There’s no doubt that gear has improved over the two decades (gulp!) I’ve been testing and reviewing kit. Manufacturing and materials have got better, but what hasn’t changed is the basic human form and what we need from our gear in the hills. Many of today’s bigger brands began as small, enthusiast driven businesses reacting to feedback from their customers and manufacturing on-site. This gave us good gear that was made for a purpose. I wondered how much Vinted hiking gear and second-hand outdoor kit would still work on big, winter mountain days.
I still use ‘vintage’ outdoor gear and I’ve found that even in the worst conditions, modern performance advantages are often measured in small degrees, not big steps. Would it be possible to completely kit myself out with the best gear, but all vintage, pre-loved or second hand for under £100? Just how much old-but-still-good gear sits in cupboards, awaiting a second chance outdoors?
Second-hand outdoor kit: the waterproof shell
One of our biggest clothing purchases is a waterproof jacket and I looked for an equivalent to the perennial Gore-Tex 3-layer shell, with three chest pockets. I first narrowed my search on eBay and Vinted to under £25, and there were hundreds of options.
Next came a brand search. Some fashion favourites held their price, but less obvious names produced more interesting results.
In the 1990s, Karrimor was at the front of outdoor design. The brand is perceived differently now, so the prices of their old gear are often very accessible. Result! I found a 1998 Karrimor Gore-Tex Summit Jacket for £14 on Vinted.
It was clean enough, no rips or bad staining, and I was prepared for the usual faults. The elastic shockcords in the hood and hem had decayed but were all easily replaced. The most common issue is loose seam tape in the neck and hood, where sweat and body oils attack it. A gentle wash cycle with Nikwax Tech Wash will reveal and clean the loosest tape and get everything ready to work with.
Rubbing down the tape and seam with isopropyl alcohol and careful reattachment with Gear Aid Seam Grip makes a waterproof repair that will last for years. You might also see delamination bubbles here and there on old Gore-Tex but this isn’t necessarily a problem if the membrane isn’t torn, hold it up to a strong light and you can usually see any issues. After repairs, another light wash and then reproofing sets you up for the hill.
The UK manufactured Summit is 684g with an original price of £250 which translates to £500 today, so overall it compares very well to modern equivalents. I’ve been using the Summit quite happily since, and as I collected more items in my £100 challenge, it was time to put it all together for a proper test in the winter Munros.
The Summit’s a fantastic shell with excellent movement, a protective hood and brilliant chest pockets which being fully external and bellowed, you can really cram full of gloves, maps and snacks. Perfect!
Vinted hiking gear: the fleece
I matched it with Polartec fleece items. A 2015 The North Face pull-on was £4 from Vinted, and fleece and microfibre reinforced bibs from 1992 were £18 on eBay. These are now a firm favourite being warm and incredibly comfortable. A £2 base layer from Vinted has the same performance as, and a better fit than any current base layer I have in the TGO test drawer right now!
Sleet and snow beaded and ran off the Gore-Tex , the fleece wicked and I was always warm and comfortable. The biggest difference I noticed was slightly slower moisture transfer, when compared to current kit. However, we’re talking marginal gains. I kept taking my old wool gloves off to check under my layers and even working hard, they did not wet out.
Second-hand outdoor gear: the pack
On my back was a £15 Karrimor Hot Earth daypack from Gumtree. It had an initial wash in the bath and has never looked back. It lacks bottle pockets, but it’s tough, comfortable and stable.
Pete’s sub-£100 Vinted hiking gear haul: the receipts
| Product | Current cost | Reseller | Time-machine factor | Way-back-when cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karrimor Summit 3L Goretex shell | £14 | Vinted | 1998 | £250 |
| The North Face fleece | £4 | Vinted | 2015 | £45 |
| Karrimor Concordia fleece salopette | £18 | eBay | 1992 | £100 |
| Karrimor Midweight Turtle Zip T base | £2 | Vinted | 1994 | £30 |
| Karrimor Hot Earth pack | £15 | Gumtree | 1994 | £80 |
| TOTAL | £61 | £465 |
In conclusion: Less is more
In short, everything performed just as I’d want any gear to. The items I mention above cost me £61. The modern equivalents I’d estimate at £930.
You can easily kit yourself out with top-end gear for next to nothing – you just have to work with it to prepare it and extend its life further. That might mean learning some new skills (see our piece on care and repair on page 64) and putting together a small maintenance kit, which is not a bad idea anyway. Buying second hand is a fantastic path to great gear without any concession to fashion or casual use. It shows the best gear endures past seasons, years and even decades.
And if you do invest in that brand new £500 jacket, look after it. Learn how to care for your waterproof jacket and even how to do minor repairs to your jacket. Treat it as the specialist sports equipment it is and don’t wear it every day on the commute. You might still be wearing in 30 years.
What about footwear, we hear you ask?! We’ll return for more brand new, retro fun in the coming months.
READ MORE: The best budget backpacking gear, according to Britain’s most experienced testing team
