How To PROPERLY Store Your Backpacking Gear to Make It Last

00:00 Hey y'all
00:31 Backpacks
01:29 Shelters
04:17 Sleeping Bag or Quilt
06:25 Sleeping Pad
07:52 Clothing
09:07 Footwear
09:42 Rain Gear
10:51 Kitchen/Water Filter
12:42 Electronics
13:38 Food
14:04 First Aid
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[@kelleyursu8610]

Throw a few tennis balls in the dryer with down sleeping bags or garments. Helps with maintaining the loft, but you still should stop the dryer every once in a while to check for clumping. Thanks for the tips and reminders, Dixie 😊

[@robertedwards7749]

Tennis balls are good for frying lots of items like sheets and blankets. Anything that is large like that. Reason being, in a dryer as things are rotating they tend to bundle up and the center never dries. Somehow Tennis balls prevent the item from rolling up on itself.

[@ChrisSunHwa]

@@robertedwards7749 I know you meant to say "drying," but I find it funny that you accidentally typed "frying." For just a split-second, I thought you were going to make a joke about cooking with tennis balls.

[@robertedwards7749]

@@ChrisSunHwa It's my goal in life to bring a smile (intentionally or unintentionally) to as many folks as i possibly can. By no means am I trying to be a comedian. There are just way to many people in the world who bring sadness and pain to the rest of us for their own selfish pleasures. So, Thanks for pointing out the typo (I have chosen not to correct it) and at the same time becoming my latest smile participant. By the way, don't forget to share your smile with others, you wont regret it.

[@ChrisSunHwa]

@@robertedwards7749It was an awesome typo! 😁

[@heidih2887]

Good stuff! :D One small addition... as you noted re: expiration dates, "rotating stock" so you go ahead and use up food items, medications etc. at home if it's near or slightly past expiration, vs. waiting too long and ending up throwing stuff away because it's WAY PAST expiration, is definitely a good way to help save $! :D Rule of thumb, plan to "rotate out" all adhesive-based and gel or lotion based products..repair tapes, adhesive bandages, blister care products etc as "time stuffed in the pack" and exposure to temperature and humidity changes tend to degrade those products and their packaging much faster than if they were carefully stored at home. :D

[@stanbyme7874]

🦃Thankful for you videos, for "hey y’all, Dixie here" & for your Health. *Also for your Followers. They give great info & showed empathy when you had issues in ID. It’s a great community of people.

[@johnphillips3526]

When storing your water filter, after backflushing and running the bleach water through it, run a couple squeeze bags of distilled water through it and the flow rate won’t be compromised next year. If you don’t use distilled water, the minerals in tap water will clog the pores of your filter.

[@rungavagairun]

I have also heard that after you sanitize and rinse with distilled water, it's best to store moist. Ziplock with a moist paper towel that was wet with distilled water. This prevents dry lock.

[@johnphillips3526]

@@rungavagairun ​​⁠I’ve done that before and found mold growing on the paper towel after a few months.

[@FatHiker]

I got drylock with my Sawyer. Soaked it before use, and UT worked fine. Learned to always test my filter before use.

[@christimartin8512]

Great tips, Dixie! I especially took note of checking expiration dates on my First Aid Kit. One note on adhesive bandages stored in a first aid kit (that I found out the hard way) is that, over time, the adhesive will break down and lose its stickiness, so replace bandaids in your first aid kit every so often when you replace old meds. More often if your pack is stored in a garage or place that sometimes gets hot.

[@28105wsking]

So cute to see Fancy Mae doing her sniff test with some hesitation!! LOLOL! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

[@suburbanhiker5975]

AWESOME! This is the 3rd video from you in 7 DAYS... HECK YEAH! I just finished editing A video since last Friday! I'll have to up my game! ALL the BEST to YOU!

[@Allen-by6ci]

Happy Thanksgiving all

[@mrbi1198]

Arron is the GOAT.. he slips so much subliminal stuff in!

[@rickkaylor8554]

Really good advice. I'm sure many people will find this video useful. If you get quality gear and take care of it properly it can last a really long time. I still have a Kelty D4 backpack, Jansport Dome Tent and North Face fiber fill sleeping bag that I got in 1977. All are still functional and in good shape. A friend of mine used the tent and sleeping bag last May for a car camping trip. One of the fiberglass poles finally broke after 46 years. I've had to seam seal and waterproof the tent about 4 times but it still looks fairly new. I can't believe I used to take these backpacking since they are heavy by today's ultralight standards (tent = 10lbs, sleeping bag = 4 lbs and Backpack 3.5 lbs). These days my base weight for tent, backpack, sleeping bag and everything else is between 10 and 12 lbs depending on the season.

