Guide to the Patagonia Worn Wear Trade-In Process
The Patagonia Worn Wear trade-in process is one of the most established take-back programs in the outdoor industry. It lets you exchange clean, used Patagonia gear for store credit so the items get repaired, resold, or recycled instead of ending up in landfill.
Trading in used outdoor gear is one of the most direct ways to support a circular outdoor industry. This guide explains how the Worn Wear process works, what gear qualifies, and what alternatives exist for non-Patagonia brands.
What Is Patagonia Worn Wear?
Worn Wear is Patagonia’s program for keeping its products in active use as long as possible. It includes free repairs, secondhand sales through the Worn Wear marketplace, recycling for items beyond repair, and a trade-in system that pays customers in store credit for the gear they no longer use.
How the Patagonia Worn Wear Trade-In Process Works
Step 1: Clean Your Gear
Wash any items you plan to trade in using a mild, technical-fabric detergent. Patagonia will not accept dirty gear, and clean items are also evaluated more accurately. See our guide on biodegradable technical fabric detergents for the right products to use.
Step 2: Choose How to Trade In
You have three options: drop off the gear at a participating Patagonia retail store, mail it in using a prepaid Worn Wear shipping label, or use the online trade-in flow on Patagonia’s Worn Wear website. In-store usually gives the fastest credit; mail-in is most convenient.
Step 3: Item Inspection
Patagonia evaluates the item’s condition, brand, model, and current demand. Higher-value technical pieces like Nano Puffs, hardshells, and Better Sweaters typically receive more credit than basic baselayers.
Step 4: Receive Store Credit
Once the item is accepted, Patagonia issues store credit by email. The credit can be used at any Patagonia store or on the Worn Wear marketplace, where it stretches further on already-discounted secondhand gear.
What Gear Qualifies for Worn Wear Trade-In
- Clean, washed Patagonia-branded items
- Jackets, fleeces, baselayers, pants, shorts, and many accessories
- Items in usable condition (small wear is fine; major damage or strong odors are usually rejected)
- Backpacks and bags in many cases
Items that no longer qualify for trade-in can still be sent to Patagonia for recycling — they will not earn credit, but the materials stay out of landfill.
Alternatives to Patagonia Worn Wear
If you have non-Patagonia outdoor gear, several other brands run similar trade-in or take-back programs:
- REI Re/Supply — credit for used gear from many outdoor brands sold through REI.
- Arc’teryx ReGEAR — trade-in program for used Arc’teryx items.
- The North Face Renewed — refurbished and resold returned items.
- Cotopaxi More Gear Less Harm — small-scale resale and repair program.
- Geartrade and eBay — peer-to-peer marketplaces for selling used outdoor gear directly.
Why Trading In Used Outdoor Gear Matters
Producing new technical apparel uses significant amounts of water, energy, and petroleum-based synthetics. Trading in used gear extends its lifecycle, reduces demand for new production, and makes high-quality outdoor clothing more affordable for new owners. It is one of the highest-impact actions individual consumers can take.
Quick Summary: The Worn Wear Trade-In Process
Trading in used outdoor gear through Patagonia Worn Wear or similar programs keeps high-performance clothing in use longer, reduces textile waste, and rewards owners with store credit. Combined with regular cleaning, repair, and waterproofing, it is a core part of sustainable outdoor gear maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Worn Wear is Patagonia’s official program that lets you trade in clean, used Patagonia gear for store credit. You can drop items off in person at a Patagonia store, ship them by mail, or trade them online. Patagonia inspects the item and issues credit based on condition and demand.
Credit varies by item, condition, and current demand, typically ranging from a few dollars to over $100 for high-value pieces. The credit can be used at Patagonia stores or on the Worn Wear marketplace.
Patagonia accepts most clean, used Patagonia-branded items including jackets, fleeces, baselayers, packs, and many accessories. Items must be washed and free of major damage; some technical repair items may not qualify.
Yes. Other brands run similar programs, including Arc’teryx ReGEAR, REI Re/Supply, The North Face Renewed, and Cotopaxi More Gear Less Harm. Independent platforms like Geartrade and eBay also support secondhand outdoor gear.
Producing a new technical jacket or fleece uses significant water, energy, and synthetic materials. Reusing existing gear extends its useful life and avoids most of that environmental cost while making technical clothing more affordable for new owners.