Take a thorough inventory of your equipment, checking for any signs of wear and tear. Inspect tent seams, zippers, and stakes, ensure that your sleeping bag is clean and in good condition and check your camping sleeping pad or HEST mattress for any holes. This project not only ensures that your gear is ready for action but also provides an opportunity to repair or upgrade items if needed. Plus, a lot of brands will repair your gear for free, just head to their website or store to check the warranty.
If you have to ask yourself when was the last time you washed your camping gear, you probably need to give it a deep clean! Look up the brand’s website on how to properly clean your gear, so nothing shrinks, gets less waterproof or breaks while washing. All HEST mattresses and bedding comes with a machine washable cover, making it easy to keep all of your gear clean! If you’re washing any outerwear, tents, down or footwear we suggest Nikwax. They have products for most everything outdoors to keep your gear in tip top condition.
After you’ve gone through, taken inventory of your gear and cleaned it all, you’ll be able to gauge what needs replacing or an upgrade. Have you gotten really into backpacking and need more gear for that? Or is the camp kitchen calling your name? Take advantage of the winter downtime to research and invest in new equipment that aligns with your camping goals. Whether it's a lighter tent, a more comfortable sleeping system, or advanced outdoor cooking gear, these upgrades can significantly enhance your comfort and efficiency during camping trips.
Our gear closets seem to always be overflowing and the more time we spend outside, the more hobbies we want to try! Gear organization is the best way to make sure all your gear doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. If you have the space, getting big storage bins with lids is a great way to have your gear organized by activity or season without looking too cluttered. You can even go the extra mile and label the bins so you don’t have to guess what is in each bin when you’re packing for your next camping trip. Once you’ve gone through and organized all your gear, be sure to take what you don’t use and sell or donate it to your local second-hand gear shop so it gets a new life!
There is no time like the present to start planning for a summer of fun! Whether you want to do that cross-country road trip, pull permits for your dream river trip or book that dream campsite - planning ahead will always be more beneficial than not. Start looking up when permits open for river trips, campsites or hikes and ensure you submit before the deadlines. Plus, there may be early-bird booking deals when you book far in advance which can save you money in the long run.
