What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £150 (~$200) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £128 (~$170) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £98 (~$130) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £68 (~$90) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £38 (~$50) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Getting it home — large gym equipment is a collection sale and usually needs two people and a van. On boards and hulls, water ingress that has already softened the core.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether camping gear is worth what is being asked:
- Mildew from being packed away damp
- Missing pegs, poles and guylines
- Perished elastic in poles and shock cord
- Incomplete bundles with key items absent
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Complete bundles covering a full setup
- Recognised outdoor brands
- Everything clean, dry and free of mildew
- Original stuff sacks and pegs
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeit premium racquets and golf clubs exist and typically show in the serial markings and the finish quality on the head.
Ask for the weight and dimensions before agreeing collection. On boards, ask the seller to tap along the deck and say whether the tone changes.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about camping gear, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Test each item and say which you have verified. Untested is acceptable when stated; implied working is not.
Answer honestly. Gear packed away damp develops mould and a smell that never fully leaves, and buyers can detect it immediately.
List every item. Bundles described vaguely attract lowball offers because buyers assume the worst.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Lay everything out and photograph the full bundle
- Check every item is dry and mildew-free
- List each piece individually in the description
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The full bundle laid out so every item is visible
- The two or three best items individually
- Any brand labels grouped together
- Any tear, mould mark, missing part or perished seal
Details to confirm before you commit
- Exactly what is included, item by item
- Brands of the significant items
- Condition of each, and whether everything has been tested
- Whether anything was stored damp, and any mould or perishing
Live camping gear listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse sports & outdoors for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
April through August, peaking before summer holidays and the festival season. A camping bundle listed in November sells slowly.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have camping gear sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell camping gear for what to photograph and how to price, or what camping gear is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for used camping gear?
Around £13 to £98 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check camping gear before buying?
Ask for the weight and dimensions before agreeing collection. On boards, ask the seller to tap along the deck and say whether the tone changes.
Is buying camping gear second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Getting it home — large gym equipment is a collection sale and usually needs two people and a van. On boards and hulls, water ingress that has already softened the core.
See also: all buying guides · camping gear value guide · selling camping gear · Sports & Outdoors · condition grades.