How to Give and Receive Used Gear as Gifts
Tips for more sustainable gift giving this holiday season
November 4th, 2024
As you may have noticed, the holidays are nearly here! Which means gift-buying season is UPSETTINGLY upon us. And assuming we’re all trying to avoid panic-buying at the last minute, we’re in gift-hunting mode.
Which brings us to the sustainable elephant in the room: Can I give used stuff as a gift? What an excellent question! The short answer is yes.
But there’s more to it.
Unsurprisingly, the #1 reason people opt for a new item rather than a used one when shopping is because they’re buying a gift. 1 However, the unwritten social rule that says you can’t give used stuff as gifts is rapidly becoming passé.
In this guide, we're going to get into some thoughts, facts, and feelings about buying used, avoiding new, asking for used gifts, and sustainable gift-giving in general.
This piece on used gear is made possible by a grant from REI.
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Camp cookware is one area where high-end brands and products are often available used at a very affordable price. Photo by Katie Hawkes
How buying used helps reduce waste
In the U.S., November is a prime shopping month, with some of the highest yearly sales numbers across many categories, including new outdoor gear and apparel. And while there is growing awareness around the carbon footprint and other environmental costs of buying new stuff, that’s only a piece of the much larger pie of holiday-related sustainability challenges (the least delicious of all holiday pies). For example, consider:
Americans who celebrate a winter holiday generate nearly 50% more waste during this time of year than at other times, with gift wrap and food waste accounting for much of this. 2 (see below on our sustainable gift wrap suggestions)
Online purchases generate 4.8x more packaging waste than in-store purchases, and that’s before they’re wrapped. 3
Exchanging a gift for something you’ll use is great, but this process is more costly than people realize. Many returns – especially clothing and other items that cost relatively little to manufacture – end up in a landfill because it costs more to process, inspect, repack, and ship a return than to just toss it. Some logistics experts estimate that this is the case for more than 80% of returns. 4
Over half of respondents to a recent poll (54%) said feeling wasteful during the holidays makes them feel less excited about the season, and even more (56%) feel they need to choose between being sustainable and enjoying the holidays. 2
“The good news: there are definitely steps you can take to decrease the impact of shopping and gift-giving. ”
The good news: there are definitely steps you can take to decrease the impact of shopping and gift-giving. While some of these steps are straightforward, some are more controversial. One of the toughest subjects is, of course, whether you should give used stuff as gifts.
Will my friends/family/partners/coworkers want used stuff as gifts?
Yes, people want used stuff
First of all, allow me to share some recent stats:
72% of respondents in a recent study indicated the stigma around secondhand shopping has decreased, and nearly 65% said they admire gift-givers who prioritize secondhand items over new ones. 5 That’s a sustainability win!
Over 60% of Americans have made at least one secondhand purchase in the past year. 6
In 2023, the vast majority of holiday shoppers – over 80% – said they were open to receiving secondhand holiday gifts. 5
Studies also show that over three-quarters of respondents received compliments and praise for their secondhand discoveries. 5
Consider rebranding as "vintage" or "refurbished"
Although we are using the terms “used” and “secondhand” throughout this article for clarity, these terms can conjure images of something shabby or undesirable. The hipper, trendier way to describe these very same items is “vintage,” “timeless,” “classic,” “pre-owned,” “refurbished,” “thrifted,” and so on. Take your pick of these words when describing your gifts to family and friends. This is called “re-branding,” and we highly recommend it.
“The hipper, trendier way to describe used items is “vintage,” “timeless,” “classic,” “pre-owned,” “refurbished,” “thrifted” etc. ”
Ask them!
If you’re still unsure whether your loved ones (or anyone else to whom you’re giving gifts) will accept your secondhand goodies, here are some options to feel things out ahead of time:
Ask them! It’s completely reasonable to ask people their feelings on this topic. Mention that you’re trying to be more sustainable this year, or that you’ve found a great gift for them, but it was in a secondhand shop (rebrand this as “vintage market”). Assess whether they would be open to this.
Don’t ask them! If you think they’ll use and enjoy the item, just get it. You are cool and your gift will be cool, and your story about finding this gift in the super cool vintage market will make you even cooler, trust me.
