Gear Organization?

[Matt W.]

Between hunting, hiking, camping, and the general outdoor lifestyle a lot of gear gets utilized and thrown around. I do my best to organize my gear, but every now and then, either I can't find something, or I find something I forgot I had!! : ) Being that I just moved, and am having to redo everything, I thought it might be helpful (both to me and others) to see what others do in terms of organizing your gear.

Ideally I will utilize tubs and shelves and a cloud based spreadsheet to track things (mainly to make sure I don't already have something before jumping on a deal!). : )

I have seen some pretty good systems and thought before I went to crazy I'd see if I could learn or thing or two.

 

[Rich M]

I was having the same issues and got tired of buying a 2nd or even 3rd item that I already had. Most of my stuff is/was in totes and difficult to keep track of.

Bought some salvaged high school lockers - 12 inch x 18 inch , 1/2 length, and full length sizes. Pressure wash and sand, repaint and got 2 in my garage and 2 waiting to get put into a storage area.

The only downside is keeping stuff locked - that's a lot of locks, cable locks work okay but aren't quite long enough to do 2 rows of 12 inch lockers with 1 cable lock.

 

[Gulfgoose]

Start out the year with everything in plastic bins on a rack by species. Halfway through the season everything is in a pile in the back seat of the pickup.
Plus side is I never forget anything, always have at least one in the truck and can throw the gun in and go at a moments notice.

 

[RichP]

Tubs and shelves. all fishing gear together, hunting gear together, Large steel cabinet for ammo and reloading supplies. Biggest thing is always put everything back where it belongs. Nothing worse than tearing everything apart looking for something I know I have!

 

[Catahoula]

All of my outdoor equipment is organized on shelves either on its own or in clear plastic bins and labeled. I have two shelving units 72”x72” utilized for this. Obviously one is not going to “need” it all. However, I certainly know where all the “junk” is stored.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

I struggle with this as well. I have put all knives not in use into a bin. Considering the same with light sources (flashlights, headlamps, etc), stoves, and the like. How specific are your bins? Are they labeled "camping stuff" or "blue Bic Mini lighters"? (obvious sarcasm in the lighter label, but you get the point.

 

[Bassman]

About two years ago I started doing exactly what you are describing with clear bins, shelves and a spreadsheet. I use two different size sterilite containers: 16qt and 54qt (I think) with snap lids. I label each one with a typed number and high-level category (i.e. Sleep System) in a larger font and bolded. Then, I will put bullet points in smaller font of what exactly is contained in the container (i.e. Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent + stakes, etc). The number, category and sub-categories make it simple to index your gear list in excel for future reference/revision. I decided not put the specific item as a bullet point on the labels because I did not want to change it every time I swapped gear, although the indexed spreadsheet is more descriptive and specific. For my “Baselayer” bin (or anything that is generic/have multiples of) I will label it as follows: Merino LS top (Grey) x2, Merino hoodie (brown) x2, etc. I like the bins because you can see what is in them and they are stackable. I would recommend committing to a single brand and fewer sizes so they can stack together more easily. I’d rather have multiple boxes for a category (and be more specific in my labeling) than a hodge-podge of container sizes that become a puzzle when you pull one out. The containers also make it easy to chuck gear in your vehicle when it is go time. All this is stored on cheap shelving from Ikea.

Specific examples of bin labeling:

1. Sleep System (bolded and large font size)

• Tent, poles & Stakes
• Tyvek
• Sleeping bag
• Compression sack
• Sleeping pad
• Pillow

Excel will describe the specific product and include more detail. I will also label sub bullets so that it represents an index (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc). Will also include item description/best uses for gear and weight in separate columns. Mine is modeled after the Outdoorsman gear list

1. Sleep System (bolded and large font size)

• 1.1 Tent, poles & Stakes
• 1.2 Tyvek (9x5)
• 1.3 Sleeping bag: Lost Dog 15 degree
• 1.4 Compression sack
• 1.5 Sleeping pad
• 1.6 Pillow

 

[Jason__G]

I am currently between seasons and going through the same thing. Thinking about doing a garage over-head system kind of like the one below to keep things accessible and keep the mice away.


Should be easy to build and customize to make it so that each bin can easily be accessed from one end. Also will get most of my stuff out of the bedroom which will make the wife happier.

 

[justinspicher]

I run a Rubbermaid tote with all my goods for an outing in it but food. I can throw it in my truck and pick what i do and don’t need wherever I end up. At the end of a trip it all gets washed and repacked for the next outing.

Having less junk really helps. I am not going to lie, I went through ALOT of gear to get to the point I am now.

 

[dtrkyman]

I have some stuff stored after a move at a machine shed on a hunting property, put a bunch of hunting clothes in a chest freezer. Keeps the critters out!

 

[Shraggs]

ha we all do the same thing! tubs and totes and labels.

i don't use a spread sheet tho, just don't have that kind of time despite being ocd on my gear.

what i did decide a long time ago, its worth a few extra bucks to duplicate stuff so i don't have to go find it!

i must have 12 sets of base layers, some are in winter steel head fishing, some in local deer hunting tub and some are in my western hunting totes.

electronics, optics, weapons - ok i draw the line there they all go in the gun cabinet...

 

[rlmmarine]

This is what i due for everthing i dont want the mice or heat to mess up
It works sort of

 

[longspeak74]

I run totes based on season and species...Elk, early bow, late bow, gun, Turkey, etc. Also keep all my cams and related optics in a separate tote.

 

[JES]

Totes are the best option to organize I think. I had a clear one, nice to be able to see what's in it without having to empty it. I bought a rolling tote this year, just makes it easier to drag it out tot he truck, etc.