Sports Equipment Storage Guide: How to Create A Sports and Outdoor Gear Storage Room

Whether you’re seeking short-term sports equipment storage for the off season or in need of long term outdoor gear storage, the first step to prepping your gear is the same.

Storing sports equipment dirty shortens its lifespan, so the first step is to clean and dry the equipment by following the manufacturer’s instructions. 

But the second step is equally critical to the longevity of your outdoor gear, and that’s choosing a place to store it. 

If it’s a pair of basketball shoes and some gym shorts, you can probably get away with keeping them in your locker at your local gym or recreational facility. But for a variety of outdoor equipment and a range of sports balls, pads, and goals, you need a climate-controlled storage space. 

Sure, you can waste the space of a guest room or insulate your garage and implement DIY storage systems at home. But what if you don’t have the extra space to spare, or if installing climate control into your garage, attic, or outdoor shed is out of the budget? 

Our advice? Find an affordable storage unit and convert it to a sports equipment storage space.

Whether you decide to build your outdoor gear storage space at home or in a storage facility, this expert guide is here to help. We’ll cover how to choose a storage space, why climate control is a necessity, and how to prep your gear for storage. We’ll also share some pro tips on organizing the outdoor gear storage room to maximize space and extend the equipment’s lifespan.

Finally, we’ll reveal how SelfStorage.com can help you find an affordable climate-controlled storage space near your home or favorite trail, court, or recreational facility that’s already primed for sports equipment storage.  

First, let’s take a look at how to choose the right storage space for sports equipment and outdoor gear. 

Choose a Storage Unit or Space Suitable for Sports Equipment Storage Needs

Proper gear prep and an efficient layout will mean next to nothing if you don’t store your sports equipment in the right space. Choosing an inadequate space for your outdoor gear storage room will damage even the most resilient, high-grade gear. First, we’ll explain why each feature is necessary for your peace of mind, then we’ll cover how to find a storage unit that crosses each item off the list. 

Climate Control

Implementing sports equipment storage solutions for sports gear starts with finding a dedicated, climate-controlled storage space. 

Sports gear such as leather baseball gloves, shoes and pads, composite rackets, and metal equipment and accessories is susceptible to damage caused by inconsistent humidity levels and extreme temperature fluctuations.

It may seem like common sense to convert your attic or outdoor shed to a sports equipment storage room, but moisture buildup in these spaces causes corrosive rust, mildew, and mold growth. Swings from low to high temperatures–or vice versa–warp leather, rust metals, degrade fabrics, and make bats and helmets more brittle and prone to damage during use. 

• If you have the extra space to keep your outdoor gear inside your room temperature home, you may be able to prolong the life of your equipment. 
• That said, climate control means more than just heating and air-conditioning–it also means the space is kept at a consistent humidity level year round. 
• If you do decide to convert an extra bedroom or closet to an outdoor gear storage space, it needs to be humidity/moisture controlled as well as temperature consistent.,

Or, you can rent a climate-controlled storage unit. To be classified as climate-controlled, the unit has to be held at a consistent room temperature and regulated humidity level year-round. Climate-controlled storage ensures your sports gear is protected from corrosive climate changes that cause early wear. 

Choose the Ideal Storage Unit Size for Sports Equipment Storage

The next consideration is the storage unit size or the size of the closet, room, or shed you’re converting into the sports gear storage space. The deciding factor here is what type of outdoor or sports equipment you aim to store and how you plan to store it. 

For example, if you only need helmets, rackets, pads, ball bag, or tent storage, you may be able to get away with using a small 5×10 storage unit. For reference, a 5×10 is about the size of a walk in closet. 

That said, if you’re looking for kayak or fishing or hunting gear storage, you might need something bigger. When storing bulky items like bicycles, ski equipment, soccer goals, or a portable ball storage cart, you may want to upgrade to a 10×10. 

If you want a little extra space for gear organization and maintenance, consider a 10×15 storage unit size, which is the equivalent of an average bedroom or single-car garage space. These bigger rooms are also great for avid outdoors enthusiasts who hit the backcountry on a regular basis.

Bigger storage spaces make great camping equipment storage spaces, as they give you room to unfold your tents and sleeping bags for prep and maintenance.

The largest unit most facilities offer is either a 10×20, 10×25, or 10×30. These units are a bit excessive for outdoor gear storage, unless of course you’re storing multiple recreation vehicles or an RV.

Keep in mind that storage units often offer more vertical storage space than an attic, closet or bedroom at home of the same square footage. And you can take advantage of that vertical storage space with amazing storage solutions like ball storage racks and tall metal shelves for storage stacked with containers, and wall-mounted hooks. 

