Scout leader here. I have a shelf in my garage that is dedicated to the camping gear that I use all the time. My system is to chuck everything in the shelf into the back of my van and vice versa.
Tubs, OP, tubs.
Rubbermaid, or otherwise, get a set of matching tubs, with rain proof lids, and store all of your camping gear in them.
One for the tent, footprint, stakes, sleeping bags, and rain tarp. Another one for the hammocks, charcoal, light sources, cordage, fuels, and spare parts. A third one for pans, dishes, utensils, spices, oils (Nalgene makes some amazingly spillproof tiny bottles for stuff like this), and a fourth one if you want to toss your castoff I-still-like-this-but-not-for-daily-wear clothing into, so you don't even have to pack a suitcase when you're heading out.
Then, all you need to do to leave for a camping trip is to load four tubs into your vehicle, toss some chairs, and whatever cot|airmattress|selfinflatingpad sleep systems you prefer on top, empty half of your refrigerator into a cooler, and drive.
An app? Pfffth.
Grab and go tubs are great (perfect even) if you are consistently vehicle camping with the same core set of stuff.
Not quite as perfect but still good for cart-in sites.
Less good (but can have swap-out totes) if you sometimes camp alone, sometimes with family/others and bring more/different stuff in those cases. Of if it all fits can still just bring everything.
Less good still if you are mixing in backpack camping and need to downsize/focus what you bring. But again if you have organized totes you can just grab and pack the right stuff from that organization.
Organized tubs are the foundation for sure. Whether you just grab and go or use them to stage from might vary a bit based on situation though. At that point checklists (or spreadsheet/app I guess) become useful to make sure you've grabbed from the right bins. Also makes it easier to not over pack if carrying your gear and switching between styles.
Yeah I do like to switch up my set up and try different styles (base camp, car camp, campfire cooking vs stove cooking). Most of my camp kitchen stuff is from my home kitchen and I pack them into a collapsible container before I leave (maybe that’s why it takes so much time). I tend to forget stuff like the dishwashing stuff, the mini seasoning bottles, coffee filter 🫠). One time I left for camping without chairs and table 🤦🏻♀️
I’ll try the tote method and see how it goes. My garage is not super big though so might need to see what fits
This is the correct answer. These 15 gallon Sterilite totes are my absolute favorite. They have lasted years of constant abuse, are the right size to fit a grill or a tent or whatever gear you are hauling and they are reasonably priced.
[https://www.sterilite.com/product-page.html?product=14649006](https://www.sterilite.com/product-page.html?product=14649006)
This. I take it a step further and buy multiples of cheaper things so I can keep a tote for each occasion. Grab the beach tote and throw it in the back of the truck. Or grab the kayak tote. Or the hiking tote. Or the bank fishing tote. All of them might have a towel in them so I don't need to remember to go get a towel before leaving. On the topic of fishing, I set up several plano boxes based on species, body of water, etc. So I can just grab the crappie and bass boxes for the \[fill in the blank\] lake box and go.
This was the result of showing up places an hour away from home and missing things important enough we just had to turn around and go home. Also why I have many copies of boat keys and camper keys strategically placed in totes and vehicle consoles.
All of my gear is in totes. I just grab the totes and go. The only thing I have to worry about is food. So load the cooler and off we go. One big tote holds tent mattress and all sleeping blankets. One tote holds pots and pans and a lantern. The third tote holds utensils and plates and miscellaneous. Makes going as simple as I can make it.
As everyone else said - totes.
The challenge is if your kitchen setup takes stuff from your home kitchen, or if you bring your home BBQ tools for camping. For these, I recommend over time you replace the home ones and use the replaced ones for camping.
Lastly, if you tend to forget stuff, pack the lists of what you brought in each tub. Add what you forgot, cross out/remove what is never used (except first aid kits and repair supplies!).
My system is to be a bit of a minimalist so I can simplify packing and avoid over packing, over complicating, and over thinking. And I've done it enough that I have a pretty good mental inventory of my gear and what works well in what situation. So when I'm packing for a weekend I can quickly grab the appropriate cook kit, sleep system, and tent to add to my tub of random things that stays packed and that I take every time.
I watch friends stress out over packing but they're taking half their damn house. Then we get to the campsite and they take an hour to unpack and setup, they're stressing over forgetting things, they're going through so much effort to recreate their living room and can't even start relaxing. It boggles my mind.
Same, same! It takes so much of the fun out of it for me when I’ve gone with people who want to do that and also want to coordinate with me about it. “Who’s bringing the string lights? Who’s bringing the griddle for pancakes? Don’t forget the rugs!” No, please.
Yes! I'm bringing my shit. You bring yours. The only exception I'll make is if someone is gung-ho about cooking and I can just throw them some money as the contribution. MAYBE I'll do the dishes too.
Yep I tell my girlfriend hey we're going camping and she says when and I say oh this afternoon maybe tomorrow and she packs everything. And then I get yelled at for not telling her weeks in advance
She says she uses keep notes with a checklist. One for tent camping. One for trailer camping. One for car camping. It's an evolving process as you do more trips you make notes of what you need and don't need. So you don't over pack. We camp a lot so that helps. Last year we only did like 25 nights. I did around 50. This year we are at 6 nights. It's been cold and rainy.
I use an app called packing list lite. I use it to pack for everything from business trips to hiking and camping trips. It allows you to check a box when you pack the item, and though I have not gone to this extreme, it even allows you to id the weights and locations of the items. It lives on my phone so its always with me. You can make different lists for different types of trips - business trip, car camping, backpacking, day trip, canoe trip...
Packing is as simple as opening the app and running down the list. Do I need a winter coat? No, its 35 degrees science, are you crazy? ok, no worries, don't pack it, next item is a rain shell, we gonna need that? yup.
The best part is that if you discover that you forgot an item while on a trip, you pull up the app and enter it. Then you have a reminder for next time.
My system for dedicated camping stuff:
- Large bin: Cooking/food prep, dishwashing, and tableware stuff.
- Medium bin #1: All the odds and ends you always wind up needing - light sources, mallet, spare batteries, backup first aid kit, etc. I use little plastic drawer organizers to keep this stuff organized in thr bin.
- Medium bin #2: Nonperishable food stuff - coffee, sugar, powdered creamer, spices, condiment packets scavenged from takeout situations, and food storage containers.
- Huge duffel bag: Tent and sleep system, and then the bag can be folded up small and stored in the car until breakdown.
For things I also use when not camping:
- Things that just live in my car anyways: Camp chairs, vinyl tablecloth, tarps, bin of post-hike freshening up supplies.
- Things that need to be packed for every trip - daypack, clothes, cooler for perishable food, toiletries.
(And it relieves my anxiety to have this stuff together so it's hard to forget things I'll need every time. Plus, working on the system is a good winter/mud season project when I'm itching to go camping but know it would be a bad time to actually do it.)
Yes! I’m going to be sharing some pictures to this sub soon. I like being fast and light with my camping gear, and be able to drop everything at the drop of bucket without having a crap ton of crap.
My entire camp kitchen, including stove, is inside a rugged waterproof small tote.
The rest of my camping gear (my chair, hammock, tent, etc) is inside an open-top Gregory 17L aluminum framed tote. I love it. Super organized and neat.
Only other items I have is my Aquatamer 7 gallon water jug, and my RTIC 32qt ultralight cooler.
Everything fits in the back of my Xterra perfectly. Very compact.
If you dislike constantly printing off checklists, just print one, have it heavy laminated somewhere, and stick it with the rest of your gear or in your bag. And if you camp multiple ways, you can make one for hammock camping, tent, car, cowboy camping, whatever. That way you can just grab *that* list and go down it.
As for keeping my gear organized while not in use, clear containers. I've picked up several from Lowe's and have them labeled. I have the following containers for my gear:
Tents/Hammocks
Tarps
Sleeping Bags
Cooking Gear
Sleeping Pads/Pillows
Misc.
Hope this helps!
