Maintaining your outdoor gear is crucial for ensuring it lasts for many adventures to come. If you want to enjoy your gear for years, it’s important to follow some simple maintenance practices. This guide will help you understand the best ways to care for your outdoor gear, ensuring it serves you well and remains in great condition.
Keep Your Gear in Top Shape with Squatch Survival Gear: Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Adventures
When you’re out in the wilderness or tackling an urban survival scenario, your gear is your lifeline. That’s why keeping it in peak condition is non-negotiable. At Squatch Survival Gear, we believe in making high-quality, American-made survival gear that stands the test of time. But even the toughest gear—like our Yowie Pack or Grassman Pack—needs regular TLC to keep performing at its best. Here’s how to care for your gear the Squatch way.
1. Clean Your Gear Regularly
A clean pack is a reliable pack! Dirt, grime, and moisture can shorten the life of your gear, so it’s essential to have a regular cleaning routine. For example, if you’re rocking our Grassman Pack, mild soap and a soft brush will do wonders to keep its rugged fabric in top shape.
- Avoid harsh chemicals: Bleach and strong detergents can weaken materials over time. Stick to gentle soaps.
- Hand wash preferred: Especially for gear with specialized materials like the waterproof features of the Yowie Pack.
- Dry it right: Air-dry your gear in the shade. Sunlight might feel great for you, but it can fade colors and weaken fabrics.
Pro tip: While cleaning, inspect for signs of wear or damage. This proactive step can prevent surprises on your next adventure.
2. Store Gear Properly
Proper storage is critical to maintaining your gear’s longevity, whether it’s your Mothman Pack for urban EDC or your Yowie Pack for heavy-duty adventures.
- Dry before storage: Moisture is your enemy. Mold and mildew can ruin even the most durable gear.
- Use breathable containers: Skip the plastic bins—opt for storage bags or totes that allow airflow. Consider hanging the empty pack in a room where it gets lots of airflow and can wait for the next adventure.
- Loosen up: Gear-like sleeping bags should never be tightly compressed. Let them breathe to preserve loft and insulation.
Organized storage means you’ll be ready to grab your Grassman Pack or Night Howler at a moment’s notice when adventure calls.
3. Inspect for Damage
Before and after every trip, take the time to inspect your gear. Whether you’re preparing for a weekend hike or a full bug-out scenario, you want your gear—like the Yowie Pack—to be in tip-top condition.
- Check for:
- Frayed straps
- Loose stitching
- Broken zippers
- Don’t forget critical areas like seams and water resistantcoatings. Our Grassman Pack is built tough, but regular re-treatment of waterproof materials ensures long-lasting performance. Another option is to get an extreme wet weather cover to assist your pack as the materials age.
Keeping a checklist handy can help ensure you don’t miss anything.
4. Repair Minor Issues Promptly
Small issues can escalate quickly if ignored. Our rigorous testing of materials and quality manufacturing typically means small issues don’t grow. An ounce of precaution goes a long way. A minor tear in someone else’s pack could grow into a major problem mid-hike. Luckily, basic repairs can be done at home or in the field with a little know-how. If your not using our gear on every hike here is what you may need.
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Basic repairs:
- Use adhesive patches for small holes.
- Reinforce weak seams with seam tape.
- Replace broken buckles or zippers as soon as possible.
- Keep a repair kit handy: Needles, thread, and patches are lifesavers when you’re out in the wild.
If you own Squatch Survival Gear products, feel free to contact us for recommendations on the best repair kits compatible with our Berry-compliant materials—or take advantage of your warranty for repairs if the rare need arises.
Why Gear Maintenance Matters
Proper maintenance keeps your Squatch Survival Gear ready for action, whether you’re exploring rugged trails, preparing for a disaster, or heading out on a hunting trip. Gear like the Night Howler, Yowie Pack, and Grassman Pack is designed to perform under pressure, but regular care ensures they’re always ready for the job.
By cleaning, storing, inspecting, and repairing your gear, you’ll maximize its lifespan and keep every adventure stress-free. Remember, the wilderness waits for no one—so treat your gear well, and it will treat you even better.
Explore Squatch Survival Gear
Need gear that’s rugged, reliable, and American-made? Check out our full range of Berry-compliant outdoor gear designed to tackle everything from natural disasters and civil unrest to your next camping trip. Shop now and gear up for the journey ahead.