How To Store A Backpack Long Term

Well, a backpack is the kind of thing you think about when it's on your back, not when it's in your closet. But I've learned the hard way that how you store a pack between trips matters almost as much as how you load it. I've got a garage full of gear that's seen 8,000 miles of trail time, and I've ruined gear by just shoving it in a corner with a damp bladder inside. So, how to store a backpack long term? I've got a few thoughts, and a few products that actually help.

I'm June, and my dog Beans has slept on more packs than most people will ever own. That's my credential. He's got a nose for the good ones, and he's also got a nose for the ones I'm about to throw out because I stored them wrong. This isn't a spec-sheet guide. It's what I've learned from a decade of packing and unpacking.

The Storage King

Let me start with the one that solved my biggest problem. My issue was never the pack itself, it was the shape. A 40-liter pack with a frame sheet and a hip belt doesn't fold into a drawer. It takes up space, and if you crush it, you ruin the foam. The Storage King is a large, heavy-duty plastic bin. I know, it's not sexy. But it works.

The version I own is the 50-gallon size, and it swallows my Maelstrom 40L with room for a sleeping bag and a tent. It's got a gasketed lid, which I was skeptical about, but after a winter in a damp basement, my gear came out dry. The clear plastic is a bonus. I can see what's inside without unstacking three bins. I've had mine for two years, and it's survived a move and a few trips in the back of my truck.

The biggest issue is the price. It's not a ~$10 bin. It's ~$30, which feels like a lot for plastic. But I've bought cheap bins that cracked in the cold and let moisture in. This one hasn't. If you're storing a pack for the long term, you're protecting a ~$60 to ~$200 investment. A ~$30 bin that lasts is cheaper than replacing a pack with moldy straps.

Choose the Storage King if you've got the floor space and you want a set-and-forget solution. It's not sleek. It's not pretty. But my pack has been sitting in mine for six months and it looks the same as the day I packed it away.

The Gym-to-Trail Option

This one is a bit different. It's not a storage bin, it's a bag. A big, duffel-style bag that you can stuff your pack into. I was skeptical at first. I didn't see the point. But then I realized the problem with hanging a pack or setting it on a shelf: dust, light, and the occasional dog hair. Beans sheds like it's his job.

The Gym-to-Trail Option is a heavy-duty nylon duffel with a zipper that runs the full length. I've got the 100-liter version, and it fits my Teton Oasis with room to spare. It's got handles on both ends, which makes it easy to pull out of my closet. The fabric is thick enough that Beans can't chew through it, which is a real concern in my house.

The downside is the zipper. It's not the smoothest zipper I've ever used, and I've had it catch on the fabric a few times. It hasn't failed yet, but I've seen enough zippers die to be wary. It's also not waterproof. If you're storing in a damp garage, this won't protect you. It's a dust cover, not a moisture barrier.

I use this for packs I'm rotating out for the season. It keeps them clean and contained, and it's easier to grab than a plastic bin. Choose the Gym-to-Trail Option if you've got hanging space or a shelf, and you want something you can grab and go. Skip it if you're storing in a basement that floods.

Deuter Fox 30

This is the odd one out in this list because it's not a storage product. It's a pack. But it's the pack I use to store my other packs, and that's the trick. I keep my main hiking pack empty and loose, with the hip belt unbuckled, and I use the Fox 30 as a stuff sack for the smaller items.

The Fox 30 is a daypack, and it's a good one. It's got a frame that keeps its shape, so it doesn't crush the gear around it. I've had mine for about a year, and it's been on day hikes, but its main job is as an organizer. I stuff my rain fly, my first aid kit, and my spare socks into it, and then I put it in the Storage King next to my big pack. It keeps everything in one place.

The issue is that it's not a dedicated storage solution. It's a pack that I repurposed. If you don't need a new daypack, this isn't the product for you. But if you're like me and you're always looking for a way to keep small gear from scattering, it works. The price is reasonable, and it's a pack I'd recommend anyway for day hikes. The storage part is a bonus.

The Maelstrom 40L

I've mentioned this pack a few times, and I want to be clear about it. I own the Maelstrom 40L. It's my current go-to for overnight trips. And I've learned how to store it the hard way. The first winter I had it, I left it loaded with a full bladder. Big mistake. The bladder leaked a little, and the moisture sat in the pack for weeks. The zippers started acting up, and the fabric got a musty smell that took a season to air out.

The fix was simple. Empty the pack, remove the bladder, and let everything dry completely. Then store it loose, not compressed. The Maelstrom has a frame that holds its shape, so I set it upright in the Storage King with the hip belt unbuckled. The side pockets are deep, which is great on trail, but it means a water bottle can get stuck in there if you store it wet. I learned to leave those pockets empty.

The Maelstrom's zippers are the weak point. I've had mine for two years, and they catch fabric occasionally. That's not a storage issue, but it's worse if you store the pack with the zippers under tension. I make sure the main compartment is zipped shut but not stuffed. That keeps the zipper teeth aligned and reduces the chance of them catching.

For the price, under ~$60, this pack is a steal. But it needs a little care. If you're going to store it long term, empty it, dry it, and give it space. I'm super happy with how it performs on trail, and with the right storage, it'll last.

How I store my packs, step by step

Here's my process, and it's boring because it works. First, I empty everything. Every pocket, every strap, every compartment. I check the bladder and dry it with a towel, then leave it open to air for a day. The Maelstrom's bladder has a plastic-y taste that comes back if you store it wet, so I'm careful about that.

Second, I clean the pack. I use a soft brush to get dirt off the fabric, and I check the zippers for debris. A zipper that's full of sand will fail fast, and I've seen it happen. I don't use soap unless it's really dirty, and I never put a pack in the washing machine. That's a quick way to ruin the frame.

Third, I store it loose. I set the pack upright in the Storage King, with the hip belt unbuckled and the shoulder straps loose. I don't hang it, because hanging can stretch the straps over time. I don't stack anything on top of it, because that crushes the foam. It's simple, and it works.

I've been doing this for five years, and my packs last longer. The Maelstrom has seen hard-core miles and it's still going. That's not luck. That's storage.

What I don't do

I don't use those vacuum storage bags. They compress the foam and ruin the frame. I don't store packs in direct sunlight, because the UV degrades the fabric. I don't use plastic garbage bags, because they trap moisture. And I don't store packs with food inside. I made that mistake once, and Beans found it. That didn't end well for the pack.

I also don't track prices day to day, so I won't pretend to know what these cost next week. But the ones I've mentioned are all in the budget range, and they've held up for me.

The bottom line

Storing a backpack long term is not complicated. It's about three things: empty, dry, and loose. If you do that, your pack will last. If you don't, you'll be replacing zippers and dealing with mold. I've done both, and I know which one I prefer.

The Storage King is the best investment I've made for storage. The Gym-to-Trail Option is good if you need a dust cover. The Deuter Fox 30 is a great daypack that doubles as an organizer. And the Maelstrom 40L is a solid pack that needs a little care. check the current price on Amazon if you're looking to grab one. Just remember to store it right.