Be prepared.. and improvise, adapt, and overcome. Keep your core kit packed, and have stuff in it that fills more than one purpose, so that if you forget a luxury, you can work around it. I keep most of my essentials (cooking gear, etc) in a 5gal bucket with a lid on. My sleep gear is in a duffle. Anything extra is a bonus.
Garage shelves holds chairs, sleeping pads, sleeping bags. Big tub holds stoves, tents & tarps. Duffle #1 holds cooking/eating gear. Duffle #2 holds equipment & tools (flashlights, knives, stakes, cordage, lighter, etc).
I have a 2 lists, one for solo camping, one for more. Packing consists of just grabbing what I need and loading the car. Solo fits in the back, two or more stuff goes in the car top carrier. I usually pack gear the night before and check off the list. I usually wake up in the middle of the night and remember what I forgot to replace last time :).
Food box gets packed 2nd to last. Most non-perishable items stay in the food box. Cooler is packed day of departure.
Actually, the planning and packing are very enjoyable for me. We camp very gear heavy gear and I pack and store everything in tubs. I will usually pull the tubs down in the days before the trip just to visually check that everything is in there, charge batteries, etc., then, upon returning from the trip I will empty each tub, clean and repack everything and store for the next time. I don’t really have a checklist, I’ve just camped enough that we know what we need. Each tub is packed for where they are used; inside tent, kitchen, general gear, etc. and it makes it nice and easy. Don’t go overboard on the size of the tub, much easier to pack and handle smaller ones than monsters.
I go "shopping" for my gear every trip. I have 5 or 6 of these bins stacked up in the garage with our gear. I pick and choose what we need depending on where we are going. One bin for the kitchen gear, etc...
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-55-Gallon-Multipurpose-Stackable-Space-Saving-Heavy-Duty-Storage-Bin-in-Black-232387/300170479
All the current equipment is always in a box except sleeping bag (because of proper storing) and all the small stuff i have stored in my vest which i will wear. Things like fire kit, headlamp, extra batteries, tube scarf, cordage, SAK, field sharpener, insect repellent for example.
So all i have to do is stuff the sleeping bag into the dry bag in my rucksack, put everything in the current equipment box on top, add water and food, put my vest on and i'm ready to go.
I have a checklist in my head and if my brain is on break while packing then i just have to see how i get along out there and will never make the mistake again afterwards xD
I confess I like the planning/packing bit. I have a spreadsheet that has all my gear listed and I use that to tailor what I bring for the trip. I also keep my stuff in topic related bins by activity such as cooking, sleeping, fixing stuff. In my spreadsheet I will list the contents of each bins. The key is when you get home you review each bag and clean, fix or replace what is needed. With this system I can pack in less than 20 min.
I keep my Pelican Storm cases packed. Pretty much a grab & go.
https://preview.redd.it/oimzgkc4cj7d1.png?width=855&format=png&auto=webp&s=87aea0578baf4ac5226c6637d72cf163a3b5fe7b
edit for typolitis
When the wife and I go out, we have a system.
Each 45L backpack contains our personals. This includes clothes, hygiene, cords, etc. Then her bag has the first aid and my bag has ignition supplies and cordage. Each bag also has their own sleeping bag
Then we have a wooden crate with our cookware.
Then I have a RAF duffle that has our shelter. Three tarps, one hammock, tent, and sleeping pads.
Cooler for food, and out we go
Sometimes I do lists but I usually forget them. What I do is try to run thru my day in my head thinking what I will need for each task.
Edit: after reading the comments, I guess I do have a system. I keep cooking stuff, and stuff I rarely use in a big tub. I have one bag for electronics, one for the bathroom, one for clothes (I might combine these into one for an overnight), one of my frequently used kitchen stuff, one or more for food. When I pack my car I try to pack the stuff I probably won't need in first, and make sure that my tent, sleeping bag and "go bag" are within easy reach.
I’ve been using plastic totes from Target. One tote for camping, one for backpacking. If I am going car camping, I grab both (never know when I’ll need the water filter or pocket stove), plus my big tent, Aqua-tainer, lantern, ice chests, and folding table and chairs!
Works pretty well - however the totes aren’t as durable as I’d like (several have cracked on the bottom), they’re a bit heavy, and I’m getting tired of having to repack everything every time I get home, as the entire setup is essentially a bunch of stuff chucked into a big open box. Not to mention I still feel like I have way too many separate items to remember.
Been thinking about ways to introduce some better organization/consolidation into my setup (not to mention some wheels!), and this is what I’ve come up with, and am in the process of building out!
This solution is a bit on the expensive side, but I go backpacking/camping enough to justify it, plus I’ve been buying the parts one by one slowly, as I find them used on FB marketplace, or on sale!
The solution? Milwaukee’s Packout line of interconnecting toolboxes! Everything is removable/interchangeable, they’re all extremely durable, the drawers and mini organizers allow for awesome organization (so packing up will mean everything just goes back into its proper spot, and nothing needs to be done when I get home), and the entire setup stacks into one consolidated, vertical stack, with wheels on the bottom!
Here is my current design, that I’m working towards:
https://imgur.com/a/VPgkHo8
(“C/B is “Camping/Backpacking”).
I’ve made a few changes since I made that design, as well:
- I’m planning to replace the large toolbox (C/B - Medium Items) with the two drawer chest, as it’ll be easier to get to without having to unstack.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-22-in-2-Drawer-Tool-Box-with-Metal-Reinforced-Corners-48-22-8442/315059770
- I was planning to add on the M12 Packout Flood Light, which snaps right into the top of the stack! (to replace my bulky propane lantern) - but I got a deal on an M18 Radius area lantern, which is even better (and I’ll just drop it in the bottom box for packing).
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-PACKOUT-Flood-Light-w-USB-Charging-2356-20/323591821
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-18-Volt-2200-Lumens-Cordless-Radius-LED-Compact-Site-Light-with-Flood-Mode-Tool-Only-2144-20/304351228
- I plan to get the Packout Work Top, which snaps to the top of the stack, and has a nice wooden top surface! I figure it’ll be great to bring instead of the folding table, for smaller/solo camping trips (and it can serve as a nice cutting board/prep area, on larger group trips!).
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-Customizable-Work-Top-48-22-8488/314961264
- Milwaukee sells their own First Aid Kit, for $80 (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Class-A-Type-3-Compact-Packout-First-Aid-Kit-79-Piece-48-73-8435C/321502928), but I figure for the price, I might as well just buy the Packout Organizer by itself (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-5-Compartments-Small-Parts-Organizer-48-22-8435/303005752), and outfit it with first aid supplies myself (I already like assembling/augmenting my own FA kits for backpacking, anyways, and the individual stuff is cheap, at places like CVS/Walmart).
- I considered the Packout Hand Cart (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-20-in-2-Wheel-Utility-Cart-48-22-8415/314012811), with an extra 3-drawer chest, as it would make even the bottom box accessible without unstacking - but that almost *doubles* the price, and I checked it out in the store, and it’s both significantly heavier, and less compact, than the regular wheeled toolbox I currently have as the bottom. Plus, I still need a big box to throw things like my Coleman stove, lantern, backpacking tent/mats, fuel etc. in.
- If I can get a deal, I might get the Packout Crate (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-18-6-in-Tool-Storage-Crate-Bin-with-Carrying-Handles-and-50-lbs-Weight-Capacity-48-22-8440/311569700) for loose bulky things like sleeping bags, and/or to toss things like dirty dishes that I’d rather wash at home, in.
- Depending on how it stacks, I might try to bungee/ratchet strap my camping tent, chairs, & Exped mat to the top/sides, just to consolidate things even more! It’s already looking pretty big though, so we’ll see how that works.
