Organise Camping Gear: Camping Storage Ideas

So you have bought everything you need for your upcoming camping adventure, but it's a lot and you need to figure out how to organise camping gear such that it's findable when needed. Don't worry, we are here for you. As fellow adventure enthusiasts we can tell you one thing for sure, it is better to be overpacked than underpacked. As long as you make everything fit without making your trunk bust open or bags flood out the minute you open their zips. Let's show you how to ensure everything has its own place without creating a big mess.

So, here we go let's start with basic camping storage ideas and tips to make it work stress-free.

How do you store camping gear when not in use?

First things first, your camp is not a hotel room where you open every bag, every kit and display items on a shelf or clothing rack. You really need to keep things neatly tucked away when not in use. This is easier if you are on your caravan or car camping. Of course, you can always pull out a bag, packing cube, or box of items as needed when on a vehicle of your own. If your camper has everything you need you only need to carry the essentials to your actual camp.

However, when that is not an option and you are either traveling by ferry, boat, or bus, there are other things you can do. The simplest way to keep camping gear stored well is by investing in packing cubes or smaller packets that fit into your backpack or hand carry. In well-designed bags, there will be designated spaces for all kinds of items and you will need lesser additional containers to group relevant things together. Use something like this for your camping trip to fit it all well.

Another hack is to discard every non-portable piece of gear and invest in actual camping gear that is designed to save space and fit well in your bags. Normal DIY tools can work but they occupy a lot of space. You need multi-purpose items that perform multiple functions, this includes knives, tools and all other equipment. Once you have the list of everything you need for your next camping trip then you start packing. Pack them so that the essentials are easier to reach and keep the rest neatly secured. Assess what you need deeply before packing it with you.

How do you keep clothes organized in a tent?

You grab a large packing cube and roll trousers, pants, shorts, t-shirts and tops. Stuff smaller items such as underwear, warmers, socks and windbreakers together in another cube. You can also keep them all organized in a multistory portable bag cabinet. This will give you a view of everything you have and you may need without giving up a lot of storage space. Alternatively, chuck these in a backpack and place that in the tent, as long as it is clean.

If you have a vehicle, the clothes can stay in the car as well, just keep the bare minimum with you in the tent to be used if you accidentally get soaked in rain, spill food or drinks on your clothes, or get too cold at night. Stuff happens, just be prepared.

Managing Your Camping Belongings

It's harder to pack up after trips are over when a lot of people are going together. You will always end up with some things misplaced and will eventually find them from friends days later. A good way is to label your items. You can mark your names. Just print out labels or stickers that help you remember your items. Especially because the leading camping supplies are similar among the camping community, you may be at risk of exchanging or misplacing. Just label it to make your life easier.

As for your devices, wallets and other valuables, keep them in a padlocked bag or in the secret compartments of your backpack.

Use clear bins for storing camping gear

If you do have a camper or a car to support your trip then you can invest in clear acrylic bins. These are easier to organize utensils, small objects, tools and even snacks. The bins are lightweight and they give you adequate space saving to get more onboard. You can stack them in your van or vehicle, to use them as needed. The clear feature allows you to see through storage bins as needed making objects easily accessible.

Pack intentionally to save space and time

If you do take a lot of unnecessary items on your trip such as 3 different sizes of pots and pans each, a full cutlery set, and several plates and cups, then you are really destroying the essence of camping. You need to let go of the 'stuff' you normally use from your household items and get camp-specific items that are designed to work differently i.e. in a way things should be in the wilderness - abundant yet simple.

Everything you actually need on your trip

Check out these links, save space, time and energy because you will need all three of these on your trip and even when you are packing.

• Plates and cutlery in a single set.

• Portable Grill and a Firepit Griddle for everything you can imagine cooking.

• A Jetboil Stove System with an outdoor pan and an outdoor cookpot.

• A Ground Protector for fire risks.

• Basic knives and tools for your camping operation.

• Of course, for your coffee, hot cocoa and teas. You can also grab a few spare coffee mugs if you like.

• A compact but fully functional cooler and hydration system to keep all the food items and drinks safe.

• A headlamp, a handy hand-held torch, some camp lights of choice, pillows and durable, trusty sleeping bags including a sleeping mat and a liner.

• For additional camping furniture, you should have a chair, a hangout pole and a nice ground sheet to keep you and your camp clean.

• A picnic table is optional too. But, for a group of friends and family to chill out at a scenic spot for hours and hours just catching up and discussing life, is monumental!

Camping Storage Ideas for Camp Kitchen Items

• Magnetic spice holders can be installed on your van. And boy! Do they make life easy? Just be careful to never overfill your spice containers or they may explode at altitude.

• Needless to say, keep a kitchen towel pack handy and keep it away from your toilet paper.

• Plastic bags are essential items as well. You will need to carry your trash on most camping trips so it is wise to have durable plastic bags rather than relying on bags for your grocery items.

• A duffle bag should be able to fit all your kitchen gear. Unless you own a lush grill and cooking system, which will come with its own carry bags or the bag will be up for purchase separately; you can really fit in everything (tools and equipment-wise) in a single duffle bag.

Camping Storage Ideas For Dry Foods

1. Blend the spices, carry the spice blends only. Instead of carrying ten spices, you will only need 2-3 spice blends for your trip (depending on how many meals you are planning on making and how their flavor profiles vary.)

2. Pre-season meats, meal prep veggies, at least for the first two days and if you have a cooler or ice box, definitely try prepping the food before. It will give you more time to enjoy the trip and so many fewer steps in making the food as well. You will also be able to stack your meal prep boxes neatly rather than carrying scattered produce, vegetable peelers and whatnot.

3. Pack sandwiches, in wax paper towels, not in plastic cling wrap. Just use wax paper to keep them fresh for longer. Store them in a dry icebox or fridge (in your vehicle) if you plan to use them later on the trip.

4. Ramen noodles are not the only type of dry food you can carry. A pro camper knows their options. You can find Huel, Clif and other brands that make dehydrated camp fuel. These meals can be blissful for longer trips. Especially if the main attraction of your trip is the adventure itself. However, if cooking is relaxing to you, you can try carrying pre-boiled pasta, or canned sauce, or make yours from scratch there. Whatever floats your boat really!

5. Camping equipment and perishable/breakable items should not collide. Or you will get a mix of everything and the smells will not be appetizing. You need separate bins for things like eggs (obviously in an egg-safe container), vegetables and harder tools that should go in a gear storage space.

6. Stay organized by arranging grocery store bags, rearrange them in the order of use and keep the items back once done cooking in the same order you will need them in again. Proper storage helps as well. You obviously do not want wet things in paper bags to be lying around for 2-3 days or the bags will tear and items will spoil.

Use Compression Bags

For clothes, compression sacks work wonders. You can pile a tonne of clothes, not that you have to, but you can should you need to. See those campers and RV-ers online? That's how they carry everything they own in their vehicles. They use compression sacks to keep it all neat without compromising on organization and storage space,.

Repurpose small household items at the campsite

Got a rechargeable emergency light or torch? Use it. Have a set of trash bags? Carry them. Got pet food items and containers, pack them too. Need spare layers to keep you warm at night, pack your nice bedroom linen. Want to add fairy lights that you already use in your patio or yard, pack them too. Be creative, you should grab things that add value to your trip. But, if you plan to carry utensils, pots and pans from your household kitchen instead of carrying camp kitchen gear, then you may be on the verge of spoiling your trip and household items, both at the same time. 

 Remember to have fun!