What do being environmentally conscious, a bargain hunter and a gear geek all have in common? Second-hand adventure gear – and we’re all for it.
“I’ll give it to ya for a hundred quid. It’s only been sitting in the garage taking up space for years – may as well see a new lease of life!”, the stranger smiles. I give him the cash and walk away with my new toy – a Hilleberg Soulo four-season tent.
I couldn’t be more chuffed. I’ve got an absolute bargain: a hardly-used £900 tent I otherwise couldn’t have afforded for a literal fraction of the cost. Oh, the adventures I’m gonna have!
Finding bargain outdoor gear seems to have become a bit of a hobby recently. I’ve been watching new listings being posted on Facebook Marketplace like a hawk in an effort to upgrade my very basic gear cupboard. This time it really has paid off big time.
I’d consider myself pretty thrifty in general. I’ve never felt the need to have the latest phone or a new car. To me it’s just a waste. But I’m all for buying great outdoor gear that’ll last for years over cheap gear that tends to break or deteriorate after a few uses. And I’m absolutely all for buying that quality outdoor thing second-hand too.
Not only does buying second-hand mean more money in my pocket, the choice to seek out the pre-loved and the pre-adventured is a personal stand against the tsunami of consumption that threatens to engulf our planet.
In a world where millions of tonnes of waste find their way into landfill each and every year, a decision to buy second-hand is a rebellion, a declaration that we choose not to contribute to the ‘forever grave’ where ultimately most consumer goods end up, often before their time should even be up.
Buying second-hand gear isn’t just about reducing waste and extending the life of items either. It’s about conserving the initial resources to start with — water, energy, raw materials — that go into the manufacturing of new items.
When we opt for that second-hand backpack, jacket, or tent, we’re not only saving an item from landfill; we’re also saving natural resources that would have been exploited to create its brand-new counterpart.
This active choice respects and preserves the wild places we so love to explore.
The production of textiles, which are integral to many outdoor gear items, is particularly resource-intensive. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the textile industry is responsible for around 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.
Shockingly, that’s more CO2 emissions from creating textiles than international flights and maritime shipping combined.
Textiles are also a leading contributor of micro-plastics entering our waterways.
But beyond the tangible benefits of second-hand, there’s a deeper layer to this practice—a sense of community and connection of swapping, sharing and bartering, which keeps money in the community instead of fuelling big corporations.
Buying second-hand continues the adventure story of the past owner, but just a new chapter of it. It’s a chance for something to be valued and appreciated all over again. Or perhaps I’m just being too sentimental.
Every time I go camping and pitch my pre-used tent, I’m just as ecstatic about my purchase as if it were brand new off the shelf. In fact, probably even more so considering I’m hundreds of pounds richer for my decision!
The economic advantage of buying second-hand is undeniable, allowing me to allocate funds I saved towards future expeditions or other fun outdoor gear purchases.
In this ode to buying second-hand adventure gear, I really want to celebrate the fact that you’re not simply acquiring gear; you’re embracing a philosophy, one that acknowledges the past, cares for the present, and conserves for the future.
No matter how much we highlight and promote the gear we love here on Adventure Brits – please do me a favour: ask a mate, head to your local charity shop, jump on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree first, before buying new.
As much as we love the convenience and thrill of online shopping for the latest gear, we love giving a new lease of life to pre-loved items even more.