Protect Rare or Expensive Sports Equipment with Storage Unit Security Features 

If you’re storing high-dollar or irreplaceable sports equipment, such as family heirlooms or collectors’ items, you should also consider a storage unit with advanced security features, such as 24-hour surveillance cameras, electronic locks, or on-site security staff. 

Other possible storage unit security features include motion sensor flood lights, protective fencing, and gated access that requires security codes to enter the storage facility.

Access Your Sports Equipment Storage Room Easily with Drive-up Storage Units and 24-Hour Entry

Maybe you need to swing by your outdoor gear storage room twice a week for practice and game day with the kids. Or maybe you start your workday with a mountain bike routine, or play late-night pick-up games after dinner on weeknights.  Regardless of the reason why you need 24-hour access, keep in mind that not all storage companies offer it. 

Conversely, there are storage facilities that offer both 24-hour access to your unit and drive-up access. Drive-up access lets you pull your car right up to your unit, so you’re not carrying bicycles, skis, ball storage carts, or hockey goals across the parking lot. 

Choose your Sports Equipment Storage Space by Location

Location flexibility is another perk of using a storage unit for your sports gear storage room. Online platforms like SelfStorage.com host search tools that filter your storage facility search results by location. 

We suggest entering your zip code to find a centralized storage location between your house and your favorite trail, gym, mountain, river, court, field, or rec center. That way, you can stop at your facility to grab your gear on your way to the site and stop by to unload it on your way back home. 

If you prefer to gear up and get after it on your way home from work, you can find a unit between your job and your recreational site instead. 

Either way, the ideal sports equipment storage space starts with entering your zip code into our search tool and finding a storage unit that has all the features you need in a convenient location. 

Plan Your Outdoor Gear Storage Room Layout

Once you’ve found the ideal space with ample storage for your sports equipment, it’s time to start planning and designing efficient storage systems. As we do with most of our garage organization and DIY storage projects, we try to find efficient ways to meet all your sports storage needs. 

Outdoor gear storage systems will look different for backcountry hiking gear and tent storage, rafts and rafting gear, dirtbikes and helmets, or hockey goals, pads, and gear. This section will aim for storage versatility, teaching you how to plan out and map your storage space. Then, you can apply these techniques to your particular storage needs. 

Start with the measurements of your specific storage space, including the vertical storage space. Once you have the dimensions mapped out, you can start planning your layout.

Step 1: Organize your Sports Equipment Storage Space into Zones

First, organize your sports gear storage space into zones. If you stay active year-round, you could dedicate each wall to a particular season, for example. You could also dedicate one zone to hiking, one to rock climbing, one to ski/snowboarding, one to fishing, another to ball sports like football and baseball, etc. 

The specific dimensions and type of gear you’re storing will help you decide which storage techniques are most appropriate for your equipment. Sketch each zone out on your map of your outdoor gear storage room.

Next, start making an inventory list of all the sports and outdoor gear you need to store. Then, organize your inventory into categories. Stuff that you use more often should be easier to grab, while out-of-season gear and sports equipment you use once in a while can probably be tucked in a bin up high on a shelf. 

Before moving on, you should have all your zones mapped out and decide where each piece of gear should go based on how often you need to access it for use, cleaning, and maintenance.

Step 2: Brainstorm Storage Solutions Based on Sports Equipment Storage Needs

Now it’s time to start plotting out storage solutions based on your particular needs. Storage units offer lots of vertical storage space. So, we suggest browsing various sports storage racks, basketball storage racks, and any other type of garage sports equipment organizers that let you take your storage of sports equipment high up toward the unit’s ceiling.

Again, efficient storage starts with considering the frequency of use. If you use your resistance bands three times a week but only grab your golf tennis gear once a month, keep your bands in an open basket storage bin at arm’s length so you can grab them off your sports storage rack and go. Conversely, that tennis and golf bag storage rack can be your multi-sport storage station’s highest or lowest shelf.

This matters during the brainstorm stage–once you’ve taken an inventory of your sports equipment and outdoor gear and divided it into categories, and measured the dimensions of the storage space, you can find a type of storage solution that not only fits in your space, but also lays all your organized sports gear out in a way that makes sense for your personal routines. 

And while searching “garage storage shelves shelving units” may bring up a slew of vertical storage solutions, there are other options you can use in your outdoor gear storage room as well. You can browse “lockable storage carts” or “rolling ball carts” to find versatile storage carts and ball carts with 4x non-marking castor wheels that won’t scuff your storage unit floors. 

Baseball bats can be stored vertically in a barrel-shaped storage tote or horizontally on the bottom of your rolling cart. Bikes can be hung on the wall with horizontal bike hooks. 

While garage ball racks offer storage for those who play lots of ball sports, you may need a bit more storage versatility. Those metal garage shelves are customizable, functioning as an all-in-one sports storage rack. That means you can use them for tent storage, camping equipment storage, and as a yoga mat storage rack.  

