Faced with today's ecological challenges, it's essential to rethink the way we consume. Buying second-hand travel equipment can greatly reduce the ecological impact of tourism. We tell you all about the advantages of this practice, and the ways in which you can put it into practice.
Why buy second-hand travel equipment?
Travel is a major consumer of resources, through the transportation used, accommodation and food, but that's not all. If you want to reduce your ecological impact when traveling, it's essential to take a more comprehensive view. In fact, the equipment we use is also a source of significant resource consumption.
Two aspects in particular are problematic: greenhouse gas emissions and plastics. Indeed, reducing our carbon footprint when we travel involves our equipment. Every new piece of equipment we buy has produced emissions during its design, but also during transport.
In the same way, to reduce our consumption of plastic when traveling, we'll have to rethink our consumption completely, since new travel equipment represents resources used to manufacture it, as well as packaging.
Buying second-hand travel equipment is all the more essential as many of the items we buy will only be used infrequently. For example, unless you're an avid hiker, your hiking boots will only be used when you're on vacation, while your scuba-diving equipment will be most useful during your summer at sea, and your skis will stay in the closet for most of the year.
The other advantage of buying second-hand travel gear is that it simply reduces the cost of your vacation.
How to buy second-hand travel equipment?
There are a number of ways to buy second-hand travel equipment, and thus limit your ecological impact.
Campsider
Campsider is a website entirely dedicated to second-hand outdoor equipment, whether for sports or camping. You'll find hiking boots, tents and sleeping equipment, sportswear, climbing, mountaineering and skiing gear... It's the best way to enjoy sleeping in a tent in the great outdoors, while making sure it's protected.
Barooders
The Barooders website specializes in the sale of second-hand equipment for a bicycle travel. You'll find bikes, of course, whether road, mountain, gravel or electric, but also accessories such as clothing, cycling shorts and spare parts. The site even offers some ski equipment.
Leboncoin
Leboncoin is France's largest second-hand sales platform. You'll find absolutely everything, and you'll have no trouble finding second-hand travel gear. The big advantage is that Leboncoin lets you search for second-hand equipment according to geographical location. So you can pick up your equipment directly where you're vacationing, whether it's a stroller, a stove, a snowboard..
Vinted
This site specializes in second-hand travel equipment, including clothing. Vinted lets you buy all kinds of clothing: swimsuits, beach bags, sunglasses, ski suits..
Everide
Everide is another platform that gives a second life to second-hand outdoor equipment : an initiative that's all the more useful given that such equipment is often particularly expensive when bought new. On the site, you'll find alpine skis, ski boots, snowboards, bicycles, running gear, surfboards, paddleboards... Perfect for vacations in the great outdoors, whether in a bivouac or in alternative accommodation!
Flea markets, garage sales and other fairs
Flea markets, garage sales and other fairs can have an even more positive impact on your travels, as they enable you tobuy second-hand travel equipment locally. This way, you avoid theCO2 emissions associated with delivery across France. Think, for example, of ski fairs, held in autumn in many towns and cities, where you can buy a wide range of second-hand winter equipment, or book fairs, where you can buy your summer reading material.