[@f500raptor]

What do you use as your tent waterproofing treatment? The stuff I used in the past (can't remember the brand) is no longer available, and the last time I tried on a tent I used the GearAid Tent Waterproofing Sealant and it left a sticky residue behind. I've used the NikWax Solar Spray on the outside if everything, but I haven't found anything for doing an old-fashioned interior treatment other than the GearAid... which I don't want to risk using on my VE25. Any suggestions from the gang? Thanks!

[@waldofuzzbucket7376]

@@f500raptor I used Kenyon Seam Sealer 3 for the seams and 3M Scotchgard Outdoor Water Shield for the rain fly and tent bottom for the last treatment of the Jansport Mountain Dome. Plan on doing it twice to be on the safe side. I didn't treat for a few years and learned the hard way during a storm while camping. The VE25 is a pretty old tent too.

[@LoboLady2007]

Just a thought if you have gear that is a half century old maybe it is time to invest in some new gear and/or equipment!!!

[@rickkaylor8554]

I have invested in newer ultralight gear. My typical base weight these days is between 9 and 12 lbs depending on the season. I still use the old gear for car camping. I expect my new gear to last at least 10 to 20 years but by then gear will likely be even lighter. @@LoboLady2007

[@Henning_Rech]

12:50 There maybe electronic items, e. g. a camera, where you should perhaps not remove the (rechargeable) battery because they only have a small (also rechargeable) extra battery inside for functions like the clock, which can go empty within a few months. Better to leave the main battery inside for long term storage. Also it is not recommended to store any lithium battery really fully charged as it shortens its lifetime, better charge it to only 2/3 or similar. And, most important, recheck all those devices with built-in rechargeable batteries periodically. I (have to) recharge my inReach mini every few months to avoid its battery go empty. One check per winter, maybe at New Year, is a good idea. Store all your devices at one place, in order not to forget one

[@mooreoutdoor9841]

Great advice for sure. My outdoor season has just begun. I hike/backpack Fall through early Spring. I truly hate the Evils of hot weather like, ticks, mosquitos, poison ivy, heat, insects, ect.

[@backpacker3421]

Best practice for filters like the Sawyer Squeeze: when not in the field, use distilled water to backflush. Once backflush is running clear, add a tablespoon of bleach to 16 oz of distilled water and run that completely through the filter to disinfect. Let sit for 5 minutes or so, then backflush with distilled water again to clear the bleach solution. Let air dry completely, and store. Backflushing with tap water will be fine in many locations, but in some places, it will leave behind minerals that can clog the pores. Do the holes in your showerhead ever clog up? Yeah. Use distilled water. The bleach solution will make sure there is no bacteria, fungus, or mold growing cultures in your filter in storage. The last flush with distilled water will just help clear out the bleach smell.

[@mobius9818]

An Amazing video comprehensively covering a much needed activity that no one talks about! Maybe another video similarly on how to ORGANIZE your gear at home. Sounds obvious, but so many little items are so easy to lose. I have a very workable system, but I noticed things piled up and I dislike searching for that one little item....especially when packing!!!!!

[@MalFunktion1]

A tip for down bags... toss a few clean tennis balls into the dryer with the down bag will help break up the clumping some.

[@robertedwards7749]

Howdy Ms Dixie, I enjoy your videos so much. I can't think of too many people on youtube that cover their subject matter as well as you do. You continue to provide us with food for thought as well as skill provoking information and not to mention your very lovable Ms. Fancy Mae's spirit of fun and enthusiasm. At 1:48 the look on her face is "Priceless" as if to say "Do I REALLY have to sleep on this stinky blanket?" What a cute pup. Thank you and please continue to educate and entertain us, and one last thing. I really enjoy your use of classical music woven into your videos. Thank you for that. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and friends.

[@kymcarroll952]

I also second the use of nix wax, excellent product. I also throw in my hiking pants in with my rain jacket and re-waterproof it a hike in the Pacific Northwest and we have a lot of rain here.

