In the thick of pandemic lockdown, I was like so many other Americans: desperate for more ways to get outside. I had set my sights on buying a kayak. I researched brands and styles, learned about skegs and paddles and roof-rack systems. And when I was finally ready to shop, I scoured online marketplaces for a used boat, only to be continually beaten to the punch by faster shoppers. Even when I responded to a seller minutes after a post went live, I still found myself buried in a long line of eager buyers. 

After several months of desperation, I landed two older, mildewed (but still seaworthy) boats, two hours away in another town. Once I cleaned the salamander poop out of the cockpits and scrubbed off some rust, the boats facilitated the outdoor adventures I’d long dreamed of. 

I wasn’t alone in my struggles. Eager to get out of the house and participate in COVID-19-safe activities—and increasingly aware of the toll that years of “linear” consumerism have wreaked on the planet—Americans embraced a more circular approach and bought outdoor gear at an incredible clip: Camping gear demand was up by 25 percent in the spring of 2021, compared with the same time in 2020, and up by 86 percent over 2019. That goes for other outdoor items too, like bicycles and kayaks and sporting goods. The insatiable demand met the squeeze of supply-chain woes, and situations like mine unfolded all over the place.

Luckily, there are plenty of places to seek out used gear, from clothing to skis to backpacks and beyond. Here’s a list of gear resellers, online consignment shops, and national rental services ready to help meet the demand—and enable the summer adventures of your dreams. 

Apparel and Gear Companies

Several apparel and gear companies have created online marketplaces to resell used items still in good condition. Arcteryx cleans and repairs clothing to resell through its digital store, and the company offers gift cards in exchange for any trade-ins. Patagonia’s Worn Wear program operates similarly, with gently used gear taken in exchange for credit. Ditto North Face’s Renewed program, though it’s currently undergoing updates and is on pause. 

Outdoor-gear seller REI has developed a vast online marketplace for used items that have been returned and deemed still usable. Shoppers can sort by gear category, condition, brand, and price.

Used-Gear Marketplaces

A crop of online marketplaces funnel used gear to new owners. Among them are Geartrade, which lets sellers list items for sale and then ship directly to buyers. Sellers can also send the item to Geartrade, which handles the selling and pays a commission once a sale is made. The consignment operation, which aims to give the outdoor industry a sustainable makeover, facilitated the resale and reuse of 45,590 outdoor goods in 2021, and nearly 17,000 in the first quarter of 2022. It recently unveiled a loyalty program too.

Outdoor Gear Exchange has a physical location in Burlington, Vermont, and a companion online store for gear and clothing. Sellers can consign their gear by bringing it to the store or mailing it in; the company has an ever-evolving list of what it currently accepts, based on the upcoming season.

The Pro’s Closet specializes in used bikes, frames, and wheels. Sellers can submit photos and basic details online. TPC pays for the shipping of accepted items, and sellers receive cash or store credit in return. 

Rerouted has both a mobile app and a website with used-gear listings. The app lets users upload used-gear photos and listings and create a “closet,” which notifies you when someone lists gear that matches your wish list. There’s also an option to donate used gear. 

Rental Companies

While most rental companies limit their geographic scope to local users who can physically appear in their store, two businesses are shaking up that model by delivering rental equipment nationwide. Arrive Outdoors offers gear “bundles”—complete sets of skiing, camping, and hiking gear to outfit an entire adventure—as well as individual items for rent. The company ships everything to your door, anywhere in the United States, and you simply ship it back when you’re done.

Outdoors Geek also ships gear to renters, with options that include camping and backpacking packages, plus canvas “glamping” tents. The company allows users to apply the rental fees toward the purchase of the gear after they’ve tried it out. Outdoors Geek also has a physical location for rentals in Denver.