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 | £70 (~$93) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £60 (~$79) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £46 (~$61) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £32 (~$42) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £18 (~$23) | 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
Structural wear at the corners and strap attachment points, and interior odour, which does not photograph and is very hard to remove.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a backpack is worth what is being asked:
- Failed or sticky zips
- Delaminated waterproof lining flaking inside
- Frayed shoulder straps and worn stitching at the anchor points
- Generic school and promotional bags
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recognised outdoor and heritage makers
- Intact zips, which are the usual failure point
- Undamaged straps, buckles and hip belt
- Waterproof coatings that have not delaminated
Common faults and fakes
The most-copied labels are also the most documented — serial placement, heat-stamp font and hardware weight are all checkable, and a seller who will not photograph the interior tab is telling you something.
Ask for the interior serial or brand tab, all four corners, the base, and the lining photographed under natural light. Ask directly whether it has any smell.
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 a backpack, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Run each one fully. Failed zips are the main reason backpacks are retired and the first thing a buyer checks.
Try one and give the size that fits. It is more useful than a sleeve dimension the buyer has to interpret.
Check the dimensions against common airline limits and say what you measured, without promising it will be accepted — airlines differ.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Run every zip fully open and closed
- Turn it inside out and check for lining delamination
- Inspect the stitching where the straps meet the body
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 backpack from the front, standing, straps visible
- The main compartment open, showing capacity and lining
- The shoulder straps and back panel, showing wear
- The zips and buckles, plus the base and any fraying or stain
Details to confirm before you commit
- Capacity in litres, and external dimensions
- Whether it has a padded laptop sleeve, and what size it takes
- Condition of every zip, buckle and strap anchor
- Whether it is cabin approved, and whether a rain cover or hip belt is included
Live backpack listings
There is 1 live on WishThrift right now:
When to buy
Steady with lifts in spring, in late summer for travel, and in September for school and university. Recognised outdoor and travel brands sell fastest.
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 a backpack 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 backpack for what to photograph and how to price, or what backpack is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used backpack?
Around £10 to £46 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 a backpack before buying?
Ask for the interior serial or brand tab, all four corners, the base, and the lining photographed under natural light. Ask directly whether it has any smell.
Is buying a backpack 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. Structural wear at the corners and strap attachment points, and interior odour, which does not photograph and is very hard to remove.
See also: all buying guides · backpack value guide · selling backpack · Bags & Handbags · condition grades.