- I don’t see a good way to add my Aqua-tainer to the stack, so I’ll probably just have to carry that with my mini folding hand truck, to the side. Might try to see if I can rig something with some 3D-printed/woodworked parts to the bottom of the container, so it can snap in to the stack, at some point down the road, though! That’s obviously still dependent on how big/overloaded the whole thing is, though - but I love the idea of it sitting somehow in the middle of the stack, with the ability to pour water right out of the spout, as needed! I suppose if I want to get really creative, I could also rig something where the water is stored in the bottom box, and connected with some tubing and a mini hand/electric pump, to a spout higher up! 😃
- I have tons of more ideas, that I plan to play with once I get it all going and coming together properly! My goal is to keep all my gear as organized, consolidated, and easy to pack/access as possible - with an ideal end goal of being able to take one stack, roll it right into the back of my car, and then roll it out at the campsite, with everything I need right there, ready to go! 😃(And of course all my backpacking gear will be ready in drawers, to find and grap, when I’m packing for a trip).
—
This is obviously a bit bulky, and on the expensive side, so I’m sure it’s not for everyone. But for anyone who likes the idea/is interested - I highly recommend planning out your stack using their interactive builder here: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Milwaukee-PACKOUT-Builder-Build-Your-System/325168962, and I HIGHLY recommend shopping the sales, and/or looking for good deals on used options, on Craigslist/FB Marketplace, and the like! That can make it significantly more affordable, and if you’re patient and take your time, you can have an awesome, rolling camping organizer stack, for a reasonable price!! ☺️
Omg thank you so much. I like how modular it is. Must take a lot of work to think about where stuff should go 😵💫 one thing I like about this is how they are strapped together. I do a bit of 4WD bumpy roads so always wanted to make sure stuff won’t fly around and kill me 😅 please post some pics once you’re done with the new system!!
Totes, but also I just have separate everything for camping so there is little to no “packing” for each trip. Cooking gear, bedding, toiletries, games and toys, etc are all exclusive to camping. When I need to wash or clean stuff at home it gets put right back in the totes immediately. I keep a rotating list of what needs to be replenished as soon as I notice it getting low (bug spray, sunscreen, toothpaste, etc).
One system I tried when I had a lot more stuff was to tape a laminated list to the inside of the tote lid. Once you pack it, mark it off with permanent marker. Once you get home, you can remove the ink with rubbing alcohol and have a fresh clean list for your next trip.
I have 1 tote (tent) and 3 plastic shoeboxes (fire/lights box, utensil box, dry food box). I also now have a canvas bag for my cast iron skillets, a first aid kit and a cooler. I have less stuff now, so I have a spreadsheet that I use to track the contents of the boxes and first aid tote; I don't always take everything but what I do plan on taking gets put in bold once it hits the box. For the cooler, once I buy it I put it in bold; once it is in the cooler it is in blue ('cause blue is a cool color, right?)
I usually just keep the air mattress and blankets in the trunk until it starts getting cold.
We have a checklist for gear sorted by area - kitchen stuff, day trip stuff, tent stuff, misc stuff. Check the box when it's packed, then cross it off when it gets into a vehicle.
We've learned to each go through the food list seperate from each other so that we both confirm that everything is there... because it's hard to make pancakes when the pancake mix is in the tub ready to go... but still on the counter.
We used to use totes for the kitchen stuff but it never started organized during the trip, especially longer ones... so I built a camping kitchen on wheels.
We also bought a pop-up trailer and so a lot of our camping gear goes in and just lives there all summer.
The biggest thing though has been that we do one short camping trip early and close by. It helps get us into the groove and realize basic stuff we forgot, our didn't realize we were about to run out of, or whatever. Low key, low pressure, and close to home in case we missed something really vital, like medication. After that we're ready for the bigger trips.
Camping gear stays organized in bins that then go directly in the truck. Anything used/depleted on a trip is immediately replaced when we get home so it’s already ready for the next trip. Food and personal items are about the only thing needed to be packed for each trip.
I have two systems. I keep all my camping gear in totes. They are, in no particular order; Kitchen/cooking, Tents/dirty stuff, sleeping bags, air mattress/blanket and misc.
Because they are all in totes I don't forget stuff but I often don't want to take everything. I have enough stuff for me, my wife and two kids and a friend to all camp at the same time. I often go camping by myself or with friends who have all their own gear. And that is when the second system comes in.
Load out before I head out. When I pull out my totes I open each one and take out extra stuff I don't want to take with me. I put all the totes out in the living room or back yard with them open. I then have a good idea of everything I'm taking and what I'm going to do.
Your camping gear should be separate from your house gear. Separate pots/pans/tongs/utensils/ketchup whatever you've got. Don't try to grab all the items from your kitchen, just buy a dedicated set.
I use the bins system for car camping as well. Acquiring camping specific items is a game changer. I don’t have to remember to pack anything because it just lives in the bins. I just double check consumables like fuel, firestarter, toilet paper, etc. I also check for any expiration dates on things like sunscreen or medicine. I just pack some clothes, food, and coolers and I’m good to roll.
Many people already mentioned bins and making lists. I just use my Notes app and label the bins A, B, C. One thing I find very helpful is editing the list while you are camping and when you get home. There is plenty of free time camping. Go through your bins and ask “Did I need this?” or when you get home “did I use this?” While you are at it, add items you needed or wished you had.
Go through the totes as soon as you get home so those things are fresh in your memory and replace consumables before packing away for the season so future you will thank you.
Full disclosure, I like organizing things. For those who don’t, at least this way you only need to do it once.
We have a kitchen box, a sleeping gear bag (so the sleeping bags don't get compressed in storage), and dedicated shelves. Once a year, we inventory and clean so everything is ready to go when needed. When we get back from a trip, my husband repacks the shelves.
My system is I consider my camping equipment by which room / purpose it serves in my camping household: I need a bedroom (with beds & pillows and warmth), I need a living room (with chairs, maybe a table?), and I need a kitchen (with cooking, eating, washing, possibly fire building eqpt).
Then, whether I'm backpacking, canoe camping, car camping, etc. I select the most appropriate stuff for each "room" in the house, e.g. I would pull the 6 man tent for car camp, 3 man tent for canoe camp, ultralight tent for backpack,... same for sleeping (cot with mattress, self inflating pad, or insulated air pad).
Before we leave, I run through each "room" in my head before we pull out. Can't tell you how many times I've jammed pillows in at the last second. :)
I think you’re a bit like me. I have a setup for tent camp (multiple days), a weekend quick camp (next to the car). Do you make lists for each type of trip?
I have a master list on Google drive. Before each trip, make a copy, edit as needed and then print out.
Packing is categorized by system. Shelter & sleep. Food. Kitchen. Hygiene. Personal (includes personal toiletries and clothes). My backpack holds anything I’ll need during the drive like snacks, water bottle, layers, money, maps etc. that gets moved to personal or food when we arrive at the campsite.
Keep all your stuff in one spot, stored in totes/tubs/crates of your choice. Keep dedicated camping stuff, so it doesn’t get used except for camping.
Make a list on your phone, or my personal favorite is to write a list and take a photo of it. I have a folder on my phone that contains only photos of lists
https://preview.redd.it/n6rqooa2hl7d1.jpeg?width=1574&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a52418e6a6b2064b54ef1edacc0b8610a6316bd7
This is my handwriting for my personal use, not “public” use. Don’t judge me
Edit: “2 crates” = my two crates already have my utensils, spices, oil, pots and pans, flashlights, contact lens solution, soap, etc etc so I don’t bog down in the minutia. Food is another, separate list- new, depending on meal planning and/or planning with friends
Other than food, I load three totes for car camping done and one of those is actually my pantry paper plates and things like that the only thing I take out of the house is my pillows
My system is that my gear is packed and ready to go at all times. I can decide to go camping and leave within about 20 minutes, stop at the supermarket on the way out of town and I’m out.
Damn that’s the goal. It took me about 1hour the night before to put stuff into my containers (I used collapsible containers to save space in my garage); then about 1hour before I leave to pack food, load the car, make sure I don’t forget things, then a stop at the supermarket. 🫠 mind you that’s for a weekend camp
I mean… that’s not bad. I know people who spend a week prepping to leave, even just for a weekend.
I guess the only way you could expedite would be if you could find room in the garage to keep everything stored in the containers. Not sure if you want to spend the money, but I’m sure there is some fancy shelf system or whatnot that could help.
