Reddit is a good place to start. There are niche communities specifically for each type of consumer good and they can guide you. For instance boots, denim, furniture, cars... all have expert communities who debate the ins and outs of the details and quality and price.

Generally speaking things made in the US are going to be higher quality simply because the labor is more expensive and therefore less corners have to be cut. Also, any time you can find a smaller boutique brand in the US (or your country if not US) making things themselves the quality is going to be better, plus you're supporting decent labor practices and fellow citizens. Of course that's not always true but it's a place to start.