I have to stand up for Higgins, my band has been using them and I pipe a lot. My jacket as well as everybody else's in the band have held up, as well as our kilts, which are also made by J Higgins. I would have to believe that anything rented would stand a chance of being abused to a degree so should not be a fair comparison. Take rental cars for example, especially rental cars from lots outside military installations...... I've never purchased a sporran from them though so I can't speak for that.