We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Activity + Adventure Camping + Hiking The Best Camping Gear Storage for Your Next Outdoor Adventure Keep your camping essentials organized and secure — at home and in the wild — with these storage essentials. By Kevin Brouillard Kevin Brouillard Kevin Brouillard is a contributing writer at Travel + Leisure, specializing in outdoor gear and apparel. He has over five years of experience writing travel and lifestyle content for digital publications, including TripSavvy, Oyster.com, Jetsetter, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on February 21, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Tips for Buying Frequently Asked Questions Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja Whether spending time with family and friends, unplugging from technology, or exploring new terrain, camping creates many rich experiences and lasting memories. With this quality time and adventure comes the logistics of packing gear, setting up camping, and unpacking at home. While these steps may not be the highlight of a trip into the great outdoors, they can make a huge difference in keeping campers happy. Fortunately, there’s plenty of storage options to accommodate different types of camping gear and equipment, as well as space limitations, camping styles, and budgets. Besides organization, first-rate storage also keeps camping provisions and gear safe from critters and the elements. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Yeti LoadOut GoBox 60 Gear Case at Amazon $498 Jump to Review Best Lightweight: The North Face Base Camp Gear Box at Backcountry $175 Jump to Review Best Organization: Radius Outfitters Gear Box 3500 at Amazon $249 Jump to Review Most Durable: Pelican BX80 Cargo Case at Backcountry $320 Jump to Review Best Budget: Kelty Car-Go-Box at Amazon $105 Jump to Review Best Mesh: SALE Omnicore Designs 110L Poly Mesh Storage Sack at Amazon $20 $15 Jump to Review Best Tote: Cotopaxi Allpa 60L Gear Hauler Tote at Amazon $125 Jump to Review Best Label Maker: Brother P-touch Cube at Amazon $60 Jump to Review Best Collapsible: Rux 70L at Amazon $298 Jump to Review Best Compression: Sea to Summit eVac Compression Dry Bag at Amazon $45 Jump to Review Best Overall Yeti LoadOut GoBox 60 Gear Case PHOTO: REI $498 at Amazon $300 at REI $300 at Dicks Sporting Goods Why We Love It This burly, stackable gear box includes thoughtful interior organization and a durable closure system. What to Consider The weatherproof protection and security comes at the cost of a heavier design that doesn’t compress or pack down. The Yeti LoadOut GoBox 60 Gear Case is our top pick for keeping gear protected and organized on a camping adventure. Well-known for its highly insulated coolers, Yeti brings quality construction and intuitive design to the GoBox series, too. The exterior is dustproof and fully submersible, as evidenced by IP65 and IP67 ratings, so there’s no concern about leaving it outside during heavy rain or traveling with it by canoe or boat. The interior has 60 liters of storage space, which can be configured with up to three Yeti caddy trays (two come included) and two dividers (also included). Alternatively, these can all be removed to fit larger items and take advantage of the expansive interior. The closure system consists of Yeti’s NeverFail hinge system, LipGrip handles, lockdown latches, and AnchorPoint tie-down slots. It’s built to be stackable with other Yeti gear boxes, helping save storage space at home. It can hold either three LoadOut GoBox 15s or one GoBox 15 and one GoBox 30. The Details: 17.2 pounds| 30 x 14.8 x 13.4 inches | 60 liters | TPO/PP/EPDM, rubber/aluminum Best Lightweight The North Face Base Camp Gear Box PHOTO: The North Face $175 at Backcountry View on The North Face View on Dillards.com Why We Love It It combines the portability of a duffel bag with the organization and durability of a gear box. What to Consider The shoulder strap could have more padding for carrying comfort. In the world of gear boxes and cases, the North Face Base Camp Gear Box clocks in much lighter than the bulk of the competition. Weighing 4.1 pounds, it delivers a solid capacity of 65 liters and includes a folding metal frame, plentiful pockets, a carry strap, and duffel handles. The exterior is made with TPU-coated recycled polyester that’s water repellent and tough enough for rocky and rugged terrain. The spacious main compartment of the Base Camp Gear Box can accommodate larger gear, like camp stoves. Meanwhile, there are four internal mesh pockets and a zip pocket on the lid for safely storing valuables and smaller items. A series of daisy chains provide attachment points for additional gear. After unpacking, simply lift the internal metal kickstands to store the gear box flat. The Details: 4.1 pounds | 16 x 22.2 x 12 inches | 65 liters | 300D recycled polyester with TPU coating Best Organization Radius Outfitters Gear Box 3500 PHOTO: Amazon $249 at Amazon View on Radiusoutfitters.com View on Owlvans.com Why We Love It This portable and stylish gear box is packed