Closet Storage for camping gear

[MichaelBikel]

I cleared out a closet completely that I intend to use for storing camping gear. Now that I have all of this space I am wondering what my best option for utilizing all of it would be. I am hoping to keep the project somewhat inexpensive but I want something somewhat professional looking. Initially what came to mind was just using wire shelving like most closets have, bought from home depot and easily installed. Another idea was to use rubbermaid fasttrack since it would allow me the freedom to easily swap things in and out by season. Right now the stuff is stored in plastic bins which is fin, but a pain in the **** when I have to dig stuff out for use.

I am able to potentially build a system (wood or weld) but I was hoping to make this an easier job. Any suggestions???

Items to store:
Sleeping bags (to be hung)
Jacket/pants
backpack
crashpads
hammock
tent
folding saws
pocket stove
fuel canisters
freeze dried food
gloves/hats/long johns
small pot/pan set
knives
machete
folding shovel
axe (to be hung)
ferro rods & tins
some other miscellaneous items

 

[MichaelBikel]

So I have decided to build my own slat wall for this project and I am trying to think of the CHEAPEST way to do so. At the moment I have a bunch of douglas fir that I am thinking I can rip, plane, stain and space apart to make a custom wall.

At one point I was looking at T-slot router bits but don't feel like spending the money on the bit or the sheet goods. I had also looked at PVC, wood & aluminum slat wall but they are crazy expensive.

 

[Firebrick43]

Why not just make a French cleat wall?

 

[JoeFin]

Pine shelves and Milk Crates

The Milk Crates make it extremely easy to load all the gear into the truck/car/van when your ready to go or returning from your trip. Also they are rugged enough to take some abuse or even double as seating around the camp fire

 

[MichaelBikel]

Why not just make a French cleat wall?

I thought about the cleat system. My thinking was that I wouldn't be able to get it professional looking, but now I am looking into it again...

 

[MichaelBikel]

Pine shelves and Milk Crates

The Milk Crates make it extremely easy to load all the gear into the truck/car/van when your ready to go or returning from your trip. Also they are rugged enough to take some abuse or even double as seating around the camp fire

I was thinking about trying to make my own boxes as well, an excuse to try my hand at box joints. The stuff is currently in plastic containers, it can be a hassle sometimes.

 

[Firebrick43]

I thought about the cleat system. My thinking was that I wouldn't be able to get it professional looking, but now I am looking into it again...

Something like this looks pretty nice. If you have a real hardwoods supplier nearby (and have your own planer) it would be cheaper than a slat wall system even with some nice red oak or maple.

I would suggest milk crates as well. Sister and her husband do French Indian war reenactments. They use wood boxes to be period correct. The weight *****. Wife and I use milk crates for kayak/canoe fishing gear and they are perfect size to handle and load plus light weight.

Most of your gear looks light weight for hiking, do you really carry an axe, knife, saw, and machete?

 

[MichaelBikel]

Something like this looks pretty nice. If you have a real hardwoods supplier nearby (and have your own planer) it would be cheaper than a slat wall system even with some nice red oak or maple.

I would suggest milk crates as well. Sister and her husband do French Indian war reenactments. They use wood boxes to be period correct. The weight *****. Wife and I use milk crates for kayak/canoe fishing gear and they are perfect size to handle and load plus light weight.

Most of your gear looks light weight for hiking, do you really carry an axe, knife, saw, and machete?

Wow thats one of the nicer french cleat systems I've seen. I often have access to hardwood from neighbors or whatever, I'm sure i've got a bit that I can plane myself. My axe is on the smaller side, the saw is folding, the machete hasn't been used in a while but I love it. I use a morakniv robust, in the grand scheme of knives its cheap but an excellent knife. I don't carry all this stuff at once, just kind of started collecting camping/bushcraft/random gear over the years.

Anywho, that cleat system would probably be my best bet for the price, thank you!

 

[Firebrick43]

mora knives are wonderful. Wife and I both have a red plastic handled ones on a plastic scabbard. Dirt cheap but take and edge like nothing else and durable to boot. Best value on earth. My 80-100$ knifes haven't seen the light of day in years

 

[Matt M PA]

I've done the following in a couple of wardrobe tube cabinets and house closets.

Measure the inside dimensions...then stop at WalMart, Lowes, HD, etc and buy a set of free standing shelves that fit inside. I've bought some of the inexpensive plastic versions, and some of the heavier plastic ones for my work video gear.