Gear Organizing Solutions
Without a functional, organized system for storing your outdoor gear, your gear room or garage can quickly start looking like a hoarder’s storage unit. If this sounds familiar or you struggle to find the things you’re looking for when gearing up or packing for an outdoor adventure, consider these tools for transforming your current gear situation into something more manageable.
NewAge Pro Series Steel Slatwalls: These 2′ x 4′ interlocking panels are made from heavy-gauge steel and come finished in a nice-looking silver diamond-plate pattern. Each panel mounts cleanly into wood studs with hidden fasteners for a seamless appearance. Piece together as many as you need to fit your space, and then customize your new, slick-looking gear wall with NewAge hooks, baskets and other accessories. Each panel supports up to 75 pounds per square foot and includes a lifetime warranty. It’s a worthwhile investment toward cleaning up your garage or gear room so that you can find the things you need when it’s time to get outside. MSRP: $23.75 per square foot. Shopnewage.com
NewAge Pro Series Sports Locker: Built like a tank, this locker is fully customizable to fit a wide range of items in a tall, tight space. Four moveable or removable shelves allow you to customize it for tall items like fishing rods, skis or snowboards or arrange shelves for smaller items like biking gear. A removable closet rod creates options for hanging packs, wetsuits, waders, climbing racks or jackets. The locker also has a built-in charging cable port that’s handy for charging bike lights, headlamps and other electronics, and it locks up to secure your beloved gear. A huge relief since I dread deciphering complex assembly instructions, the Pro Series Sports Locker arrived nearly fully assembled. MSRP: $659.99. Shopnewage.com
Keter Cortina 7×7 Storage Shed: Over the years, I’ve cobbled together my share of structurally questionable sheds from free, second-hand building materials, and this Keter Cortina shed is pretty much the polar opposite of those DIY outbuildings. Worthy of a prominent place in your yard for stowing everything from landscaping and gardening tools to outdoor gear, the Evotech™ composite exterior has an attractive natural wood look that won’t rot, rust or deteriorate from the weather. The 7’x7’ footprint offers nearly 300 cubic feet of storage that you can customize with a ton of Keter accessories for hanging bikes or tools or shelving. Hope that you’ll never get the chance to test its 90mph wind-resistant rating that’s made possible with steel-reinforcements. Lockable double doors swing wide for easy access, and six built-in windows provide extra light. It also comes with a solid floor and ventilation panels to keep out critters and prevent moisture build-up. Our shed arrived in two intimidatingly large boxes, but the assembly instructions’ estimate of two people being able to raise the structure in five hours with basic tools was more or less accurate. MSRP: $1,599.99. Keter.com
Derrick Knowles
