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We usually feel a certain level of satisfaction when purchasing something brand-new. However, don’t you also get a thrill if you grabbed a great deal or huge discounts on the same item, even if someone else had already used it?
Buying second hand camping equipment becomes even better when you think about how you’re helping to save the environment. Every year, people all over the world throw away about 92 million tons of textile products that could have been reused, repurposed, or recycled.
Why you should be buying second hand camping equipment
If you don’t have anything lying around your house that you could use for camping or you don’t have anyone that goes camping around you, the next best thing is to look towards buying second hand camping equipment.
There are so many people that are looking to get rid of good gear due to changes in commitments or are just getting rid of old equipment after upgrading their current gear.
This presents a perfect opportunity for you as you could end up getting high-quality equipment that may only have a scratch or two for an affordable price. Perfect for a beginner looking to dip their toe into camping without committing to an expensive purchase.
Top 14 sites to use to find second hand camping equipment UK
There are many great places where you can find good quality second hand camping gear. So if you’re looking for an affordable and sustainable way to enjoy the outdoors, we encourage looking through the offers from platforms that sell pre-loved or barely used camping gear here in the UK. We have listed our top 14 picks to get you started on this money-saving and green initiative.
1) Amazon Warehouse UK – Great Deals On Second Hand Camping Equipment
As part of the multinational tech giant Amazon.com, Amazon UK offers a platform where almost 400 million active monthly users can choose from a wide selection of products from trusted brands, new market players, and resellers. Amazon Warehouse offers customers to be able to buy used camping gear for a fraction of the price!
This e-commerce site is known for providing comprehensive product information, affordable prices, access to verified purchase reviews, and a convenient means of communication between sellers and buyers.
Why is Amazon Warehouse UK good?
After finding the second hand camping equipment you wish to purchase from the warehouse, you can easily find other sellers offering it at a significantly lower price, typically because the goods they sell are “Used” or “Renewed” instead of brand new.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using Amazon Warehouse UK:
- Sometimes the price may seem too good to be true, even for second hand camping equipment. If you see that it is way below the market value, use some caution as the seller may not be disclosing damage or the product may not be genuine.
- Be careful if you see product reviews that are excessively positive and also include suspicious language. Some sellers create or pay for accounts to post glowing reviews to deceive potential customers. Use common sense when reading customer reviews.
- Proceed with caution if the photos of the second hand camping equipment used for the ad aren’t original. Stock images from the brand may be acceptable, provided that they are accompanied by original photos depicting the actual condition of the item.
Pro tip: Sign up to a 30 day Free Trial and become an Amazon Prime member to enjoy Unlimited same-day deliveries of your order at no extra cost. You can also use this membership to access Amazon Music, Book, or Video content, which may keep you entertained when you’re on your way to your camping destination.
Buy high-quality camping gear for a bargain today!
2) Camping Recycled
As one of the top UK brands for camping equipment, Vango has established Camping Recycled to minimise the waste they generate.
Through this platform, you may take advantage of repaired or refurbished Vango products, such as tents, awnings, and even campervans, with massive discounts. Just pick something you like, add it to your basket, and check out by giving your shipping information and payment details.
Why is Camping Recycled good?
If you keep ogling at the Vango catalogue, but you don’t have enough room in your budget for their products, Camping Recycled will give you the chance to purchase them for around 40 to 60% less than the original price. The shop also offers a 1-year warranty and free delivery within the UK if your total order is worth more than £50.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using Camping Recycled:
- Set your expectations before proceeding with your purchase. While Camping Recycled promises that all items have undergone repair and testing by their team of experts, you may still see signs of wear and tear on the item you have purchased.
- Check out the price of the Vango product from other platforms selling second hand camping equipment. The discounts offered by Camping Recycled may be significant, but there’s a chance that there could be a better deal from individual sellers.
- Be sure to inspect the item upon receiving it. You only have 30 days after delivery to return and receive a full refund.
Pro Tip: Subscribe to the Camping Recycled newsletter. The shop sends regular emails about new arrivals and amazing deals you might want to grab immediately.
3) eBay
To this day, eBay remains one of the largest online shopping sites for second-hand goods. You can find almost any type of camping tent, clothes, equipment, or supplies that you need for your next trip.
This platform offers a relatively safe way for buyers and sellers to interact and exchange goods. Though you need a verified account to finalise the purchase, you can still browse through the selections without signing in to your account.
Why is eBay good?
The search feature of eBay is quick and intuitive. With the correct search terms, you will have all the related listings for second-hand camping gear on the site. There’s also a way to limit the search results only to locations within a certain distance from your area.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using eBay:
- Refrain from interacting with sellers with two or one-star ratings, no matter how attractive their listings are. You’d be putting your money at significant risk.