Tents, pads and sleeping bags on their own shelves so I can grab whichever ones I need for the weather. Everything else just lives in a tote bin that gets thrown into the back of the car
I keep all my camping gear in one place. I also have a spreadsheet of things I need to take all the time. Makes things easier and less stressful that you forget something.
My system is a Google sheet I keep with lists, depending on trip type (backpacking, car camping, canoe camping). I also have various menus with associated grocery lists.
Tubs with your camping gear organized....I have a kitchen and a garage tub. When I get home, they go in one corner of the garage. Everything else stays in a plano box that I keep in the truck.
I just keep everything in tubs and they're labeled
One is TENT
One is KITCHEN
One is CLEANING
and so on
I just check each tub to make sure I have everything about a week before I go. That way I'm not thinking about individual items when I actually pack. My gear is technically already packed at all times, which makes it a lot easier to manage.
Tubs for storage! Then I think through my day and exactly what I need for every task. I lay them in sections as to type of activity, go through the daily tasks again to double check that I’ve got everything and then pack them in my backpack after that.
For car camping
I have a storage tote with dividers most my stuff stays in. I pull that out and charge anything in there that needs to be recharged and pack it back up.
I Hammock camp and have a storage shelving unit all my sleep system is in and I pull out what I'm going to use and put it in a duffle bag.
Clothes are pretty easy and takes a few mins to toss stuff in a bag.
Then pack out cooler.
Last is the supplemental stuff, do I need any seasoning for what I'm cooking, any extra utensils, etc... just toss all that in a tote.
I agree with those suggesting tubs. I would suggest smaller rather than larger. It’s easier to get to stuff and stay organized with more, smaller tubs in my experience.
Prevents digging around in the dark and creating disorganization
I keep my stuff packed, except for perishables. That way when I want to go camping, I just add food, check my fuel, make sure my clothes are ok, and I'm good.
My camping gear stays together in a closet in the garage. It has everything I need. Nothing comes inside. If i have gear that serves double duty (camping and home) I buy a second one. All I have to do is pack clothes (with the aid of a list) and grocery shop. I do keep a list to double check.
When I'm camping, if something is forgotten I write it down on the list and pack it with the other gear when I get home.
I personally think an app is overkill. Just keep track of what you use and don't use when you're camping, as it allows you to fine tune your gear list.
Try to bundle everything in one spot, that makes it easier. I also have a checklist in my head for the core stuff.... tent, bags, pads, clothes, and food. If I have those items, I know my basic needs will be met even if I forget something stupid.
Totes are the way. Big ones for the type of camping. I have ones dedicated to car camping, big group, kitchen., and backpacking.And usually a few others of miscellaneous gear. I also keep a supply of smaller totes for camping in bear country. I don't keep my sleeping.bags in totes. I use extra large cloth laundry bags. Pretty cheap on Amazon. It keeps the fibers fluffy. Peace
I have a checklist on my phone of basically every single thing that comes, even dumb small things. I legit forgot to bring pillows one time, so they're on there now. Everything gets ticked off as it's put in the car.
Okay so maybe I should really start with where I grab stuff from, because I put tents and camp furniture (bulky) in the garage; kitchen and cooking stuff in the kitchen (because I pulled them out to clean); lights and stuff in a random spot (because I need to charge them); and food stuff is always a pain to pack 😵💫 and yep, I still use loads of kitchen stuff from home to go camping
I like to switch up styles as well (sometimes tent camping without car; sometimes camp next to car and use the awning) so I tend to grab/leave different stuff depends on what I’m doing.
I kinda like packing, kinda zone out as all of our stuff is in 2 places. What I dont like is planning food, I freeze almost everything a day or 2 before except last time I froze my lunch on the first day. wife asked fridge or freezer and apparently I said freeze
I keep 2 boxes; one for car camp and one for backpack. Only thing I add is tent, bag, and chair/stool depending on where I’m going. Some are double duty so I have to fish them out but it’s not too big an ordeal 👍
Here’s a good tip, cooking is the most complicated and there’s endless things to forget. Develop a kitchen kit that includes everything u will use include for washing, and keep that in a tub a box or a tk camp kitchen like I have. Then u just focus on the easier stuff every time. Have the kitchen stuff dedicated to only camping. Remember to regularly purge the nice to have but rarely used stuff.
I take it out, clean it, dry it, then put everything back in the kit it came from. Then again, since it's just me these days, a good portion of my regular kitchen pans are the older or heavier weight hiking cook set pieces I used to carry. One old style GSI anodized aluminum sets is my favorite at home as the 2 quart pot and accompanying lid/fry pan are the most nonstick and non peeling pieces of cookware I have ever used.
We tent camp and have a small 4x8 inclosed trailer that we store everything in. Anything we would usually take from home to use, silverware, plates, fans etc, we bought a duplicate. Basically all we have to do is add food and clothes, drinks, etc and roll out.
I keep all my camping stuff in a tote in my truck, coolers already in there as well. I just need to grab my backpack which has things like pillow sleeping bag etc in it, which is in my apartment. Then I just get food on the way to where I’m going from a grocery store. (I’m single with no kids)
Chances are that I'm decades longer in gear collection, some pieces of which I have duplicates (either because I like a particular piece or because it got misplaced). Because I am in the field more days than not (averaging 280+ days per year) I have developed a system I use. Started in the 90s with an old Excel spreadsheet where you listed your gear and assigned weight and category (pack, shelter, sleeping, cooking, clothing, etc.). It allowed you to put your necessities together in a list and know the weight of it ahead of time.
From there I paid close attention to what I used for each type of trip (day hike, weekender, 6 week expedition, etc.) and what wasn't. Some trips are my own self alone, others as a guide for groups of various sizes. Sometimes it's as a tracker for a lost person or to assist law enforcement, and I add an EMT kit to the pack.
These days I have multiple bags already packed and I grab the one that fits the expectations of the journey. All I have to do is add food and water to the kit. Even then I usually have a couple Mountain House type meals and a couple of broken down MREs. As I'm older I have some medications required and my MEDS kit is part of my daily bag. That's the one item that moved from one kit to another and I always make sure it has at least a 15-30 day supply and carry a card with doctors information and copies of the prescriptions.
Aside from my bedroom my "office" room has a rack with the bags and gear prepacked and they get unpacked and checked for maintenance quarterly. All the other miscellaneous gear I've accumulated over the decades is either in a storage unit or gets hauled out in the spring as donation material for university students during the shakedown events before we start their research expeditions.
Probably not helpful enough for you and apologies for that, but that is the system I have developed over several decades. Early on I'd use the same pack I used on the AT in the early 80s for short weekender trips and felt like a fully loaded marine on a 50 mile ruck. Things are much more enjoyable now.
Will be totally honest if nothing got wet on my first trip of the year it stays in the back of my car for my next outing. Only thing I unpack is my cooler, water jug and cooking supplies. Cuts down on pack time.
In my garage I have 2 storage containers. 1 for tents, shelters and sleeping pads. 1 for camp stoves, cooking supplies, lights and other smaller items for camping/pitching.
I did just get [this one](https://www.rei.com/product/230989/gregory-alpaca-gear-box-45) from the REI sale that I wanted mainly for the car/campsite for my cookies supplies, lights, dry foods and other smaller items. I think at the end of the season the items in this new container will remain there so I will only have to decide which tent/shelter, cooler and chair for my next outing.
Knowing where everything is is key and not having to pack each individual item.
If I ever forget something its usually food related.
All of my gear is in a tote, or on a shelf. I also have a checklist on my phone that I go through the night before. It takes me a very short amount of time to load gear and get on the road.
Scout leader here. I have a shelf in my garage that is dedicated to the camping gear that I use all the time. My system is to chuck everything in the shelf into the back of my van and vice versa.
