SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 54: Inspect Your Kit After a Wet Trip

A wet outdoor trip does not end when you get home. Mud, moisture and grit can damage equipment if they are left in bags, pockets or folds until the next outing. A quick inspection gives you the chance to dry everything properly, spot problems and make sure essential items are ready to use again.

For this challenge, you will carry out a systematic inspection of your outdoor kit as though you have just returned from a rainy walk or camping trip. You will identify what needs cleaning, what needs drying and what should be repaired or replaced before you head out again.

Your Challenge

Your challenge is to inspect a selection of outdoor equipment after a simulated wet trip, record its condition and prepare it for storage.

Work through your kit methodically rather than simply emptying your rucksack and leaving everything in a pile. By the end, you should have identified any damp items, checked for damage and created a short list of equipment that needs attention.

What You’ll Need

• Your outdoor rucksack and a selection of equipment.
• A clean, dry space to lay everything out.
• A towel or cloth.
• A notebook or phone for recording findings.
• Manufacturer care instructions for any specialist equipment.
• A camera or phone to photograph your inspection.

You can use equipment that is already wet from a trip or simulate the inspection with dry kit. There is no need to soak equipment deliberately.

Take the Challenge

1. Empty your rucksack completely

Start by removing everything from your rucksack, including items tucked into side pockets, lid compartments and small internal pockets. Check for damp packaging, mud, crumbs, grit and anything that should not have been left inside.

Separate your equipment into groups, such as clothing, shelter, cooking equipment, navigation tools and first-aid supplies. This makes it easier to inspect each item properly and notice anything missing.

Check the rucksack itself, paying particular attention to seams, zips, pockets and the base, where moisture and dirt can collect. Remove loose dirt and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the fabric.

2. Check clothing and sleeping equipment

Inspect waterproof jackets, trousers, spare clothing and any sleeping equipment you carried. Look for damp patches, mud, damaged seams, broken zips and signs of wear.

Hang damp clothing to dry in a suitable, ventilated place. Sleeping bags and insulated jackets need particular care because their filling can be damaged by unsuitable washing or drying methods. Follow the care label rather than assuming every item can go in a tumble dryer.

Do not pack damp clothing or sleeping equipment away for long-term storage. Moisture can lead to unpleasant smells, mildew and damage to some materials.

Record one item that needs drying or cleaning and explain how you would deal with it.

3. Inspect shelter and waterproof equipment

If you carried a tent, tarp, groundsheet or bivvy, check it carefully for dirt, tears, damaged seams and faulty fastenings. Open it out somewhere suitable so that wet folds and hidden areas can dry.

Allow the shelter to dry fully before storing it, following the manufacturer’s guidance. If you notice a tear or a damaged seam, record it for repair rather than assuming it will be fine next time.

Inspect dry bags and waterproof stuff sacks too. Check closures, seams and fabric for damage, and make sure they are clean and dry inside.

4. Check tools, cooking equipment and smaller items

Inspect tools for dirt, corrosion, loose parts or damage. Clean and maintain them according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and store sharp edges safely.

Check your stove and cooking equipment for dirt, damage and missing components. Do not attempt to repair pressurised fuel systems or other specialist equipment unless you are qualified and following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Check torches, batteries, power banks and electronic navigation devices for moisture or damage. If an electronic item has become wet, follow the manufacturer’s guidance before charging or switching it on.

Look at your first-aid kit and other consumables. Replace used items, check packaging for water damage and make sure essential supplies remain in date and usable.

5. Record repairs and replacements

An inspection is most useful when it leads to action. Make a list of anything that needs cleaning, drying, repair or replacement.

Separate minor jobs you can safely complete yourself from damage that needs specialist attention. For example, a muddy rucksack may only need cleaning, while a damaged climbing harness, helmet or other safety-critical item must be assessed in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance and relevant safety standards.

Never rely on visibly damaged safety equipment for your next trip simply because it still looks usable.

6. Repack your kit for the next outing

Once equipment is clean, dry and safe to store, return it to its proper place. Replace anything you used, make a note of missing items and ensure essential equipment is easy to reach.

Keep wet-weather items accessible and consider separating equipment that needs regular inspection from items you rarely use. Store everything in line with the manufacturer’s instructions, in a suitable dry environment.

Finish by checking your kit list against the equipment you have packed. Your aim is to leave the kit ready for its next use rather than discovering a problem at the start of your next trip.

Check Your Results

Before completing the challenge, make sure you can answer these questions:

• Why should a rucksack be emptied completely after a wet trip?
• Which outdoor items need to be fully dry before storage?
• What should you check on a tent, tarp or bivvy?
• Why do safety-critical items need special attention?
• How will you remember to repair or replace damaged equipment?

If you discover a problem, record it and decide what action is needed before the equipment is used again.

Complete the Challenge

To complete Challenge 54, carry out a kit inspection and show that you understand how to care for outdoor equipment after wet conditions.

Your evidence should include:

• A photograph of your kit laid out for inspection.
• A record of at least three checks you carried out.
• One example of equipment that needed cleaning, drying or further attention, or a simulated example if your kit was dry.
• A short explanation of how you would prepare the equipment for storage and future use.

You do not need to damage or soak equipment to complete the challenge.

How to Submit Your Challenge

Submit your evidence

Once you have completed the challenge, share your evidence on your SGUK member profile so it can be checked.

1. Go to your SGUK member profile.
2. Open Social Activity.
3. Upload a photograph of your evidence to the activity wall.
4. Add the hashtag #SGUKChallenge54.
5. Share it for verification.

Include your inspection notes with the photograph so it is clear what you checked and what action you would take.

Challenge 54 Checklist

Want to Push Yourself?

Create a reusable post-trip kit inspection checklist for your own outdoor activities. Include the equipment you normally carry, the checks each item needs and a space to record repairs or replacements.

After your next wet outing, use the checklist again and compare the results. Over time, you may notice recurring problems, such as water getting into a particular pocket or a piece of equipment taking too long to dry.

A simple routine can save money, extend the life of your kit and help prevent equipment failures when you are away from home.

What’s Next?

If you have not completed the previous challenge, try SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 53: Learn How to Solar Treat Water. Learn how solar water disinfection works, what conditions it requires and why it cannot remove every type of contamination.

You can complete the SGUK Challenges in any order, so choose the skills that interest you and continue developing your practical outdoor knowledge.

Once you’ve shared your evidence and it has been verified, the SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 54 is complete and the completed challenges figure will be updated on your profile.

Learn. Practise. Master.

That’s what the SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge is all about.