If you’ve ever scrambled around at the last minute trying to find your headlamp, misplaced your tent stakes, or packed way more than you needed, it might be time to rethink your gear storage and organisation. Whether you're a frequent backpacker or an occasional camper, having a solid system in place makes gearing up for the next adventure smooth and stress-free. Here are some of our top tips and best practices to keep your outdoor kit organised, easy to access, and in top condition.

1. Gear Wall: Display and Streamline Your Adventure Kit

A gear wall system is ideal if you hike and camp often, with multiple backpacks, tents, and gear for different conditions. Pegboards, shelving, drawers, and hooks give you a clear visual inventory, making it easier to grab what you need for a specific trip. It also allows wet gear to air out properly after use.

If you’ve got the space and find joy in seeing your gear beautifully arranged, why not go for the wall setup?

Pro Tips for Gear Walls:

Use closet rods and S-hooks to hang backpacks.
Add pegboard hooks for trekking poles, climbing carabiners, head torches, or cookware.

Treat it like a library system - check gear in and out as needed instead of keeping pre-packed kits that might not suit every trip.
A gear wall gives a quick visual confirmation that you have everything before heading out.

2. Bins and Bags: A System That Works

If you don’t have space or only camp a few times a year, a bin system is a great alternative. Using clear, labelled bins or nestable storage boxes keeps everything organised and protected. You can also toss in a few silica gel packets to help with excess moisture! If you’re using storage bins, make them as logical and efficient as possible.

Organisation Tips:

Use smaller bags or clear tupperware inside bins for better organisation.
Label everything so you don’t have to dig through multiple bins.
Stuff sacks are great for separating sleeping gear, dirty clothes, or electronics.
Pack backwards—the first things you need should be the last to go in.
Store gear that’s used together in the same place (e.g., cooking utensils inside the stove).

Sleeping Bag and Quilt Storage:

Never store sleeping bags or quilts compressed—keep them in a loose, breathable storage sack to maintain loft.

3. Packing Smarter: Reducing Your Gear List

One of the best ways to stay organised is to carry less. After each trip, take mental notes of what you used and what stayed untouched. A great trick is to put a small piece of coloured tape on each item you pack. If you use it, remove the tape. After a few trips, anything still marked might not be essential.

Camping and the ultralight philosophy is about simplicity, problem-solving, and enjoying nature—not hauling every piece of equipment you own.

Check out more information and handy tricks on packing for your first thru hike.

4. Colour Coding for Quick Identification

Colour coding is a fantastic way to streamline your packing and unpacking process.

A Simple Colour System for Gear Storage:

Blue – Water-related items (filters, bottles, hydration packs)
Green – First aid, Repair and general maintenance gear (paracord, duct tape, carabiners)
Orange – Fire-related gear (gas, stoves, lighters)
Yellow – Lighting (lanterns, headlamps, spare batteries)
Using coloured stuff sacks, duct tape, or tags can make finding essentials much quicker. One next-level idea? Create a laminated gear checklist to keep in your storage bin!

5. Tent Storage Best Practices

A well-maintained tent will last much longer if stored correctly.

Clean your tent after each trip following the manufacturer’s care instructions.
Ensure the tent, poles, and stakes are completely dry before storing to prevent mildew.
Avoid long-term compression—store it loosely in a breathable storage bag rather than in its tight stuff sack.
Keep it in a cool, dry, dark space, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

6. Extra Pro Tips from the Valley and Peak Team

Dan Jones, our outdoors expert, shares his top gear storage tips:

Store sleeping bags loosely — even synthetic ones — to help them maintain their shape and insulation.
Always dry your tent completely before storage to prevent mould and protect the waterproof coating.
Swap tight tent bags for pillowcases — they’re breathable and better for long-term tent storage.
Keep freeze-dried meals and gas canisters in a cool, dry place to extend their shelf life.
Avoid hanging sleeping bags long-term — down can clump and lose its loft over time.
Clean and dry cook pots thoroughly to prevent rust and keep them ready for your next adventure - you can also toss in a few silica gel packets to help with excess moisture!
Inspect all gear for damage before packing it away. If something’s broken, repair it first — it’ll prevent leaks and further damage later.
Store batteries separately — if left in devices like headtorches, they can slowly discharge, and moisture can cause short circuits.
Keep gas canisters away from flammable items — a fire-proof box is gold standard, but a garage works too. Safety first!