Gear for four-legged friends makes a great gift and is often available new or nearly-new at used gear sales. Photo by Katie Hawkes
Why should I buy used gear or apparel as gifts?
Now that we’ve established it’s a socially-acceptable option, why should you opt for used over new?
Affordability
Looking again at recent studies, people who purchased used items cited affordability and budgeting as the #1 reason, and we can certainly see why, particularly around the holidays. 7.
In addition to paying less than you would for a new item, you’re often able to afford higher-quality gear than you’d be able to afford if you were purchasing it all new–staying within your holiday budget. For example, at REI Used Gear you can get a Marmot 20F lightweight sleeping bag for $77, versus a new Coleman 10F sleeping bag for $90. (To compare, check out our Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags guide.)
Uniqueness
Aside from opting used for cost reasons, people love that when it comes to secondhand objects there’s a ton of choice and variety available, and it’s easy to find something unique. 8 For example, you could find a color or model of a jacket that’s no longer made, or even custom or tailored outdoor apparel secondhand.
It's fun to shop!
People also love the thrill of the hunt! 55% of shoppers consider secondhand shopping a fun and enjoyable hobby, and 58% find shopping secondhand more enjoyable than buying new. 5
Community connection
Lastly, research has highlighted the many health and social costs of isolation and loneliness, and people like the connection and sense of community that buying used stuff brings them. Of shoppers who have made a secondhand purchase recently, 63% enjoy meeting in person for transactions, and 51% have made new friends or formed meaningful connections through these experiences. 5 I’m willing to bet a good portion of the 49% who haven’t made new friends have at least earned fun stories from their community marketplace activities (I am one of them).
Hiking accessories like hats, gaiters, sun sleeves, water bottles, waist packs, and more are easy to find where used gear is sold. Photo by Katie Hawkes
How to ask for used gifts
How can you make the gifts you receive more sustainable? Well, for one thing, you are allowed to ask for used gifts! This is true even if your family/friends aren’t seasoned secondhand shoppers. You can make this easier by sharing a generalized wish list, or by sharing a list of online and/or in-person stores selling used items where you like to shop. You can also get ahead of the game by simply making it known that you’d prefer used gifts to new ones. Normalize asking for used gifts!
You can still find specific items used
A friend of mine did this for her entire baby shower: she firmly stated she wanted nothing new. This was additionally complicated by the fact that my wife still insisted we buy this friend a very specific white noise machine that new parents swear by, which I did not think we’d be able to find used. Lo and behold, my mother-in-law found it on Facebook Marketplace just a few miles away. We were able to abide by the rules of the baby shower, and still got the extremely particular thing we wanted. So it’s 100% possible to shop for specific items used too!
Other options for requesting more sustainable gifts include:
Asking for handmade/homemade gifts rather than purchased ones.
Asking explicitly for regifted items. If you have a friend who is hardcore into a sport you're getting into, their re-gifted items could be exactly what you need to get started (and they'll appreciate finding a new home for their old gear).
Asking for gifts that aren’t “stuff.” This is a big one for me since I live in a small space, and receiving permanent objects as gifts stresses me out. Non-stuff gifts include things like:
Food
Experiences
Digital items like ebooks and audiobooks
Things you use up, like a favorite shampoo or sunscreen; specialty laundry detergent; even luxury dental floss or fancy toothpaste
Gift subscriptions for non-stuff, like navigation apps by Garmin, Gaia GPS, onX mapping app, or the hiking trail app FarOut guides. For less outdoorsy stuff, consider Spotify Premium, or New York Times Cooking.
A yearly parks pass or something outdoor-experience-related
Finally, you can ask for money or gift cards, if you feel comfortable doing so. Paper money is basically a novelty item these days anyway!
All this to say, there are tons of options to both gift and receive sustainably, so consider what makes the most sense for you.
Remember: your friends and family like you a lot, and they will find a way that works for them to be more sustainable in their gifts to you.
Brands like REI and Patagonia now have dedicated used gear sections in many stores, which are a great place to shop for gently-used outdoor items. Photo by Katie Hawkes
When it comes to outdoor gear and clothing, what kinds of items are best to buy used?
