Where to Find Top-Quality Pre-Owned Travel Gear

The market for used outdoor equipment like hiking boots and backpacks is thriving, but these aren't the only travel items you can snag at a discount. From stylish suitcases to like-new AirPods, there are plenty of deals to be found—if you know where to search.

Recently, numerous businesses have sprung up to assist consumers in selling their unwanted travel items, enabling others to purchase them at great prices and supporting the growth of the circular economy. While sustainability is always a priority at Dinogo, Earth Day inspires us to consider additional ways to minimize our carbon footprint, even as we continue to travel by plane.

Moreover, let’s face it: considering how often you use that hiking backpack, do you really need to invest in a brand-new one? Continue reading to uncover six of our top recommended places—beyond the typical options like Facebook Marketplace and eBay—to shop for gently used items, from hiking boots to high-end luggage.

Reclaimed Market

On Back Market, a resale platform based in Paris, tech items aren’t labeled as used; instead, they’re called “reborn.” Every product, from smartphones to laptops, undergoes extensive inspection, cleaning, and refurbishment by specialists, receiving ratings of fair, good, or excellent based on their appearance and functionality. Each purchase includes a one-year warranty, ensuring that your refurbished earbuds will last throughout your travels. Additionally, sellers must pass a strict onboarding process, with only about one in three gaining approval.

This is an excellent site for sourcing verified Apple AirPods, featuring both standard and Pro wireless models, along with the stylish over-ear Max version. Other tech gear ideal for travel includes Apple Watches, portable gaming devices, and refurbished cameras.

Patagonia Worn Wear

Patagonia’s hiking and skiing equipment can be pricey, but its durable construction ensures that these items last for years, if not decades. Thus, it's no wonder the company has dedicated an entire section of its website to facilitating the transfer of gear to new owners. Patagonia Worn Wear allows customers to sell their gently-used Patagonia apparel and equipment while offering more affordable prices than traditional retail. Sellers can earn between $10 and $100 per item in Patagonia credit. If items aren't accepted into the program, Patagonia will return or recycle them to prevent waste in landfills.

The selection here caters to men, women, and children, although size availability can be somewhat limited. However, since the inventory is constantly updated, it’s a good idea to check back often for new additions. Fortunately, ski jackets, which tend to be among the priciest new purchases, are plentiful in this section.

REI Used Gear

In contrast to Patagonia's site, the REI Used Gear online section features a broad range of brands, offering clothing for men, women, and children, along with gear like tents, snowshoes, and cycling accessories. The team evaluates gently-used items and curates the best for the site, with sellers receiving credit for REI while buyers enjoy discounts on top outdoor brands, such as the North Face, Marmot, and Columbia.

For those preparing for a backpacking adventure or anyone who prefers to travel without wheels, the variety of packs available here is impressive. You can often find dozens of models from leading brands like Osprey and the North Face, in various sizes and colors.

The RealReal

Luxury enthusiasts recognize The RealReal as an excellent source for significant savings on pre-owned items from high-end brands like Prada, Hermès, and Gucci. While clothing, handbags, and shoes are the site's main offerings, don’t miss out on its luggage section. Here, you’ll find an impressive range, from chic Louis Vuitton carry-ons to Tumi duffels and stylish hard-shell Rimowa bags, including some sought-after pieces from collaborations with Supreme and Dior.

The RealReal also takes pride in its stringent authentication process and quality assessments. Every item listed on the site is verified by one of over 100 brand-specific authenticators before being made available for purchase.

Naturally, you can also purchase directly from some brands. For instance, Rimowa offers its pre-owned aluminum luggage through its Re-Crafted program, giving them a second life. After buying back used aluminum suitcases from customers, Rimowa authenticates them and refurbishes them for resale at a reduced price based on their condition. (Suitcases that don’t meet quality standards are dismantled and recycled.) Currently, there are no Re-Crafted bags available on Rimowa’s website, but you can sign up for notifications when new inventory arrives.

Unclaimed Baggage

Have you ever wondered what happens to unclaimed luggage? While most lost bags eventually find their way back to their owners, around 7 percent (or 1.8 million) go completely missing each year globally. After a piece of unclaimed luggage has been in a storage facility for over three months, airlines can dispose of it. In the United States, much of this luggage is sent to Unclaimed Baggage, a retail warehouse in Scottsboro, Alabama, which sorts and repurposes lost items. (Items forgotten at security, left in overhead bins or seat-back pockets, or abandoned by travelers to meet weight limits typically end up here as well.)

Items deemed sellable by the company are professionally cleaned and sold at discounts ranging from 50 to 80 percent off the retail price, both online and at their physical store. There are some great finds: a recent search revealed not just one, but two Louis Vuitton spinner suitcases at 40 percent off retail, and a vintage Yves Saint Laurent leather duffel bag at 20 percent off.

Poshmark

With over 200 million items available, browsing through the listings on Poshmark, a social marketplace for peer-to-peer selling, can be quite overwhelming. This means there’s no intermediary to verify quality or authenticity, but on the upside, you can discover fantastic deals on just about anything.

For instance, Merrell hiking boots, which are one of Dinogo’s top picks in this category, can be found for under $15 in sizes for men, women, and children (though less-used models typically cost more). Every listing also includes a “make an offer” feature, which can help lower the price even further. (Pro tip: Sellers are often more inclined to accept lower offers when items have been listed for several weeks.) Essentially, whatever gear you’re seeking is likely available; you just need to do some digging.

Reporting for this article was contributed by Bailey Berg. It was originally published in 2023 and updated on April 22, 2024, with the latest information.