- Skip ads that don’t feature original photos of second hand camping gear. If you’re still interested, try asking the seller to send over the images through the site’s private messaging feature.
- Never pay outside of eBay itself. Make the most of the secure payment channels offered by the platform to safeguard your money and personal information.
Pro Tip: Save time and effort by using eBay’s Advanced Search. This tool will help you refine the search results to only the second-hand listings that match your preferred seller location, delivery method, and budget.
4) Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace offers a convenient solution for people looking to buy or sell goods within their community. It’s one of the fastest-growing channels, so expect a wide array of choices for your camping needs.
Sellers may publish listings for free in the Facebook Marketplace. Anyone interested may reach out for more details through Messenger.
Why is Facebook Marketplace good?
The best thing about this online shopping platform is how intuitive it is to navigate. You can filter the listings of camping gear according to your location or distance from the seller. The search results can also be limited to price points you can afford, and you may even come across generous giveaways marked as “Free” by the post authors.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using Facebook Marketplace:
- Do not share your private personal information with strangers. Facebook Marketplace allows users to interact without requiring a phone number or email address. You can complete a purchase without disclosing these details to the seller.
- Choose secure electronic payment channels, such as PayPal, rather than your bank account. In this way, you can minimise the risks involved in peer-to-peer transactions.
- Don’t easily trust the user profiles. Remember that anything can be faked on the internet, and a seller might pretend to be someone they are not.
Pro Tip: Try to limit your purchases to local listings only. If it’s within walking distance or just a short drive away, you will have the chance to inspect the second-hand camping gears personally before shelling out money for them.
5) Gumtree
Gumtree is one of the most popular sites for second-hand products and properties in the UK. Many also use it to book professional service providers or find job vacancies.
The primary purpose of Gumtree is to provide a free online platform for classified ads. However, more prominent listings are typically enhanced by paid boosters.
Why is Gumtree good?
We usually discover unique camping gear on Gumtree. Since we can restrict the search results to nearby sellers, it makes shopping safer because we can arrange a public meet-up with the seller and pay in cash for the second-hand purchase.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using Gumtree:
- Be wary of phishing scammers. Some users have reported receiving emails or texts from Gumtree asking for personal information, password, or bank details. Do not respond or click any links, and stick to the official message centre on your Gumtree account.
- If the price is far lower than most listings, consider that it might be too good to be true. Go ahead and request the seller provide proof of authenticity or something similar before proceeding with your purchase.
- Do not agree to switch payment methods just because the seller claims that they are having trouble with their usual account for Gumtree transactions. Seek the assistance of customer service instead.
Pro Tip: Research before negotiating the price of second hand camping equipment. You might end up paying more than necessary if you’re not aware of the potential expenses that you’d have to pay to repair or refurbish a used item.
6) Preloved
This UK-based e-commerce site deals only with selling and buying second-hand goods, services, rentals, and events. It is home to thousands of classified ads from private individuals, businesses, and charities.
Preloved ensures a straightforward process by restricting the exchanges to direct purchases only. That means no auctions for any of the listed goods or services.
Why is Preloved good?
Preloved offers a niche platform where we can quickly peruse previously owned camping gear. Search results may also be refined to show only selections within a certain distance from your location and according to your budget.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using Preloved:
- Interact with sellers who have been verified by Preloved only. Look for the blue checkmark beside the username to reduce the risk posed by dishonest sellers or phishers.
- Check how many days ago the listing was posted. Save yourself the time and effort of reaching out to the seller who forgot to take down the ad for an item sold somewhere else or that has too many defects for it to be a good deal.
- Pay attention to the location stated in the ad. Some sellers offer delivery for free or for a small fee. However, if you’re from two opposite ends of the UK, you could end up paying more for shipping than the discount you are getting.
Pro Tip: Consider using Preloved’s recommended payment service: Trustap. Though you have to pay between 2 to 4% of the item’s value as a service fee, you can protect yourself from getting scammed because the payment will be released once you have received the second-hand item and you have no valid complaints about it.
7) Vinted
Vinted is a Lithuanian-based online platform for buying, selling or exchanging new or second-hand goods. Its website and app are available in 16 countries, including the UK, the US, France, and Germany.
What does Vinted do?
This e-marketplace provides a channel for buyers to post and market their items and for sellers to browse and make a purchase. It also allows users to join groups where they can discuss their common interests, share tips, and direct them to posts of the items they are searching for.
Why is Vinted good?
We like shopping for second-hand camping gear in Vinted because there are usually rare finds that we don’t see in traditional stores.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using Vinted:
- Buyers and sellers are not required to share personal information to proceed with a transaction. Don’t divulge anything that you are not comfortable with.
