Maine Gear Rental
Have you ever wanted to try out outdoor gear or clothing before buying it, or needed gear for a single trip you knew you’d probably never use again? Or maybe you’re looking to get into a new outdoor adventure but can’t afford the upfront cost of the equipment or aren’t sure if you’ll enjoy it. Well, some innovative nonprofit organizations are springing up that can help!
A growing number of nonprofit Maine gear rental libraries are sprouting up across the state to make outdoor recreation accessible and affordable for everyone. They do more than just rent outdoor gear- their knowledgeable staff also teaches you how to use the gear you rent and gives you information about how to enjoy the Maine wilderness safely, no matter your adventure. Some even offer gear repairs; others will take your unwanted gear in on consignment. All of these great nonprofits are always happy to take donations of outdoor clothing and gear as well.
Additional outdoor Maine gear rental organizations are listed after the nonprofit listings that are also worth checking out. When you walk out the door from a Maine gear rental library, you’ll feel confident you’ve been outfitted to have an enjoyable, safe, and comfortable outdoor adventure!
Nonprofit Maine Gear Rental Libraries
Maine GearShare
657 Old Portland Road, Brunswick, ME
207-200-3004
info@mainegearshare.org
Facebook Page
Maine GearShare has outdoor gear for rent, offers gear repairs, and accepts donations and consignments of used outdoor gear. The organization rents apparel and footwear, everything you need for a camping trip, from tents and sleeping bags to cooking equipment, backpacks, and even a Naturalist Kit, which includes a backpack, binoculars, a birders guidebook, and a compass.
Katahdin Gear Library
Millinocket Memorial Library, 5 Maine Ave., Millinocket, ME
207-723-7020
Katahdin Gear Library rents outdoor gear year-round out of the Millinocket Memorial Library. You must be a member to rent out gear, and Katahdin Region Residents have free membership. Visitors to the region can get membership for $45/year for individuals and $150/year for households. Members can check out gear at no cost for the first 48 hours and by the day or week if the gear is needed longer.
Gear Rentals by Season:
Spring – Fall: Mountain bikes, paddle boards, kayaks, canoes
Winter: Cross-country skis, snowshoes
Year-Round: Backpacks, fat tire bikes
Kindling Collective
15 Casco St., Portland, ME
207-200-4707
info@kindlingcollective.org
Kindling Collective is a queer-centered gear library and education center offering outdoor gear rentals and classes, including trip planning, backcountry cooking, home gear repair, trips, training, and events. Their affordable membership plans include unlimited gear loans for up to 7 days, advice and guidance for trip planning, invitations to special events, access to additional gear through interlibrary loan with Maine GearShare, 25% off monthly membership at Portland Yoga Collective, and 15% off reservations at the CoHo Hostel in Conway, NH.
Skowhegan Outdoors
Main Street Skowhegan, 65 Water St., Skowhegan, ME
207-612-2571
americorps@mainstreetskowhegan.org
Skowhegan Outdoors offers free outdoor activities and training every week. Somerset County residents can rent gear from the library for free for up to five days. This Maine gear rental library is still growing and has limited quantities of items on hand, so gear requests need to be submitted at least 3 days before the rental date, and the gear library is open by appointment only.
Gear Rentals by Season:
Year-Round: Headlamps, chairs, cooking stoves, tents, binoculars, yoga mats & blocks
Summer: Canoes, SUPs, whitewater helmets, life jackets, dry bags, mountain bikes & helmets
Winter: Skis, boots & poles, ice skates, snowshoes, microspikes
University of Maine Gear Rentals
Mainely Outdoors- University of Maine Farmington
144 Quebec St., Farmington, ME
207-778-7373
athayer@maine.edu
Facebook Page
Mainely Outdoors, a part of the University of Maine at Farmington, offers equipment and gear for rent to both students and community members. The group offers trips and excursions, clinics and lessons, certification and training, and gear rentals. Students can rent gear free for one day and then rent for a low daily price each additional day. UMF Fitness & Recreation Center members receive a discount on daily rentals, and the public can rent equipment at the full daily fee.
Equipment available for rent includes canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards with all equipment, mountain bikes, skis and snowshoes, hiking and camping gear, and lawn games.
Maine Bound Adventure Center- University of Maine Orono
46 Sebago Rd. | 5795 Maine Bound, Orono, ME
207-581-1794
um.mainebound@maine.edu
Facebook Page
Maine Bound Adventure Center on the UMO campus offers a wide variety of gear and equipment for rent to both students and the public. The center offers tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks for camping, paddling equipment, including canoes, kayaks, and SUPs, along with gear like wetsuits and roof racks for transporting boats, climbing and mountaineering rentals, and XC skis and snowshoes for winter rentals.
Additional Maine Gear Rental Resources
Portland Gear Hub
Garage: 155 Washington Ave., Portland, ME
Bike School: 85 Anderson St., Portland, ME
XC Ski & Snowshoe Rentals: Oxbow Beer Garden, 420 Main St., Oxford, ME
207-761-7632
The Garage accepts donations of used outdoor gear, offers bike repairs, accepts items for consignment, and sells used outdoor gear. The Bike School offers free youth and adult programs, including Youth Wrench where kids learn to work on their bike, Open Bench Time, where anyone can come in and use the Gear Hub’s benches and tools to work on their bikes for free, and the Bikes for All Mainers where graduates of the program earn a free refurbished bicycle. During the winter months, the organization rents XC skis and snowshoes at the Oxbow Beer Garden to use on the Nordic ski trails on the property.