[@johnpetry6753]

For cleaning water bladders you can use dentite cleansing tablets

[@johnpetry6753]

"denture"

[@airic499]

Found out the hard way that if you have hardwater, filters can actually solidify during storage. To restore, soak overnight in distilled vinegar then rinse thoroughly. But I do a final rinse or two in distilled water before you pack it away for the season and then no problems.

[@a.w.thompson4001]

Thanks for this comprehensive guide, Dixie! Great info.

[@HyunAYuchi]

Additional Suggestion in packing clothes/hiking packs: 1. After washing with a small amount of detergent, wash them completely clean, then wash them in fabric conditioner. 2. dry them in the sun completely 3. Pack them in plastic bags with no holes and that's completely taped up. If you have a vacuum sealer bag, vacuum seal it in that. This way, the clothes/packs (especially those made with natural fibers) don't absorb moisture from the air, and grow moldy in the closet. As the humidity levels change with the seasons. i learned this from cotton towels and branded cotton shirts that i bring on vacations, and a black mold grew on them, and ate a lot of large holes into the towel and shirts.

[@maryalice6375]

Great reminders!

[@DameEdnaBrown]

Looking good Jes, nice to hear you again

[@ChompandWings]

Getting pretty far into our thru hike now, these tips are amazing as we'll definitely have to start figuring out cleaning these gear items! Thanks for the wonderful video Dixie!

[@tomcappy3956]

What do you mean the end of the season? You don't go winter camp? Here in Central Oregon, we go out year-round! But I'm all about maintenance.

[@asmith7876]

Haha, I was thinking the same thing! Year ‘round!

[@davidterrie7661]

When drying my quilt, I put tennis balls in with it to break up clumps in the down. Takes at least four cycles to get it dry enough to set out. Also, the next spring set up your tent before heading out. One year I found the shock cold in my poles had failed and I had to do a bunch of cutting and retying on trail. You can buy a kit to fix this.

[@DennisMathias]

Whoa. Wait a minute. What about a health update. How did the stress test go. Did the treadmill show up?

[@ArswieWaende]

Thank you so much for sharing!👍 Additionally it may be a good idea to check the bungee cord in the poles at times to guarantee a proper fit.

[@Woodthrush]

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all! 🦃 And Happy Trails! 🏕

[@susietopspin]

Hahaha. I’m laughing because storing……. Don’t most backpackers continue to hike in the winter?….. I do.❤️. Happy trails.🤘🏻🥾⛰️

[@JAaronMattox]

Most backpackers use different gear for winter backpacking, so they store their lighter 3 season gear in the winter.

[@susietopspin]

@@JAaronMattox good point. Mine is pretty much the same.

[@teasdaleart1]

Very useful, thank you!

[@jonathanhill9920]

I appreciate the knowledge!

[@sdjohnston67]

Good stuff.

[@royferrissugarbear5306]

Good info thanks 😊

[@juliamarple3785]

I had no idea about some of that. Thanks.

[@robertedwards7749]

your not alone LOL

[@billevans9231]

Thanks for another informing video

[@patrickkelley3408]

Cool, thanks.

[@robinsmith9734]

Totally necessary procedures for end of season, and alas at other times, when the usage has been subject to inclement conditions, etc.

[@johneason6540]

Love that new Hoosier. But, I haven't hit the end of my season yet. Thank you for your vid❤

[@1z1zmike]

Thanks …helpful!🙂🙏

[@user-zs6to9sk9l]

Hiking poles can be taken apart and wiped down. WD40 or Fix'n Wax can be added to the areas that slide and open and excess WD40 wiped off. Pocket knives or fix blades need to be honed sharp with a leather strop or if chipped or damaged re-edged with a sharpening stone or rod and then honed with a leather strop. Broken/cracked plastic buckles can be replaced with Sea to Summit 2 Pin Field Repair Side Release Buckle or the open ended buckles. Check any shock cords for replacement as well. Zippers can be cleaned with a tooth brush and compressed air if real dirty and then use Fix'n Wax to make zipper move smoothly and make it water resistant. Replace Bic Lighters and any other items you carry in your fire kit. For your water bladders you can use Camel Back tabs to clean them out and it will not leave a bad taste or smell in the bladder.

