Summer’s siren song is calling us to mountain trails and streams, to 14-ers and and valleys, prairie and lake.

It’s time to get back outdoors — at last — and you don’t have to break the bank to get geared up. A plethora of secondhand outdoors gear can be found on Craigslist, eBay and at consignment stores up and down the Front Range.

Buying used can mean big savings — often 50 percent or more off retail, local gear gurus say — whether it’s tents, sleeping bags, backpacking packs, mountain bikes, technical shells, kayaks, climbing shoes or hiking boots. In the fall, the same can be said for skis and snowboards.

“What we like to say is we couldn’t afford to do all these sports if we didn’t buy used gear,” said Adam Bracchi, a self-described “outdoors enthusiast” at Gearonimo Sports (2727 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs).

Plus, buying and selling used gear just makes good environmental sense, said Don Bushey, owner of Wilderness Exchange Unlimited in Denver (2401 15th St. Suite 100.)

“If we can get all the usable life out of this equipment, it goes a long ways toward sustainability,” Bushey said.

Big ticket, big deals

Big-ticket items can offer some of the best deals and longest lifespan, depending on their original quality and current condition.

At Boulder Sports Recycler (4949 N. Broadway #113, Boulder), manager Mick Tresemer said he still uses a backpack he bought secondhand eight years ago. And, it’s under the original manufacturer’s warranty for repairs, to boot.

“Those are the type of things that don’t wear out very quickly,” Tresemer said. “You could come in here and find a backpack that someone’s only taken on a few trips and own it for the rest of your life.”

The same goes for tents, Bushey said. A used tent that is properly taken care of and stored can easily last for years — he has some that are going on 25-plus.

Buy early or off-season

Retail stores often slash prices at the end of the season to make way for new merchandise. But so do some consignment stores, said Mike Mazzola, owner of Mountain Equipment Recyclers (1024 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs).

Think an additional 50 percent off something that’s already been reduced 50 percent off retail, he said. At Mountain Equipment Recyclers, that starts in August for summer gear.

“Buying off-season is a great idea, but because of people’s budget, it’s difficult,” Mazzola said. “They’re not thinking about skiing right now. They’re trying to buy a bike because they want to go biking.”

If you’re looking for the biggest selection, though, your best bet is early in the season. Most consignment shops only accept gear seasonally, and for summer, that’s right now.

Do your research

Whether you’re browsing Craigslist or a consignment store, it’s a good idea to know what you need for what you want to do.

A great place to start is by talking to someone who knows the sport, whether it’s a buddy or an expert at a specialty shop, Bushey said.

“If I were just starting to climb, it would be virtually impossible for me to know why modern climbing shoes or modern protection equipment was superior to what was available 10-15 years ago,” he said. “It all looks the same.”

Don’t be afraid to bust out your smartphone and scour the Internet for product reviews and feedback, either, Mazzola said.



Trust your senses

Before you sign on the dotted line, you should always examine the item closely. Some secondhand items can be virtually brand new, others more, er, well-loved.

“We always tell the customer we want them to look it over and decide if it’s something they would want to use,” Tresemer said.

Use your eyes, and when it comes to tents, your nose, Bushey said.

“Make sure there’s no funny smell in it — that’s how you can tell if a tent was stored wet,” Bushey said. “If you’ve ever smelled a bad old tent, you’ll never forget it.”

Take the item out for a test drive if possible, whether that’s riding a bike around the parking lot or setting up a tent to check for missing poles, Mazzola said.

“It’s like buying a used car,” Mazzola said. “It’s the due diligence you’d do trying to buy anything.”

Skip the used ropes

Consignment shops are in the business of selling used gear, but there are certain things even they won’t buy.

Atop the list: certain used climbing gear, particularly items like ropes and slings.

Mountain Equipment Recyclers, Wilderness Exchange and Boulder Sports Recyclers won’t accept any used climbing gear made of nylon or webbing; Gearonimo Sports resells those items only under limited circumstances.

The decision comes down to safety, Bushey said. Nylon is known to degrade under UV and chemical exposure — even a rope left in your closet for 10 years won’t be as strong or usable, he said.

“Climbing gear at any given time could be holding you from a nasty fall,” Bracchi said. “It needs to perform as it’s supposed to perform at all times.”

That said, climbing shoes are very popular on the secondhand market. Ice gear, like crampons and ice picks, mountaineering equipment and chalk bags can be good buys, too.

Tips for selling used sports gear

Looking to upgrade to the latest in outdoors equipment? Use these tips to get top dollar for your old gear.

Sell it when you would want to use it.

Most gear shops will accept used items only in season. That means skis in the fall and winter and camping equipment in the spring and summer.

The earlier in the season you bring it in, the better, in terms of increasing the likelihood of a sale, said Mike Mazzola, owner of Mountain Equipment Recyclers in Colorado Springs.

“As soon as people can bring in that season’s gear, the better exposure it will have the whole season,” he said.

Clean it. No, really.

It may seem like common sense, but clean your gear thoroughly before you bring it in for consignment, said Mick Tresemer, a manager at Boulder Sports Recycler.

“Presentation is important,” Tresemer said. “You want your item to look good. You’re competing against other items in the store. If you bring in hiking boots that have mud caked into the sole, people are not going to want to buy that.”

The rule also applies to sleeping bags and clothing, which should always be laundered beforehand.

Make sure it’s in good, working order.

Got a great bicycle with a minor issue, like gears that aren’t quite shifting right? Consider spending the money on a quick tuneup before trying to sell it, Mazzola said.

By making sure your item is in “great, functional order,” you can help eliminate buyer hesitation based on quality and condition — as well as the opportunity for them to try to hurt you on the purchase price, he said.

Emilie Rusch: 303-954-2457, erusch@denverpost.com or twitter.com/emilierusch

Where to buy: used outdoors gear

Wilderness Exchange Unlimited

2401 15th St. Suite 100, Denver. 303-964-0708, wildernessexchangeunlimited.com

Boulder Sports Recycler

4949 N. Broadway #113, Boulder. 303-786-9940, bouldersportsrecycler.com

Mountain Equipment Recyclers

1024 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs. 719-210-6427, merecyclers.com

Gearonimo Sports

2727 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs. 719-465-2450, gearonimosports.com