- Using unsecured payment systems can lead to missed opportunities. We recommend using Vinted’s secure payment system so that you can reach out to its customer service in case you encounter any issues with the transaction.
- Some shipping methods do not provide a way to track the package. To avoid delays or lost items, check if your preferred shipping method gives tracking codes or sends updates.
Pro tip: The prices are also typically lower there, but if it is over our budget, Vinted allows buyers to negotiate directly with the seller. The seller can either accept it as it is or make a counteroffer.
8) REI – Re/Supply
REI deals with retailing outdoor gear for men, women, and children. It is a consumer cooperative, so they have launched Re/Supply for those who want to shop for or trade in used gear.
What does Re Supply do?
The Re/Supply is exclusive to co-op members. Joining the program will give you access to a wide variety of second-hand outdoor gear at significantly lower prices. REI also encourages owners of gently used clothing or equipment to trade in those items in exchange for store gift cards.
Why is Re Supply good?
In addition to its brand, REI Re/Supply features other leading outdoor gear brands, such as The North Face, Marmot, Merrell, and Arc’teryx.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using Re Supply:
- Offers that seem too good to be true should be inspected more carefully or ignored entirely. REI allows buyers to post reviews of the item and sellers, so read through them before adding them to your cart.
- Don’t rely on the product image only. REI typically uses photos of the product when it is brand new. The actual item condition can be found by clicking the “Condition” section above the “Add to Cart” button.
- Skipping the “Shipping & Satisfaction Guarantee” on the item page may frustrate you later if you discover that the item you purchased online is not eligible for return.
Pro tip: If you’re interested in trading in your camping gear, check out the REI blog for tips on cleaning and repairing it. This can potentially increase the value of the REI gift card you will receive, which you can use to purchase items in Re/Supply.
9) Online Charity shops
This website is under the Charity Retail Association (CRA), a national group representing charity shops in the UK. It aims to promote the local charities among the public and help them generate funding for their projects.
What does the Charity Retail Association do?
The CRA allows web users to find the charities selling their desired second-hand goods within five miles of a given postcode. The website also has a directory of hundreds of charity e-shops in the country.
Why is the Charity Retail Association good?
Buying your camping gear from charity shops will give you the opportunity to support the charity retail sector and tap into the association’s reliable database of legitimate charity shops across the UK.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using this site:
- Finding second-hand camping gear that matches your needs and preferences may take time and patience because volunteers run charity shops.
- The ratings of the charity shops should not be ignored since they tell us about the customer experiences with the charity retailer.
- While buying the item at its declared price is okay, don’t hesitate to ask for a lower price if you believe your request is reasonable, given the item’s condition.
Pro tip: We recommend following CRA’s official social media accounts and the charities listed on their site. Doing so will keep you updated on their latest arrivals and limited-time deals.
10) Patagonia Worn Wear
Worn Wear is a program of Patagonia, a brand known for designing and selling outdoor clothing and gear. It aims to provide a platform for people to buy and sell used Patagonia-branded items at an affordable price.
What does Patagonia Worn Wear do?
This website features second-hand camping gear and clothes sold by the brand itself or traded in by other Patagonia customers. It also allows customers to find out-of-season goods that they missed when they were still sold in the main store.
Why is Patagonia Worn Wear good?
Patagonia Worn Wear makes high-quality outdoor gear more accessible to everyone. It also gives store credit for trade-in items up to 50% of the original price tag.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using Patagonia Worn Wear:
- Patagonia ships directly only to US addresses. If you’re in the UK or other countries, you would have to make a separate arrangement for international shipping with a freight forwarder.
- Don’t be a complacent buyer. Read through the entire product description to learn more about the item’s technical specifications and actual condition.
- The original price is posted on each item page. We recommend comparing that with the discounted rate plus shipping costs to determine if the purchase is worth pursuing.
Pro tip: If the available second-hand item in Patagonia Worn Wear is not in your preferred colour or size, hit the “Notify Me” button to receive an email notification when it becomes available.
11) Terra Nova – Tent Trade in
Terra Nova Equipment is a British outdoor gear company specialising in camping tents, sleeping bags, and other outdoor essentials. It has a trade-in program for tent owners who have no more use for their old tents but wishes to receive a discount on a new Terra Nova tent.
What does Terra Nova – Tent Trade in do?
To help reduce the waste generated when we throw used camping gear, Terra Nova encourages its customers to send their tents for an inspection. Qualifiers are eligible to receive a 30% discount on a Terra Nova or Wild Country tent.
Why is Terra Nova – Tent Trade in good?
