With many of us spending more time indoors and close to home, now is a good time to give your outdoor gear some love and attention. As you dream of your next outdoor adventure, think about those repair and maintenance projects you’ve always wanted to tackle but never had the time to.
We’ve created a list of ideas to get you started. Properly caring for your gear not only helps you be more efficient on the trail, but it also extends the life of your gear and helps you save money and unnecessary resources. Hopefully, some of these projects will keep you busy and inspired for your next outdoor adventure when the time comes, of course :).
- Organize your gear storage.
- Review and restock your first aid kit.
- Clean out your cooler with soap and water. For tougher stains, try baking soda and water or a mixture of water and detergent.
- Renew the waterproofing on your rain jacket.
- Clean your running shoes.
- Still looking a bit shabby? See if it’s time to replace them.
- Prepare your hiking boots for their next adventure.
- Check and replace batteries in headlights, lanterns, radios, and other electronics.
- Clean your bike’s drivetrain.
- Get some glue and learn how to patch bike tires.
- Clean your bike (pressure wash possible).
- Prepare your leather boots.
- Inspect your down jackets: patch any holes or rips.
- Wash your sleeping bag.
- Walk your new boots around (your house or neighborhood).
- Inspect your tent.
- Remove moisture from your water reservoir.
- Lube your snowboard or skis before storing them.
- Check your e-bike.
- Air out your workout clothes.
- Inspect your favorite socks or sweater.
- Squeeze out your bike’s squeaks and squeaks.
- Sponge clean your pack or wash it completely.
- Fix that zipper that always gets stuck (you know the one).
- Repair that broken tent pole.
- Build your bike repair kit (before you need it).
- Find and fix that slow leak in your sleeping pad.
- Give your climbing clothes a well-earned wash.
- Wash and clean your climbing harness.
- Patch the holes in your tent.
- Figure out how much gas is left in those half-used jerry cans cluttering up your garage.
- Time to clean out those water bottles.
- Replace or repair your bike chain.
- If you don’t plan on using an avalanche radio, remove the batteries until your next outing.
- Clean your yoga mat with a cleaning solution.
- Make sure your crampons are the sharpest tools in your shed.
- Give your tent a good cleaning.
- Show your climbing boots some love and TLC.
- Inspect your bike’s pressure, brakes, chain before your next ride.
- Repair a flat bike tire (or practice do).
- Inspect your bike’s chainrings.
- Buy a new bike helmet if your old one is more than five years old. While you’re at it, make sure your kids’ helmets still fit.
- Tune up your skis so you’re ready for next season.
- Make sure you’re storing your tent properly…
- …and make sure you’re storing your sleeping bag properly…
- …and are you storing your kayak properly?
- Wash your wetsuit.
- Inspect your personal flotation devices to make sure they’re in good working order with no holes or rips. Have your kids outgrown theirs? Stock up on new ones.
- Wash your hammock (per manufacturer’s recommendations).
- Replace worn laces on your sneakers, then tie them and hit the road to a quiet corner of your neighborhood.
