A Bit About Us
Why the Store?
Gear Hut was established in 2018 to fill a void: to bring a used gear and consignment store to the Reno Tahoe area. Our mission is to increase access while keeping usable gear and apparel out of the landfill. With so many outdoor recreation opportunities locally, Gear Hut is your go-to shop for reasonably priced, gently used gear. The community is able use Gear Hut to consign slightly worn clothing or last season's equipment, making it easy to find the right buyer. You more details on what we take under Selling Options.
The Environment is Important!
Our goal is to foster a local outdoor culture that not only embraces our wild places while recreating, but also while shopping. Most outdoor gear and technical apparel is backed by solid product design that permits for a long life of adventure, which should be taken advantage of to it's fullest.
We regularly outgrow (physically AND ability) our equipment and clothes, so comes the question:
"What do I do with my old items?"
Consignment is an environmentally responsible way of ensuring that your gear and clothing are ending up in a new owner's hands. Rather than blindly dumping them at a donation drop off in the hopes that they make it to the shelf and find a buyer, you know the status of your items. According to statistics, 84% of donated items end up in landfills or incinerated.
On top of reducing landfill impact, buying used has the additional benefits of zero packaging waste, no shipping costs, and the elimination of chemicals/water usage due to the manufacturing demand of creating new.
"Shopping used" allows us to affordably support brands that are following sustainable practices in product development. Rather than being limited to the financial restrictions of Walmart-esque brands (cheap, poorly constructed products that are more likely to fail/end up in the landfill), folks are able to get geared up with pieces designed with the environment and longevity in mind.
WHO ARE WE?
FOUNDERS AND OWNERS
Leah and Rusty moved to Reno after a two year road trip across the United States/Canada. They hiked mountains, visited National Parks, explored the deserts, climbed rocks, and enjoyed the sun as much as possible, always chasing the good weather. After making a list of our favorite cities, they chose Reno as the place to settle down and raise a family. That family currently consists of one sassy cat, and the newest adventurer: Winnifred.
Our knowledge of the outdoors stems from our great expanse of time spent hiking, backpacking, skiing, climbing, biking and hot spring soaking.
Leah and Rusty both met in college at the University at Buffalo while studying engineering. We were both active and officers in the Outdoor Adventure Club during their time at school.
THE TEAM
Sarah
ADVENTURE PRO
"My favorite pastime is rock climbing, but when I am not getting outside you can find me studying for my engineering degree at UNR.
Big or small I always love any sort of adventure!"
Owen
ADVENTURE PRO
“I am studying Environmental Science and Political Science at UNR. I love to ski, backpack, climb, raft, endure type II fun, and advocate for the world around us.”
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Timmy
GEAR SPECIALIST
"I'm currently studying Mechanical Engineering at UNR, but when I'm not studying I love being outdoors. My favorite pastimes are climbing, hiking, camping and paddle boarding, to name a few. I love learning new hobbies and look forward to learning everything I can while I'm here."