Tents

Always air-dry your tent completely before putting it away. In the backcountry, it’s not always possible to get your gear completely dry before you throw it in your pack, but make sure you don’t skimp on this step once you’re home. Otherwise, your tent can get moldy, which will ruin the waterproofing.

Sleeping Bags

Pack sleeping bags loosely in a cotton or mesh sack or a large pillow case between trips (many sleeping bags come with a sack for this purpose). This allows the bag to breathe and to retain its loft.

Packs

Again, clean and dry the pack before putting it away....