Quick answer: buying used is one of the easiest ways to cut camping costs. Tents, backpacks, camp chairs, cookware, coolers and lanterns are usually safe bets secondhand if you inspect them carefully. Be more cautious with sleeping bags, stoves and fuel equipment, and buy items like helmets, climbing gear, fuel canisters and water filters new. Before buying, set up the tent, check zippers, seams and poles, look up the model on the CPSC recall site, and ask why the seller is getting rid of it. Good sources include REI Re/Supply, Patagonia Worn Wear, local gear swaps and online marketplaces.
Camping can be one of the most affordable vacations, especially if you combine free campsites with gear that does not cost a fortune. New equipment adds up quickly, though: a tent, sleeping bags, pads, a stove and a cooler can run hundreds of dollars before you even reach a campsite.
Used gear closes that gap. Plenty of quality equipment is barely used before it is sold, often by people who bought too much, upgraded or tried camping once. This guide explains which gear makes sense to buy used, what to inspect, how to check for recalls, where to look and how to clean what you bring home. Pair it with our complete guide to free camping in the US to keep the whole trip low-cost.
Sources: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database (CPSC.gov and SaferProducts.gov); REI and Patagonia information on their used gear programs; ISO 23537 sleeping bag temperature rating standard; manufacturer care instructions. Checked October 2026.
Buy Used or New? A Quick Guide
| Item | Buy used? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tents | Usually yes | Easy to inspect; durable if cared for |
| Backpacks | Usually yes | Check fit, straps and frame |
| Camp chairs and tables | Yes | Simple and easy to test |
| Cookware and utensils | Yes | Clean thoroughly |
| Coolers | Yes | Check seals, latches and drain plug |
| Lanterns and headlamps | Yes, with testing | Test with fresh batteries |
| Sleeping pads | With care | Check for leaks |
| Sleeping bags | With care | Check loft, odor and cleanliness |
| Camp stoves | With care | Check valves, fittings and recall status |
| Water filters | Usually new | Filters can be damaged invisibly, such as by freezing |
| Fuel canisters | New | Partially used canisters are hard to judge |
| Helmets and climbing gear | New | Hidden damage can make them unsafe |
What to Check: Tents
Tents are one of the best used buys, but they need a careful look.
Set it up
Always pitch the tent before buying, or ask the seller to do it. This confirms all parts are present.
Inspection checklist
- Count parts: poles, stakes, rainfly, guylines and stuff sacks.
- Poles: look for cracks, bends or splintered sections, and check that shock cords are elastic.
- Zippers: run every zipper fully. Sticky zippers can often be cleaned; broken sliders may need repair.
- Seams: look for peeling seam tape on the rainfly and floor, a common sign of age.
- Coatings: a sticky, peeling or flaking feel on the inside of the fly or floor means waterproof coatings are breaking down.
- Mesh and fabric: check for holes, tears and UV damage. Faded, brittle fabric may tear easily.
- Smell: a musty smell can indicate mildew from storage while damp.
Our tent buying guide explains capacity, seasons and features to look for.
What to Check: Sleeping Bags
Sleeping bags are more personal and harder to judge, but good deals exist.
- Loft: a bag should fluff up well. Flat, clumped insulation keeps you less warm.
- Temperature rating: many bags list ratings tested under ISO 23537, the international standard. Compare comfort and limit ratings to your planned trips.
- Zippers and baffles: check that zippers run smoothly and baffles are intact.
- Cleanliness: ask how it was stored and washed. Bags stored compressed for years may lose loft.
- Odor: strong smells can be hard to remove.
Our guide on choosing a sleeping bag and pad by temperature helps you match ratings to conditions.
What to Check: Sleeping Pads
- Inflate the pad and leave it for an hour or more to check for slow leaks.
- Inspect valves for cracks.
- For foam pads, check for compression and tears.
What to Check: Camp Stoves
Stoves need extra care because they involve fuel and flame.