Many used gear retailers, like the REI Good and Used section, will run their own checks to make sure you're getting clean and high quality outdoor gear.
If you're shopping on eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, you'll need to do some research on what you're getting. According to outdoor experts and enthusiasts across the internet and Treeline Review, here are some general guidelines on shopping for pre-owned outdoor gear items:
DON’T buy used:
Safety-specific items: climbing ropes, helmets, safety ropes, first aid kits, emergency gear, etc.
Socks: too big a risk for fungus and other skin issues.
Underwear: see above.
Anything that smells moldy, mildewy, or otherwise bad — and generally, gear that seems too well-used.
Sometimes you'll find these items new-in-box at used gear stores. That's generally ok, but check for things like age of the item, expiration dates on first aid kits, etc.
DO buy used if you feel fine about it (some folks do, some don’t):
Hats: sun hats, beanies, running hats, etc.
Sleeping bags: (all three of the above feel sort of close and personal, so they give some people the ick to buy secondhand. I have personally bought all of them secondhand so I can say with confidence that opinions differ). And you can (and should) wash a sleeping bag! Here are step-by-step instructions. It's easy!
Anything waterproof (e.g. rain jackets, ski jackets). If an item isn’t waterproof by nature (e.g. Gore-Tex), textiles are made waterproof by “laminating” them with a waterproof membrane applied to the inside. This membrane can tear and flake off over time, but if the lamination isn’t cracking/flaking, go for it. You also want to avoid buying waterproof items that have been improperly washed/cared for. If you want help seeking out waterproofed items free from “forever chemicals,” check out Treeline’s guide to PFAs and PFCs in outdoor gear.
Footwear: The fit of footwear is extremely important, so you’ll want to make sure any used shoes or boots are right for your recipient. At secondhand stores or online listings, we recommend looking for “used once” or “new in box” (maybe used once, or tried on).
Backpacking packs: Fit and comfort are extremely important here as well, so trying it on before you buy it is ideal and makes it a tough item to gift. Day packs are usually easier to find and gift used.
Anything electronic. People have differing levels of comfort buying used electronics, even headlamps. Your best bet is to find out as much as you can about why it was traded in, and to see for yourself whether it works/how well it works now. Remember, unlike buying new, there’s no warranty on used gear.
Anything inflatable, like a sleeping pad, pillow, kayaks, etc.: There’s a possibility that even if something seems intact, a slow leak could be present. A really close examination of the item would be really helpful, and the ability to return would be a great failsafe.
DO buy used:
Anything else
Most apparel pieces are pretty simple to find used and still in good shape
Tents: Anything that has multiple pieces like a tent or stove should be examined to make sure all the pieces are present, intact, and working. If it looks to all be in one piece, you can usually find a great deal on them.
Even if a secondhand shop or vintage market is not focused exclusively on outdoor gear and apparel, these are popular items and can usually be found throughout the year. Photo by Katie Hawkes; courtesy of Seahive Station in San Diego, CA.
Where do I buy used outdoor clothing and gear?
Like buying a certified used car, certain used gear retailers, like the REI Used section, will run their own checks to make sure you're getting clean, high-quality gear with all the working parts. Set up search alerts if you are looking for a super specific item leading into the holidays!
Over the past few years our options for buying used gear, both in-person and online, have gotten much wider and easier.
Brands like REI and Patagonia have launched online marketplaces for used gear and outdoor apparel, as well as having dedicated gently-used-gear sections in many stores.
Similarly, secondhand apparel marketplaces like Poshmark and The RealReal provide reliable platforms to purchase high-quality apparel brands used online.
Apps like OfferUp also provide an online forum for buying and selling used items. And of course, don’t overlook local options like Goodwill, thrift stores, secondhand stores, and vintage or antiques marketplaces. Locally-based options like Nextdoor (an app) and in-person community spaces like co-ops are great places to look as well.
Brands like Patagonia and Columbia make long-lasting, high-quality items that can be found in great shape at used gear sales, vintage markets, and online shops. Photo by Katie Hawkes; courtesy of Seahive Station in San Diego, CA.
