Gear for Every Explorer
Montana’s Secondhand Gear Stores
Written by: Paige Mongon
Montana’s reputation is largely rooted in the outdoors: from skiing, to backpacking, to fishing, this state has so much to offer, garnering it the title ‘The Last Best Place.’ It is a fitting phrase — one which invokes visions of untamed wilderness, jagged mountain peaks and sprawling coniferous forests. As Brad Baumann, owner of the used gear store Second Wind Sports (Second Wind) in Bozeman, says,
“You can throw a rock and find something to do.”
Though few and far between, stores like Second Wind are a defining feature of Montana’s flourishing outdoor community. Sourced from within the community, for the community, pre-owned gear plays a critical role in getting Montanans outside.
Two such secondhand gear stores are Second Wind and Play It Again Sports. Second Wind is located at 15 W. Olive St. in Bozeman, Montana. It sells a wide range of sports and outdoor equipment, a reflection of the myriad of activities found here. All materials are sourced from community members who sell their old gear on consignment, and Baumann estimates that the store takes in 400 to 500 items per day, a number that can skyrocket to as much as 900 in the winter. Of these items, Baumann only takes “the cream of the crop,” with 70% of what is sold going directly back to the original owners. Because his store is already stocked with choice inventory from previous years of donations, he can afford to be more selective, ensuring that customers have access to quality merchandise. Whatever isn’t kept in the store is then placed in the free bin in Second Wind’s parking lot or donated to various local organizations such as Haven; nothing goes to waste.
With such an extensive collection of gear, Baumann describes his store as “controlled chaos.”
When you walk in, you are met with a riot of color, surrounded by all manner of gear.
It is a store of opportunity — if you want to break into a new sport, this is the place to come to. “We don’t have an ego,” Baumann assures, an encouraging nod to newcomers who may be intimidated by the outdoor scene. Knowledgeable not only about the layout of Second Wind, but also about the outdoors in general, Baumann’s staff are there to help customers navigate any questions they may have.
Play It Again Sports off 1115 10th Ave. South in Great Falls, Montana, much like Second Wind, is a consignment shop which caters to the outdoors. Josiah Mazaira, a manager at Play It Again Sports, echoed many of Baumann’s sentiments. He also emphasized the range of gear sold, the passion and skill set of the employees. The picture he painted was one of accessibility, of a store which exists for all interested in getting outside. New gear isn’t cheap; new skis can cost upwards of $900, boots can range from $500 to $700, poles can be anywhere from $75 to $200, plus a $200 to $300 helmet. Breaking into a new sport can be pricey — yet with secondhand gear stores, this price becomes much more manageable, feasible. Beginners can find used skis for as little as $100, boots for $60 — it is a great way to save money.
When asked who his most common customers are, Mazaira described them as a “mixture,” unable to nail down a specific demographic. Baumann concurred, saying he sees everyone from college students to the unhoused to members of the Yellowstone Club. For this reason, he classifies Second Wind as “one of the last community holdouts in Bozeman.”
Noting the range of people he sees every day, Baumann talked not only about breaking into new outdoor activities, but also the importance of community. His store offers an ‘in-need family fund’ to provide financial assistance for those who cannot afford necessities like sleeping bags.
Second Wind also sells clothing , which Baumann made a special point of emphasizing.
A winter coat is essential in Bozeman where temperatures are prone to dipping below freezing, and Second Wind is an affordable place to purchase one. Though a large part of Second Wind is about providing an inexpensive way for people to get outside, it is also about supporting the community. “I have a sign on my store that says, ‘Open to all,’ and I mean it,” Baumann stated, adding that inclusivity is extremely important to him.
Montana’s outdoor community is defined by like-minded people, fostering a strong sense of the outdoors through shared passions. Secondhand gear stores offer a solution to the prohibitively expensive nature of many of the outdoor sports, providing a space where all are welcome and invited to share in the recreational activities Montana has to offer.