Caring For Your Outdoor Gear

Take Care of Your Gear, and It’ll Take Care of You

Outdoor folks tend to invest a lot of money in gear—and with good reason. The right equipment makes your adventures safer, more comfortable, and a whole lot more fun. But what many people overlook is how a little time on the back end of your trip can save you serious time, money, and frustration down the line.

You know the scene: You get home from a big trip, you're tired, dreaming of a hot shower and a cold drink. So you toss your gear in the garage or a corner of the house, promising yourself you’ll deal with it later. Then—bam—it’s time for your next outing. Your gear is still sitting where you left it, smelling musty, with a broken buckle, a sticky stove, and jammed footpegs. Now you're scrambling to clean, fix, or even replace expensive items you could’ve salvaged with a bit of post-trip care.

Pro tip: A little post-adventure effort goes a long way. Wash, dry, replenish, and repair your gear after every trip. You’ll keep it functioning longer, avoid the last-minute panic, and save money in the long run.

In ocean environments, salt water is your biggest enemy. If you paddle regularly and don’t rinse your gear, you’re likely to face rusted-out rudders, skegs that won’t drop, and paddles that corrode and get stuck at the ferrule.

For backpackers and hikers, sweat is the silent destroyer. It can degrade materials, break down stitching, and shorten the life of your gear far faster than you think.

Bottom line? Take the time to care for your gear, and it’ll be ready when you are—no panic, no stink, no surprise repairs. You won’t regret it.

Gear Care After Saltwater Adventures

Your gear works hard—give it some love after every trip to keep it working for years to come. Salt, sand, and sweat are the enemies of longevity when it comes to outdoor equipment. Here's a quick guide to rinsing, drying, and maintaining your gear after paddling or coastal trips:

Sea Kayaks

• Rinse thoroughly inside and out after every use.

• Pay extra attention to foot pegs, seats, rudders, and skegs—these moving parts are prone to corrosion and jamming. You don’t want to be halfway across a windy bay with a jammed skeg or broken foot brace.

• A few times a season, spray plastic boats with 303 UV Protectant to prolong life and guard against sun damage.

Life Jackets:

• Rinse well after each trip to remove salt, sand, and sweat.

• Once a year, treat with 303 Fabric Protectant to protect the material and keep the zippers working smoothly.

Dry Bags

• Rinse the exterior and hang them upside down to dry thoroughly. Moisture = mildew.

Paddles

• Take apart after every use and rinse well, especially at the ferrule (the connecting joint).

• If you skip this step, that joint will corrode—and you’ll need superhero strength to get it apart later.

Spray Skirts

• Rinse off salt and hang to dry completely. Salt buildup can damage the material and elastic.

Stoves

• Yes, even stoves deserve a rinse—especially if you’ve been near salt water.

• Corrosion can sneak in quickly and impact performance.

Radios

• Rinse in fresh water after each use near salt water, especially waterproof VHF radios.

Waterproof Cameras

• Salt can sneak into crevices—rinse thoroughly in fresh water when you get home.

Backpacking & Hiking Gear Care Tips

After a long trip on the trail, it’s tempting to dump your pack and forget it all. But taking just a bit of time to clean and properly store your gear can make a huge difference in how long it lasts and how ready it is for your next adventure.

Backpacks

• Rinse thoroughly, especially if you spilled food or tucked snacks into side pockets.

• Leftover food = mold + rodent bait. (Who hasn’t found a fuzzy apple core in their hip belt pocket?)

• Air dry completely before storing.

Tents

• Even if you dried it at camp, set it up again at home to fully air out.

• A packed tent holds in moisture and can grow impressive mold colonies.

• Learned the hard way? You're not alone. Set it up, let it breathe.

Kitchen Gear

• If it’s dishwasher safe, toss it in. Otherwise, hand wash and dry thoroughly.

• No one wants to open their gear bin and smell last month’s chili.

Water Bladders & Bottles

• Drain, open fully, and hang to dry.

• Prevent funky smells and biofilm build-up.

Sleeping Bags

• Take them out of the stuff sack immediately. Store them loose and fluffy—not compressed.

• Compression over time damages the insulation and reduces warmth.

• Wash at the end of the season per the manufacturer’s instructions to remove sweat and oils.

Sleeping Pads

• Open the valves and let them air out.

• Check for leaks and patch if needed so you're not surprised on your next trip.

 Boots

• Open them up and let them dry completely.

• Clean off mud, re-waterproof if needed, and check laces and soles.

• Dry boots = happy feet = better hiking days.

  
  

Final Tip: Treat your gear like a trusted trail companion. Clean it, dry it, and show it some love—it’ll return the favor when you're miles from anywhere.

Bicycling Gear Care Tips

Even after a short ride, a bit of maintenance goes a long way—especially when sweat, mud, and grime are involved.

Helmets

• On sweaty days, give your helmet a quick rinse to remove salt and oils.

• At the very least, let it air out—no one wants a musty brain bucket.

Clothes

• You don’t always need to wash your bike shorts after every ride.

• But if it was a sweaty one, rinse them to protect the chamois from sweat damage and odor build-up.

Bicycles

• After muddy or dusty rides, rinse off the grime.

• Dry your bike and lube the chain if needed to prevent rust and keep things rolling smoothly.First Aid & Repair Kits

First Aid & Repair Kits

• Inventory your kits after each trip or ride.

• Replace anything you used so you’re fully stocked for the next outing. Don’t wait until you need it!

  
  

Storing Your Gear

Once everything is clean and dry, store it smart.

• Choose a cool, dry, and dark place—UV rays, heat, and moisture can all degrade your gear.

• Cabinets in a garage or closet are ideal if they stay dry and relatively climate-controlled.

• Having your gear clean, organized, and ready makes saying “yes” to the next adventure even easier.

Now get outside and enjoy your next adventure—your gear’s ready when you are.

#Backpacking #Hiking #SeaKayaking #Camping #Paddling