Plus, you can hang double hooks and utility hooks on the sides of the shelves to hang hiking packs, duffel bags, and golf club bags. Not to mention, you can keep the gear you use the least at the very top in a collapsible storage tote. 

We suggest pursuing a wide range of storage solutions, using your floor plan map to piece together the gear like a game of Tetris. 

Customize and Maintain Your Sports Equipment Storage Unit

Okay, so you’ve mapped out your storage unit dimensions and scoured the internet for the most efficient storage racks, wall-mounted hooks, and bins for your wide variety of sports gear storage needs. Now, it’s time to build out your storage space!

Now that you’ve picked out your ball racks, garage sports equipment organizers, and rolling ball storage carts, it’s time to assemble them and set up your storage space to match your floor plan map. 

Purchase and Install Your Sports and Outdoor Gear Storage Equipment

When it comes to assembly, we suggest following the manufacturer’s instructions. But there are some last-minute storage solutions you can implement while you’re setting up your sports equipment storage room to help maximize space:

• Add custom cabinet doors or curtains to your storage racks to keep gear out of sight.
• If you’re not sure how many storage bins you’ll need, use collapsible storage totes. Buy a few extra and keep them folded up and slide them under your sports storage racks. 
• Install slatwall storage panels on empty walls. Slatwall storage panels may require some accessory kits, but they look clean and hang heavy-duty sports equipment like bikes, surfboards, skateboards, skis, garage ball storage racks, storage bins, and garage sports equipment organizers from utility hooks or double hooks.
• Slatwall storage is the space-saving design used at most sports clubs. It’s the slatted wall mounts on which bins and racks are hung, used as garage ball storage for sports gear to keep balls, pads, and pool noodles up off the ground. 
• You can also use pegboards and multi-hooks for hanging sports equipment like climbing gear, resistance bands, sweat bands, hiking packs and water bladders.
• Throw some swivel wheels or 4x non-marking castor wheels on each leg of your versatile storage carts and storage racks, so you can move them in and out of your unit or reorganize your storage unit. 

Label Your Sports Equipment Storage Bins, Shelves, and Racks 

Once you’ve organized your sports and outdoor gear storage room, update your inventory and create a labeling system. You can use a label maker, index cards, or even custom-made QR codes you can scan with your phone to access a list of everything in that particular bin. 

Regardless of what label system you implement, the important thing is that every piece of equipment on your sports gear inventory list has a specific place. This not only helps you find what you need but ensures you’ll put things back in the same place every time, keeping your storage racks clean and organized. 

Optimize your Storage Space Lighting

Remember how we mentioned that not all storage units are climate-controlled? Well, while most–but not all–storage units have at least one light, not all storage units have electricity, either. 

The benefit of a storage unit with electrical outlets is that you can install custom lighting. Clip a reading light on your storage racks, for example. Or run some patio lighting around your slatwall storage setup to help you see what you’re grabbing. 

Or you can replace the incandescent light bulbs with long-lasting LED light fixtures to illuminate the whole unit while using less electricity. 

Plus, securing a storage unit with electricity lets you set up a phone charging station and Bluetooth speaker station you can use to jam tunes while you’re setting up your shelves and cleaning your outdoor gear for seasonal storage. 

Later on, we’ll talk about setting up a routine maintenance schedule. First, let’s take a look at how to clean your sports gear and prep for long-term storage. 

Protecting and Extending the Life of Your Sports and Outdoor Equipment

By now, you should have a pretty good idea of how to organize your hiking gear and sports equipment. Having the ideal sports equipment storage space feels great, but when it comes to preserving your gear’s condition, it all means nothing if you don’t know how to prep your outdoor gear for storage.

Keep in mind that the more you care for your sports equipment and outdoor gear through proper storage and maintenance, the more you’ll be cared for during your games, matches, and outdoor adventures. Let’s take a look at the basics of maintaining and prepping your sports and outdoor gear for storage: 

Follow the Gear Manufacturer’s Cleaning and Maintenance Instructions

If the cleaning and storage instructions that came with your gear or are listed on your product manufacturer’s website contradict our guidance, ignore what we say and listen to the product manufacturer first and foremost. 

Our guides offer general maintenance and storage routines. The people who made your sports equipment know what materials it’s made of and how to care for them.

Don’t Use Household Cleaners

Spending the extra money on specialty products like ball conditioners, tent cleaners, and weatherproofing sprays is well worth it, provided you follow the manufacturer’s suggested cleaning and upkeep routine. 

Refrain from using cheap laundry detergent and dish soap on your high-grade sports and outdoor gear, as standard household products contain damaging additives that can break down specialized materials.

Spend More Time on Gear that Touches the Ground or your Sweaty Body. 

