Hiking Storage: How To Properly Store Your Hiking Gear

Whether you enjoy summiting fourteeners or trudging through the woods, storing hiking equipment is an essential skill for outdoor enthusiasts. The team at Glacier West has compiled hiking gear storage tips to help you stay organized and protect your equipment for your next adventure.

Outdoor Gear Storage Solutions

An array of outdoor equipment lying on the grass, including an ax, water shoes, rope, and carabiners.

Regardless of what time of year you hit the trails, hiking equipment care and storage should be a year-round priority. Deciding where to keep your equipment is vital for reliable long-term storage for hiking gear. Here are some spaces you may be able to find the room you need.

Home Storage for Hiking Gear

You may have a spot in your garage or shed to make into a seasonal storage space with a touch of spring cleaning. However, the space you choose should accommodate the changing seasons, as excessive hot or cold temperatures could harm items stored in drafty basements and attics.

Storage Units for Hiking Equipment

For a stable hiking storage environment with consistently regulated temperatures, consider a heated storage unit. This specialized space is ideal for winter when your summer equipment won’t be used much.

Hiking Gear Organization Tips

Outdoor recreational gear including a helmet, life jacket, carabiners, and ropes hanging on a wall.

Once you’ve chosen your preferred spot for efficient hiking gear storage, it’s time to get everything in order. Protecting hiking gear involves creating a system for staying organized and keeping all your equipment in its proper place. Here are our storage tips to help you prepare for the next hiking season.

General Outdoor Gear Storage Tips

Keep it clean. Before storing your gear, thoroughly clean everything, repairing what is broken in the process.
Separate your stuff. Organize your things by category and activity. If you take any of your equipment out more frequently, make it more accessible than longer-term storage items.
Use proper containers. Invest in quality storage bins to block out moths, dust, and dew, labeling the outside so you know what you’ve packed away.
Store vertically. Stack bins according to which season is coming up next, and use hooks to keep your floor clear.

Backpack Storage Ideas

Before hanging backpacks up, clean them thoroughly and toss out excess food and wrappers lurking in pockets. Store small tools like knives and flashlights inside to save space and prepare for your next trip.

Storing Hiking Boots

At the end of the season, use a boot cleaning kit to give your boots some TLC. For leather boots, use a conditioning treatment to help prevent cracking. Completely dry your footwear before placing it in storage.

Tent Storage Tips

Help prepare your tent for your next camping trip by storing it in a non-airtight container, such as a loose bag. Wash and dry the fabric before packing it away, and bundle the tent inside a soft bag or pillowcase, placing it alongside your folded tent poles.

Keep Your Hiking Gear Secured at Glacier West Self Storage

Your living space may not have the room to store all your outdoor equipment responsibly. Glacier West is your go-to spot for recreational storage in the Pacific Northwest. From exploring Mount Rainier to venturing into the Vancouver wilderness, having a reliable place to return your gear is essential.

Discover affordable self storage at a Glacier West location near you, and contact us today to find your space!