with pockets and adjustable dividers for a customizable storage solution. What to Consider Its capacity is intended for organizing smaller gear and camping provisions. The Radius Outfitters Gear Box 3500 empowers campers to devise a storage system that best suits their needs. It comes with six moveable, velcro dividers, allowing the 35-liter gear box to be set up in numerous configurations. Using all the dividers can come in handy for storing smaller items like batteries and headlamps, or it may make sense to pull some out for larger equipment. There are also expandable pockets on the side of the box for stashing items you’ll frequently use like, multitools and lighters. Velcro strips are also used on the bottom of the Gear Box 3500 to stop it from sliding on the floor of the car. The removable lid is equipped with both velcro and a magnetic latch for quick and easy access. Leather handles enhance the rugged outdoor aesthetic while providing a comfortable grip for carrying. When not in use, the gear box can be quickly disassembled and packed flat. The Details: 10 pounds | 25.3 x 16.8 x 7.4 inches | 35 liters | 1680-denier Cordura (main body), leather, nylon, and polyester The 6 Best 2-person Tents of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Most Durable Pelican BX80 Cargo Case PHOTO: Pelican $320 at Backcountry View on Thecasestore.com Why We Love It The steel latches and tough exterior keep gear secure and protected from the elements. What to Consider It’s not the lightest gear box and there’s no wheels for smoother transport. The Pelican BX80 Cargo Case is designed for rugged overland adventures. The outside’s roto-molded construction and gasketed lid shield gear from moisture, UV rays, and winds up to 70 miles per hour. It’s equipped with mounting hardware and tie-down plates to fasten it to a truck bed or roof rack. The BX80 Cargo Case is secured shut via two steel latches, which are both padlock compatible. Though hefty, the 80-liter case has military-grade handles that lock out at 90 degrees for a firm grip while lifting from car to campsite. The Details: 19.3 pounds | 25 x 16 x 17.3 inches | 80 liters | Roto-molded synthetic Best Budget Kelty Car-Go-Box PHOTO: Backcountry $105 at Amazon $105 at Backcountry View on Dicks Sporting Goods Why We Love It This lightweight and durable storage box offers intuitive, color-coded organization at a value. What to Consider It’s primarily designed for car camping, unless transferring the storage pods into a backpack. With the Kelty Car-Go-Box, long gone are the days of haphazardly loading the trunk with camp gear and hoping for the best. The storage box comes with three color-coded pods of equal size, making it easy to separate camping cookware and kitchenware from clothing, snacks from toiletries, or any combination of things. Once packed, adjustable straps can be assembled to hold the pods in place or function as carry straps. The outer case of the Car-Go-Box is made with rugged 600D polyester that’ll last for years of adventures. All three storage pods and the case are collapsible, helping save space when tucked away in the trunk, garage, or closet between uses. The Details: 5.1 pounds | 12 x 12 x 19.5 inches | 46.5 liters | 600D polyester Best Mesh Omnicore Designs 110L Poly Mesh Storage Sack PHOTO: Amazon $20 $15 at Amazon $28 at Walmart $15 at Home Depot Why We Love It It helps extend the life of your sleeping bag. What to Consider It doesn’t provide sufficient compression for packing gear on a trip. While compression sacks save precious space on the road or trail, they’re not always the best solution for storing gear at home. The Omnicore Designs Poly Mesh Storage Sack strikes the ideal balance of keeping a sleeping bag contained while allowing it to breathe and unfurl. Keeping down sleeping bags in a compression sack for an extended period reduces their loft, which refers to the volume of the down. This is a problem because the more compact the down, the less able it is to trap air and insulate. With 110 liters of capacity, the Mesh Storage Sack has plenty of room and ventilation for stowing sleeping bags between trips. The drawcord closure is a breeze to use and the reinforced bottom helps keep dust and debris out. The Details: 1.6 ounces | 32 x 16.5 inches | 110 liters | Polyester The Best Camping Gear We’ve Ever Tested Best Tote Cotopaxi Allpa 60L Gear Hauler Tote PHOTO: Amazon $125 at Amazon $77 at REI $125 at Backcountry Why We Love It This durable, eco-friendly bag offers organization and convenience with its handy pockets and versatile carry options. What to Consider Its water-resistant construction can withstand some moisture, but it’s not waterproof. The Cotopaxi Allpa 60L Gear Hauler Tote stands out from the competition for its ease of use and unique, vibrant color scheme. The bag has two sets of straps and grab handles, giving campers the choice of carrying over the shoulder or by hand. Its spacious main compartment is ideal for stowing larger gear and apparel, while the exterior zip and interior mesh pockets help separate valuables and essential items. All