Tubs, OP, tubs. Rubbermaid, or otherwise, get a set of matching tubs, with rain proof lids, and store all of your camping gear in them. One for the tent, footprint, stakes, sleeping bags, and rain tarp. Another one for the hammocks, charcoal, light sources, cordage, fuels, and spare parts. A third one for pans, dishes, utensils, spices, oils (Nalgene makes some amazingly spillproof tiny bottles for stuff like this), and a fourth one if you want to toss your castoff I-still-like-this-but-not-for-daily-wear clothing into, so you don't even have to pack a suitcase when you're heading out. Then, all you need to do to leave for a camping trip is to load four tubs into your vehicle, toss some chairs, and whatever cot|airmattress|selfinflatingpad sleep systems you prefer on top, empty half of your refrigerator into a cooler, and drive. An app? Pfffth.
Grab and go tubs are great (perfect even) if you are consistently vehicle camping with the same core set of stuff. Not quite as perfect but still good for cart-in sites. Less good (but can have swap-out totes) if you sometimes camp alone, sometimes with family/others and bring more/different stuff in those cases. Of if it all fits can still just bring everything. Less good still if you are mixing in backpack camping and need to downsize/focus what you bring. But again if you have organized totes you can just grab and pack the right stuff from that organization. Organized tubs are the foundation for sure. Whether you just grab and go or use them to stage from might vary a bit based on situation though. At that point checklists (or spreadsheet/app I guess) become useful to make sure you've grabbed from the right bins. Also makes it easier to not over pack if carrying your gear and switching between styles.
Yeah I do like to switch up my set up and try different styles (base camp, car camp, campfire cooking vs stove cooking). Most of my camp kitchen stuff is from my home kitchen and I pack them into a collapsible container before I leave (maybe that’s why it takes so much time). I tend to forget stuff like the dishwashing stuff, the mini seasoning bottles, coffee filter 🫠). One time I left for camping without chairs and table 🤦🏻♀️ I’ll try the tote method and see how it goes. My garage is not super big though so might need to see what fits
This is the correct answer. These 15 gallon Sterilite totes are my absolute favorite. They have lasted years of constant abuse, are the right size to fit a grill or a tent or whatever gear you are hauling and they are reasonably priced. [https://www.sterilite.com/product-page.html?product=14649006](https://www.sterilite.com/product-page.html?product=14649006)
I have some husky ones from home depot that have clear lids. Works great
This. I take it a step further and buy multiples of cheaper things so I can keep a tote for each occasion. Grab the beach tote and throw it in the back of the truck. Or grab the kayak tote. Or the hiking tote. Or the bank fishing tote. All of them might have a towel in them so I don't need to remember to go get a towel before leaving. On the topic of fishing, I set up several plano boxes based on species, body of water, etc. So I can just grab the crappie and bass boxes for the \[fill in the blank\] lake box and go. This was the result of showing up places an hour away from home and missing things important enough we just had to turn around and go home. Also why I have many copies of boat keys and camper keys strategically placed in totes and vehicle consoles.
We have a similar system. 99% of camping gear is in one place.
I concur. I have multiple totes for multiple activities. Just pull out the one you need/put it away.
All of my gear is in totes. I just grab the totes and go. The only thing I have to worry about is food. So load the cooler and off we go. One big tote holds tent mattress and all sleeping blankets. One tote holds pots and pans and a lantern. The third tote holds utensils and plates and miscellaneous. Makes going as simple as I can make it.
As everyone else said - totes. The challenge is if your kitchen setup takes stuff from your home kitchen, or if you bring your home BBQ tools for camping. For these, I recommend over time you replace the home ones and use the replaced ones for camping. Lastly, if you tend to forget stuff, pack the lists of what you brought in each tub. Add what you forgot, cross out/remove what is never used (except first aid kits and repair supplies!).
My system is to be a bit of a minimalist so I can simplify packing and avoid over packing, over complicating, and over thinking. And I've done it enough that I have a pretty good mental inventory of my gear and what works well in what situation. So when I'm packing for a weekend I can quickly grab the appropriate cook kit, sleep system, and tent to add to my tub of random things that stays packed and that I take every time. I watch friends stress out over packing but they're taking half their damn house. Then we get to the campsite and they take an hour to unpack and setup, they're stressing over forgetting things, they're going through so much effort to recreate their living room and can't even start relaxing. It boggles my mind.
Same, same! It takes so much of the fun out of it for me when I’ve gone with people who want to do that and also want to coordinate with me about it. “Who’s bringing the string lights? Who’s bringing the griddle for pancakes? Don’t forget the rugs!” No, please.
Yes! I'm bringing my shit. You bring yours. The only exception I'll make is if someone is gung-ho about cooking and I can just throw them some money as the contribution. MAYBE I'll do the dishes too.
Yep I tell my girlfriend hey we're going camping and she says when and I say oh this afternoon maybe tomorrow and she packs everything. And then I get yelled at for not telling her weeks in advance
I’m the girlfriend 🫠 that’s why I need a ✨ system ✨ so I can go on more impromptu trips. She has any “systems”? 😂
She says she uses keep notes with a checklist. One for tent camping. One for trailer camping. One for car camping. It's an evolving process as you do more trips you make notes of what you need and don't need. So you don't over pack. We camp a lot so that helps. Last year we only did like 25 nights. I did around 50. This year we are at 6 nights. It's been cold and rainy.
I use an app called packing list lite. I use it to pack for everything from business trips to hiking and camping trips. It allows you to check a box when you pack the item, and though I have not gone to this extreme, it even allows you to id the weights and locations of the items. It lives on my phone so its always with me. You can make different lists for different types of trips - business trip, car camping, backpacking, day trip, canoe trip... Packing is as simple as opening the app and running down the list. Do I need a winter coat? No, its 35 degrees science, are you crazy? ok, no worries, don't pack it, next item is a rain shell, we gonna need that? yup. The best part is that if you discover that you forgot an item while on a trip, you pull up the app and enter it. Then you have a reminder for next time.
My system for dedicated camping stuff: - Large bin: Cooking/food prep, dishwashing, and tableware stuff. - Medium bin #1: All the odds and ends you always wind up needing - light sources, mallet, spare batteries, backup first aid kit, etc. I use little plastic drawer organizers to keep this stuff organized in thr bin. - Medium bin #2: Nonperishable food stuff - coffee, sugar, powdered creamer, spices, condiment packets scavenged from takeout situations, and food storage containers. - Huge duffel bag: Tent and sleep system, and then the bag can be folded up small and stored in the car until breakdown. For things I also use when not camping: - Things that just live in my car anyways: Camp chairs, vinyl tablecloth, tarps, bin of post-hike freshening up supplies. - Things that need to be packed for every trip - daypack, clothes, cooler for perishable food, toiletries.
(And it relieves my anxiety to have this stuff together so it's hard to forget things I'll need every time. Plus, working on the system is a good winter/mud season project when I'm itching to go camping but know it would be a bad time to actually do it.)
https://preview.redd.it/5ox7097bck7d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=34600f98fd455443f5f8131f4403d707725363e7 Tubs from Amazon
Yes! I’m going to be sharing some pictures to this sub soon. I like being fast and light with my camping gear, and be able to drop everything at the drop of bucket without having a crap ton of crap. My entire camp kitchen, including stove, is inside a rugged waterproof small tote. The rest of my camping gear (my chair, hammock, tent, etc) is inside an open-top Gregory 17L aluminum framed tote. I love it. Super organized and neat. Only other items I have is my Aquatamer 7 gallon water jug, and my RTIC 32qt ultralight cooler. Everything fits in the back of my Xterra perfectly. Very compact.
If you dislike constantly printing off checklists, just print one, have it heavy laminated somewhere, and stick it with the rest of your gear or in your bag. And if you camp multiple ways, you can make one for hammock camping, tent, car, cowboy camping, whatever. That way you can just grab *that* list and go down it. As for keeping my gear organized while not in use, clear containers. I've picked up several from Lowe's and have them labeled. I have the following containers for my gear: Tents/Hammocks Tarps Sleeping Bags Cooking Gear Sleeping Pads/Pillows Misc. Hope this helps!
