How to Choose the Best Camping Storage Boxes, Bins, and Containers
While there are tons of ways to stay organized while camping, one of the easiest is to organize your gear into camping storage boxes, bins, and containers.
Admittedly, when we first started camping and traveling our gear was an absolute mess! But we quickly realized that staying organized while camping was critical to keeping our sanity and enjoying our adventures.
Over the years we’ve refined and perfected the camping storage boxes and the containers for camping gear that we use to make staying organized while camping as easy and stress-free as possible.
So in this post we’re going to start you off on the right foot by covering everything you need to select the best camping storage boxes, bins, and containers for your camping gear.
*(This post contains affiliate links. This means we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. See our full disclosure.)
Assess Your Camping Storage Box Needs
Before you decide which camping storage boxes you’ll need, there are three things you’ll want to quickly take into consideration:
How and Where You’ll Use and Store Your Camping Storage Box
Will you be mounting your camping storage boxes on top of your vehicle?
If so, you’ll want to ensure there’s an easy and convenient way to secure them so you can access them when needed.
Will your camping storage boxes be left outside while at camp?
You’ll want a camping storage box that’s able to be latched securely to keep critters out, and that is at least somewhat water-resistant - if not waterproof.
The Camping Gear or Equipment You Intend to Store in Them
Some gear, especially sensitive electronics like mirrorless cameras and lenses, will require a more heavy-duty camping storage box, while things like clothing and food may require different camping storage containers.
Any Size or Shape Limitations You Have
If you’re car camping or overlanding, space is a precious commodity! So you’ll want to carefully measure the space in your camping vehicle to ensure the camping storage boxes you choose are going to maximize that space.
And if you’ll be storing them at home, when you’re not camping, check to see that they will work for that space too.
Decide What Type of Camping Storage Box Will Meet Your Needs
While there are literally thousands of camping storage boxes on the market with a multitude of features that overlap, there are six primary features to look for in a camping storage box depending on your specific needs:
Heavy Duty
Heavy-duty camping storage boxes are made out of extremely durable materials, often crush-proof plastics or aluminum, to ensure your gear is safe from the extremes of outdoor adventures.
Lockable and Tamper Resistant
Some camping storage boxes offer a latch mechanism to ensure the lid is secured, while others also offer a loop system to allow you to attach a standard padlock to secure their contents. These lockable camping storage boxes can be used for storing valuables or any gear that you don’t want easily accessible to children, pets, or other critters while you’re camping.
And if you’re planning to camp in bear country you’ll want a bear resistant camping storage box* to keep food items secure as well.
Waterproof or Weather Resistant
A waterproof camping storage box is excellent for storing a variety of gear and equipment that may be directly or repeatedly exposed to the elements. These are especially good to use if you intend to do any rafting, canoeing, or kayaking with them.
On the other hand, weather resistant camping storage boxes will hold up to being left out in the elements, but will not prevent water intrusion if they’re fully submerged. But if you only intend to leave your camping storage boxes out and exposed to a little rain or snow, a weather resistant box will typically prove a more affordable solution over the fully waterproof varieties.
Collapsible
While collapsible camping storage boxes often sacrifice some durability, they do offer a more compact storage solution for your camping gear.
They’re especially nice for transporting gear that will remain out or in use most of the time you’re at camp, such as hammocks, sleeping bags, stoves, lanterns, camp chairs, etc. because you can collapse them and tuck them out of the way when they're empty and not needed.
Stackable
The ability to securely stack your camping storage containers is a HUGE value when car camping, truck camping, or overlanding because it allows you to fully utilize the vertical space in your camping vehicle.
It also makes the process of staying organized while camping easier because you can quickly identify and access the specific gear storage you need.
Transparent
Transparent camping storage boxes allow you to easily see what gear you’ve packed inside without having to label or open the box. This is excellent for frequently accessed things like dry foods or clothing.
The disadvantage is that the translucent polypropylene based plastics used in these types of camping storage boxes are prone to cracking in freezing temperatures and they’re generally less durable than more heavy duty non-transparent camping storage boxes.
Select The Best Camping Storage Boxes For Your Adventure
Once you’ve determined the features that you need in your camping storage box, you can select ones that will work for you and your budget. Below is a list of the very best camping storage containers we’ve used and recommend in order of cost, with some pros & cons of each to help you get started:
ROAM ADVENTURE CO RUGGED CASES
If you want the ultimate camping storage box for extreme outdoor environments or overland adventures, the Roam Adventure Co rugged cases are the perfect camping storage solution - provided they fit your budget.
Dimensions / Capacity:
Dimensions vary depending on model
Capacities: 52L, 82L, 105L, 160L
Pros
Heavy duty durable LDPE plastic case
Waterproof & dustproof lid hasket
Lockable steel latches
Larger models include gas-struts to hold the lids open for easy access
Extremely customizable with Molle Panels and accessories
Integrated drain plug and bottle opener
Cons
High cost
Bulky (due to the thick heavy-duty casing material)
PELICAN HEAVY DUTY STORAGE BOXES
If you’re looking for an extremely heavy duty camping storage box to protect your camera equipment, laptops, or other sensitive electronics, Pelican cases are the way to go.
Each box has a layered foam padding insulation that can be customized to fit your needs and offers an unparalleled amount of shock protection. They’re also, arguably, one of the best waterproof storage containers for camping equipment on the market.
While there are a variety of sizes available, we’ve found the Pelican 1610 a good all-around size for camping storage.
Dimensions / Capacity:
24.83”L x 19.69”W x 11.88”H / appx. 63 Liters
Pros
Heavy duty crushproof copolymer-polypropylene design
Waterproof with hydrophobic pressure-relief valve system
Customizable foam padding
Lockable
Built-in wheels for easy transport
Cons
Cost
Weight (22 lbs!)
