PHUONG LE//APRIL 8, 2020

With so many of us spending more time indoors and staying close to home, now is a good opportunity to give your outdoor gear a little love and attention. As you dream about your next outdoor adventure, consider tackling those repair and maintenance projects that you’ve always meant to get to but have never had the time.

We’ve created a list of ideas to get you started. Properly caring for your gear not only helps you perform your best but makes your gear last longer and can help you save money and unnecessary resources. Hopefully some of these projects will keep you busy and inspired for your next outdoor activity when the time comes.

1. Organize your gear storage.
2. Restock your first-aid kit.
3. Clean your cooler with soap and water. For tougher stains, try baking soda and water or a mixture of water and bleach solution.
4. Renew the waterproofing on your rain jacket.
5. Clean your running shoes.
6. Running shoes still looking rough? See if it’s time to replace them.
7. Prep your hiking boots for their next adventure.
8. Check and replace the batteries on your headlamps, lanterns, radios and other electronics.
9. Clean your bike’s drivetrain.
10. Grab the glue and learn to patch a bike tube.
11. Clean your bike (hold the pressure wash).
12. Condition your leather boots.
13. Keep the fluff in your down jacket: Patch any holes or tears.
14. Wash your sleeping bag.
15. Break in your new boots (around your house or neighborhood).
16. Waterproof your tent.
17. De-mold your hydration bladder.
18. Wax your snowboard or skis before storing them.
19. Give your e-bike a routine checkup.
20. Get the stink out of your workout clothes.
21. De-fuzz your favorite socks or sweater.
22. Fix your bike’s creaks, squeaks and squeals.
23. Give your backpack a sponge bath (or maybe even a real bath).
24. Fix that zipper that always sticks (you know the one).
25. Repair that broken tent pole.
26. Assemble your bike repair kit (before you need it).
27. Find and fix that slow leak in your sleeping pad.
28. Give your climbing rope a well-earned wash.
29. While you’re at it, rinse and clean your climbing harness.
30. Patch the rip in your tent.
31. Figure out how much fuel is left in those half-used canisters cluttering your garage.
32. Water tasting funky? Time to clean those water bottles.
33. Change or repair your bike chain.
34. If you don’t plan on using your avalanche transceiver, remove the batteries until the next time you go out.
35. Clean your yoga mat with a DIY cleaner.
36. Make sure your crampons are the sharpest tools in your shed.
37. Give your tent a good cleaning.
38. Show your climbing shoes some TLC.
39. Inspect your bike’s ABCs (air, brakes, chain) before your next ride.
40. Fix a flat bike tire (or practice so you’ve got it dialed down).
41. Inspect your bike’s crankset.
42. Get a new bike helmet if you’ve had it longer than five years. While you’re at it, make sure your kids’ helmets still fit.
43. Tune your skis to rip next season.
44. Make sure you’re storing your tent properly…
45. …and make sure you’re storing your sleeping bag properly…
46. …and are you storing your kayak properly?
47. Wash your wetsuit.
48. Inspect your personal flotation devices (PFDs) to make sure they’re in good working order without rips or tears. Have your kids outgrown theirs? Get them new ones.
49. Wash your dusty hammock (according to manufacturer’s recommendations).
50. Replace worn laces on your running shoes, then tie them up and hit the road in a quiet(er) corner of your neighborhood.

Read more tips on how to maintain and repair your gear in our Expert Advice online learning library. To see the full article: https://www.rei.com/blog/social/50-ways-to-get-your-outdoor-gear-in-shape