How do I make used items feel exciting enough to be a gift?
We all want our gifts to feel real and thoughtful! As a seasoned giver of used gifts, here are some of the steps I take to make a pre-owned item feel, if not new, then definitely cool and exciting (sometimes more so than a new gift!):
Buy things that are inherently cool, high-quality, and timeless
In the outdoor space, brands like Pendleton, Patagonia, L.L.Bean, Eddie Bauer, Ray-Ban, and others have made quality products for a very long time, and many of those products are still out there in secondhand shops and still in very good shape.
Give it a good clean
If possible, wash the item.
Treat any stains (either with stain removers like OxyClean or ultra-gentle stain treatments like baking soda or vinegar).
Remove any stale smells with baking soda or a sports detergent.
If you’re unsure how to clean a particular item, check online or with the brand for guidance, or refer to the wealth of knowledge on cleaning and repairing clothing and gear that Treeline Review has.
However, bear in mind that your item doesn’t need to look new! That “lived-in” look is one of the greatest parts of a pre-owned gift.
“Bear in mind that your item doesn’t need to look new! That “lived-in” look is one of the greatest parts of a pre-owned gift. ”
Fix it up
Make minor repairs yourself, or find a good local tailor or repair shop for inexpensive mends.
I cannot quantify the amount of proud satisfaction I get every time my wife wears a vintage Pendleton wool shirt I bought and then mended for her with much more enthusiasm than skill. Every time she wears it I say, “Do you remember when I fixed this for you?” and she says “Yes, I do!” and I am flooded with well-being. I highly recommend it.
Pair it with a new item or accessory
A vintage item paired with a new item makes a great gift, especially if that new item extends the life or usability of the old.
For example:
pair a used down jacket or down vest with Nikwax Down Wash
pair a vintage Patagonia backpack with a new Kula cloth or Buff neck gaiter
pair some classic enamel camping cookware with your favorite small-business-made backpacking or camping meal.
For more ideas, the guide to our favorite backpacking accessories is a great place to look for add-on, complementary gifts. Additionally, to keep up the sustainable theme, you can always add a new item from our guide on Eco-friendly Outdoor Gear.
Sustainable gift wrapping options like recycled tissue paper, cloth bags, packing paper, twine, and foraged dried florals are beautiful, 100% reused alternatives to new wrapping paper and bags. Photo by Katie Hawkes
What else can I do to make my used gifts more sustainable?
Consider more sustainable gift wrap options! Many gift bags, wrapping papers, and holiday cards are not recyclable because they are coated in plastic, glitter, or metals like gold and silver foil. Bows, tape, and many tissue papers are similarly not recyclable at all 5.
“Personally, sustainable gift wrap is one of my favorite forms of avoiding holiday waste. ”
I don’t think I’ve purchased any materials to wrap gifts in….more than a decade. I save basically every form of gift wrap that comes into my life, including when an online or in-store purchase comes in a fun mailer, envelope, or bag. If none of that collection works for a gift I’m giving, I’ve ad-libbed gift wrap from paper bags, magazine pages, packing paper, newspaper, and other items. Things that make good ribbon/flourishes include old ribbon; pieces of twine; plastic bags cut into strips & tied in bows; and leaves, stems, and sticks (“dried florals”) that you can forage outside.
All in all, the holidays can be a hectic time, so remember not to stress too much about the details. Try to plan and find gifts far in advance to avoid fast-fashion items and last-minute gift buying, and consider alternative, more sustainable ways to wrap gifts.
Most importantly, make time to get outside!
Why you should trust us / About the Author
Katie Hawkes is a native Southern Californian and contributing gear tester and writer for Treeline.
In addition to being a sun lover, near-the-ocean-dweller, and extreme sunscreen enthusiast, Katie has a Masters in Environmental Science, a passion for sustainability and environmental policy, and an absolute intolerance for vague and/or poorly-cited information. She’s taken on the thorough job of nitty-gritty information-gathering and product-vetting here at Treeline as well, and we’re happy to have her on the team!
You can read see all her stories on her author page.
