Get your second wind with second hand sports gear

It’s hard not to think about sports right now. Over the last month France played the perfect host to the 2024 Olympic games. In all over 15,000 athletes competed from over 200 countries (or 14,999 if you exclude Australian Breakdancer RayGun…just kidding she was great fun). The good news is it’s not over yet either. In a few days, the 2024 Paralympics kick off and once again athletes the world over will compete for gold and glory. In the meantime, if you’re anything like us, you may find yourself motivated to get out on the field yourself. Well, the good news keeps on coming because now is the perfect time to pick some preloved sporting gear and join the fun. Before you fire up your mobile though, we’ve got some advice for you that will save you time and heartache.

Where to look:

Ok, full disclosure, as this is our article, this one’s going to sound a bit biassed and in honesty it is. You see, as a dedicated online classified ads search engine app and super-powered bargain blaster Riloop is the best place to start. Yep, we’re the go-to resource for savvy treasure hunters, recyclers, up-cyclers, side-hustlers and bargain baggers. Now, don’t panic, we’ll go through all the best places to find good second hand sports equipment too. All you need to remember though, is that a free Riloop account will save you a tonne of leg work.

eBay

You don’t need us to tell you about eBay other than maybe expect higher prices due to the site’s stratospheric fees. So, if you like the look of that carbon fibre racing bike in your area but you’d prefer it if it was 15% cheaper, then read on.

Facebook Marketplace

Some people are too busy to spend days cleaning, photographing, and listing all their gear. These people tend to be less concerned with any value their items have and more interested in freeing up space in the shed. However, these have-a-go-heroes are less likely to own proper professional gear. So,while there are bargains to be had, don’t expect to find that carbon fibre racing bike for 30 Euros. One final note of caution, because joining specialist groups can take additional steps, you’ll find far more scammers in the open waters of Facebook’s generic marketplace. See our advice page on second-hand scams if you'd like to learn more.

Facebook Specialist Groups

Unlike standard marketplace listings, the vast raft of specialist groups on Facebook / Meta require a bit of knowledge and effort even to get into, but this is because the members are serious. Yep, join the right group and there’s a good chance you’ll find that carbon fibre racing bike… just don’t expect to buy it for 30 Euros.

If you have all the time in the world or you’re allergic to good advice you can trawl sites like: Gumtree, Leboncoin, Milanuncios and Wallapop. Most of these sites offer similar services and if you want to know the pros and cons, check out our second-hand buyer’s guide coming up really soon in our blog.

Why is now the best time to get sporting goods?

This time of year, most serious sports fans have either already bought their new gear or are looking to upgrade the kit. Also, the big stores and suppliers are thinking about next year and casting an eye on anything overstocked in their warehouses. Over the next few weeks, sporting equipment prices will fall as the Autumn clearance sales begin. Don’t forget too that many casual sports fans will have already had their Paris fix. So, with the fad fully behind them you may find a tonne of sports gear is now in surplus. Frankly, it’s a buyer’s market.

Why choose second-hand sporting equipment?

The big reason to opt for used sport’s gear is the planet. According to a survey commissioned by the charity, Kits for a Better World, over 600,000 tonnes of sport kits end up in landfill sites. To make it worse a lot of sporting equipment is specifically designed to be durable and light. This means a lot of the equipment and clothing used in sports is made from synthetic, non-organic materials. There is an upside though, because gear like this is made from tough components, they tend to have longer shelf lives and that’s another good reason to buy a preowned kit.

What happens to all the used sports equipment from the Olympics?

Come on, you were wondering too, right? It’s such a great question and one we’re keen to answer. After a bit of research, we uncovered the following information. First up, as it so often the way, savvy entrepreneurs find their way into the official Olympic stores. This has gone on for decades. So, the first place you tend to see ‘official Olympic equipment’ show up, is on listings like this one on eBay. That said, officials of the Paris games have promised to make this year’s games the most sustainable ever. Mostly when authorities make claims like this, they mean they plan to recycle all the water bottles and reuse the sand from the Volleyball courts. This year’s promise though, does seem to include at least some of the sports kit. It appears select items will be donated to sports clubs across France, but it looks like they plan to sell off some equipment to fans too. Details are vague, but there’s a statement on the official site promising that souvenir equipment, like balls etc., will be available for sale on their website. You can read about the Olympic's sustainability plans here.

In conclusion

If the games have ignited your sporting passion and you want to get involved, or maybe it’s time for an upgrade, now is the ideal moment to get your gear. Why not sign up for your free Riloop account today, if you don’t have one yet, and see what bargains you can find? We bet it won’t be long before you get some gold or your own.