What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects them on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £40 (~$53) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £34 (~$45) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £26 (~$35) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £18 (~$24) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £10 (~$13) | 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
Sizing, above everything. A garment that does not fit is the commonest reason a second-hand clothing purchase disappoints, and it is entirely avoidable by asking for flat measurements rather than trusting the label.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether cargo pants is worth what is being asked:
- Missing pocket buttons and drawcords
- Fraying at the pocket edges and knees
- Thin high-street copies of military patterns
- Fading from washing rather than wear
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Genuine military surplus with contract markings
- Heavyweight ripstop or sateen cotton
- All pocket flaps, buttons and drawcords present
- Recognised workwear and streetwear labels
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeits concentrate in a handful of premium labels and are usually given away by the internal tags rather than the outside: font weight, stitch density on the label edge, and a care label that does not match the era of the design.
Ask for a photograph of the inner label and the garment laid flat with a tape measure across the chest and the length. Both are quick for an honest seller and awkward for anyone who does not have the item in front of them.
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 cargo pants, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Measure across the hem and double it. Cargo fits vary hugely and this is the number that answers it.
Turn each one out and check the stitching. Cargo pockets carry weight and split at the corners.
Measure crotch seam to waistband. It decides where they sit and is almost never stated.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Check the inner label for any contract markings
- Confirm every pocket closes properly
- Measure waist and inseam flat
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- Front, laid flat, whole leg in frame
- The side cargo pockets close up
- The waistband tag with brand and size
- A tape across the flat waist and hem, plus any wear
Details to confirm before you commit
- Flat waist doubled, inside leg, rise and leg opening
- Fit: wide, straight, tapered or slim
- Fabric weight and composition
- Number of pockets and whether all closures work
Live cargo pants listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse clothing 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
Steady with a lift in spring and autumn. Workwear brands sell year round; fashion cargos follow trends closely.
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 cargo pants 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 cargo pants for what to photograph and how to price, or what cargo pants are worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for used cargo pants?
Around £8 to £26 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 cargo pants before buying?
Ask for a photograph of the inner label and the garment laid flat with a tape measure across the chest and the length. Both are quick for an honest seller and awkward for anyone who does not have the item in front of them.
Is buying cargo pants 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. Sizing, above everything. A garment that does not fit is the commonest reason a second-hand clothing purchase disappoints, and it is entirely avoidable by asking for flat measurements rather than trusting the label.
See also: all buying guides · cargo pants value guide · selling cargo pants · Clothing · condition grades.