Sell Your Backpack in the US

Used backpacks in the US typically sell for $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 US

Condition	Typical	What it means
New with Tags	$94	Unused, tags or seals intact
Like New	$80	Barely used, no visible wear
Good	$61	Light signs of use, complete and working
Fair	$42	Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part
For Parts	$24	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
Undamaged straps, buckles and hip belt

What pulls it down

Delaminated waterproof lining flaking inside
Generic school and promotional bags

Selling a backpack in the US

Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals.

The US resale market is enormous and highly local — most transactions still happen between people within driving distance of each other, and buyers expect to collect rather than wait for a courier.

USPS, UPS and FedEx all cover the country. USPS Ground Advantage is normally cheapest for anything under a few pounds in weight; above that the gap narrows quickly.

Working out what yours is worth

Run every zip fully open and closed
Inspect the stitching where the straps meet the body

Getting it ready

Run every zip along its full length, and check the pulls, the buckles and the stitching at the strap anchors.
Empty every pocket, clean the base and shoulder straps, and check for fraying at the seams.

Photograph

The main compartment open, showing capacity and lining
The shoulder straps and back panel, showing wear

Put in the description

Condition of every zip, buckle and strap anchor
Whether it is cabin approved, and whether a rain cover or hip belt is included

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.

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 $94 a buyer pays is the $94 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 US

The United States is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of the United States with their own page for backpacks.

Common questions

Where can I sell a backpack in the US?

List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals.

Do all the zips work?

Run each one fully. Failed zips are the main reason backpacks are retired and the first thing a buyer checks.

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.

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 States.