For more hot tips, check out these gear storage tips from our Valley and Peak ambassadors:

@nicola.navigates:

Hanging backpacks on coat hangers saves space and keeps them accessible.
Packing cubes are great for organising smaller items like socks and gloves.
Pegboards are a game-changer for small spaces—hang headlamps, cookpots, and tools.
If storing gear in a loft or garage, use rodent-proof containers—mice love tents!

@mullionvagrant:

Use whiteboard markers on storage boxes for easy labelling.
Wine crates make great DIY storage bins.
Under-bed storage works well for seasonal gear.

@jakesjourneymate:

Waterproof duffles (I love mine from Ortlieb) are class for vehicle or garage storage—they keep everything dry, especially when under-bed spaces can build up condensation in winter.
For small-space living, cushions are a storage hack! Most of the cushions in our van are stuffed with quilts, sleeping bags, and down jackets. (We try only to lean on the two not filled, so we don’t damage the down—they’re packed loose.) It’s easy storage—though the downside is trying to remember what’s where!
Shakedown hikes are a frequently used tactic before setting off on a Thru hike to dial in your gear. Just spending 3 or 4 nights testing things out can help you decide what might lighten your pack and make your days more comfortable, without spending too much. See how that feels, and what you’re inspired to get rid of afterward. And hopefully it will also confirm that hiking longer distances is something you really want to do!

@nicky.walks

A practical and well-organised outdoor camp storage setup can be dynamic, modular, and ever-changing to suit your requirements.
My set up features a 6-shelf hanging canvas storage unit with multiple compartments, perfect for keeping gear tidy and accessible. A sturdy clothes rail holds backpacks and trekking poles, with additional shelving underneath for extra storage.
Three matching hyacinth bins with hinged lids offer a natural looking way to store items like gas canisters, while a selection of soft boxes in various sizes keeps smaller accessories neatly in place.

7. Recommended Products for Storage and Organisation:

Staying organised on outdoor adventures is a breeze with this versatile lineup of gear storage and organisation essentials.

The Gregory Alpaca Camp Box 50 keeps your pantry items and taller essentials in order with a stackable, waterproof, and dustproof design, featuring a clear, smashproof lid and dual-access hinges for easy reach.

For larger gear, the Gregory Alpaca Gear Basket 70 offers a durable aluminium frame with a collapsible design that folds into a mesh bag when not in use.

Need even more capacity? The Gregory Alpaca Gear Wagon 140 delivers 140 litres of rugged, all-terrain storage on wheels, complete with a rain and sun cover and easy-fold frame for hassle-free transport.

For smaller items, the Gregory Alpaca Gear Pod 5L provides padded, structured protection and a mesh lid for visibility, making it perfect for organising essentials at home or on the trail.

When it comes to saving space inside your pack, the Sea to Summit Ultralight Evac Compression Dry Bag keeps gear compact and moisture-free with its air-permeable, waterproof design and lightweight compression straps.

For travel, Eagle Creek’s Expansion Packing Cubes offer a flexible storage solution with a durable compression zipper and mesh panels for visibility and breathability.

Finally, the FlipFuel device helps you minimise waste by consolidating leftover fuel from partially filled canisters, ensuring you only carry full ones and recycle the empties. With this well-rounded selection, you’ll keep your gear organised, protected, and ready for every adventure.

Final Thoughts

Having a well-organised gear storage system saves time, prevents last-minute packing stress, and extends the life of your equipment. Whether you go all out with a pegboard gear wall or keep it simple with a few labelled bins, the key is consistency—keep your system easy to maintain, and you’ll always be ready for the next adventure.