this adds up to 60 liters of storage capacity — a lot given the bag’s weight of just 1.5 pounds. The Allpa Gear Hauler also features sustainable materials: the nylon shell and polyester liner are both made with 100 percent recycled fabrics sourced from pre-consumer waste. The Details: 1.5 pounds | 20 x 14 x 14 inches | 60 liters | 100 percent repurposed nylon and polyester Best Label Maker Brother P-touch Cube PHOTO: Amazon $60 at Amazon View on Brother-usa.com Why We Love It It’s a compact, easy-to-use device for staying on top of your gear and equipment organization. What to Consider The minimalist design doesn’t include an automatic tape cutter. The Brother P-touch Cube takes the hassle out of tracking camping gear across multiple storage bins and cases. The space-conscious label maker connects via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet to print long-lasting labels for your camping essentials. It uses the free Design&Print 2 app, which includes a wide selection of pre-designed templates, fonts, and frames for personalizing labels. The P-touch Cube can be powered by AA batteries or AC adapter cord, which comes included. The Details: 12.8 ounces | 4.6 x 2.5 x 4.6 inches Best Collapsible Rux 70L PHOTO: REI $298 at Amazon $298 at REI $298 at Backcountry Why We Love It This all-in-one storage system offers versatile carry options and a collapsible design. What to Consider The sophistication and weatherproofing may not be worth the cost for RV and car campers. The RUX 70L Gear System can be adapted to suit almost any camping adventure. It’s equipped with grab handles, a shoulder strap, and backpack straps for easy and convenient transport to wherever you’re setting up camp. There are multiple lash points to attach other gear and a set of integrated utility rails to anchor the RUX 70L to your vehicle. Packing and unpacking is a breeze thanks to the wide opening, spacious interior, and rigid sides. When it’s free of gear, the RUX 70L collapses down with the help of compression straps to neatly fit in your tent, garage, or closet. It also delivers reliable protection from abrasion and the elements. The waterproof fabric and bungee lid trap out moisture while the reinforced floor adds puncture resistance. The Details: 5.3 pounds | 19.5 x 15.7 x 13.8 inches | 70 liters | TPU-coated 840-denier nylon Best Compression Sea to Summit eVac Compression Dry Bag PHOTO: REI $45 $40 at Amazon $40 at REI $40 at Backcountry Why We Love It The straps and closure system make it easy to pack down gear, plus it delivers waterproof protection. What to Consider There’s a handle for carrying, but it’s not ideal for transporting long distances. The Sea to Summit eVac Compression Dry Bag is a user-friendly option for compact gear storage. It’s equipped with four straps comprising two ladder lock and two side-release buckles to secure a snug and even compression. The roll-top closure is ideal for easy packing and unpacking, as well as sealing out moisture. For additional protection, the Dry Bag is coated with waterproof polyurethane and its seams are double-stitched and tape-sealed. Sea to Summit’s eVent fabric allows air to flow out of the bag during compression without the use of the valve or letting water enter through. It’s fitted with a sturdy nylon for easy handling from the car to canoe or campsite. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate that the nylon used is bluesign-approved, meaning the manufacturing meets strict environmental and safety requirements. The Details: .4 pounds | 22 x 12.6 x 11.5 inches | 35 liters | Nylon Best Lockable Plano Sportsman's Trunk Large PHOTO: Amazon $50 $35 at Amazon $48 at Walmart View on Home Depot Why We Love It It’s tough, spacious, and includes padlock-compatible latches. What to Consider The utilitarian case doesn’t include interior organization. The Plano Sportsman Trunk delivers a durable and budget-friendly solution for stashing gear and equipment. The exterior employs high-impact plastic and a reinforced lid that’s sufficiently sturdy for sitting on or stacking other gear and equipment. The interior offers an impressive capacity of 102 liters, all of which is completely open, making it a good choice for larger gear like camp stoves or tents. The trunk lid closes via two hatches that can be padlocked for added security. Though sizable, the trunk has integrated wheels and recessed handles to help transport, even when fully loaded. The Details: 6 pounds | 30 x 14.3 x 12.8 inches | 102 liters | Plastic Best Dry Bag Sea to Summit Dry Bag PHOTO: L.L. Bean $38 $29 at Amazon $65 at REI View on Seatosummit.com Why We Love It It delivers reliable protection from the elements and a lightweight, portable design. What to Consider There are multiple places to attach a carry strap, but one doesn’t come included. The Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag provides peace of mind that your gear will weather the storm, so to speak. Together, the roll-top closure, 420-denier nylon, and taped seams supply compressible, watertight storage. There are several lash loops along the side of the