Used backpacks in the UK typically sell for £15 to £70 (about $20 to $94). Backpacks are bought on litre capacity and whether the zips still run, so state the litres and test every zip before you photograph it.
What backpacks are worth in the UK
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £70 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £60 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £46 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £32 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £18 | 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
- Recognised outdoor and heritage makers
- Intact zips, which are the usual failure point
What pulls it down
- Delaminated waterproof lining flaking inside
- Frayed shoulder straps and worn stitching at the anchor points
Selling a backpack in the UK
Most private sales settle by bank transfer or cash on collection. Faster Payments clear in seconds, which makes a transfer as safe as cash for the seller — wait for it to land before the item leaves your hands.
The UK has the deepest second-hand habit of any of our markets — charity shops, car boot sales and online resale have been mainstream here for decades, so buyers arrive already comfortable with used goods and already know roughly what things are worth.
Royal Mail, Evri and InPost cover the whole country, and InPost lockers mean neither side has to be in for a delivery. Tracked 48 is the usual default for small parcels.
Distance selling rules bind traders, not private sellers, but an item must still be as described and anything sold as working must actually work.
Working out what yours is worth
- Run every zip fully open and closed
- Turn it inside out and check for lining delamination
Getting it ready
- Find or estimate the capacity in litres, which is often printed on a label inside or on the back panel.
- Empty every pocket, clean the base and shoulder straps, and check for fraying at the seams.
Photograph
- The backpack from the front, standing, straps visible
- 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
- Condition of every zip, buckle and strap anchor
Brand, capacity and purpose: “Osprey Farpoint 40L Travel Backpack, Cabin Size”. Litre capacity is the primary search. Say whether it is cabin sized, laptop compatible or hiking specific, because those are separate searches with different buyers.
Packs down and posts cheaply. Compress it with the straps and use a large mailing bag rather than a box.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the £70 a buyer pays is the £70 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 UK
The United Kingdom is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of the United Kingdom with their own page for backpacks.
Common questions
Where can I sell a backpack in the UK?
List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Most private sales settle by bank transfer or cash on collection. Faster Payments clear in seconds, which makes a transfer as safe as cash for the seller — wait for it to land before the item leaves your hands.
Is it cabin sized?
Check the dimensions against common airline limits and say what you measured, without promising it will be accepted — airlines differ.
Are used backpacks worth selling?
Technical outdoor packs and heritage brands sell well. Everyday and promotional bags sell for very little.
What is lining delamination?
The waterproof coating inside breaking down into a sticky, flaking layer. It is common on older packs and effectively ends their useful life.
More: how to sell a backpack, what backpacks are worth, or Bags & Handbags across the United Kingdom.