Used paddling gear just got easier to find. Wheat Ridge, Colo.’s Down River Equipment, a leading river equipment supplier and manufacturer, just launched a new Used Gear program, becoming the first in the rafting market to offer this service to the river community.
“Over the years we’ve brainstormed about how we could offer used rafts and river gear year-round,” says DRE co-owner Phil Walczynski. “When Covid forced us to change the format of Raftopia, it gave us the impetus to start buying and selling used rafting equipment. The Used Gear program is set up so customers can purchase and sell used gear online any time of year.”
Down River designed the program to streamline how used equipment is purchased and sold, minimize waste by extending the life-cycle of gear, and put valuable river gear in the hands of those who need it most. Now, in addition to shopping Down River’s custom frame packages, sewn goods, and other product offerings, customers can sell and purchase used gear.
Upward trend
According to a recent research report by ThredUp, the preowned outdoor gear market is projected to soar to $77 billion by 2025, doubling what it is today. Down River Equipment’s roots in Raftopia coupled with their 40+ years of experience designing custom rigs laid a strong foundation for launching a used gear marketplace that is reliable and trusted. The program was inspired by the evolution of Raftopia, a widely recognized event that has been around since the beginning of the company’s existence. Raftopia started as a consignment sale and evolved into a used boat sale, new gear sale, and manufacturer’s exhibition that drew 2,000 rafters over a three-day event in April.
Products customers and buy and sell within the Used Gear Program include rafts, catarafts, stand-up paddleboards (SUP), inflatable kayaks, coolers, dry-boxes, oars, and frames. Down River’s in-house experts verify the quality and integrity of all used gear from sellers before accepting offers and putting them online for buyers to shop.
“We have seen a lot of different gear from many manufacturers over the years so, we know what to look for,” adds program manager Tripp Arnold. “I’m excited to spearhead a new program at Down River that provides a service to the river community and reduces our impact on the environment.”
Info: downriverequip.com.
About Down River Equipment
Down River Equipment has been manufacturing and supplying the best river equipment since 1985. The company is owned and operated by river runners with a breadth of experience to assist customers with all of their river needs. Down River Equipment specializes in the custom fabrication, distribution, and retail of equipment for all types of river adventures. All products manufactured by Down River are made in Colorado and they are best known for their quality custom frames. They also manufacture dry boxes, sewn goods, tables, pumps, and cargo gear. In addition to their manufacturing operation, Down River sells river gear and distributes Hyside, AIRE, Rocky Mountain Rafts, Sawyer, Carlisle, Advanced Composite, and Engel among many others. Swing by Down River Equipment to experience some of the best craftsmanship and customer service in the industry. Visit downriverequip.com to learn more.
