End of Summer Tips for Gear Maintenance

A Little TLC and Prep for Storage!

Before you hang up your gear for the season, it is important to make sure you give your gear a thorough once over for damage or wear and tear.

Taking a little time to inspect your gear, clean it, and store it properly will help it last longer and also ensure it is “ready to go” next year. And, if a third-party fix or warranty is required, the “off season” is a great time to send your gear away.

Inspection Tips: Clothing, Tents, Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Pads, Backpacks, etc.

• Look for wear or damage - tears or fraying in fabric
• Check for cracks, pitting, loss of texture, delamination or discoloration in metal
• Identify damaged or gaps in fabric seams, stitch points, taping or welds and rivets
• Inspect webbing straps, buckles, or other clips/attachment points
• Ensure that any elastic or bungie style cordage can be stretched and will rebound to its intended length
• Test your zippers and inspect for wear, missing teeth, or lack of proper sealing
• Scan for matting or lack of loft in insulation materials

Many of these things you may be able to repair yourself with repair tape, a sewing kit, if you are handy, or even just by cleaning.  If this is not your skill set or you feel it may require a professional touch, reference the brand’s website to see if they offer suggestions for repairs options.

Assuming everything is in good shape, take time to clean your kit before you store it for the winter months. A favorite brand for cleaning fabrics is Nikwax. They have products specifically to clean just about every piece of gear without leaving scents or a residue.  Many pieces of gear, especially in the Southwest, pick up lots of dust between the fibers. Over time this can abrade the materials and cause them to degrade faster. With a large plastic tote, some water, Nikwax, and some elbow grease, you can extend the life of your gear and even improve its performance. 

Inspecting and Cleaning/Maintaining: Easily overlooked items

Does the zipper on your tent or sleeping bag taking more effort than usual to open? Wash them with Tech Wash taking time to scrub the zippers with a small brush like a toothbrush. If you want to go the extra mile, after everything is dry, run a #2 pencil along the teeth. The graphite fragments act like lubrication and help the zipper work easier.

Is your sleeping bag not as warm as it used to be? Wash it with Tech Wash or Down Wash. Make sure to tumble dry on low heat afterward with Drier balls or Tennis Balls.

Is your white gas stove not putting out as many BTUs as it used to? Time to break it apart and flush out the fuel line and inspect the O rings.  Many companies offer cleaning and maintenance kits (e.g., MSR)

Make sure you have all your tent stakes and guy wires and they are in good working order.

Mix a small amount of bleach with water or come pick up some Bottle Bright to clean out your water reservoirs, bottles, or dromedary bags before putting them away.  Store them open and dry.

Clean or back flush your water filter and inspect for cracks, debris or mold growth.

A few for climbing…

Want to get the most out of your climbing rope? Grab some Sterling Rope Wash and give it a thorough wash to remove dust and dirt. The rock dust a rope accumulates can speed up the wear process.

Inspect your slings, webbing, harnesses, protection, and other climbing soft goods for excessive wear and abrasion.  How old are they?  Depending use and storage, 10 years is the time to consider replacing.

And take a good look at your protection, belay devices, and climbing shoes for wear and tear.  Remember, most climbing shoes can be resoled.  (We’ve got some places for you.)

Inspect your SLCD triggers and cables and take time to lube up your cams before storing them.  Black Diamond (BD) does sell trigger kits (available at the Chalet) or have BD do it for you:  Black Diamond.  They can also re-sling them for you, too.

Storage Tips

Store your sleeping bag so that the insulation inside remains as lofted as possible.  Remove it from its compression sack and use a large storage bag (most sleeping bags come with one). If you have space, you can also hang them over a clothes hanger in a closet.

Store your sleeping pad with the intake valve open folded over a clothes hanger or flat under your bed to prevent any mold growth from condensation inside.

Take the time to fold and roll your tent after inspection, cleaning, and repair.

Make sure to remove batteries from any electronics before putting them in long term storage. 

After cleaning, give ample dry time to any water storage or purifying gear you are putting away. Make sure you store them without the lid on so that they do not grow any mold.

We would love to hear your favorite or most useful gear storage or maintenance tips for storage between seasons!

Come by the Chalet if you have any questions.  And we're happy to check over your gear with you!