A good deal – for consumers who buy shell jackets secondhand
Consumers who choose to buy their shell jackets secondhand often get more functionality than the price tag indicates. This is shown in a new study that examined four different properties of secondhand jackets and compared the results with the price of the garments in stores.
"What we have seen is that the price falls faster over time than the functionality," says Louisa Nilsson, doctoral student at the Sports Tech Research Centre at Mid Sweden University.
Louisa Nilsson recently had an article published in the journal Sustainability. It is based on a study that examines the functionality of a number of shell jackets acquired secondhand, more specifically their waterproofness, water repellency, air permeability and breathability. The status of the garments has then been compared with the price that the stores have chosen to set.
The garments that Louisa Nilsson has examined have been cut into pieces and tested using various methods.
"We have not found any previous study that looks at the functionality of shell jackets that have been used and worn over time, but there are studies that look at how individual aging factors such as washing, UV radiation, etc. affect shell fabrics," But then the aging of the fabric is carried out in the lab and the amount of aging is predetermined. What we have done is that we have looked at actually used products and their status when they reach a second-hand store.
"The second part of the study is about the comparison with price, where we have seen that the price of shell jackets falls faster over time than functionality. This is interesting because previous studies show that one of the reasons why people choose not to buy second-hand is that they are unsure of the product's functionality," says Louisa Nilsson.
She goes on to say that for a shell jacket, for example, it is difficult to determine how water-repellent and waterproof it is just by looking at it. It is therefore a challenge for second-hand stores to set a price that corresponds to the actual functionality of the jackets and that consumers can trust.
Great opportunities for a stronger second-hand market
"We see that shell jackets are generally better than you as a consumer might expect. How can you communicate this to the consumer? Can you create some type of functionality label for used shell jackets?
Louisa Nilsson's research questions are based on the feasibility study carried out in the research and collaboration programme Mistra Sport & Outdoors, which looked at the possibility of developing non-destructive test methods that can easily be carried out in second-hand shops to determine the functionality of shell jackets.
Test pieces of shell jackets in the lab.
"The target group for shell jackets in many cases has high demands on the product. You want to be confident with your garment and know that it works. Creating a functionality label could increase interest in used shell jackets and thus also increase the interest of manufacturers to create products that last longer," she concludes.
The article will be included in Louisa Nilsson's licentiate thesis, which is planned for this autumn. Read the article here.