Great video, Doug! I need to go through and do a purge- and maybe a video of the stuff I wasted money on, like a macro filter. I finally got things organized into drawers this summer, which was an upgrade from the old, citronella-stained cardboard box it was all stored in before that, with my car camping gear. 🤣🤷🏼♀️🏕 One day maybe I will have a gear room à la Dan Becker (I dream of putting my bear canisters on “display” in the office…), but in the meantime, the garage and closets will have to do. It’s always fun for the OCD to go through it all. 😁😜
Great video Dan! I do something similar, but I put the daypack and backpack gear into a bin along with the backpack. I also have a bins for car camping kitchen, snow camping, and all my cold weather gear. I have about as much gear as you do. LOL! I struggle a little with the categories, but I do that too with all the odds and ends. I have a drawer for cooking, lighting, safety, small packs and stuff sacks, rain gear, hygiene and finally, a stuffed drawer full of cordage, buckles and all the other weird little things that I need from time to time. My gear closet shares with all my photography and video gear, plus lighting. You have reminded me I need to do a little spring cleaning so I’m as organized as you!
In a small space with limited closets, flatter storage containers that fit under the bed are a game changer! I'm only storing sleeping bags in the closet now.
Ahhh, the satisfaction of a day spent organizing gear. My issue is my tiny apartment, so my living room is also my gear storage. Fortunately I live by myself so it’s not an issue. Nicely done!
Hey Doug! My buddy and I are hiking the Soberanes Canyon Trail to Doud Peak in Garrapata State Park (just south of Carmel Ca) this Saturday. Should be getting started around 9:30-10 am Saturday morning. If you have time you should join us for what looks like an extremely memorable hike! Happy Trails!
Probably busy but if Saturday opens up this looks like a great hike and I'll let you know! Beautiful area for sure, I took a buddy out near there a few months ago and it's a spectacular coastline. :)
I think my method is close to what you did with a couple small exceptions, because I have a little more size to work with. First, it's just the wife and I in a 2,000sf house, so we have space. One of the four closet in our bedroom we use for storing coats/seasonal outerwear. That's gives me all the room to store all hiking clothes and boots for all 4 seasons. There's a lot, because of living in NH, seasons vary greatly. All my boots/shoes are stacked in their original boxes, with only the current season footwear sitting on the floor. This is also where I store whatever backpack I'm using for that current season for day hikes. This pack is kept ready to go, including food, except for water. We then have our second-floor storage (10' x 22') room. Our basement is damp, so nothing is stored there. I have a couple storage selves that hold my packages of freeze-dried food. It's very common for me to have close to 100 meals at any one time. My main equipment storage is in a 6' x 8' walk-in closet off this room. Everything in that closet is stored in bins by category. Another consideration when it comes to organization is your actual backpack. I have more packs than any 10 hikers should have, but my primary packs are the Osprey Stratos 26L, Stratos 36L and Stratos 50L. The nice thing about this is that except for size, they are all basically the same pack. They are all top-loaders with brains, side water bottle pockets, hip belt pockets and some type of front stash pocket. This makes switching packs in a hurry and knowing where everything is when on the trail easier. An example, I know which ever pack I'm using, the top pocket on the brain will always and only contain my first-aid kit. water filtration system and my "Poop Kit". The under the lid pocket only contains my car keys and ID. I should NEVER lose my car kays, because there's no reason for me to ever go into that pocket while on trail. Hope this give others some ideas.
Glad you posted this as I desperately need to organize my closet. I generally keep my backpack stuffed with all the basic things that go on an overnighter minus my quilt. I just need to organize the rest of the stuff. Currently, my closet looks like it is vomiting outdoor gear.
Once again, Doctor, you prove yourself the Master! Disorder is my middle name, so I appreciate the tips. Was that a Foxelli mattress with pillow I saw? Hey, I've got one of those! Thanks much Doug!
With 4 kids I feel like all I do is fight chaos some days LOL! Yeah you saw our matching Foxelli gear didn't ya? :) Good to hear from you buddy. When's our next hike?
@@BackcountryPilgrim I love Lassen! Could you get a couple of days off in a couple of months to go? I'm dealing with some family health problems right now, but we can remain in contact.
Hi Doug my good news is that I do not have that much gear and what I have I organize by category. One segment of that categorization is that I keep all of my base layers, hats, buffs and gloves segregated in a moth proof storage container which my wife purchased on QVC. When it is time to pack I pull up my Gear Grams app and pack away.
Yes I go with the like pieces together method generally. I don't have a very good area set aside for it yet either though. All the backpacks are in a pile in he corner of the basement...Haha that checking your bag to make sure everything is out of it gets us every time. I'll look and look and look for something and come to find out... its still in a pack!
I’ve been thinking about reorganizing my gear. I like your hybrid idea. I switch things up so often I’d probably lose stuff. What I need is to re home things I no longer use/love. That would thin everything out. It’s overwhelming so I probably won’t do anything 😂 You’re results look good though!