Terra Nova accepts used tents from any brand. It also welcomes tents that are worn out as long as you trade in the tent with its complete parts and free from excess dirt.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using Terra Nova – Tent Trade in:
- Be careful when filling out the trade-in form. Any error or omission of the tent’s specifications and conditions may forfeit your chances of getting a discount.
- Trade-ins can only be performed during the checkout process. Terra Nova will apply it after you have sent the filled-out form and item for inspection. This may delay the shipment of your new tent.
- You cannot use the trade-in discounts with other promos or programs to increase your savings.
Pro tip: Avail of the trade-in deal at least one month ahead of your intended use of the new Terra Tent. Doing so will ensure that your timing for the camping trip will not be messed up due to the inspection period of your used tent.
12) Depop
Depop started as a social networking site based in London but eventually evolved into an e-commerce platform. By 2021, it was acquired by Etsy, a popular online marketplace where independent sellers showcase various items.
What does Depop do?
Depop has established channels for buyers and sellers to interact and transact in a secure environment. Users can also find out what others in their social circles like, buy, or sell.
Why is Depop good?
The website and app give you access to a wide selection of second-hand outdoor gear, including camping tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and heavy-duty boots.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using Depop:
- Request more details and photos of the actual item you wish to purchase. Doing so will help you verify the authenticity and condition of the used camping gear.
- Don’t engage or purchase items from a seller outside of the platform. This will keep you from the benefits of the free Buyer Protection offered by Depop to all users.
- Some sellers don’t allow returns, especially for outdoor clothing. Avoid headaches later by reading or asking about their return policies and double-checking the product description.
Pro tip: Use the hashtags relevant to the items you are seeking. This will help widen your search and increase your chances of encountering unique and preloved camping gear.
13) Freeads
Freeads is an online classified ads website based in the UK. It has a “Camping & Hiking” section where you will find listings of second-hand goods in the country or near your location.
What does Freeads do?
This website provides sellers with a platform to list unwanted or unused goods without paying extra fees. Buyers can also browse for free and connect with the sellers to learn more, negotiate, and purchase the item.
Why is Freeads good?
Freeads allow users to narrow their search to sellers near their location. Buying from local sellers will allow you to inspect the goods personally and save on shipping costs.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using Freeads:
- Beware of scams. Look for reputable sellers and keep your conversations and transactions within the site.
- Check the date when the listing was posted. If it had been up for several months, there might be significant issues that weren’t declared on the description, or the seller failed to update the status of the listing.
- Use secure payment methods only. Freeads recommend using escrow services through Paypal or other similar platforms.
Pro tip: If you have not yet found the perfect used camping gear or clothing, hit the “Get new ad alerts” button to receive updates whenever sellers post new listings under a given category or near your area.
14) Friday Ad
Fridays Ad is a UK-based website with a dedicated “Camping Equipment” section containing listings for various preloved outdoor gear. It used to be a weekly printed paper distributed in the country, but it transitioned into a digital platform in 2020.
What does Fridays Ad do?
Buyers and sellers can interact freely on this online marketplace for second-hand goods. Friday Ad also offers discount vouchers through exclusive promos for its active users.
Why is Fridays Ad good?
The website features thousands of listings at any time, but you can quicken your search through its filters, which can narrow your search according to the category, brand, condition, or location.
Things you need to watch out for and avoid when using Fridays Ad:
- Protect yourself from counterfeit goods by carefully reviewing the product description and photos. Ask for a video so that you can verify its authenticity, too.
- If you prefer a personal inspection or pickup of the item, arrange a public meetup with the seller, wherein other people are around. Doing so will help you ensure your personal safety.
- Check the seller’s other listings to learn how well they deal with their customers. Take note of recurring negative feedback since those should be considered red flags.
Pro tip: We suggest downloading the Friday Ad mobile app since many users find it more convenient to communicate and negotiate with sellers on their phones.
What second hand camping equipment are you looking for?
Buying second hand camping equipment is a choice we should make to ensure that we can continue enjoying nature and everything it has to offer in the years to come. Now that more people are on-board with this initiative, we’ve got plenty of online platforms for pre-owned goods to explore.
That is not to say that we should never purchase anything brand-new anymore. For instance, investing in high-quality camping essentials that you can reuse for a long time is considered an earth-friendly decision, too. Purchasing the camping item you truly want instead of making do with a cheaper alternative will also prevent you from contributing to the landfill problem posed by fast-moving consumer goods.
Buy second hand camping equipment uk
So, go ahead and find the best deals through our list of the trusted platforms for second hand camping equipment. Keep in mind the shopping tips we have shared here, and feel free to check out our blog for more sustainable camping initiatives. Don’t forget to follow our Pinterest account to get you pumped for your next trip with some camping inspiration.
