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Post by desertsp on May 3, 2016 12:46:55 GMT -8
I'm in the process of buying basic equipment for a 3 day trip this summer, and am wondering what you all think of buying used versus new. Seems that most things can be found for ~50% of the new price, so it's a pretty significant savings.
Assuming the used item is in good overall condition, does it really make much difference that it's maybe been on a few trips, or sat in someone's garage for a few years?
A few things I'm looking for are:
- Water filter
- Dromedary bag
- Air mattress
- Rain gear
- Trekking poles
- Toothbrush
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Post by trinity on May 3, 2016 13:00:09 GMT -8
Buying used can be a pretty good option, IMHO. I got my Steripen and my Nemo Meta 2 used at really good prices, both were as good as new and have lasted me for years. Backpackinglight has a gear swap board where you can often find really good stuff. From my point of view, the main thing you give up when buying used gear is the warranty, I usually buy from REI and like the security of knowing that I can return my purchase for whatever reason within a year. Except toothbrushes. I don't know if their warranty includes toothbrushes.
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on May 3, 2016 13:03:28 GMT -8
I've gotten used gear from the sale forums at Backpacking Light and from Hammock Forums. Gear Trade is another popular option. I stay away from EBay, as that is where stolen gear ends up and I prefer to not support that - I've only had a scam once and it was EBay.
Another option is the REI garage sales. I also get new things sometimes more than 75% off at Sierra Trading Post. Socks, shirts, shoes, all kinds of other things can be steeply discounted - last year's colors don't matter to me. Nor does slight imperfections, I have quite a few Smartwool seconds in the sock drawer.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on May 3, 2016 13:23:08 GMT -8
I'm all for buying used gear but I would probably draw the line before buying a used toothbrush, especially one that's sat in someone's garage for a few years... ;)
I've had good luck buying used gear off of Backpacking Light. Lots of serious gear-heads there who turn over gear quickly, so a good opportunity to pick up high-end items that haven't been used much.
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Post by desertsp on May 3, 2016 13:23:13 GMT -8
Sweet! Looks like I'll be saving some serious cash!
Good to know about eBay scams, hadn't thought of that...
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Post by hikerjer on May 3, 2016 13:39:16 GMT -8
Nothing wrong with buying used gear. I've got a number of really excellent items for far, far less than I would pay retail. Second hand stores and pawn shops are great places to look around, especially in college towns. Just know exactly what you're looking for and what you want.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2016 13:52:30 GMT -8
And if you live along the southern part of the PCT there are those hiker boxes.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on May 3, 2016 15:40:57 GMT -8
Anything you can inspect, such as at an REI returns sale, are easy enough, once there's no inspection there'd better be a rock solid, enforceable, return policy before I'd bite.
And if never trust a waiter filter from anyone you didn't know unless you had the means to test it's integrity (easy enough if you've access to a microbiology lab...): Frozen, dropped and you'd just be going through the motions.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on May 3, 2016 17:23:22 GMT -8
I have bought used gear a few times with a happy outcome. You need to trust the seller and ideally if you can't inspect the item pre-purchase then have some sort of recourse if the item isn't as advertised. Get several up-to-date photos of the item in ready-to-use condition (such as a shelter pitched, an air mattress inflated, rain gear worn, etc). I agree I would not buy a used toothbrush (really?) or used water filter. I also would not buy anything used of a fabric that could delaminate (PU coating).
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daveb
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Post by daveb on May 4, 2016 5:55:42 GMT -8
I've bought a few things on craigslist now for my gear up. (Trekking poles, bear canister and some hiking pants)
Toothbrush and water filter were not one of them.
Seriously, a sawyer water filter mini is $20, why chance it.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on May 4, 2016 7:08:12 GMT -8
To daveb's point, buying used means some percentage savings -- let's say 50% -- which means that $400 Western Mountaineering sleeping bag might go for $200. Worth the savings for a bag that may have another lifetime of use left. But saving $10 on a $20 filter is hardly worth it. In general, I think the bigger ticket items are better suited for buying used. I've had good luck with tents, for instance. Also, most sellers work the shipping costs into the prices, which is a minimum of $5-6. |
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on May 4, 2016 7:46:42 GMT -8
As for rain gear... I've bought expensive jackets before. The only ones that don't wear out very quickly or eventually soak through... are the very cheap ones. PU coated nylon really is waterproof. It makes you sweat much, much more, however, though Goretex and its non-branded equivalents are equally gross (this is my experience - there may be conditions in which it actually DOES breathe well enough that you don't get soaked in your own sweat while walking, but you couldn't prove it by me).
But I offset that by not using a jacket. I use ponchos. I take an emergency poncho that costs two bucks if it's a short trip and not supposed to rain at all. I take a Snugpak Patrol poncho, forty bucks on amazon, for long or rainy trips.
You really do not have to spend $500 on a North Face FANCYDANCY eVent ProPor blahblahblah to stay dry. I had a really expensive NEW jacket soak through completely in the rain, turn into a three pound dead weight - the trash bag I poked holes in and used for the next five days worked better.
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Post by Coolkat on May 4, 2016 8:14:22 GMT -8
But I offset that by not using a jacket. I use ponchos. I take an emergency poncho that costs two bucks if it's a short trip and not supposed to rain at all. I take a Snugpak Patrol poncho, forty bucks on amazon, for long or rainy trips. This has been my experience of rain jackets. Almost pointless with all the sweat I generate. I can literally feel it run down my arm when I lift it. So I was going to experiment with a snugpak poncho also this fall when I'm out for 14 days. What are your thoughts on it so far? I don't like the idea of having to take it off to get to my pack but for the sake of having some ventilation I'm seriously considering it. |
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on May 4, 2016 9:52:24 GMT -8
That's one of the UP sides of a poncho. Mine has sleeves, but I can pull my arms in and take off the pack, swing it around in front of me, get stuff out, close the pack, put it on, and use the poncho as a portable tarp with me as the support. I've pulled the arms in and sat on a sit pad on a rock eating lunch, all under the poncho, without getting soaked. All the jacket folks had wet sandwiches.
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Post by aabigrick on May 4, 2016 13:55:01 GMT -8
The next time I need gear, im buying used for sure. But heck Im trying to heck some stuff now so I likely wont be buying anything soon lol
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