From safely washing a sleeping bag to measuring partially used gas canisters, here\u2019s how to look after your hiking gear<\/p>\n
During spring last year, I spent the best part of three weeks climbing Denali, the highest peak in North America. There were few opportunities to stay clean on the mountain, so by the time I got off the slopes, I \u2013 along with all my gear \u2013 was in a pretty nasty state.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n As tempting as it was to just stuff everything into my duffel bag and toss it in a cupboard, I spent a few hours going through my gear, cleaning, repairing and storing it, ready for the next adventure. Last month, I hit the trail again in Albania<\/a> and was so grateful to my earlier self for being so diligent. Packing was a breeze.<\/p>\n Between seasons is the perfect time to do a kit check. Whether you\u2019re planning to pack your gear away for the winter months or brave the plummeting temperatures for a chilly expedition, taking the time to check and maintain your gear will extend its lifespan \u2013 and potentially yours.<\/p>\n Get ahead of the game and prep your gear now for the season ahead. It\u2019ll save you time and money in the long run. Here\u2019s how to look after your hiking gear.<\/p>\n First of all, brush off any dried mud from your boots. Then remove the laces and put them aside to soak in warm, soapy water. Half-fill a bucket with warm water and add a dash of washing-up liquid. Scrub the boots thoroughly with a medium stiff brush (a toothbrush will also do the trick) and then rinse them off under the tap. Let them air-dry, ideally in the sun.\u00a0<\/p>\n Once fully dry, treat the boots with a high-performance waterproofer<\/a> depending on the material (leather, fabric, etc). Don\u2019t forget to check the laces for any fraying before you re-thread them.<\/p>\n Pitch your tent somewhere dry \u2013 a garage is ideal \u2013 and give it a good brush inside and out. Get all the loose dust and dirt off before you wipe it down with a wet sponge from warm water with a tiny bit of washing-up liquid in it, just to help break down any grease or stains. Pay attention not to miss the corners, zippers, tent pole connections and guy lines. Also, brush off the tent pegs and give them a quick wipe. Then rinse the tent down and leave it to dry completely. <\/p>\n Give the tent a thorough check for any wear and tear. Fix any tears now using the tent repair kit supplied with it. Also, check the seams and zippers for fatigue and the tent poles for any hairline cracks. If you find any issues, take the time to fix them now by consulting the manufacturer\u2019s guidelines. Likewise, check the tent pegs\/stakes and replace any bent or broken ones.<\/p>\n Finally, carefully pack the tent away and double-check the guy lines are untangled and the tent is ready to be pitched \u2013 it could well be blowing a hoolie next time you use it.<\/p>\n Go through all the pockets and pouches, remove any trash and then vacuum out any dirt and dust from the crevices. Don\u2019t try to use a washing machine. Even if it fits, you can easily damage the various appendages, even on a gentle cycle.<\/p>\n Instead, soak it in a bath or large basin with lukewarm water with a little bit of standard washing detergent or, ideally, use a specialist cleaner such as Nikwax Tech Wash<\/a>. Sluice the backpack around and use a sponge to scrub any troublesome stains or spots. If you want to go a step further, you can take the pack apart by removing the hip belt, shoulder straps, lid and even the frame and wash those separately.<\/p>\n Drain the dirty water and refill again with lukewarm water. Rinse well and repeat as many times as necessary to completely clean off all the detergent and dirty water. Hang it upside down on an airer to dry.<\/p>\n First things first, never dry-clean a sleeping bag as the chemicals will damage it. Whether it\u2019s down or synthetically filled, it\u2019s easy, safer and cheaper to wash it at home in a regular washing machine.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fasten all the zippers and any velcro fasteners before you load it into the machine. Add some specialist detergent such as Nikwax Down <\/a>Wash<\/a> and run on a normal setting at either 20\u00b0C or 30\u00b0C, ideally on a gentle or delicate cycle. Do not use fabric softener. You could also run the bag through the machine again on a rinse-and-spin cycle without any detergent to remove any remaining suds.<\/p>\n You can machine-dry the bag, but make sure you use a low heat setting. A high heat setting can damage your sleeping bag. You can also add a couple of clean tennis balls into the dryer to break up the down clumps. Do not run it for long drying cycles. Instead, run it for several short cycles (15-30 minutes), taking it out regularly to check on it.<\/p>\n Finally, drape it over an airer for a couple of days to dry completely before storing it uncompressed in a net sack.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re at it, you may as well give your sleeping pad a quick once-over, too. Gently clean any built-up grime with a sponge and mild detergent. Make sure you get all the dirt and grime out of the dimples and baffles. Use a dry toothbrush to gently clean any dirt out of the valves.\u00a0<\/p>\n \nHow to look after your hiking gear<\/h2>\n
1. Clean and treat your hiking boots\u00a0<\/h2>\n
![\"Muddy](\"https:\/\/www.atlasandboots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/how-to-look-after-your-hiking-gear-muddy-boots.jpg\")
<\/a>2. Give your tent a once-over<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.atlasandboots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/how-to-look-after-your-hiking-gear-tent.jpg\")
<\/a>3. Empty and clean your backpack<\/h2>\n
![\"guide](\"https:\/\/www.atlasandboots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Highlander-Velebit-Croatia-8.jpg\")
<\/a>4. Wash your sleeping bag<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.atlasandboots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/how-to-look-after-your-hiking-gear-sleeping-bag.jpg\")
<\/a>5. Service your sleeping pad<\/h2>\n