bag, providing versatile options for securing it to a boat or backpack. It’s possible to add a shoulder strap for hands-free carrying, but this must be purchased separately. Sea to Summit designed the Big River Dry Bag with a white interior lining to enhance visibility when sorting through gear, helping overcome a common challenge in dry bag functionality. The Details: .5 pounds | 28 x 13 x 8 inches | 35 liters | 420-denier nylon The Ultimate Camping Packing List Tips for Buying Camping Gear Storage Choose hardy materials Preparing for the unexpected, whether it be a sudden downpour or capsized canoe, can help make or break a camping trip. Choosing hardy materials that have waterproof and dustproof ratings is key when comparing storage options. “First and foremost, I look for durability,” says Jacey West, a content creator who promotes accessibility in the outdoors. For rigid gear cases, look for molded plastics and aluminum. With soft-sided and collapsible storage, keep an eye out for ripstop nylon and weather-proof coatings. Storage that’s designed to be stackable is another indicator that it’ll stand up to weight and handle wear and tear. More durable storage may involve a higher upfront cost, but the investment provides greater assurance that your gear and equipment will last for years to come. “My tried-and-true storage bins have lasted 13 years so far,” notes West. Check your gear's individual storage needs Sheltering gear from the elements and critters is usually top of mind when camping and exploring the outdoors. But it’s also important to use storage bins, cases, or boxes to protect gear from light, moisture, and pesky rodents at home. Some equipment and gear require greater care, namely sleeping bags and pads. Both items benefit from having air flow and more space than what’s allowed in a compression sack. For sleeping bags, a loose mesh bag is an ideal storage solution. Air mattresses can be hung in a closet, though it’s important to avoid repeating the same crease lines when packing and hanging. For self-inflating pads, leave the pad semi-inflated with the valve open to allow circulation. Maximize your space Besides keeping things organized and protected, storage equipment can help save space at home and in the car. Collapsible storage containers, including trunk organizers, are optimal for those who are space-constrained or prefer a more minimalist setup. Some storage is designed to be stacked to save floor space. But any type of storage can be tucked out of the way with some planning and creativity. For example, the walls and ceiling of a garage can be rigged for holding camping gear storage. Apartment dwellers might take advantage of space underneath the bed for gear boxes or cases. Selecting storage that can be used at home and in the outdoors can also optimize your use of space. “I keep my gear in the storage bins that I bring camping,” says West. “Storing all my cooking gear in one place also ensures I don’t leave anything important behind,” she adds. Frequently Asked Questions Where is the best place to store camping gear? To extend the life of your gear, store it in a location at home that’s protected from moisture and direct sunlight. The optimal location depends in part on your living situation and space constraints. Storing the bulk of your equipment together — save for sleeping bags and sleeping pads that need more room and ventilation — helps stay organized when you’re ready to depart on your next camping trip. How do you clean camping gear? Cleaning camping gear before packing it away helps maintain its performance and structural integrity for years to come. While it’s okay to get a little dirty while camping, it’s important to remove dirt and debris from items like tents before packing them away. For deeper cleaning, it’s best practice to read and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, as common household cleaners could damage gear and equipment. How do you organize camping gear? From stackable gear boxes to collapsible bins and compressible stuff sacks, options abound for organizing and storing gear. Adding labels or using a color-coding system can further enhance organization and make it easier to track down specific gear and equipment, such as a mosquito net. Either approach also helps streamline the packing and unpacking process. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Kevin Brouillard is a contributing writer at T+L, specializing in outdoor gear and apparel. His work has been published in TripSavvy, Jetsetter, and Oyster, and he served in the Peace Corps in Cambodia for two years. He spoke to, Jacey West, a content creator who’s passionate about making the outdoors more accessible. Kevin also researched dozens of camping gear storage options to curate this list. The 8 Best Camping Cots of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Lydia Price Lydia Price Lydia Price is a senior commerce editor at Travel + Leisure, where she writes and edits product reviews. She also shares her top product recommendations in short-form videos across T+L's social platforms. learn more