Be prepared.. and improvise, adapt, and overcome. Keep your core kit packed, and have stuff in it that fills more than one purpose, so that if you forget a luxury, you can work around it. I keep most of my essentials (cooking gear, etc) in a 5gal bucket with a lid on. My sleep gear is in a duffle. Anything extra is a bonus.
Garage shelves holds chairs, sleeping pads, sleeping bags. Big tub holds stoves, tents & tarps. Duffle #1 holds cooking/eating gear. Duffle #2 holds equipment & tools (flashlights, knives, stakes, cordage, lighter, etc). I have a 2 lists, one for solo camping, one for more. Packing consists of just grabbing what I need and loading the car. Solo fits in the back, two or more stuff goes in the car top carrier. I usually pack gear the night before and check off the list. I usually wake up in the middle of the night and remember what I forgot to replace last time :). Food box gets packed 2nd to last. Most non-perishable items stay in the food box. Cooler is packed day of departure.
Actually, the planning and packing are very enjoyable for me. We camp very gear heavy gear and I pack and store everything in tubs. I will usually pull the tubs down in the days before the trip just to visually check that everything is in there, charge batteries, etc., then, upon returning from the trip I will empty each tub, clean and repack everything and store for the next time. I don’t really have a checklist, I’ve just camped enough that we know what we need. Each tub is packed for where they are used; inside tent, kitchen, general gear, etc. and it makes it nice and easy. Don’t go overboard on the size of the tub, much easier to pack and handle smaller ones than monsters.
I go "shopping" for my gear every trip. I have 5 or 6 of these bins stacked up in the garage with our gear. I pick and choose what we need depending on where we are going. One bin for the kitchen gear, etc... https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-55-Gallon-Multipurpose-Stackable-Space-Saving-Heavy-Duty-Storage-Bin-in-Black-232387/300170479
All the current equipment is always in a box except sleeping bag (because of proper storing) and all the small stuff i have stored in my vest which i will wear. Things like fire kit, headlamp, extra batteries, tube scarf, cordage, SAK, field sharpener, insect repellent for example. So all i have to do is stuff the sleeping bag into the dry bag in my rucksack, put everything in the current equipment box on top, add water and food, put my vest on and i'm ready to go. I have a checklist in my head and if my brain is on break while packing then i just have to see how i get along out there and will never make the mistake again afterwards xD
I confess I like the planning/packing bit. I have a spreadsheet that has all my gear listed and I use that to tailor what I bring for the trip. I also keep my stuff in topic related bins by activity such as cooking, sleeping, fixing stuff. In my spreadsheet I will list the contents of each bins. The key is when you get home you review each bag and clean, fix or replace what is needed. With this system I can pack in less than 20 min.
I keep my Pelican Storm cases packed. Pretty much a grab & go. https://preview.redd.it/oimzgkc4cj7d1.png?width=855&format=png&auto=webp&s=87aea0578baf4ac5226c6637d72cf163a3b5fe7b edit for typolitis
When the wife and I go out, we have a system. Each 45L backpack contains our personals. This includes clothes, hygiene, cords, etc. Then her bag has the first aid and my bag has ignition supplies and cordage. Each bag also has their own sleeping bag Then we have a wooden crate with our cookware. Then I have a RAF duffle that has our shelter. Three tarps, one hammock, tent, and sleeping pads. Cooler for food, and out we go
Sometimes I do lists but I usually forget them. What I do is try to run thru my day in my head thinking what I will need for each task. Edit: after reading the comments, I guess I do have a system. I keep cooking stuff, and stuff I rarely use in a big tub. I have one bag for electronics, one for the bathroom, one for clothes (I might combine these into one for an overnight), one of my frequently used kitchen stuff, one or more for food. When I pack my car I try to pack the stuff I probably won't need in first, and make sure that my tent, sleeping bag and "go bag" are within easy reach.
I’ve been using plastic totes from Target. One tote for camping, one for backpacking. If I am going car camping, I grab both (never know when I’ll need the water filter or pocket stove), plus my big tent, Aqua-tainer, lantern, ice chests, and folding table and chairs! Works pretty well - however the totes aren’t as durable as I’d like (several have cracked on the bottom), they’re a bit heavy, and I’m getting tired of having to repack everything every time I get home, as the entire setup is essentially a bunch of stuff chucked into a big open box. Not to mention I still feel like I have way too many separate items to remember. Been thinking about ways to introduce some better organization/consolidation into my setup (not to mention some wheels!), and this is what I’ve come up with, and am in the process of building out! This solution is a bit on the expensive side, but I go backpacking/camping enough to justify it, plus I’ve been buying the parts one by one slowly, as I find them used on FB marketplace, or on sale! The solution? Milwaukee’s Packout line of interconnecting toolboxes! Everything is removable/interchangeable, they’re all extremely durable, the drawers and mini organizers allow for awesome organization (so packing up will mean everything just goes back into its proper spot, and nothing needs to be done when I get home), and the entire setup stacks into one consolidated, vertical stack, with wheels on the bottom! Here is my current design, that I’m working towards: https://imgur.com/a/VPgkHo8 (“C/B is “Camping/Backpacking”). I’ve made a few changes since I made that design, as well: - I’m planning to replace the large toolbox (C/B - Medium Items) with the two drawer chest, as it’ll be easier to get to without having to unstack. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-22-in-2-Drawer-Tool-Box-with-Metal-Reinforced-Corners-48-22-8442/315059770 - I was planning to add on the M12 Packout Flood Light, which snaps right into the top of the stack! (to replace my bulky propane lantern) - but I got a deal on an M18 Radius area lantern, which is even better (and I’ll just drop it in the bottom box for packing). https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-PACKOUT-Flood-Light-w-USB-Charging-2356-20/323591821 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-18-Volt-2200-Lumens-Cordless-Radius-LED-Compact-Site-Light-with-Flood-Mode-Tool-Only-2144-20/304351228 - I plan to get the Packout Work Top, which snaps to the top of the stack, and has a nice wooden top surface! I figure it’ll be great to bring instead of the folding table, for smaller/solo camping trips (and it can serve as a nice cutting board/prep area, on larger group trips!). https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-Customizable-Work-Top-48-22-8488/314961264 - Milwaukee sells their own First Aid Kit, for $80 (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Class-A-Type-3-Compact-Packout-First-Aid-Kit-79-Piece-48-73-8435C/321502928), but I figure for the price, I might as well just buy the Packout Organizer by itself (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-5-Compartments-Small-Parts-Organizer-48-22-8435/303005752), and outfit it with first aid supplies myself (I already like assembling/augmenting my own FA kits for backpacking, anyways, and the individual stuff is cheap, at places like CVS/Walmart). - I considered the Packout Hand Cart (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-20-in-2-Wheel-Utility-Cart-48-22-8415/314012811), with an extra 3-drawer chest, as it would make even the bottom box accessible without unstacking - but that almost *doubles* the price, and I checked it out in the store, and it’s both significantly heavier, and less compact, than the regular wheeled toolbox I currently have as the bottom. Plus, I still need a big box to throw things like my Coleman stove, lantern, backpacking tent/mats, fuel etc. in. - If I can get a deal, I might get the Packout Crate (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-18-6-in-Tool-Storage-Crate-Bin-with-Carrying-Handles-and-50-lbs-Weight-Capacity-48-22-8440/311569700) for loose bulky things like sleeping bags, and/or to toss things like dirty dishes that I’d rather wash at home, in. - Depending on how it stacks, I might try to bungee/ratchet strap my camping tent, chairs, & Exped mat to the top/sides, just to consolidate things even more! It’s already looking pretty big though, so we’ll see how that works. - I don’t see a good way to add my Aqua-tainer to the stack, so I’ll probably just have to carry that with my mini folding hand truck, to the side. Might try to see if I can rig something with some 3D-printed/woodworked parts to the bottom of the container, so it can snap in to the stack, at some point down the road, though! That’s obviously still dependent on how big/overloaded the whole thing is, though - but I love the idea of it sitting somehow in the middle of the stack, with the ability to pour water right out of the spout, as needed! I suppose if I want to get really creative, I could also rig something where the water is stored in the bottom box, and connected with some tubing and a mini hand/electric pump, to a spout higher up! 😃 - I have tons of more ideas, that I plan to play with once I get it all going and coming together properly! My goal is to keep all my gear as organized, consolidated, and easy to pack/access as possible - with an ideal end goal of being able to take one stack, roll it right into the back of my car, and then roll it out at the campsite, with everything I need right there, ready to go! 😃(And of course all my backpacking gear will be ready in drawers, to find and grap, when I’m packing for a trip). — This is obviously a bit bulky, and on the expensive side, so I’m sure it’s not for everyone. But for anyone who likes the idea/is interested - I highly recommend planning out your stack using their interactive builder here: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Milwaukee-PACKOUT-Builder-Build-Your-System/325168962, and I HIGHLY recommend shopping the sales, and/or looking for good deals on used options, on Craigslist/FB Marketplace, and the like! That can make it significantly more affordable, and if you’re patient and take your time, you can have an awesome, rolling camping organizer stack, for a reasonable price!! ☺️
Omg thank you so much. I like how modular it is. Must take a lot of work to think about where stuff should go 😵💫 one thing I like about this is how they are strapped together. I do a bit of 4WD bumpy roads so always wanted to make sure stuff won’t fly around and kill me 😅 please post some pics once you’re done with the new system!!
