Who makes good garden hose?

[mrobins297aaa]

I had a couple of flex zilla hoses that after a couple of years turned into a mess, once they get mold on them then the plastic starts to decompose, and they become sticky, and it makes them unusable.

I will say that i contacted the company and they did stand behind there product and sent me new hoses, but I don't think I would buy them again, because they were only a couple of years old.

 

[Chumly]

That's a common review for users of Flexzilla hoses that I've seen in places with actual weather that I've read. I can wonder if it's fixed all I want and order another set for a friend in another state for testing I guess.

Screw it, I'll do it. Sending my friend a Flexzilla garden hose up there to Manton, MI (lower MI, upper side? MI is weird...it's by Cadillac. Not a Yupper). I'd like to see if they fixed anything...for science! Not that we'll get instant results, but I'm curious if they're trash or not myself.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

yeah i don't know the answer to that, even though it's been almost a couple of years sense they sent the new hoses I have yet to use them to see if they are better.
I like my sears rubber hoses, they last forever.

those hoses were only about 2 1/2 years old and they spent the winter (about 8 months in the barn) so they weren't exposed to the elements very much

 

[WWheeler]

I've been paying close attention to this thread for good reason.

I must be really hard on a hose or just really terrible at picking out a good one. I have never managed to get two years out of a hose. The only exception I ever recall was the OLD USA-made Craftsman hexegonal black rubber hose they don't make any more, and NO, the new ones from china or wherever they are made didn't even last a full season, right there with the worst of them. They have the same Craftsman name on them and look essentially the same but they are not even close.

Every year I've been buying whatever is the most expensive 100' 'contractor' hoses available at our orange and blue big box stores for both our front and back yards where I keep them on hose reels. In the past year I've completely went through 2 hoses, both of them 3/4" "contractor grade' and 'red' in color for what that's worth. One's an Apex "Neverkink XP Contractor" that was about $100 and the other a 'Flexon Contractor Maximum Duty" that was around $65 IIRC. They both have more than one kink where the outer layer of the hose is completely gone where they have a tendency to close off flow of the hose every chance they get until you walk back and unkink it, same as every other hose I've ever had. I would not recommend any of them.

From what I gather so far in this thread I guess I need to break the bank and buy a couple 100' Eley hoses for $200 each but I have less than zero confidence I could make them last multiple seasons either.

 

[hans109h]

I've replaced all my hoses with Dramm Colorstorms. Got a couple years of use now with no complaints. High quality brass fittings. I highly recommend their brass swivels as well. No leaks.

 

[lardy1]

The purpose of my OP was to try to get info on hoses that would be light enough for my gal to drag around to her various flower beds, etc, yet not another cheap piece of department store junk. I let her read the majority of the responses and she went with the Flexilla. For our purposes, I think that was a good choice.

As for kinks in hoses, 99% of hose kinks are caused by improper or uncaring use. I retired from a career as an Able Seaman. A very big part of an AB's job involves handling ropes, lines, cables and hoses. I'm very well versed in hose handling so I understand that even quality hoses are going to kink if not properly handled. Once you get up into one inch and over in industrial hose that pretty much becomes a non issue. But I'm not sure anyone makes a garden hose that will not kink if improperly handled that is affordable to the commoner.

Thanks all for the replies and private messages.

 

[hoston23]

ive had very good luch with the Flexzilla Pro hoses. But i usually have our local hydraulic/hose place make me some 3/4 water hoses with crimped on ends. They last years before something happens to them and they are being used commercially on a dairy.

 

[White Shadow]

I purchased a Craftsman hose decades ago and it came with a free lifetime warranty. So it has been replaced a few times over the years.

I'm not sure how long I'll be able to take advantage of that lifetime warranty anymore....

EDIT: It seems like Lowes carries Craftsman hoses, but they now have a 5-year limited warranty. So I guess the free lifetime replacements are gone now. Oh well, it was great while it lasted.

 

[Steve_P]

The purpose of my OP was to try to get info on hoses that would be light enough for my gal to drag around to her various flower beds, etc, yet not another cheap piece of department store junk. I let her read the majority of the responses and she went with the Flexilla. For our purposes, I think that was a good choice.

As for kinks in hoses, 99% of hose kinks are caused by improper or uncaring use. I retired from a career as an Able Seaman. A very big part of an AB's job involves handling ropes, lines, cables and hoses. I'm very well versed in hose handling so I understand that even quality hoses are going to kink if not properly handled. Once you get up into one inch and over in industrial hose that pretty much becomes a non issue. But I'm not sure anyone makes a garden hose that will not kink if improperly handled that is affordable to the commoner.

Thanks all for the replies and private messages.

Please buy the rubber Continental hose from HD that I have- and then tell us it doesn't kink under normal use. Mine is a POS, and it's not because I don't know how to store, or use, a hose; it's just a limp rubber noodle that kinks every time it can. Yes, if I had it on a reel and only pulled it out straight I wouldn't have that issue. But washing a car with it is a disaster.

 

[cbracer]

Here's my experiences.....
1st hose was the Gilmore Forever hose..... very stiff, heavy and not enjoyable at all.