- Check the model for recalls on CPSC.gov.
- Inspect fittings, valves and hoses for cracks, corrosion or damage.
- Test outdoors, away from anything flammable, if the seller allows.
- Check flame quality: a steady blue flame is normal; large yellow flames or sputtering may indicate a problem.
- Avoid stoves with missing parts or improvised repairs.
What to Check: Backpacks
- Try it on with some weight inside to check fit.
- Inspect shoulder straps, hip belt and stitching.
- Check buckles and zippers.
- Look for frame damage on internal or external frame packs.
What to Check: Coolers
- Check the lid seal and latches.
- Make sure the drain plug is present and does not leak.
- Look for cracks in the shell.
- Smell for odors from old food or mildew.
Checking for Recalls
Before buying any used gear, especially stoves, heaters, lanterns, children’s products and electronics, check for recalls. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission keeps a searchable database at CPSC.gov and SaferProducts.gov. Search by brand and model number. Federal law prohibits selling recalled consumer products, but sellers may not know about recalls, so checking protects you.
Where to Find Used Camping Gear
Retailer used gear programs
- REI Re/Supply: REI resells used and returned gear online and at some stores, and accepts trade-ins from members.
- Patagonia Worn Wear: Patagonia sells used Patagonia clothing and gear and offers trade-in credit.
- Other brands run their own resale programs, so check the websites of brands you like.
Gear swaps and sales
Outdoor clubs, scout groups and some outdoor stores host gear swaps or garage sales. These can be great for kids’ gear, which children outgrow quickly.
Online marketplaces
Local listing sites and marketplace apps often have camping gear, especially in spring and late summer. Meet in public places, inspect before paying and avoid paying in advance for items you cannot see.
Local listing sites such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are good places to find secondhand gear from people who upgraded or camped once and moved on. Because you can meet locally, you can check gear in person before paying. Meet in a public, well-lit place, bring a friend if you can, and use cash or a payment method you trust.
Thrift stores and yard sales
Thrift stores and yard sales can have chairs, cookware, coolers and lanterns at low prices. Bring a checklist and inspect everything. Inventory turns over quickly, so visiting regularly, especially after spring cleaning season and at the end of summer, improves your odds of finding quality camping gear at a fraction of the new price.
Rental programs
If you are not sure camping is for you, renting gear from an outdoor store or university outdoor program lets you try before buying.
Questions to Ask When Buying Used Camping Gear
A few simple questions reveal a lot about how gear was used and stored.
- How old is it, and how often was it used? A tent used on three weekend trips is very different from one used for a season of thru-hiking.
- How was it stored? Gear stored dry, loose and indoors lasts longer than gear left in a damp garage or compressed in a stuff sack for years.
- Why are you selling it? Common honest answers include upgrading, changing hobbies or kids outgrowing it. Vague answers can be a warning sign.
- Has anything been repaired? Professional repairs are fine; improvised fixes on stoves or fuel lines are not.
- Do you have the manual or original parts? Original stakes, pole bags and instructions make life easier.
- Has it been around pets or smoke? Odors and pet hair can be hard to remove from sleeping bags and tents.
Checking gear in person
Checking gear in person is the biggest advantage of buying locally. Ask the seller to set up a tent, or set it up yourself in a parking area; unzip and zip every zipper; smell sleeping bags and pads for mildew; and light a stove outdoors if the seller allows it. If a seller will not let you look closely, walk away.
Simple Repairs That Make Used Gear Like New
Some flaws that put off other buyers are easy and cheap to fix, which can turn a good deal into a great one.
Sticky or separating zippers
Dirt is the most common cause of sticky zippers. Clean the teeth with an old toothbrush and warm water, then apply a zipper lubricant. If a zipper separates behind the slider, the slider may be worn. Gently squeezing the slider with pliers can sometimes help, and replacement sliders are available for many zippers.
