Used backpacks in the UAE typically sell for AED 74 to AED 345 (about $20 to $94). Technical and heritage packs hold value well; everyday backpacks sell for very little, and the difference is mostly construction.
What backpacks are worth in the UAE
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | AED 346 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | AED 294 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | AED 225 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | AED 156 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | AED 87 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Guide ranges converted from sterling at the 2 August 2026 rate, not quotes — sellers set their own price. Grades are seller-declared; WishThrift does not inspect or verify them.
What lifts the price
- Undamaged straps, buckles and hip belt
- Waterproof coatings that have not delaminated
What pulls it down
- Failed or sticky zips
- Generic school and promotional bags
Selling a backpack in the UAE
Bank transfer and cash on collection are both normal. Confirm funds have cleared before handing anything over.
The UAE has an unusually active second-hand market driven by how often people arrive and leave — relocation sales mean good-quality items turn over quickly and often at well below their age.
Domestic courier coverage is quick and cheap by international standards, and most of the population is within a short drive of everyone else.
Trading is not open in the Emirates yet, so treat this as a reference page: the pricing and the checks below hold, but the listings will appear once sellers here start posting.
Working out what yours is worth
- Turn it inside out and check for lining delamination
- Inspect the stitching where the straps meet the body
Getting it ready
- Find or estimate the capacity in litres, which is often printed on a label inside or on the back panel.
- Run every zip along its full length, and check the pulls, the buckles and the stitching at the strap anchors.
Photograph
- 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
Put in the description
- Capacity in litres, and external dimensions
- Whether it has a padded laptop sleeve, and what size it takes
- Whether it is cabin approved, and whether a rain cover or hip belt is included
Packs down and posts cheaply. Compress it with the straps and use a large mailing bag rather than a box.
Steady with lifts in spring, in late summer for travel, and in September for school and university. Recognised outdoor and travel brands sell fastest.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the AED 346 a buyer pays is the AED 346 you keep. You and the buyer settle up and arrange the handover between yourselves; WishThrift does not hold the money or ship the item.
Where in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of the United Arab Emirates with their own page for backpacks.
- Selling a backpack in Dubai
- Selling a backpack in Sharjah
- Selling a backpack in Abu Dhabi
- Selling a backpack in Al Ain
- Selling a backpack in Ajman
Common questions
Where can I sell a backpack in the UAE?
List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Bank transfer and cash on collection are both normal. Confirm funds have cleared before handing anything over.
Will it fit a laptop?
Try one and give the size that fits. It is more useful than a sleeve dimension the buyer has to interpret.
Are used backpacks worth selling?
Technical outdoor packs and heritage brands sell well. Everyday and promotional bags sell for very little.
What fails first on a backpack?
The zips, almost always. Test every one and say clearly in the listing that they run cleanly if they do.
More: how to sell a backpack, what backpacks are worth, or Bags & Handbags across the United Arab Emirates.