Where to Buy Used Outdoor Gear: 10 Shops for Secondhand Apparel & Equipment

Looking for affordable tents, sleeping bags, hiking boots, and bikes? These online and in-person retailers have you covered with gently used gear

Where to Buy Used Outdoor Gear: 10 Shops for Secondhand Apparel & Equipment

Author

Amelia Arvesen

Photographer

Photo courtesy Geartrade

You could blow your whole paycheck on gear, and oops, some of us even have. It’s easy to do when, over the past few years, outdoor gear prices have increased around 20 percent, according to former Moosejaw CEO and consultant Eoin Comerford. With new trade policies on the horizon, that number is likely to increase. Luckily, there’s a robust resale market where outdoor lovers can find real deals on all kinds of perfectly good gear—be it outerwear, skis, or bikes—that still has plenty of life left. Plus, in comparison to the energy used to create new gear, buying used outdoor gear typically avoids carbon emissions of 50% or more.

If you're in the market for used outdoor gear, you're in the right place. Below we'll dive into the top retailers for buying used outdoor gear, both brick and mortar shops and online marketplaces.

But it's not just specialty retailers offering used goods these days. A handful of brands now have their own gear resale platforms, including Arc’teryx Regear, Patagonia Worn Wear, and The North Face Renewed, to counteract overproduction.

But we’ve found you can often find better deals if you scour the virtual shelves of emerging unaffiliated online marketplaces like Articles in Common and Geartrade. Plus, you’re supporting an indie outdoor business. While reporting this story, we combed the sites to curate some of the coolest things on sale right now, some of which might be on your wishlist.


Used-Gear-Shops-REI-Resupply
rei.com/used

REI ReSupply

REI is ever expanding, and while their dominance in the retail space has its pros and cons (union busting, shuttering of their workshop and in-person event program, etc) the Seattle Co-op have doubled down on making outdoor gear more affordable and accessible with their ReSupply used outdoor gear program. Available in-store and online, the REI Used Gear portal offers gently used gear at rather impressive prices. Considering their legendary and longstanding return policy, there's no shortage of gear to browse, from camping and hiking to biking, backpacking, and so on.

Used-Gear-Shops-Articles-in-Common
articlesincommon.com

Articles in Common

Articles in Common was founded in 2021 by Emma Hayes, a climate activist who wanted to make the outdoor industry more circular. Protecting the planet by reducing waste is at the company’s core, which it does through selling consignment gear donated and purchased from people like you. It accepts gently-used gear from all brands and will help you repair your own gear or remake it into something new for the ReMade collection. The entire store’s selection is limited, which only makes it easier to find gems and at really reasonable prices. Check out the vintage archive for rare pieces, like old copies of National Geographic and retro jackets from Eddie Bauer and Ralph Lauren. Articles in Common also collaborates with other aligned organizations, such as The Resole Project to revive the worn-out rubber on climbing shoes.

What we have our eyes on: This vintage Edie Bauer Parka ($39) comes in the most vibrant purple, and these Keen Newport H2 Sandal Men’s 10.5 ($35) are ready for the river or the city.

Used-Gear-Shops-Out-and-Back
outandbackdoor.com

Out & Back Outdoor

Based in Denver at the intersection of the mountains and the outdoor industry, Out & Back has collected inventory from gearheads near and far since 2019. The platform’s categories are just as vast as Geartrade’s, including kids’ gear and travel equipment, and the website makes it easy to filter for what you need. The team thoroughly validates the authenticity of every product so you’re not getting knockoffs or damaged goods. And each item gets a condition grade, from New to Used and Worn, so you aren’t surprised when it arrives at your doorstep. For trading in, Out & Back offers free shipping, or you can drop off gear in person at Public Lands locations across the country. One downside: You can’t sell gear from brands not listed in its directory or gear older than 10 years. It’s interesting to note that investors include VF Corporation, the parent company of The North Face and Vans.

What we have our eyes on: This “like new” Eagle Creek 100L Luggage ($156) is a steal of a deal. And the Women’s Arc’teryx Sentinel Bib Pant ($374) comes in a bunch of sizes.

Used-Gear-Shops-Geartrade
geartrade.com

Geartrade

Originally launched in 1999, Geartrade is the OG re-commerce site. You’ll find the widest array of used gear there because the platform accepts shipments from adventurers as well as retailers and manufacturers to keep the inventory of “UnNew” flowing. Categories include ski and snowboard, hike and camp, bike, water, climb, and more. With an interface as easy to navigate as REI and Amazon, you can literally find exactly what you’re looking for. Time for something new? Send your old stuff to Geartrade to assess its value. Once it sells, you’ll receive earnings to your account (anywhere from 15 to 70 percent of the selling price) to put toward the next purchase. Last year, Geartrade expanded its program with Jones Snowboards to incentivize snowboarders to send in their dead boards for the chance to trade in or buy used.

What we have our eyes on: I can personally vet my pair of Snow Peak Flexible Insulated Pants ($94) , and this Black Diamond Firstlight 3P Tent ($265) is apparently in “excellent condition.”