Peeling seam tape and leaky seams
Remove loose seam tape and apply a liquid seam sealer made for your tent’s fabric type. Silicone-coated fabrics and polyurethane-coated fabrics need different sealers, so check the label.
Cracked tent poles
A pole repair sleeve, a short metal tube that slides over the damaged section, can get you through a trip. For a permanent fix, many manufacturers and repair shops sell replacement pole sections.
Small holes and tears
Adhesive repair patches work on tent fabric, sleeping pads and rain gear. Clean the area, round the patch corners so they do not peel and press firmly.
Worn waterproofing
A tent fly or rain jacket that no longer beads water may need a fresh durable water repellent treatment. Spray-on and wash-in products are available for different fabrics.
Professional repair
Many outdoor brands offer repair services, and independent gear repair shops can replace zippers, patch fabric and fix seams for a reasonable fee. Patagonia’s Worn Wear program, for example, includes repair services for its products.
Selling or Donating Gear You No Longer Need
Used gear works best as a cycle. When you upgrade, sell or pass on your old equipment so someone else can get started. Clean it, include all parts, describe any flaws honestly and price it fairly. Scout troops, outdoor education programs and youth groups often welcome donations of tents, sleeping bags and cookware in good condition.
Fair Prices for Used Camping Gear
Prices vary by condition, brand and age. A useful rule of thumb is to compare with the item’s current new price. Lightly used gear in excellent condition often sells for well below new, while older or worn items should be much cheaper. Check several listings to get a sense of the going rate in your area, and be ready to walk away.
Cleaning and Caring for Used Camping Gear
Tents
Set up the tent and wash it gently with mild, non-detergent soap and water. Rinse well and dry completely before storing. Never machine wash or dry a tent unless the manufacturer allows it.
Sleeping bags
Follow care labels. Many bags can be washed in a front-loading machine with a gentle cleaner made for down or synthetic insulation. Dry thoroughly on low heat, using dryer balls for down bags.
Cookware and coolers
Wash with hot, soapy water. For coolers, a diluted vinegar or baking soda solution can help remove odors.
Stoves
Clean according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and replace worn O-rings or seals if parts are available.
Our guide to caring for camping gear has detailed steps for tents and sleeping bags.
Building a Starter Kit on a Budget
A sensible approach for new campers:
- Buy used: tent, chairs, cooler, cookware and lantern.
- Buy new or carefully used: sleeping pad and sleeping bag.
- Buy new: fuel, water filter cartridges and first-aid supplies.
- Borrow: items you may use only once, like a large group tent.
For more savings tips, see our guide to budget camping without overspending.
Safety Reminders
- Never use fuel-burning stoves, heaters or lanterns inside a tent, which can cause fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Replace damaged gear rather than improvising repairs on fuel equipment.
- Test everything at home before a trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy a used tent?
Usually, yes. Set it up, check poles, zippers, seams and coatings, and make sure all parts are included.
Should I buy a used sleeping bag?
It can be a good deal if the bag has good loft, clean insulation and a temperature rating that fits your trips. Wash it according to care instructions.
What camping gear should I always buy new?
Buy fuel canisters, helmets, climbing gear and usually water filters new, since hidden damage can make them unsafe.
How do I check if camping gear has been recalled?
Search the brand and model on CPSC.gov or SaferProducts.gov.
Where can I find used camping gear?
Options include REI Re/Supply, Patagonia Worn Wear, gear swaps, thrift stores, yard sales and online marketplaces.
Is Facebook Marketplace good for used camping gear?
It can be a great source of secondhand gear at low prices, especially in spring and fall. Meet in a safe public place and inspect everything before you pay.
Should I check used camping gear in person before buying?
Yes, whenever possible. Setting up tents, testing zippers and smelling for mildew in person catches most problems that photos hide.
Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls database; SaferProducts.gov.
- REI: Re/Supply used gear program.
- Patagonia: Worn Wear.
- ISO 23537: Requirements for sleeping bags.
