Joan and I firmly believe that organization is a key part of how we get outside so much.
Gear stashed, staged, and stored appropriately, primarily.
And our maps, guidebooks, and such are organized as well.
Not only can we pack and get out quickly, but we can turn around, clean and put away the gear, and immediately start planning for the next trip.
And part of this organization is labeling.
Circa 2018.
Since we became homeowners a few years ago, we’ve organized even more.
Magazine holders work well to sort the maps. Also pictured are our reference books and backcountry road atlases.
And a simple way to label it all? An inexpensive, small form factor label maker.
For under $20, the Nelko P21 Label Maker creates labels via Bluetooth from your Android or iOS phone with an easy-to-use app.
And replacement rolls? Also under $20 for three rolls, each with about 180 labels.
For our light use, the factory rolls already last quite a bit.
The label maker set up quickly, with no issue syncing to our phones. I printed a label, made a neat cut with the built-in blade, and started labeling things immediately.
A simple, inexpensive, and effective tool to help keep your gear, maps, and other items organized.
And replace the fading label on your Contigo coffee mug, too.
Thanks very much Paul. I’m stealing the magazine holder to store maps idea! Sometime I’d like to hear details on your gear organization strategy by activity. I have my gear in bins also, sorted by function (water containers bin, food bin, nav bin, stove and fuel canister bin, etc.) but it hasn’t helped shorten my packing and trip prep time appreciably. The issue is that I have multiple outdoor activities that all draw from the same pile of kit/gear items, and then I have to add items that are unique to that particular activity. I do have my backpacking base… Read more »
It’s a great way to keep maps handy. We use them more for planning these days, but when we have guests over or Joan and I are planning a trip, spreading a map out on the table can’t be beat. We also use paper maps in the field for larger overviews and context. As for organization, I should probably do a complete article on the topic. I do stage gear for different activities. We don’t have duplicates of everything; we’ve just learned over the years which items are worth duplicating and which ones can easily move between kits. My SAR/trailwork/day-guiding… Read more »
Hi Paul, Thank you very much for the detailed and helpful reply. The link to the daypack base load was also illuminating. Based on this, I will rework my gear storage to follow this, the idea being to prestage gear by end use function vs by individual gear type. A couple of items I will need to get duplicates for, as you said (eg headlamp, fleece). Thank you again!
Glad we could help! All about the gear systems rather than the individual pieces of kit in the end.