The male I live with is still using a KIMM (ruck)sack dating from 1980s - the KIMM is now OMM, and sacks have moved on, so he has bought new ones, but prefers the old one as it's lighter. But while it's OK to buy your own gadgets, I'm not so sure about expecting the NHS to pay for them, especially before you actually need a new one, by which time there'll be an even newer version.
KIMM = Karrimor International Mountain Marathon, name from 1968 - 2005 inclusive; OMM = Original Mountain Marathon, name used for same event from 2006 onwards, before anyone asks!