How to sell camping and outdoor gear for cash

Camping gear is bought with enthusiasm and often used for a couple of summers. Then the family grows, a campervan replaces the tent, or life just gets busy. Good outdoor gear is durable and well made, so it's well worth selling to someone heading out next season.

What we can buy

• Tents — backpacking, family tents and inflatable tents that pack within 30kg and 1.5m.
• Sleeping bags and mats — clean and in good condition.
• Portable power stations — EcoFlow, Jackery, Bluetti and similar, in good working order.
• Solar panels — portable folding panels.
• Cool boxes — electric cool boxes and quality passive ones.
• Cooking kit — stoves without fuel, cookware and Jetboil-style systems (no gas canisters).
• Outdoor tech — GPS units, head torches, satellite communicators, binoculars.
• Camping furniture — folding chairs and tables within size limits.

What we can't post

Gas canisters, fuel bottles containing fuel, and lighters are hazardous and can't be sent. Remove all fuel and canisters before packing a stove. Any power station with a damaged battery is also out.

Getting camping gear ready

1. Pitch your tent if you can, and check poles, zips, guy lines and pegs. Look for tears or mould.
2. Clean and dry everything thoroughly. Packing a damp tent away leads to mould. Dry it fully first.
3. Sleeping bags should be washed according to the care label and completely dry.
4. Power stations — charge them, test each output and check they hold charge. Partially discharge for posting.
5. Count the bits — pegs, poles, footprints, carry bags.

Selling

Outdoor gear sells on marketplaces, but bulky items mean awkward collections and haggling. With SendForCash, describe your gear — brand, model, condition and what's included — and get an instant cash offer. Accept and we email a free postage label. We pay the same day we inspect.

Packing

• Use the original carry bag, then put it in a box or a strong sealed bag.
• Wrap power stations in bubble wrap and box them securely.
• Make sure no fuel or gas is included anywhere.

Gear-by-gear checklist

Different kinds of kit have different things buyers worry about. Run through the relevant list before you describe your gear, so your offer reflects what actually arrives.

Tents

• Poles: check every section for bends, cracks and splits at the ferrules (the metal joints). Make sure the shock cord inside still pulls sections together. A stretched cord is easy to replace and worth doing.
• Fabric: hold the flysheet and inner up to the light to look for pinholes, tears and abrasion. Check seam tape on the inside of the fly hasn't started peeling.
• Groundsheet: look for punctures and wear, particularly at the corners.
• Zips: run every zip all the way round. Sticky zips can often be freed with a bit of zip lubricant or candle wax; zips with missing teeth or split sliders count as damage.
• Inflatable (air beam) tents: inflate fully and leave them for a few hours to make sure the beams hold pressure. Include the pump.
• Count the pegs and guy lines. A tent with half its pegs is a disappointment for the next owner.

Sleeping bags and mats

• Wash down bags only with a down-specific wash and dry them thoroughly on a low tumble with dryer balls, or they'll clump. Synthetic bags are more forgiving.
• Self-inflating and air mats should be inflated overnight to check for slow leaks. A leaking mat isn't one we can accept.
• Store and post sleeping bags loosely in a large bag rather than crammed in a tiny stuff sack for weeks.

Power stations and solar panels

• Charge to full, then test every output: AC sockets, USB-A, USB-C and 12V. Run something with a decent load for a while.
• Check the display reports sensible battery health and there are no error codes.
• Remove the unit from its companion app and reset it, so the next owner can pair it.
• Fold solar panels and check the cells and cables for cracks.

Stoves and cooking kit

• Remove every gas canister and empty any liquid fuel bottles completely. Burn off residue on multi-fuel stoves and let them air out.
• Clean pots and pans so there's no food residue.
• Check piezo igniters click, but don't test with gas just before packing.

Selling at the right time

Outdoor kit is seasonal. Demand typically builds in spring as people plan summer trips and festivals, and quietens after the summer holidays. That said, waiting six months to sell a tent you know you won't use means another winter in the loft, which is rarely kind to fabric. If it's clean, dry and complete, it's worth selling when you've finished with it.

Storage tips if you're keeping some kit

If you're only selling part of your setup, store what you keep properly:

• Store tents loosely in a large breathable bag, not tightly packed in their carry bag.
• Keep sleeping bags uncompressed, hung up or in a large cotton storage sack.
• Store power stations at around half charge and top them up every few months.
• Keep everything somewhere dry. Garages and sheds can get damp over winter.

Make it part of a wider clear-out

Camping gear often sits alongside other outdoor kit — drones, action cameras, Starlink kits for vans, garden tools. If you're clearing the garage, see our guides to selling a drone or GoPro, selling Starlink kit and our room-by-room decluttering guide.

FAQ

Do you buy used tents?

Yes, if they're clean, dry, complete and in good condition with no tears or mould.

Can I sell a camping stove?

Yes, as long as there's no fuel or gas canister included.

Do you buy portable power stations?

Yes, if they work properly and the battery is in good condition.

What about rucksacks?

We don't buy bags and fashion accessories. Technical camping kit is fine.