I'm all in on category. Hadn't thought about an event bin, in my current case, a basic winter trip. I'll do your system with a hybrid of your hybrid. I often do back to back trips so my pack sits at the end of a couch for a couple of days mostly unpacked. Sometimes not because I switch packs often depending on the water carry and temp. The problem I have is all my bins are full by category so if I have a new bin for let's say a basic winter trip I'll have to get rid of stuff to have one less bin for the new bin. Decisions to be made.
So do you have to pull everything out of the big pack before heading out in order to pack it correctly or is it mostly packed correctly as is and just needing additional stuff added? If you have the room, and if it's a common thing to lend a full pack to a friend, would setting up a spare pack be beneficial? One thought I have is taping a clear sheet protector onto your bins and then you can print out a list of what's in them for quicker searches. You can use a dry erase pen on the protector when you pull something out and then wipe it clean when it's put back.
I just toss everything in the oak because u always pack for each trip from scratch. It's just a lot faster this way. I've never had to loan an entire loadout so for me two packed packs would be overkill, but I like the idea of having all the backup gear in one 0lace. Hmmmm.... I also like the plastic sheet idea! Right now I just keep notes on my phone.
@@BackcountryPilgrim I definitely understand the packing for each trip, i was just curious how organized the packs were while being stored. I used the plastic sheet idea for work as a checklist. What's nice is depending on how you print it out, if you loan stuff out beyond trips going with you, you can write the names of who has what. Lots of options based on what you print, phone obviously works too, but I also like seeing on the outside what's inside so I'm not opening everything to find what I'm looking for. I have a long way to go to get organized myself but I'm also just beginning my journey.
Drop your storage tips below, I can sure use them!
Going through your gear is extremely rewarding. I found my favorite knife and my spare car key I’d been missing for months (:
Bonus!
Great video, Doug! I need to go through and do a purge- and maybe a video of the stuff I wasted money on, like a macro filter. I finally got things organized into drawers this summer, which was an upgrade from the old, citronella-stained cardboard box it was all stored in before that, with my car camping gear. 🤣🤷🏼♀️🏕 One day maybe I will have a gear room à la Dan Becker (I dream of putting my bear canisters on “display” in the office…), but in the meantime, the garage and closets will have to do. It’s always fun for the OCD to go through it all. 😁😜
Sounds like you're on your way. Yeah we can't all be paid to show off our gear lol!
@@BackcountryPilgrim maybe someday!
Thanks Doug, I don't have as much stuff as you, but I do need to organize my gear. Thanks for the tips!
Right on!
My gear seems to be harum-scarum no matter what system I use. I glad you figured out one that might work for you 😉
Yeah well see how long it lasts haha!
Great video Dan! I do something similar, but I put the daypack and backpack gear into a bin along with the backpack. I also have a bins for car camping kitchen, snow camping, and all my cold weather gear. I have about as much gear as you do. LOL! I struggle a little with the categories, but I do that too with all the odds and ends. I have a drawer for cooking, lighting, safety, small packs and stuff sacks, rain gear, hygiene and finally, a stuffed drawer full of cordage, buckles and all the other weird little things that I need from time to time. My gear closet shares with all my photography and video gear, plus lighting. You have reminded me I need to do a little spring cleaning so I’m as organized as you!
Lol! I'll take that as a compliment. ;) We need to get out there again!
In a small space with limited closets, flatter storage containers that fit under the bed are a game changer! I'm only storing sleeping bags in the closet now.
Nice! I thought of that but we don't have good floorspace for that.
Ahhh, the satisfaction of a day spent organizing gear. My issue is my tiny apartment, so my living room is also my gear storage. Fortunately I live by myself so it’s not an issue. Nicely done!
Yeah its a whole different set of issues haha!
Hey Doug! My buddy and I are hiking the Soberanes Canyon Trail to Doud Peak in Garrapata State Park (just south of Carmel Ca) this Saturday. Should be getting started around 9:30-10 am Saturday morning. If you have time you should join us for what looks like an extremely memorable hike! Happy Trails!
Probably busy but if Saturday opens up this looks like a great hike and I'll let you know! Beautiful area for sure, I took a buddy out near there a few months ago and it's a spectacular coastline. :)
I think my method is close to what you did with a couple small exceptions, because I have a little more size to work with. First, it's just the wife and I in a 2,000sf house, so we have space. One of the four closet in our bedroom we use for storing coats/seasonal outerwear. That's gives me all the room to store all hiking clothes and boots for all 4 seasons. There's a lot, because of living in NH, seasons vary greatly. All my boots/shoes are stacked in their original boxes, with only the current season footwear sitting on the floor. This is also where I store whatever backpack I'm using for that current season for day hikes. This pack is kept ready to go, including food, except for water. We then have our second-floor storage (10' x 22') room. Our basement is damp, so nothing is stored there. I have a couple storage selves that hold my packages of freeze-dried food. It's very common for me to have close to 100 meals at any one time. My main equipment storage is in a 6' x 8' walk-in closet off this room. Everything in that closet is stored in bins by category. Another consideration when it comes to organization is your actual backpack. I have more packs than any 10 hikers should have, but my primary packs are the Osprey Stratos 26L, Stratos 36L and Stratos 50L. The nice thing about this is that except for size, they are all basically the same pack. They are all top-loaders with brains, side water bottle pockets, hip belt pockets and some type of front stash pocket. This makes switching packs in a hurry and knowing where everything is when on the trail easier. An example, I know which ever pack I'm using, the top pocket on the brain will always and only contain my first-aid kit. water filtration system and my "Poop Kit". The under the lid pocket only contains my car keys and ID. I should NEVER lose my car kays, because there's no reason for me to ever go into that pocket while on trail. Hope this give others some ideas.