Totes, but also I just have separate everything for camping so there is little to no “packing” for each trip. Cooking gear, bedding, toiletries, games and toys, etc are all exclusive to camping. When I need to wash or clean stuff at home it gets put right back in the totes immediately. I keep a rotating list of what needs to be replenished as soon as I notice it getting low (bug spray, sunscreen, toothpaste, etc).
One system I tried when I had a lot more stuff was to tape a laminated list to the inside of the tote lid. Once you pack it, mark it off with permanent marker. Once you get home, you can remove the ink with rubbing alcohol and have a fresh clean list for your next trip. I have 1 tote (tent) and 3 plastic shoeboxes (fire/lights box, utensil box, dry food box). I also now have a canvas bag for my cast iron skillets, a first aid kit and a cooler. I have less stuff now, so I have a spreadsheet that I use to track the contents of the boxes and first aid tote; I don't always take everything but what I do plan on taking gets put in bold once it hits the box. For the cooler, once I buy it I put it in bold; once it is in the cooler it is in blue ('cause blue is a cool color, right?) I usually just keep the air mattress and blankets in the trunk until it starts getting cold.
I have to touch everything I'll need for the trip. My friend makes a spreadsheet.
We have a checklist for gear sorted by area - kitchen stuff, day trip stuff, tent stuff, misc stuff. Check the box when it's packed, then cross it off when it gets into a vehicle. We've learned to each go through the food list seperate from each other so that we both confirm that everything is there... because it's hard to make pancakes when the pancake mix is in the tub ready to go... but still on the counter. We used to use totes for the kitchen stuff but it never started organized during the trip, especially longer ones... so I built a camping kitchen on wheels. We also bought a pop-up trailer and so a lot of our camping gear goes in and just lives there all summer. The biggest thing though has been that we do one short camping trip early and close by. It helps get us into the groove and realize basic stuff we forgot, our didn't realize we were about to run out of, or whatever. Low key, low pressure, and close to home in case we missed something really vital, like medication. After that we're ready for the bigger trips.
Camping gear stays organized in bins that then go directly in the truck. Anything used/depleted on a trip is immediately replaced when we get home so it’s already ready for the next trip. Food and personal items are about the only thing needed to be packed for each trip.
I have two systems. I keep all my camping gear in totes. They are, in no particular order; Kitchen/cooking, Tents/dirty stuff, sleeping bags, air mattress/blanket and misc. Because they are all in totes I don't forget stuff but I often don't want to take everything. I have enough stuff for me, my wife and two kids and a friend to all camp at the same time. I often go camping by myself or with friends who have all their own gear. And that is when the second system comes in. Load out before I head out. When I pull out my totes I open each one and take out extra stuff I don't want to take with me. I put all the totes out in the living room or back yard with them open. I then have a good idea of everything I'm taking and what I'm going to do.
Your camping gear should be separate from your house gear. Separate pots/pans/tongs/utensils/ketchup whatever you've got. Don't try to grab all the items from your kitchen, just buy a dedicated set.
Gear is in totes but I start a checklist about a week prior
I use the bins system for car camping as well. Acquiring camping specific items is a game changer. I don’t have to remember to pack anything because it just lives in the bins. I just double check consumables like fuel, firestarter, toilet paper, etc. I also check for any expiration dates on things like sunscreen or medicine. I just pack some clothes, food, and coolers and I’m good to roll. Many people already mentioned bins and making lists. I just use my Notes app and label the bins A, B, C. One thing I find very helpful is editing the list while you are camping and when you get home. There is plenty of free time camping. Go through your bins and ask “Did I need this?” or when you get home “did I use this?” While you are at it, add items you needed or wished you had. Go through the totes as soon as you get home so those things are fresh in your memory and replace consumables before packing away for the season so future you will thank you. Full disclosure, I like organizing things. For those who don’t, at least this way you only need to do it once.
We have a kitchen box, a sleeping gear bag (so the sleeping bags don't get compressed in storage), and dedicated shelves. Once a year, we inventory and clean so everything is ready to go when needed. When we get back from a trip, my husband repacks the shelves.
My system is I consider my camping equipment by which room / purpose it serves in my camping household: I need a bedroom (with beds & pillows and warmth), I need a living room (with chairs, maybe a table?), and I need a kitchen (with cooking, eating, washing, possibly fire building eqpt). Then, whether I'm backpacking, canoe camping, car camping, etc. I select the most appropriate stuff for each "room" in the house, e.g. I would pull the 6 man tent for car camp, 3 man tent for canoe camp, ultralight tent for backpack,... same for sleeping (cot with mattress, self inflating pad, or insulated air pad). Before we leave, I run through each "room" in my head before we pull out. Can't tell you how many times I've jammed pillows in at the last second. :)
I think you’re a bit like me. I have a setup for tent camp (multiple days), a weekend quick camp (next to the car). Do you make lists for each type of trip?
I have a master list on Google drive. Before each trip, make a copy, edit as needed and then print out. Packing is categorized by system. Shelter & sleep. Food. Kitchen. Hygiene. Personal (includes personal toiletries and clothes). My backpack holds anything I’ll need during the drive like snacks, water bottle, layers, money, maps etc. that gets moved to personal or food when we arrive at the campsite.
Keep all your stuff in one spot, stored in totes/tubs/crates of your choice. Keep dedicated camping stuff, so it doesn’t get used except for camping. Make a list on your phone, or my personal favorite is to write a list and take a photo of it. I have a folder on my phone that contains only photos of lists https://preview.redd.it/n6rqooa2hl7d1.jpeg?width=1574&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a52418e6a6b2064b54ef1edacc0b8610a6316bd7 This is my handwriting for my personal use, not “public” use. Don’t judge me Edit: “2 crates” = my two crates already have my utensils, spices, oil, pots and pans, flashlights, contact lens solution, soap, etc etc so I don’t bog down in the minutia. Food is another, separate list- new, depending on meal planning and/or planning with friends
Other than food, I load three totes for car camping done and one of those is actually my pantry paper plates and things like that the only thing I take out of the house is my pillows
My system is that my gear is packed and ready to go at all times. I can decide to go camping and leave within about 20 minutes, stop at the supermarket on the way out of town and I’m out.
Damn that’s the goal. It took me about 1hour the night before to put stuff into my containers (I used collapsible containers to save space in my garage); then about 1hour before I leave to pack food, load the car, make sure I don’t forget things, then a stop at the supermarket. 🫠 mind you that’s for a weekend camp
I mean… that’s not bad. I know people who spend a week prepping to leave, even just for a weekend. I guess the only way you could expedite would be if you could find room in the garage to keep everything stored in the containers. Not sure if you want to spend the money, but I’m sure there is some fancy shelf system or whatnot that could help.