Amazon.com : FOCUSAIRY 75ft Expanding Heavy Duty Expandable Garden Water Hose with Shut Off Valve Solid Metal Connector : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : FOCUSAIRY 75ft Expanding Heavy Duty Expandable Garden Water Hose with Shut Off Valve Solid Metal Connector : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

2nd hose was the cheap expanding hose. I liked the idea but sent it back because it fraid and fell apart just from dragging it along the concrete driveway.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073PK6335/?tag=atomicindus08-20

3rd hose was the steel flexible hose. It was my favorite hose.... except the diameter was about 3/8" inside and the flow wasn't enough to wash my car with it What I liked was the weight, easy of rolling up, strength, everything was simply awesome except the internal diameter was too small. It leaks a little around the fitting, this is common but you can cut it and redo the end so the fittings aren't durable.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00197JKYU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

4th hose was the Dramm Colorstorm rubber hose. If you like the craftsman rubber you'll love this full rubber, hexagon outer shape hose. It's not light, and the colors can fade if left all day in the sun. But it's durable, will last forever, and has nice fittings. Downside is you have to keep twisting it when you roll it, or unroll it as it has to be rolled in that manner (the natural memory).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MS44G1X/?tag=atomicindus08-20

5th hose was the Flexzilla brown hose. Now don't hate me, but I got it from Amazon for $10..... yes that's right. It was in my cart for about 2 years and one morning the price went to $10 so I bought it. Immediately after it went back to $50. I haven't used it yet so no comments. Likely my experience will mirror everyone else who has written above.

I would love a steel hose with a real 1/2" or 5/8" inner diameter and quality fittings. Until then the Dramm lives in the front yard and the Flexzilla is going in the back yard.

 

[Sumboodie]

I got sick of fooling with traditional style hoses in my camper and the RV folks suggested a Zero-G hose. Folds up like a firehose rather coiling so it stows away a LOT easier. Or you can wind it up if you want. I got used to using it and now don't want a traditional plastic/rubber style hose for the house either.

Yup. I threw away the old school hoses. Nice to carry 400ft of hose without breaking your back.

 

[Sumboodie]

Bought one of those last year for my elderly mom due to the light weight and so far so good. Been messing with my current hoses and both have basically a weak section that kinks all the time so went to Lowe's last week and picked up two for myself. How long they last who knows but hopefully I won't be swearing because it kinks.

Have had several for 3 or 4 years

 

[shanker]

I picked up a Parker 100' 5/8ths hose for 75 dollars last year at Hose Of South Texas...I think Parker makes the best hoses.

https://ph.parker.com/us/en/water-hose

 

[tvruwink]

I was really sick and tired of terrible hoses, and the plastic bins you roll them into. Think sunguard (?) Mine always break, the hoses are heavy and kink and makes everything a huge pain in the ***.
I bought this from McNaught: https://www.macnaughtusa.com/product/retractable-garden-hose-reel-with-1-2-x-60-ft-hose-dr460g-05/
It's a delight to use. Plus it has a 10!!! year warranty. The hose isn't heavy, unwinds nicely (occasionally you need to give it a bit of a tug to stop the retraction mechanism from kicking in) but otherwise I love it. Well worth the extra $$.

 

[Tiny Jackson]

I see some threads regarding couplers but nothing pertaining to the actual hose. I bought a couple MIUSA 50 footers last year and am quite disappointed. I'd like to stay with domestic but I've learned to swallow the import pill when necessary.

I need something relatively light for the little woman to drag across the yard and I'm not looking for the latest marketing gimmick or new gizmo. Just a well made garden hose.

TIA

Always found the black rubber Craftsman hoses with the stainless hardware to last the longest. I am unsure if they make them anymore or if they are built well anymore.

 

[WWheeler]

Always found the black rubber Craftsman hoses with the stainless hardware to last the longest. I am unsure if they make them anymore or if they are built well anymore.

The old USA ones were the best hose I ever had, but they're all made in China now with a different 'rubber' that is nowhere near as durable.

I was looking at the 'Made in USA' Dramm Colorstorm hoses hans109h posted about above and they look a lot like the old Craftsmans available in a variety of colors. They have the 'hex' outer dimension made in USA of "premium rubber" that they claim to be "thicker than any other rubber hose on the market" and "crush proof" nickle plated brass ends. Makes me wonder if they weren't the manufacturer of the old Craftsman hose before they moved the COO to the Republic. That'd be my guess.

They are a bit pricy, especially in the 100' lengths that I need, but I think these will be my next hose purchases.

 

[Pantsfall_McFixit]

The Continental hose has worked well for me.

Continental Premium 5/8 in. Dia x 50 ft. Commercial Grade Rubber Black Water Hose 20258074 - The Home Depot

Premium Commercial Grade Black Rubber Water Hose from Goodyear Engineered Products is designed for small to medium sized landscape jobs.

www.homedepot.com

This and the previous 2010's Craftsman line (apparently they still exist, from other posts!) are 99% identical, same rubber just slightly different hose connectors. They're both heavy duty, however the rubber will rub off onto your hands, and won't come off with washing. They're also heavy and small people may have a tough time with them, like my family.

 

[F-22]

I have a bunch of 60's reinforced rubber pneumatic hose from a nearby mine. It's literally indestructible as a garden hose and it's not particularly thick or heavy (still way beefier than a typical garden hose). Just makes me sad how disposable everything is today. A lot of it has been left outside in the sun for decades and there's just no deterioration at all.