A few weeks ago, via Know Your Company , we asked folks at Basecamp what brand-name items they couldn’t live without. (We have strong feelings about yogurt, and Chicagoans are extremely serious about their skin care regimens.) Here’s what everyone said:

Emily Triplett Lentz, Support: Ha! I’m sure I could live without my favorite stuff. But I’m glad I don’t have to.
Hearos earplugs. I’m a light sleeper, so I’ve tried lots of different kinds. These expand fully and block a lot of noise. I probably get at least an hour or two more of sleep with them in.
Dreaming Cow yogurt. The flavors are unusual, like blueberry cardamom. They’re fatty but not too sweet. I have one every day.
Burt’s Bees lip balm—the original kind, with the peppermint oil in it. Hurts so good.

Mig Reyes, Designer: My moisturizer game on fleek:
Aquaphor
CeraVe
Eucerine

Shaun Hildner, Video Producer: Aquaphor—I’ll get almost anything in a generic, but Aquaphor.

Wailin Wong, Reporter: Like Mig, I take my moisturizing regimen very, very seriously. CeraVe and Aquaphor all the way. Also in the realm of personal care: Mario Badescu Lecithin Nourishing Shampoo; Cetaphil cleanser; Clear Care or PeroxiClear hydrogen peroxide contact lens solution (every drugstore brand I’ve tried has burned my eyeballs); bareMinerals Original Foundation; Glide floss.
My iPhone, I guess. My Zojirushi rice cooker. The New York Times. The Bobeau sweater. My Uniqlo capri jeggings. That’s right. NAME-BRAND JEGGINGS.

Ann Goliak, QA: I’m real big on skin care products for my face—Cetaphil face wash, Kiss My Face sunblock, Clinique and Philosophy lotions, and of course, Aquaphor.

Andrea LaRowe, Admin: Saucony running shoes. I’ve tried soooo many other brands, but I always end up with yet another pair of Sauconys.

JorDanée Key, Support: Right now it’s So Delicious’s brand of coconut milk. It’s the only coconut milk without a carcinogen preservative. ... Thankfully Costco carries it in bulk.

Natalie Keshlear, Support:
Nike shoes for running.
Klean Kanteen for water.
Happy Socks for happy feet.
WildFang anything.

Taylor Weibley, Ops: Arcteryx jackets. They are expensive but they are also very comfy, durable, well-fitting, and they do their job well. (Wait for summertime sales.)
Costa sunglasses are great when you are out on the water. Their customer service has been good too.

Jason Zimdars, Designer: Upon reflecting on this question I realized I don’t have very strong brand loyalty. I suppose one thing I never compromise on is my Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars. Been wearing them since I was maybe 9 or 10 years old and they’re still my go-to shoes today.

Dan Kim, Programmer: The only product I can think of that I would never switch from is my Mac. Not Apple broadly, but Macs specifically.
Cars, phones, clothes, food, whatever else brands—I have preferences, but those are all pretty negotiable. But I can’t see myself ever switching from a Mac.

Tony Giang, Support: I have minor brand preferences (Nikon cameras, EVGA graphics cards, Iron Edge gym equipment etc.), but there aren’t any brands that I couldn’t just drop for another.
Being disloyal means I can try out new things without feeling tied down. It also means I probably end up spending more money than I should when I want to try ALL THE THINGS.

Tom Ward, Programmer: I can do without almost anything, but these are the few things I’d go out of my way to get hold of:
Dorset cereals Simply Nutty cereal
Arm & Hammer baking soda toothpaste
Body Shop shower gel

Eileen Uchitelle, Programmer:
Stoneyfield French Vanilla Whole Milk Yogurt—all other yogurt is inferior
Apple products—MacBook, iPhone, iPad
Klean Kanteen Water Bottle
Patagonia outdoor everything—laptop bag, rain jacket, down jacket
And I almost forgot that the one thing I probably can’t live without are my boots. Made by Timberland, awesome construction, even though they aren’t waterproof my feet never get wet. I’ve got a brown pair and a black pair. I wear them all the time with everything and anything.