The Great Gear Glow-Up: How to Give Your Travel Equipment a Spring Cleaning

Spring is the season for fresh starts, and that includes the gear that gets you outside. Even though it’s been far from a record year of snowfall, your travel gear could probably use a little TLC. And that extends to the stuff that never touches the snow—suitcases, dopp kits, hiking boots, and more. Taking an hour or two to clean, repair, and refresh your equipment doesn’t just make it look better—it can also extend the life of your favorite pieces and ensure they perform when you need them most. Here are some tips to give your gear a glow-up for spring (or before you stow it away for next year).

Do a Gear Audit

Just like doing a Marie Kondo-style closet clean-out, you’ll want to start by pulling everything out. That means packs, boots, jackets, luggage, camping gear—all of it—and take inventory. Create three piles: clean, repair, and replace. Look for worn seams, cracked buckles, empty canisters, or delaminating waterproof shells. This is also a good time to donate anything that’s still usable but no longer fits or has been sitting around unused for too many seasons. If donating isn’t an option, try selling on Facebook Marketplace, which can be a real goldmine for replacement equipment as well.

Refresh Waterproof Layers

Before you panic and think you need to replace your expensive ski kit, try giving it a spring makeover. If the ski shell or rain jacket has stopped beading water, it may just need a good wash. Dirt, sunscreen, and body oils can clog breathable membranes like GORE-TEX, making jackets feel less waterproof over time. Wash technical layers with a cleaner designed specifically for outdoor fabrics like Nikwax, then reapply a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment. A short tumble dry on low heat helps reactivate the coating and restores that satisfying water-beading effect.

Courtesy Field Station

Bring Hiking Boots Back to Life

Boots take the brunt of winter wear. Remove the laces and insoles, scrub off dirt with warm water and a soft brush, and let them dry completely away from direct heat. Leather boots benefit from a conditioning treatment or waterproofing wax, while swapping in fresh laces or insoles can make an old pair feel nearly new. I like to clean my Danners with proprietary suede cleaner from the brand itself, then do a quick protectant spray after they’re done drying.

Deep-Clean Luggage

Suitcases collect everything from sand to snack crumbs. Vacuum out the seams and pockets, wipe down the shell with Dawn, and check wheels and handles for loose screws. Toiletry kits deserve attention too, as they can accumulate all kinds of half-used bottles and errant toothpaste caps. Then, rinse out the bag or give it a wipe with a rag and some Dawn, and refill essentials.

Restock Your Dopp Kit

If you’re the type of person who stockpiles minis to take with you traveling, do an audit and get rid of empties that are cluttering up your toiletries kit. It’s also a good time to add in a few simple tools that can save a trip. Keep gear patches for quick fixes, a portable sewing kit, a small first-aid kit (I highly recommend the ones from Curad), and seam sealant for waterproof repairs. 

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