[@txhypnotist]

Hey Dixie, some people use wool light to clean down fabric. For drying method, have you considered putting your quilt in or sleeping bag in a hammock and let it air dry above the ground.😮

[@Arbie812]

If you have a few bucks to throw at a piece of gear, I highly recommend the msr pot scraper for general purpose cleaning, such as mud off of hiking shoes or trekking poles. Would be handy for scraping frost off the inside of your rainfly on cold mornings too. Not so much for its intended use of cleaning cookware, where I find the gsi one works better.

[@EatCarbs]

Thanks for the video

[@pithon3d477]

I dry all down items including my duvet that says dryclean only in the dryer with a bunch of tennis balls. works great and never had a problem.

[@willodaix5040]

Rei used to have a great storage sack, now they have the worst-mesh petrochemical sack. But a better sack to care for your bag-quilt.

[@kevocal]

All good ideas! I usually wash my pack in the shower with dawn... but why now? Hiking season is just getting started in the south!

[@tomsitzman3952]

Gosh Darn, I was not aware there is a backpacking season. I have aways Started going out on January 1 and ending on December 31. Every season has its own joys and sights to see. Why limit oneself to a season, called Backpacking Season? Head out on skies or snow shoes or kayak the ice flows on a near by river, Bike the shoulder seasons where every day is a different temperature experience. Photograph the same scenes every 30 days at the same time of day, as the earth rotates and the sun's angle and the colors change.

[@user-qd4nc9jc3u]

love this video

[@SassySquatchHiker55]

I always put natural dryer sheets in with my clean gear inside of a container.

[@lois6705]

It's the zippers that are the issue with sleeping bags and quilt. Even on a low setting, the get hot quickly and that is what will melt holes in your bag.

[@Crazy-s8s]

Happy Thanksgiving Wishes For You & Your Family Ms Dixie🦃😋😃

[@pixelpoppyproductions]

Timely video! I only plan to take the worst months off here (December-February). Do I really need to completely dry out my Sawyer Squeeze? I was planning to give it one last backflush with mild bleach, and store it in a sealed container. I’m worried if I completely dry it out, it won’t work as well next season. Also I just recently learned that I should store my down sleeping bag lofted. I freaking love it so I want it to last. I stored it compressed last year, but it was still new. Putting it in a laundry bag is a great idea, it’s currently hanging to dry from my last trip and I was trying to figure out what to do with it.

[@thundercell13]

What is the greenish top you are wearing in the dialogue shots? Looks super cozy

[@petesheppard1709]

A spray bottle with soapy water is also a great leak detector; easier than wrestling a pad in a tub or pool and cleaning as well! As for food at the end of the season, just eat it! 😋 This might also be a good time to experiment with different combinations, condiments or recipes.

[@usrenaem]

Awesome channel. Great content, host, videos. An additional thank you for not putting a silly looking grimace face for a video thumbnail/preview as other youtubers do for some reasons.

[@desperadodeluxe2292]

Use your contractor bag to wash your pack or a deep bucket. Someone saw me washing my clothes at the beach 🏖️😅 Use dawn dish soap or zote. Use a curved handle brush fingernail/laundry brush. I use them to sweep my mat/tent floor for dry debris. 4:04 id fold and roll it use a bungee or cord to tie it. Use wind to dry down, throw it in the dryer with a tennis ball. Lowest heat setting take it out to cool every 15-30mins. Keep in a cotton bagto prevent static buildup.

[@hazelmeldrum5860]

I use Miltons Fluid to clean out my water bladder I think if they use it to clean Baby items it is better as it has no perfume or colouring agents. I smiled as I live in Scotland this is the time I am taking out my puffer jackets and coats and not put them away.

[@meljane8339]

I have put my very high-quality pack into a washing machine a few (3-4) times. No damage. I won't do that much more, though.

[@bernielamont825]

Thanks Dixie, good advice for what to with your gear over the winter. Now I just have to get off my lazy butt and do it! Here's hoping you, Rodney, Gray, and of course Fancy Mae have a wonderful first Thanksgiving together. What's the plan? Lounge around all day or go to moms for a big family dinner and get together?

[@kristymoore7052]

You made me realize that there are a lot of things I should wash regularly that I admittedly, have NEVER washed. I know, ewee. :)

[@boredandagitated]

washing machines are generally bad for the foams in running shoes or trail runners. They're supposed to be surface washed. I'd prolly take the insoles out and scrub em and hand scrub the outside.

