If you’re into camping, then you probably have a lot of gear and equipment for it. Tents, tarps, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, etc. - it all starts to add up. And this can lead to your garage or basement looking like a junk pile in between your trips to the great outdoors. It’s no surprise either, after a refreshing (yet exhausting) excursion it’s often tempting to just shove everything in the trunk then throw it in a corner when you get home, feeling no regret until it’s time for the next trip and current-you becomes extremely disappointed in past-you. (I know I’m certainly guilty of doing this…)
But there are plenty of pros behind organizing your gear like: preventing additional wear and tear due to poor storage, saving you money from less gear loss/replacement, saving you time and reducing frustration when packing for the next trip, and more. However, if you’re not already organized it can feel a bit overwhelming to get all that equipment sorted and arranged. So here are some steps you can take to organize that camping gear at home
Pick a spacious location that's dry and protected from extreme temperatures. Basements, closets, and garages (if they're not too humid) are common choices. This'll help keep your gear from deteriorating and wearing out quicker, as well as prevent it from getting all musty and stinky.
If you can, put up shelves and hanging solutions like pegboards to really optimize the use of the space and make access to your gear easy. Adjustable shelves are great for customizing to your specific needs and modifying over time as your gear changes. Just be sure to get sturdy, well-built shelving that can withstand the weight of the gear you'll be putting on it. And pegboards are great for arranging and hanging gear that you'll need access to more frequently, such as backpacks. Plus a well-organized pegboard can be beautiful sight, almost like wall art.
If you don't already have some, get clear bins or containers and labels to put on them. This will make it easy to spot what's inside and grab what you need. And of course, try to buy used or sustainably produced containers or repurpose anything you might otherwise throw away! There are also some pretty cool container solutions made from recycled plastic like the SIDIOCRATE from SIDIO which have dividers so you can organize at an even finer level of detail.
Now it's time to start sorting through your gear and figuring out what you have. Start off by laying out all your camping gear on the floor in a spacious area. Next, group similar items together into categories. Common categories include: shelter (tent, stakes, ground tarp), sleeping (sleeping bags, pads, pillows), cooking & food (stove, fuel, pots, food items), clothing, personal items (toiletries, first aid), tools, and lighting.
With your gear all sorted and categorized, you can now put it in the storage containers. Don't forget to label the containers with the appropriate category. Next, if you have shelving, put the heaviest containers on the bottom shelves and lighter containers on the top. This will keep the shelves stable and from toppling over. Depending on the amount of containers you have, it'll also make access easier if you put the containers you get stuff from the most towards the front. Lastly, put any non-containerized gear on the shelves or hang it up on the pegboards (or another hanging solution).
With Kwipoo, you can keep track of where you put your Things by using Places and Spots
If you’re just getting back from a trip, make sure to clean and dry all the gear you used before storing it to prevent mold (and getting dirt everywhere). This includes airing out tents and sleeping bags and ensuring stoves are free from leftover food or grease. You should also do some quick checks for any damage (don’t want any surprises on the next trip!) For the extra-motivated, periodically check gear you haven’t used in a while to make sure it’s still in tip-top shape.
Use Services in Kwipoo to track the maintenance you or someone else has done on your gear.
What might be the hardest part for some people is sustaining the habit of keeping your gear organized. That’s why it’s important to put in the effort to organize it well so that it’s as easy as possible to keep it that way. Try to stay on top of it - the more you stray away from being organized, the more difficult it will be to get back in the habit. And for extra motivation, join communities based around camping and/or organizing so you’ll have some people to help keep you accountable!
By having a systematic approach to organizing and storing your camping gear, you'll be better prepared for each trip, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable outdoor experience.
