Tips for Organizing Your Camping Gear at Home (and Keeping It in Top Shape)

Camping is all about escaping the clutter of everyday life—but if you’re not careful, your camping gear can become clutter in your garage or home. Tents stuffed in corners, sleeping bags crammed in bins, and missing pieces of gear can quickly turn your next trip into a stressful scramble.

The good news? With a little organization, your gear can stay protected, easy to find, and ready for adventure at a moment’s notice. Here are some tried-and-true tips for storing and organizing your camping gear.

Designate the Gear Zone

Choose a spot in your garage, basement, or closet that’s just for outdoor gear. Keeping everything in one area saves time when packing and helps you avoid duplicate purchases because you “lost” something.

• Wall hooks for backpacks, sleeping pads, and trekking poles
  

• Shelving units for bins, stoves, and cookware
  

• A small cabinet or drawer for first aid kits, matches, and tools
  

Pro Tip: A large gear-specific bin or the Near Zero Adventure Bundle Backpack can serve as a grab-and-go system for spontaneous trips.

Use Clear Bins and Labels

Nothing kills the camping vibe like digging through six random boxes. Use clear plastic bins or label opaque ones with categories like:

• Cooking & Food Prep (stove, fuel, utensils, kettle)
  

• Shelter & Sleep (tents, sleeping bags, pads, quilts)
  

• Safety & Tools (first aid, headlamps, multi-tools)
  

Color-coding or numbering bins helps everyone in the family know where things belong.

Hang, Don’t Stuff

Tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks need airflow and space to maintain their shape and longevity. Instead of cramming them into their sacks, store them:

• Sleeping bags/quilts: Hang in a closet or store in large breathable bags
  

• Tents: Loosely fold and store in oversized mesh or cotton bags to prevent fabric stress
  

• Backpacks: Hang on wall hooks to keep their structure intact
  

Keeping ultralight gear like Near Zero’s sleeping bags and tents properly stored ensures they stay reliable season after season.

Keep Small Items Together

Tiny items—like matches, carabiners, or pocket stoves—can easily go missing. Store them in:

• Zippered pouches
  

• Small toolboxes
  

• Mesh bags inside larger bins
  

Keeping small items together makes it easy to grab what you need without losing track of essentials.

Prep for the Next Trip Before You Unpack

When you get home, don’t just dump your gear—do a quick reset:

• Wash cookware and utensils
  

• Shake out and dry tents and tarps
  

• Recharge headlamps and power banks
  

• Refill first aid kits (bandages, wipes, tape, etc.)
  

This way, your gear is always trip-ready, and you’ll avoid surprises when you’re miles from home.

Protect Against Moisture and Critters

Damp gear leads to mold, mildew, and odors. Always store gear completely dry, and if your garage is humid:

• Add silica gel packs or moisture absorbers to bins
  

• Use sealed bins to keep mice and insects out of food-related gear
  
  

Create a Go-Bag for Emergencies or Spontaneous Trips

Keep a lightweight, ready-to-go setup packed at all times—like a backpack with a Near Zero stove, first aid kit, and sleeping quilt—so you’re always ready for a spontaneous hike, overnight trip, or even emergency use. Get The Little Dean Bundle for your kids and the Ready-2-Go Bundle for yourself!

A little organization goes a long way! By designating space, using clear bins, hanging gear properly, and resetting after each trip, your camping essentials will stay in top shape for years. And when adventure calls, you’ll be ready to go—without the pre-trip chaos.

Ready to upgrade your gear storage? Near Zero’s ultralight, compact designs make organizing easy, so you can store more in less space. Check out the Adventure Bundle and other lightweight essentials built for stress-free adventures.