It's just a part of outdoor activities. Wetsuits, towels, clothing, shoes, and other equipment can get wet following a day out surfing, fishing, paddling, camping, or exploring. The actual challenge usually begins once the activity has taken place and it's time to pack up and go home.
Equipment that is stored improperly can result in a bad smell, mildew, damaged goods, and equipment that is not very serviceable for the next trip. It may seem convenient to simply stuff everything into a bag and move on, but trapped moisture can cause problems later.
By following a few simple storage practices, outdoor enthusiasts can prevent some of these problems. Proper drying, segregation of wet and dry, and proper choice of storage and cleaning of equipment can go a long way.
From packing away camping gear after a weekend getaway to packing up after a surf session, knowing how to pack wet gear is a great way to keep your gear organised and ready to go for the next adventure.
It's common to pack soaking wet gear for storage right after an outdoor activity.
Even items like wetsuits, towels, swimwear, shoes, and more can absorb a surprising amount of moisture. When these items are compacted, there is not much room for air to flow. The water can become stagnant and lead to unappealing odors and mildew.
Wherever possible, allow your gear to dry before storing it. It's not always necessary to remove all the water from the items before you go home, but if there is any water left, it may be beneficial to allow it to drain and air to circulate.
If this is something you have to do regularly around water, then a portable drying solution can help with that as well.
Another frequent error is storing wet equipment in the same compartment as the clothes, towels, electronics, or other materials that should be kept dry.
The moment wet gear touches dry items, moisture can easily make its way. A wet towel will wet garments, and a wet wetsuit will make it hard to keep the surroundings dry and clean.
Keep wet equipment and dry essentials separate to keep things organized. Depending on the type of gear you are carrying, you can use a dedicated compartment, separate bags, or different storage areas.
This is particularly helpful when travelling for longer periods as you might not be able to dry everything right away.
A regular duffel backpack or backpack may be able to absorb moisture or spill water over onto other items. This can lead to a greater clean-up issue and potentially cause damage to nearby objects.
When wet gear is to be transported, a dry waterproof bag is more appropriate. Waterproof materials and tight closures can help to keep water inside if the design calls for it during travel.
For selecting a bag, the factors to take into account are the contents of the bag, the amount of moisture in the gear, and the length of time it will spend in the bag.
The right bag should do more than simply hold wet equipment. It should help contain moisture and make your gear easier to transport.
The term 'waterproof' can often lead people to believe that all bags will be the same level of protection. That is not necessarily the case.
That can impact the moisture resistance of a bag, given construction, seams, closures and materials, along with overall design.
The right quality waterproof bag or backpack should be chosen based on its intended use. An occasional beach bag might need to be different from a kayaking or fishing bag, or a camping or even any other type of bag that may come into contact with a considerable amount of water.
Pay attention to the way the bag is made, rather than just its style or size.
A good waterproof bag is not to be used as a permanent holding place for damp gear.
Waterproof bags might help keep moisture in during travel, but gear needs to be removed from the bag and dried upon arrival.
Moisture has little chance to evaporate if the wetsuit, towel, or clothes are left coiled up and packed away for hours or days. This can cause odors and can impact equipment condition.
Include unpacking wet gear as part of your post-adventure routine. When you get home or back to camp, remove all of them, rinse when needed, and let them dry thoroughly.
Water is not the only thing that can impact outdoor equipment. Wet gear can also carry sand, salt, mud, dirt, and more after an adventure.
This is especially common after beach outings, camping, surfing, or fishing.
Saltwater residue, in particular, should not be left on the equipment until the next outing. If possible, use fresh water to rinse equipment and remove all visible dirt when storing it.
Prevent materials from deterioration and equipment from buildup by cleaning equipment before storage.
Cleaning after an adventure can save so much more time later.
You might want to go with the biggest bag you can find since it doesn't seem like there can ever be enough space. There should be stocking space, but it needs to be in line with what equipment you are going to carry.
If the bag is too small, you'll have to tightly pack damp items. A bag that is too large can also be difficult to carry and organize.
Larger bags that are waterproof can help carry outdoor items like shoes, towels, clothes, and for trips to the campsite. A small waterproof bag might be more useful for shorter activities.
When determining the size of the bag, consider what the activity is, how much equipment you will be moving, and how far.
Drying does not stop just because the surface of your equipment feels dry.
Thick materials, folds, seams, or other parts of the garment with limited air exchange can trap moisture. Quickly wiping down equipment after use can leave behind moisture that isn't seen.
Allow gear plenty of time in a proper area for proper ventilation. Put wetsuits and clothing up for air to dry, open bags after returning home, and don't leave damp gear in a bundle.
One of the easiest practices an outdoor enthusiast can have is good ventilation.
This is a common mistake when preparing gear for long-term storage.
Just moving wet gear from the field to the home base is not the same as storing that gear for several days or weeks.
Ensure that clothing, bags, footwear and equipment are completely dry before long-term storage. Fold or pack when there is no excess water left.
A cool, dry, ventilated area is best for very long-term storage, when equipment needs to be stored for an extended period.
Proper storage of wet gear does not have to be complicated. A simple routine can make a big difference:
Remove excess water
Drain or shake off as much water as possible before packing.
Separate wet and dry items
Keep wetsuits, towels, and wet clothing away from dry essentials.
Clean the gear
Rinse off salt, sand, mud, and dirt when needed.
Dry everything properly
Give your equipment enough time to air out before putting it away for long-term storage.
Store gear in the right place
Once everything is dry, keep your equipment in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area.
Outdoor gear is frequently subjected to demanding situations, and storage is a part of your complete gear setup.
Use a waterproof bag to contain wet equipment while transporting it. Waterproof bags may be larger to hold camping gear and clothing, and waterproof backpacks can be handy if you're out on a hike, paddling trip, or exploring.
The main thing is to incorporate storage in an overall routine – not just a bag. The drying, cleaning, separation, and storage of equipment all work together.
After every adventure, if the wet gear is handled properly, it will be easier to get ready for the next adventure.
It doesn't have to become a problem of storing wet gear. Many common problems are caused by simple errors, or the items are packed when they are still wet, mixed with wet and dry items, packed in inappropriate bags, or left damp for a prolonged time.
A better approach is to remove excess water, separate wet and dry equipment, clean gear when needed, use the right storage solution, and let everything dry completely before long-term storage.
These are some of the basic things that surfers, campers, anglers, paddlers, and other outdoor enthusiasts can do to keep their gear neat, ready for the next adventure. The right dry waterproof bag, waterproof camping bags, or waterproof bags and backpacks can also make wet equipment easier to transport and manage. However, proper drying and storage are still essential.
Drain off excess water, separate wet items from dry gear, clean them as needed, and let everything dry completely before long-term storage.
Waterproof storage helps carry wet gear, but is not necessarily a long-term solution. Take gear out of the bag as soon as possible and let it dry.
Don't leave wet equipment in the pack for extended periods. Wash and separate wet material and allow it to dry with adequate ventilation.
These can be helpful when moving and holding wet equipment on outdoor trips. Select a bag according to the item of gear, water exposure, and activity type.
Before long-term storage, the gear must be entirely dry. The drying time will depend on the material, thickness, weather, humidity, and airflow.