Dang you got a nice setup! I like the shoebox idea! Also a good argument for owning multiple packs of the same model but different volumes. Thanks!
Glad you posted this as I desperately need to organize my closet. I generally keep my backpack stuffed with all the basic things that go on an overnighter minus my quilt. I just need to organize the rest of the stuff. Currently, my closet looks like it is vomiting outdoor gear.
Mine currently does not look as good as it did in the video but it's not vomit level haha!
Once again, Doctor, you prove yourself the Master! Disorder is my middle name, so I appreciate the tips. Was that a Foxelli mattress with pillow I saw? Hey, I've got one of those!
Thanks much Doug!
With 4 kids I feel like all I do is fight chaos some days LOL! Yeah you saw our matching Foxelli gear didn't ya? :) Good to hear from you buddy. When's our next hike?
@@BackcountryPilgrim I love Lassen! Could you get a couple of days off in a couple of months to go? I'm dealing with some family health problems right now, but we can remain in contact.
Definitely! Lemme know.
I like the category way
Hi Doug my good news is that I do not have that much gear and what I have I organize by category. One segment of that categorization is that I keep all of my base layers, hats, buffs and gloves segregated in a moth proof storage container which my wife purchased on QVC. When it is time to pack I pull up my Gear Grams app and pack away.
Nice! I'm a GG guy myself. Never saw the advantage to Lighterpack.
Yes I go with the like pieces together method generally. I don't have a very good area set aside for it yet either though. All the backpacks are in a pile in he corner of the basement...Haha that checking your bag to make sure everything is out of it gets us every time. I'll look and look and look for something and come to find out... its still in a pack!
The struggle is real! Lol. :)
I’ve been thinking about reorganizing my gear. I like your hybrid idea. I switch things up so often I’d probably lose stuff. What I need is to re home things I no longer use/love. That would thin everything out. It’s overwhelming so I probably won’t do anything 😂
You’re results look good though!
I understand you 100% LOL!
LOL relatable! Some things I really should just donate or sell, and other things I want to hold onto for when I take a noob on the trail.
I’m a category organizer for sure. If I pre-packed my packs I’d spend the first couple miles of every hike worrying I forgot something.
Oh for sure, I repack before every trip - it's just faster now haha!
I'm all in on category. Hadn't thought about an event bin, in my current case, a basic winter trip. I'll do your system with a hybrid of your hybrid. I often do back to back trips so my pack sits at the end of a couch for a couple of days mostly unpacked. Sometimes not because I switch packs often depending on the water carry and temp. The problem I have is all my bins are full by category so if I have a new bin for let's say a basic winter trip I'll have to get rid of stuff to have one less bin for the new bin. Decisions to be made.
Half the fun is figuring it all out!
Need to do this someday my day pack is always loaded my bigger pack is halfway loaded. Everything else is in tubs. Stay safe my friend
It's so nice once it's done!
So do you have to pull everything out of the big pack before heading out in order to pack it correctly or is it mostly packed correctly as is and just needing additional stuff added? If you have the room, and if it's a common thing to lend a full pack to a friend, would setting up a spare pack be beneficial? One thought I have is taping a clear sheet protector onto your bins and then you can print out a list of what's in them for quicker searches. You can use a dry erase pen on the protector when you pull something out and then wipe it clean when it's put back.
I just toss everything in the oak because u always pack for each trip from scratch. It's just a lot faster this way. I've never had to loan an entire loadout so for me two packed packs would be overkill, but I like the idea of having all the backup gear in one 0lace. Hmmmm.... I also like the plastic sheet idea! Right now I just keep notes on my phone.
@@BackcountryPilgrim I definitely understand the packing for each trip, i was just curious how organized the packs were while being stored. I used the plastic sheet idea for work as a checklist. What's nice is depending on how you print it out, if you loan stuff out beyond trips going with you, you can write the names of who has what. Lots of options based on what you print, phone obviously works too, but I also like seeing on the outside what's inside so I'm not opening everything to find what I'm looking for. I have a long way to go to get organized myself but I'm also just beginning my journey.
Interesting
No tips from me. I'm here to learn from the best...
Ha! Well, I do my best - does that count? :)