A definitive list of the top 5 best places to score used climbing gear online. Buying used climbing gear can be a great option for budget-conscious as well as eco-conscious climbers – that is, if you know where to look!
Ready to try out your new gear? Then check out my other climbing blog posts featuring local Colorado crags!
The pros and cons of buying used vs. new climbing gear
- Pros: Buying used climbing gear is undoubtedly a smart choice for your wallet and the environment
- Cons: Used climbing gear can sometimes be a safety hazard. In order to be as safe as possible, never buy any life-supporting gear secondhand, i.e. climbing ropes, slings, carabiners, quickdraws, helmets, harnesses, etc. Disclaimer: It is always safest to buy NEW climbing gear so you know exactly what has happened to the gear in its lifetime.
What type of climbing gear should you buy used?
Any climbing gear that is not used for life support is therefore relatively safe to purchase used. Here are some examples of the type of climbing gear you can buy used:
- Climbing shoes
- Chalk bags
- Climbing guidebooks
- Climbing backpacks
- Bouldering pads
- Belay glasses and belay gloves
Finding the best deals on used climbing gear: Where to shop
Here are the top 5 places to purchase used climbing gear online. The following links are not sponsored in any way.
1. Geartrade
Geartrade is a great place to start looking to buy (or sell!) all kinds of used climbing gear from all of your favorite brands.
2. REI Used Gear
REI members can take advantage of their great selection of used gear both online and in-store. Pro tip: members can also trade in their lightly used gear for REI gift cards!
3. Facebook Marketplace
If you haven’t perused Facebook Marketplace for used climbing gear yet, then what have you been doing?! Facebook Marketplace is a great place to look for used climbing backpacks or bouldering pads.
4. Amazon Warehouse
For great deals on used or open-box products visit Amazon Warehouse. Search “climbing shoes” or “climbing gear” to start scoping out the sales. Most items are Amazon returns, meaning they are basically brand new and sometimes never even used.
5. Online thrift stores: Poshmark and Depop
Lastly, online thrift stores like Poshmark or Depop are great places to find deals on used climbing shoes or climbing backpacks. Pro tip: you can potentially get a better deal if you send offers to the online sellers!
Used climbing gear: budget-friendly and eco-conscious
Wondering where to buy used climbing gear? Then look no further!
Unfortunately, rock climbing is a notoriously expensive sport. On the positive side, buying used climbing shoes, used climbing guidebooks, used climbing backpacks and chalk bags, and used bouldering pads can certainly be a great way to cut down on climbing gear costs while being environmentally friendly.
To repeat, it is never 100% safe to buy life-supporting gear like ropes or harnesses used!
