Some gear is fine to buy used. Some gear is a mistake to buy used. Here is how to tell.

Buy used

Cleats. The sole is the only thing that matters. If the sole is intact, used is fine. Save 50% to 70%.

Sticks (lacrosse, hockey). The flex degrades but slowly. A used stick from one season is fine. A used stick from three seasons is showing wear.

Bats (youth, non-competitive). The bat barrel doesn’t degrade fast at low usage. A $200 bat used for one rec season can be bought for $80.

Shin guards. The padding is fine. The straps wear out. Replace straps if needed for $5.

Backpacks and bags. They get dirty. They don’t get dangerous.

Practice jerseys, sweat pants, base layers. Wash them. They’re fine.

Don’t buy used

Helmets. The internal foam degrades and breaks down silently. A helmet that looks fine on the outside may have lost 50% of its protection. Always buy new.

Mouthguards. Hygiene reasons. Buy new. They’re $5.

Football pads. The padding degrades. Used pads can fail in impact moments.

Skates. The boot can be re-baked, but if the previous owner had a different foot shape, the boot has formed to them. New is better unless the skates are nearly unworn.

Goalkeeper gloves. The grip wears out. Used gloves are slick. New is necessary.

The age factor

For under-10, used is almost always fine. The kid is not playing at a level where gear quality differences matter.

For 10 to 13, mixed. The kid’s body is changing fast and gear that fits today may not fit in three months. Used helps.

For 13+, new starts to matter more. The kid is playing harder and the equipment performance differences become real.

The cost math

Used gear from local marketplace apps or team families. 40% to 70% off retail.

Used gear from sporting goods consignment stores. 30% to 50% off retail.

End-of-season sales on new gear. 30% to 60% off retail.

Pre-season sales on new gear. 10% to 25% off retail.

The “good enough” version

For most kids most of the time, used or end-of-season-discounted new gear is the right buy. The latest model isn’t necessary.

The exception. If your kid is playing at a level where gear performance affects game results, buy current-year. Otherwise, last year’s model is fine.

The thing parents over-buy

Branded backpacks. The team-specific backpack is $80 and is a status item. A regular backpack is $30 and works.

Branded warm-up gear. The branded zip-up is $90. A regular hooded sweatshirt is $25.

Branded water bottles. $30 vs $8. Same water in both.

Skip the brand on the non-essential. Save the budget for the essential.

The check before you buy used

Inspect physically when possible. Smell the gear. If it smells like mildew, walk away. The mildew has gotten into the foam and won’t come out.

For online buys, ask for clear photos. Soles, helmets’ inside, padding’s seams.

The sale check

Mid-season is the worst time to buy. End-of-season and pre-season are the best.

Plan ahead. Buy next year’s gear at the end of this year’s season. The kid will grow into it.

The rule of thumb

Helmets and protective gear: new.

Performance gear: case by case. Used is often fine.

Aesthetic gear: used or skip.

Wearables that touch the body: hygiene first, then cost.

The shorter version

Used gear works for most things. Helmets, mouthguards, and goalkeeper gloves are the hard exceptions. Save the money on the rest.

The kid plays just as well. The budget breathes.