Your cleats, tennis shoes, pads, and hiking boots brush against the grass, dirt, mud, oily plants, and all kinds of tiny critters (and maybe even their droppings). And when it comes to sweat and body oils, it’s not just your jerseys and base layers we’re talking about, but your gym bag, padding, sleeping bag, and outerwear. 

Spend a good amount of time cleaning anything that was in direct contact with you or the ground, ensuring it’s free from corrosive dirt and oils.

Be Sure Your Outdoor Gear and Sports Equipment are Clean and Dry Before Long-Term Storage

If left on sports equipment and outdoor gear for a prolonged period, dirt, mud, and water can corrode the fibers of even the most robust fabrics. This is especially true when gear is rolled up and shoved into storage without cleaning or drying, whether it’s a damp baseball glove stuffed in a bag or a wet tent packed away for the off-season.

As we mentioned earlier, your naturally produced body oils and sweat gum up between the fibers on everything from soccer jerseys to hiking jackets as they dry. Storing them dirty or wet accelerates the wear and tear rate and hinders their performance, waterproofing, and thermal functions.

Whether it’s your favorite gym shoes or an expensive sleeping bag, storing sports equipment and outdoor gear that’s still sweaty makes it susceptible to mold, mildew, and bacterial growth. Once these processes set in, they are incredibly difficult to reverse.

Before packing away sports gear for seasonal or long-term storage, ensure everything is thoroughly cleaned and totally dry. Even trace moisture can cause significant damage during months of storage.

Again, we suggest using equipment-specific cleaners rather than household products to maintain the integrity of specialized materials and coatings.

Allow extra drying time for gear with internal components, like helmets or cleats, as they often hold hidden moisture that can accelerate deterioration during storage.

If your storage unit isn’t climate-controlled, we suggest running a dehumidifier and using moisture control solutions like baking soda. Keep sensitive equipment up on shelves or on Slatwall via storage hook, and make sure you’re not storing any scented or soiled items or foods that will attract pests. 

Routine Sports Storage Maintenance

Now that you have your sports gear storage space organized with customized garage storage systems and all your storage racks and storage bins are well lit and effectively labeled, and your gear cleaned, dry, and ready for safe storage, let’s make sure we keep it that way.

First, clean our gear as soon as you’re done using it and dry it out. This makes those seasonal deep cleans way easier to handle. Then, put that clean and dry gear back in its designated and labeled storage space as soon as you’re done using it. 

Even if you ride your bicycle every day, give it a quick wipe down after you ride and hang it right back up on the bike rack or horizontal bike hooks.  

We suggest you schedule a day for cleaning, decluttering, and reorganizing your sports equipment storage space once every three months and before you store it long-term for the off-season. 

Update your sports gear inventory every time you score a new piece of gear or throw/give something away. Inventory updates are also the perfect time to decide if it’s time to donate or toss any other items. If you haven’t used a piece of gear in a full year, it’s a good sign that you don’t need it anymore. 

Conclusion

Transforming your self-storage unit into a dedicated sports equipment and outdoor gear storage room represents more than just efficient storage. It’s an investment in your equipment’s longevity and your outdoor adventures.

Converting a storage unit into a well-organized sports gear storage shed eradicates the frustration of hunting for equipment, thwarts damage from poor storage methods, and creates a smooth transition between seasonal sports and outdoor activities.

As your sports gear collection grows and your outdoor adventures shift and transform, your customized storage system will evolve along with your needs.

If you follow our nifty guide on organizing your sports equipment storage space from beginning to end, you’ll naturally be aware of what items you need to keep reachable for easy access. You’ll also note which items you can store in hard-to-reach places like ceiling-mounted drop-down shelves and high-hung wall hooks. 

The time invested in building an efficient sports equipment storage system pays off every time you grab your gear and hit the outdoors. Converting a storage unit into an outdoor gear storage room gives you the space to build a home for all the gear that gets you through your favorite activities. 

But not all storage unit facilities are created equally. You’ll want a climate-controlled storage unit to keep your gear safe from humidity and extreme temperature fluctuations, for example. A storage unit with electricity gives you more options for lighting, music, and gear maintenance sessions. 

And then there’s location. You don’t want a storage unit in the opposite direction of your favorite basketball court or mountain bike trail. 

But how do you find a storage unit in the ideal spot that also has all the amenities you need for a sports gear storage shed? 

Don’t worry, Selfstorage.com is here to help. Just enter your zip code into our handy storage unit search tool, and we’ll show you storage units in your area conveniently filtered based on the hyper-specific parameters our search tool lets you set. 

SelfStorage.com works with more than 20,000 self-storage facilities to list the most extensive inventory of self-storage units nationwide—more than any website today. So don’t put it off any longer. SelfStorage.com is here to help you master that garage organization on the cheap-and-easy, asap!