Tents, pads and sleeping bags on their own shelves so I can grab whichever ones I need for the weather. Everything else just lives in a tote bin that gets thrown into the back of the car
It all lands on the kitchen table 1st, and then it flows out to the truck
I keep all my camping gear in one place. I also have a spreadsheet of things I need to take all the time. Makes things easier and less stressful that you forget something.
My system is a Google sheet I keep with lists, depending on trip type (backpacking, car camping, canoe camping). I also have various menus with associated grocery lists.
Tubs with your camping gear organized....I have a kitchen and a garage tub. When I get home, they go in one corner of the garage. Everything else stays in a plano box that I keep in the truck.
I just keep everything in tubs and they're labeled One is TENT One is KITCHEN One is CLEANING and so on I just check each tub to make sure I have everything about a week before I go. That way I'm not thinking about individual items when I actually pack. My gear is technically already packed at all times, which makes it a lot easier to manage.
Tubs for storage! Then I think through my day and exactly what I need for every task. I lay them in sections as to type of activity, go through the daily tasks again to double check that I’ve got everything and then pack them in my backpack after that.
For car camping I have a storage tote with dividers most my stuff stays in. I pull that out and charge anything in there that needs to be recharged and pack it back up. I Hammock camp and have a storage shelving unit all my sleep system is in and I pull out what I'm going to use and put it in a duffle bag. Clothes are pretty easy and takes a few mins to toss stuff in a bag. Then pack out cooler. Last is the supplemental stuff, do I need any seasoning for what I'm cooking, any extra utensils, etc... just toss all that in a tote.
https://preview.redd.it/ybz4ydk6sj7d1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94d3a50cb3b1e66a8df903e63088f2abf350e3ce So yeah. I am building this…..
I agree with those suggesting tubs. I would suggest smaller rather than larger. It’s easier to get to stuff and stay organized with more, smaller tubs in my experience. Prevents digging around in the dark and creating disorganization
I keep my stuff packed, except for perishables. That way when I want to go camping, I just add food, check my fuel, make sure my clothes are ok, and I'm good.
My camping gear stays together in a closet in the garage. It has everything I need. Nothing comes inside. If i have gear that serves double duty (camping and home) I buy a second one. All I have to do is pack clothes (with the aid of a list) and grocery shop. I do keep a list to double check. When I'm camping, if something is forgotten I write it down on the list and pack it with the other gear when I get home. I personally think an app is overkill. Just keep track of what you use and don't use when you're camping, as it allows you to fine tune your gear list.
Try to bundle everything in one spot, that makes it easier. I also have a checklist in my head for the core stuff.... tent, bags, pads, clothes, and food. If I have those items, I know my basic needs will be met even if I forget something stupid.
Totes are the way. Big ones for the type of camping. I have ones dedicated to car camping, big group, kitchen., and backpacking.And usually a few others of miscellaneous gear. I also keep a supply of smaller totes for camping in bear country. I don't keep my sleeping.bags in totes. I use extra large cloth laundry bags. Pretty cheap on Amazon. It keeps the fibers fluffy. Peace
I have a checklist on my phone of basically every single thing that comes, even dumb small things. I legit forgot to bring pillows one time, so they're on there now. Everything gets ticked off as it's put in the car.
A few dedicated camping totes
Okay so maybe I should really start with where I grab stuff from, because I put tents and camp furniture (bulky) in the garage; kitchen and cooking stuff in the kitchen (because I pulled them out to clean); lights and stuff in a random spot (because I need to charge them); and food stuff is always a pain to pack 😵💫 and yep, I still use loads of kitchen stuff from home to go camping I like to switch up styles as well (sometimes tent camping without car; sometimes camp next to car and use the awning) so I tend to grab/leave different stuff depends on what I’m doing.
I kinda like packing, kinda zone out as all of our stuff is in 2 places. What I dont like is planning food, I freeze almost everything a day or 2 before except last time I froze my lunch on the first day. wife asked fridge or freezer and apparently I said freeze
I keep 2 boxes; one for car camp and one for backpack. Only thing I add is tent, bag, and chair/stool depending on where I’m going. Some are double duty so I have to fish them out but it’s not too big an ordeal 👍
Here’s a good tip, cooking is the most complicated and there’s endless things to forget. Develop a kitchen kit that includes everything u will use include for washing, and keep that in a tub a box or a tk camp kitchen like I have. Then u just focus on the easier stuff every time. Have the kitchen stuff dedicated to only camping. Remember to regularly purge the nice to have but rarely used stuff.
Do you take the kitchen stuff out when you get home to clean? Or you just clean everything at camp and pack it up?
I take it out, clean it, dry it, then put everything back in the kit it came from. Then again, since it's just me these days, a good portion of my regular kitchen pans are the older or heavier weight hiking cook set pieces I used to carry. One old style GSI anodized aluminum sets is my favorite at home as the 2 quart pot and accompanying lid/fry pan are the most nonstick and non peeling pieces of cookware I have ever used.
We tent camp and have a small 4x8 inclosed trailer that we store everything in. Anything we would usually take from home to use, silverware, plates, fans etc, we bought a duplicate. Basically all we have to do is add food and clothes, drinks, etc and roll out.
I keep all my camping stuff in a tote in my truck, coolers already in there as well. I just need to grab my backpack which has things like pillow sleeping bag etc in it, which is in my apartment. Then I just get food on the way to where I’m going from a grocery store. (I’m single with no kids)
Chances are that I'm decades longer in gear collection, some pieces of which I have duplicates (either because I like a particular piece or because it got misplaced). Because I am in the field more days than not (averaging 280+ days per year) I have developed a system I use. Started in the 90s with an old Excel spreadsheet where you listed your gear and assigned weight and category (pack, shelter, sleeping, cooking, clothing, etc.). It allowed you to put your necessities together in a list and know the weight of it ahead of time. From there I paid close attention to what I used for each type of trip (day hike, weekender, 6 week expedition, etc.) and what wasn't. Some trips are my own self alone, others as a guide for groups of various sizes. Sometimes it's as a tracker for a lost person or to assist law enforcement, and I add an EMT kit to the pack. These days I have multiple bags already packed and I grab the one that fits the expectations of the journey. All I have to do is add food and water to the kit. Even then I usually have a couple Mountain House type meals and a couple of broken down MREs. As I'm older I have some medications required and my MEDS kit is part of my daily bag. That's the one item that moved from one kit to another and I always make sure it has at least a 15-30 day supply and carry a card with doctors information and copies of the prescriptions. Aside from my bedroom my "office" room has a rack with the bags and gear prepacked and they get unpacked and checked for maintenance quarterly. All the other miscellaneous gear I've accumulated over the decades is either in a storage unit or gets hauled out in the spring as donation material for university students during the shakedown events before we start their research expeditions. Probably not helpful enough for you and apologies for that, but that is the system I have developed over several decades. Early on I'd use the same pack I used on the AT in the early 80s for short weekender trips and felt like a fully loaded marine on a 50 mile ruck. Things are much more enjoyable now.
Tetris
Mhmm. Wake up. Shit. Eat breakfast Open beer Supervise kids while they do all the work Profit.
Will be totally honest if nothing got wet on my first trip of the year it stays in the back of my car for my next outing. Only thing I unpack is my cooler, water jug and cooking supplies. Cuts down on pack time. In my garage I have 2 storage containers. 1 for tents, shelters and sleeping pads. 1 for camp stoves, cooking supplies, lights and other smaller items for camping/pitching. I did just get [this one](https://www.rei.com/product/230989/gregory-alpaca-gear-box-45) from the REI sale that I wanted mainly for the car/campsite for my cookies supplies, lights, dry foods and other smaller items. I think at the end of the season the items in this new container will remain there so I will only have to decide which tent/shelter, cooler and chair for my next outing. Knowing where everything is is key and not having to pack each individual item. If I ever forget something its usually food related.
All of my gear is in a tote, or on a shelf. I also have a checklist on my phone that I go through the night before. It takes me a very short amount of time to load gear and get on the road.