Used-Gear-Shops-Rerouted
rerouted.co

Rerouted

Similar to what you’ll find on Poshmark and Depop, Rerouted Gear’s selection is varied. The backdrops for photos are granite countertops, carpets, and white walls—indicative of its homegrown origin. If shopping feels like digging through someone’s gear garage, know that’s exactly how Rerouted started. Self-identified dirt bag and founder Chap Grubb runs it out of his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is trying to grow its online presence by stripping the extra fees that come with other platforms. “I have created a model that allows the magoo to eliminate as much shipping costs (environmental and financial) by collecting and moving product internally when possible,” he writes in his mission statement. To date, Rerouted has saved 200,000 pounds of gear from collecting dust—and there’s still plenty to browse and buy.

What we have our eyes on: This Coleman Water Jug ($11) reminds me of one my parents had, and these 65 cm CAMP Ice Axes ($46 each) will come in handy during spring ascents.

Used-Gear-Shops-Buycycle
buycycle.com

BuyCycle

If you’re looking solely for bike gear, BuyCycle is where you can find fully-assembled bikes along with parts and accessories such as wheels, frames, seats, pedals, shoes, and more. (They sell some clothing, but not much. Look elsewhere for a vintage kit.) Filter by brand and bike type, and expect a fairly robust selection of road bikes, hardtails mountain bikes, gravel bikes, and even e-bikes. You can also filter by your location and set a mileage perimeter so you can meet the seller and check out a bike in person. Of course, the wider you cast your net, the greater the options. BuyCycle also makes it easy to sell your bike online; it’ll even send you packing materials to ship your bike when it sells, usually the biggest inconvenience with online consignment. It’ll also suggest a value based on condition and type, but ultimately, the selling price is up to you—which is also good to know as a buyer because you can make an offer.

What we have our eyes on: If I bought a new bike it would be this 1970 Bianchi Rekord ($835), and these Fizik Tempo Decos Carbon ($215) look barely worn.

Used-Gear-Shops-The-Pros-Closetjpg
theproscloset.com

The Pro’s Closet

The world’s largest reseller of pre-owned bikes closed in October 2024 after 18 years in business—only to reopen less than a month later under new management. “We took a bit of a spill,” the company wrote in its comeback announcement. And just like that, pre-owned bikes, frames, wheels, tires, apparel, accessories, and components are for sale there again, tagged with original photography and in-depth descriptions that make them seem brand new. Search by brand, category, or keyword, and you’re presented with a robust catalogue of options, though you can tell that the company is still building out its inventory—some searches turn up empty.

What we have our eyes on: This Waltworks Custom Gravel Bike ($3,149) in lavender is a handsome investment. This Specialized Stumpjumper EVO frame ($1,079) would make a fun build.

secondhand-gear-outdoor-gear-exchange-interior
Outdoor Gear Exchange

Outdoor Gear Exchange

Vermonters have been shopping for low-cost gear at the iconic Outdoor Gear Exchange since 1995 when it was only a brick-and-mortar location in Burlington. Today it operates a website in addition to the store. You can only buy its new stuff online, unfortunately. But the website also hosts the ever changing list of what the shop is currently accepting for consignment, which is super specific to the seasons and current stock. After some tough times during the pandemic and a store relocation, the beloved store has recommitted to its location in downtown. “We need people to come downtown and we need to provide more opportunity,” said owner Marc Sherman in a recent local news broadcast.

What we have our eyes on: Flights to to Burlington so that we can shop IRL

Rad Bazaar

The Rad Bazaar is the resale platform of the cycling website and community The Radivist. In 2021, The Pro’s Closet bought the site from founder John Watson, who started documenting cycling culture in the early aughts while living in New York City. But only two years later in 2023, after what Watson alludes to as a “long legal proceeding,” he and his longtime partner, Cari Carmean, returned to the helm as independent owners. Now, in addition to bike reviews and stories about bike shops, you can shop a selection of used bikes and gear at Rad Bazaar posted by sellers. Most items are geared toward gravel and adventure riders, but it’s worth a regular scroll if you’re a roadie, carbon collector, or full-suspension mountain biker.

What we have our eyes on: Check out the splatter paint job on this Crust Evasion Lite frame ($900), and rep an oldie but a goodie with this Rivendell Cycling Cap in bright yellow ($50).

Isella Outdoor

Named after a glacier on Washington state’s Bonanza Peak, Isella Outdoor is another grassroots marketplace that feels more like the flea market than the mall. Mallorie Estenson started it in 2020 on Instagram, an era of abundance for resale accounts of all kinds, after she was inspired by a post about toxic gear culture. More than 8,000 followers lurk for bargains on outdoor gear that she reposts as people send things to her. Most are geared toward women and nonbinary and smaller-bodied folks. The seller of each item is tagged in the post, and to buy something, you message the seller directly. One annoying thing: You can’t always tell if an item has sold but check the comments to see if the seller has marked it as such. To sell something, reference this format.

What we have our eyes on: This Deuter Freeride Pro Ski Touring Pack ($125) still has its hang tags, and this set of 12 Petzl carabiners ($156) is adventure-ready.

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