[@CaptainMir]

I was in army and served four postings in Himalayan mountains all over 21000 ft for straight 72 days each time. Its not worth it.i did it for my soldiers I love my boys.

[@iainnicholson4399]

Storing gear?? Winters coming! My gear is finally gonna get some use!

[@bobmcelroy7289]

Ditto on all the comments, great end-of-season video!

[@tomcappy3956]

I add a flip flop in the dryer cycle. Dislodges the down clumps.

[@greghunt6183]

curious to know if you've tried that ResMed air mini any more.

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

I can’t until my cardiologist clears me to hike more 🥺

[@carolinenunez3455]

I have heard of people back flushing their filter after every use. Don’t know how practical this is for everyone, but I’m sure it must maximize the life of the thing. And yes, I’m also wondering how your ticker is doing.

[@howlingmadmurdock798]

Quick question for ya, how do you get cash on trail for laundry and such? I suppose it would be simple to carry a debt card, but ATMs fees would add up quick wouldn’t they?

[@Henning_Rech]

New Polartec Alpha Hoodie?

[@tinacolecampbell]

❤

[@mikeroy6713]

😳 4:17 Was this a catastrophic outcome? Or, is it like those turkeys you roast in a bag?

[@oldschooljeremy8124]

Whew this seems like a lot of work.

[@Treyamigos]

Good afternoon. I had a question for you. You clean your water bladder with bleach. Are you concerned about it hurting you? Also I saw a hack once where I clean bladders with denture cleaner and hot water. What’s your thoughts on that?

[@asmith7876]

Unless you’re on well water you’re drinking bleach every day. Clean the gear with bleach, rinse with fresh water and store it away, no problem.

[@ittotaq]

wash my dirty bag? but how will people know im a seasoned thru hiker on the trail

[@TheNypenfan]

Am I an idiot for never hanging up my sleeping pad? I’ve literally never heard of doing that. I’ve always rolled it up and put it away….never had an issue at all. Been using my tensor for years and years now.

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Not an idiot at all. Mainly it’s so your valve can be open and allow air to go in/out and it not stay damp inside

[@michaelreynoldsok]

It’s proper to keep them inflated halfway and placed under a bed or stacked upright in the corner of a closet. This helps them last longer. Moisture inside (even if you only use a bag inflator) can build up over time and can weaken the seams and cause them to fail.

[@thomasnorton5387]

Expiration dates are a joke. I have used food that was expired by 5 or more years with no problems. Freeze-dried does not go bad, but it does lose nutritional value.

[@ThirstyBacon]

Where would someone find hiking gear donations? I really want to start getting ready to thru hike the Appalachian Trail. I was hit by a drunk driver while riding my bicycle a few years ago and I need to do this thru hike to show myself I can again. And heal mentally from it and many other things.

[@TweetyPAK7]

That made me tired! 😂

[@stevewright2241]

You can put nylon or polyester tents into the washing machine. Zip up all the zippers. Set on gentle cycle. Cold wash. Use Wool lite. Dry by setting up tent and air dry. (Take off all guide lines or strings)

[@rungavagairun]

I think your Sawyer Squeeze practice of throwing them away every year is wasteful. Also, if you air dry them after you clean them, that causes dry lock and they won't work. Sanitize your Squeeze with bleach, flush with distilled water, shake out excess water, but store in a sealed ziplock with a damp paper towel that was wet with distilled water. If you do that, it should work when you're ready to go again.

[@Tarantulasgamingandmore]

Car wash!!!

[@Jake-pq3iz]

Where is Rigga?

[@razorsharp170]

Hello Dixie! I'm with boyscout troop 40 out of pine mt GA. I sent an email about possably haveing you speak to our scouts about backpacking. I know you get thousands of emails so it's probably lost in there. If you wouod be interested let me know. Thank you!

[@joshubrook324]

I keep my water bladder in the freezer

[@Uncle84]

Dixie you're a very pretty girl

[@BackwardsKnees]

hard to totally disagree, don't think you're wrong. but seeing as how many of the "wrong"/less ideal ways to store things is how the manufacturer produces them and how they sit in warehouses for months/years, I don't believe it really makes that big of a difference in majority of situations

[@paulkick7870]

Prettiest conveyance of common sense I have ever watched.

[@misstbikini]

Put it away? 😢