Thrifted Outdoor Gear in Nairobi: 8 Expert Buying Tips

Thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi is one of the smartest ways to get well-made boots, rain jackets, fleeces and backpacks for less than new. Good brand-name gear is built to last for years, so a quality pre-owned item often has plenty of trail life left, as long as you know what to look for before you buy.

The challenge is telling a bargain from a worn-out item that will fail on its first wet hike. This guide to thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi explains which items are best bought thrifted, which are better new, how to check boots, waterproofs and insulation, how to get the size right, how to care for pre-owned kit, and where to find it on Thika Road.

What Is Thrifted Outdoor Gear?

Thrifted outdoor gear is pre-owned hiking, camping and outdoor kit that is sold again, usually at a lower price than new. It includes jackets, fleeces, boots, trousers, backpacks and accessories from outdoor brands that were made to handle mountains and bad weather.

Kenya has a long tradition of buying second-hand clothing, and thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi follows the same idea. Technical gear such as a waterproof shell or a pair of hiking boots costs a lot when new, so buying pre-owned lets more Kenyan hikers afford proper kit instead of hiking Mt Longonot in canvas shoes and a cotton hoodie. Keeping good clothing in use for longer also reduces textile waste, an issue the UN Environment Programme has covered in Kenya.

Is Thrifted Outdoor Gear in Nairobi Worth Buying?

Thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi is worth buying for most clothing, footwear and packs, because outdoor brands build them to last. The value depends on condition, so check every item and skip anything that is worn through, delaminating or the wrong size.

A well-made pre-owned rain jacket or fleece usually outperforms a cheap new one that was never designed for the outdoors. The real risk with thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi is buying something that looks fine on a hanger but has a failing membrane or a sole about to peel. The checks below take a few minutes and help you avoid that.

Which items are best to buy as thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi?

The best items to buy as thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi are those built from tough fabrics with few parts that wear out: shell jackets, fleeces, softshells, hiking trousers, backpacks and gaiters. Boots are also good buys when the sole and midsole are in good shape.

Item	Buy thrifted?	What to look for
Fleece and softshell jackets	Yes, great value	Light pilling is fine; avoid thin, see-through patches and broken zips
Rain jackets and rain pants	Yes, with care	Seam tape intact, no flaking inside, working zips and hood adjusters
Hiking boots	Yes, if the sole is good	Deep tread, no sole separation, firm heel, no cracked midsole
Backpacks	Yes	Strong seams, working buckles and zips, padded hip belt intact
Down jackets and sleeping bags	Yes, check the loft	Fluffs up evenly, no clumps or empty cold spots, no musty smell
Gloves, hats and gaiters	Yes	No holes, elastic and straps still firm
Camping gas, water bladders, harnesses, helmets	Buy new	Safety and hygiene items you need to trust completely

Which outdoor items should you buy new?

Buy safety and hygiene items new: gas canisters, climbing harnesses and helmets, water bladders and, for most people, everyday hiking socks. You cannot see hidden damage in safety gear, and a new bladder or pair of socks is inexpensive compared with the risk.

That is why a good outdoor shop stocks a mix: quality thrifted gear for the big-ticket clothing, boots and packs, and new items for the consumables. A new pair of merino wool hiking socks is a sensible partner for a pre-owned pair of boots.

What to Look for When Buying Thrifted Outdoor Gear in Nairobi

When buying thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi, look at the parts that fail first: soles and glue lines on boots, seam tape and inner coatings on waterproofs, loft on insulation, and zips, buckles and stitching on everything.

1. Check the zips: run every zip from end to end and look for missing teeth or a slider that splits open.
2. Pull the seams: tug gently on shoulder, crotch and strap seams to spot loose or rotten stitching.
3. Look inside: turn waterproofs inside out and look for peeling tape or a flaking, sticky inner layer.
4. Press the insulation: fleece should feel even, and down should spring back when squeezed.
5. Flex the boots: bend the sole and look along the edge where the upper meets the rubber.
6. Smell it: a strong musty smell can mean an item was stored damp, which damages coatings and down.
7. Try it on with your hiking layers or socks, and move as if you were climbing.

How do you check thrifted hiking boots?

Check thrifted hiking boots by looking at tread depth, the glue line between sole and upper, the midsole for creases or cracks, and the heel counter for firmness. If the lugs are worn smooth or the sole lifts at the toe, walk away.

