it will kink but just tug it and it will unkink it self and water will flow again. I usually uncoil the hose and straighten it out and then its all good. if you don't straighten it out it will start to self coil and kink. I use one of the hang on call hose hangers that you manually coil the hose on and it will get twisted up (reminds me of an electrical extension cord). I think one of those reel type winders would work great for this hose.
Jon_E
Well-known member
Have had several Gilmour Flexogen green hoses for about 10 years now. They will kink if you try to pull out a tight loop by brute force, but will immediately unkink themselves and straighten out if you're gentle. I don't know about the new Flexogen gray hoses though. I noticed Home Depot had a pallet of them, not sure if they've changed the formulation or their warranty or anything. Time will tell.
longez
Well-known member
We have a real mish-mash of hoses, but the three 50' Flexzilla's seem to work out well; especially for my wife since they're light. We've had them ~2-3 years; so far so good. What I don't like is the Flexzilla color, but Legacy private labels the same hose in a few different pastel colors for an online gardening company.
I bought a section of Flexzilla a few months ago. So far for the little that I have used it, I like it better than what I had been using.
uncletater
Well-known member
Craftsman