When you shop for thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi, press your thumb into the midsole from the side: a little give is normal, but deep compression wrinkles mean the cushioning is spent. Look inside for torn lining at the heel, which causes blisters. Our guide on where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi covers boot types and fit in more detail.

How can you tell if a thrifted rain jacket is still waterproof?

A thrifted rain jacket is still likely to be waterproof if the seam tape is firmly stuck, the inside shows no bubbling, flaking or sticky patches, and the outer fabric has no holes. If water no longer beads on the surface, the coating can usually be restored.

Water soaking into the outer fabric (called wetting out) is usually a worn surface treatment, not a failed membrane, and a technical wash and re-proofing spray can fix it. Peeling inner layers cannot be fixed, so pass on any thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi that shows them. Our guide to rain jackets for hiking in Nairobi explains jacket types for the long and short rains, and you can browse our rain jackets.

How do you get the right size in thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi?

To get the right size in thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi, try items on rather than trusting the label, because European, UK and US brands size differently. Wear the layers or socks you will hike in, and try boots in the afternoon when your feet are slightly larger.

With thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi, a jacket should let you lift your arms above your head without the hem riding up, and still fit over a fleece. Boots should leave about a finger’s width in front of your toes so you do not bruise them on steep descents such as Mt Longonot’s crater path.

Where Can You Buy Thrifted Outdoor Gear in Nairobi?

You can buy thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi at our shop in Mountain Mall, 3rd Floor, Shop D39, Thika Road, near Kasarani, Garden Estate and Thome. You can also order online and pay with M-Pesa or cash on delivery.

The shop is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6:00pm, Saturday from 9:00am to 2:00pm, and on Sunday by appointment. We sell quality thrifted hiking and outdoor gear plus some new items, which makes good kit affordable. To try boots and jackets in person, visit our Thika Road shop.

Boots in our range include the Quechua waterproof hiking boot and the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid. Stock of thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi changes often, so check the product pages for current sizes. If you are building a full kit, our guide to buying hiking gear in Nairobi sets out what to buy first.

How Do You Care for Thrifted Outdoor Gear After You Buy It?

Care for thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi by washing it before first use with the right product, drying it out of direct sun, and storing it clean and dry. Good care can keep pre-owned gear working for many more seasons.

Fabric softener clogs the pores of waterproof membranes and fleece, so leave it out of every outdoor wash. Heat damages glue in boots and seam tape in jackets, so never dry gear on a hot jiko, iron box or sunny roof. Repair small tears with patch tape before they spread. For a full picture of how your layers work together, see our guide to layering for cold weather hikes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is second-hand hiking gear hygienic?

Second-hand hiking gear is hygienic once you wash it properly before first use. Wash clothing with a suitable detergent, use a technical wash for waterproofs and a down wash for insulated items, and air-dry fully. For boots, brush them out, let them air in the shade and fit fresh insoles. Socks and underwear are best bought new.

Is thrifted outdoor gear the same as mitumba?

Thrifted outdoor gear and mitumba are both pre-owned, but thrifted outdoor gear focuses on technical hiking and outdoor items such as waterproof jackets, fleeces, boots and backpacks. General mitumba stalls sell all kinds of clothing, so finding proper outdoor kit there takes time and luck. A specialist outdoor shop saves you that search.

Can you buy thrifted gear for Mt Kenya?

You can buy most of your Mt Kenya kit thrifted, including a waterproof shell, fleece, down jacket, insulated trousers, gloves, a warm hat and boots. Choose items in good condition, because summit nights near 4,985 m at Point Lenana are well below freezing. Our guide on what to pack for hiking Mt Kenya lists the full kit.

How long does thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi last?

Thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi can last many years when it was well made and is in good condition when you buy it. Fleeces, shells, packs and leather boots often keep going for several seasons with good care. Lighter trail shoes and items with worn soles or coatings have less life left, so check condition before you buy.

Can I order thrifted outdoor gear online in Nairobi?

Yes, you can order thrifted outdoor gear online in Nairobi from our shop and pay with M-Pesa or cash on delivery. Browse the product pages to see what is in stock. If you are unsure about fit, message us on WhatsApp first, or visit the Mountain Mall shop to try items on.

Final Thoughts

Thrifted outdoor gear in Nairobi gives you well-made jackets, fleeces, boots and backpacks for less than new, as long as you check the soles, seams, coatings, insulation and zips, and get the size right. Buy safety items and consumables new, and wash pre-owned gear before its first hike.

Come to Mountain Mall on Thika Road to try items on, or order online and start your next hike well equipped for less.