Do not stack securely
ZARGES K440 CAMPING STORAGE BOXES
The Zarges K440 aluminum camping storage boxes are another very heavy duty storage solution for your camping gear.
With their impact resistance corner protectors, a stackable design, and ability to withstand extreme temperatures, these storage boxes are a go-to for overlanding adventures as well.
Dimensions / Capacity:
Dimensions vary depending on model
Capacities: 27L, 42L, 60L, 73L, 81L, 156L, and more!
Pros
Lightweight
Heavy-duty aluminum construction
Stackable
Weather resistant
Cons
Cost
Not lockable
Not waterproof or dustproof
RUBBERMAID ACTION PACKERS
We used Rubbermaid Action Packers for years as our camping storage boxes while car camping on road trips.
They’re a fairly budget friendly and surprisingly durable option for storing and protecting your camping gear. Though they come in a variety of sizes, we found the 8 Gallon and 24 Gallon models to be ideal for car camping.
Dimensions / Capacity:
Dimensions vary depending on model
Capacity: 8 Gal. (appx 30L ), 24 Gal. (appx 90L), 35 Gal (appx. 132L), 48 Gal (181L)
Pros
Durable
Lockable
Lightweight
Lid Latches & Unlatches Easily
Cons
Cost is high relative to other options
Not Weather Resistant
Not Waterproof
FRONT RUNNER WOLF PACK OR WOLF PACK PRO
The Front Runner Wolf Packs have been our personal favorite camping storage box for years and are what we currently use in our truck camping setup. While they're not without their shortcomings, they stack extremely well, latch securely, are durable, and very water resistant. Front Runner recently released the Wolf Pack Pro that adds dust and waterproofing as well as an improved latch mechanism at a slightly higher cost.
Dimensions / Capacity:
Wolf Pack: 20.1" L x 15.8” W x 9.1” H / appx. 31 Liters
Wolf Pack Pro: 20.1" L x 15.7” W x 9.1” H / appx. 31 Liters
Pros
Budget Friendly
Lightweight
Very Durable
Stackable (note that the standard Wolf Pack and Wolf Pack Pro are not cross-compatible for stacking)
Weather Resistant (we’ve left our standard Wolf Pack out through days of heavy rain storms while camping and never had water intrusion!) or you can opt for the Pro model which is fully Water Proof
Can add an optional Hi-Lid* to the standard Wolf Pack or the Pro Hi-Lid* to the Wolf Pack Pro to increase their capacity
Cons
Standard Wolfpack is not Waterproof
Often Out-of-stock (due to high demand!)
Latches on the standard Wolf Pack model can be cumbersome to operate
Not Lockable
SIDIO CRATE
Sidio Crates are an awesome way to organize your camping gear inside your vehicle or camper. Due to their non-weather-sealed milk-crate-like design they’re not intenedended to offer protection from the elements. However, they stack extremely well, latch securely, are durable, and have a very versatile divider system that makes staying organized while camping super easy - plus they’re made in the USA. They also come in two sizes to accommodate a variety of camping gear, and they offer accessories like transparent lids, bamboo covers, and even a wheel attachment called the Sidio Skate. We use our Sidio Crates to keep the storage drawer in our Tacoma truck camping setup organized and love them!
Dimensions / Capacity:
Half-size Side Crate: 18.5" L x 12.5” W x 6.5” H / appx. 21 Liters
Full-size Sidio Crate: 18.5" L x 12.5” W x 11” H / appx. 39 Liters
Pros
Lightweight
Very Durable
Stackable - both sizes stack well with one another
Adjustable divider system
Come in a variety of color choices
Cons
Not Waterproof or weather resistant
Somewhat pricier than other similar camping storage bins and containers
Not Lockable
IRIS USA WEATHERTIGHT TRANSPARENT CAMPING STORAGE BOXES
These budget friendly transparent camping storage boxes are an excellent choice - they offer clear visibility to your camping gear and equipment while also being weather resistant. The 46.6 Qrt Model is an excellent size for storing a variety of camping gear, though they do make larger versions as well.
Dimensions / Capacity:
19.7" L x 15.75" W x 11.75" H / appx 38 Liters
Pros
Transparent
Stackable
Water Resistant
Budget Friendly
Cons
Not as durable as other options
Plastics used are subject to cracking in freezing temperatures
Not Lockable
RUBBERMAID BRUTE CAMPING STORAGE BOXES
The Rubbermaid Brute is the quintessential camping storage box. We used them while truck camping as kids and not much has changed over the years with their design. While they’re not particularly rugged, they get the job done at an affordable price.
Dimensions / Capacity:
24.5" L x 16.75" W x 10.5" H / 14 Gal Model (appx 52L)
27.88” L x 17.38” W x 15.13” H / 20 Gal Model (appx 75L)
Pros
Budget Friendly
Durable HDPE Plastic construction
Stackable
Cons
Not Weather Resistant or Waterproof
Not Lockable
CLEVERMADE COLLAPSIBLE CAMPING STORAGE BOXES
These collapsible camping storage boxes are an incredible value and collapse down to just 2.5” tall when empty. Though, like all collapsible camping storage boxes and bins, they’re not going to be as heavy duty as other rigid options.
Dimensions / Capacity:
20.95"L x 13.75"W x 11.2"H / 46 Liter
Pros
Compact 2.5” collapsed height
Budget Friendly
Stackable
Cons
Not Heavy Duty
Lids do not have latches
Not Lockable
Not weather-resistant or waterproof
Camping Storage Containers and Bins
While very similar to camping storage boxes, camping storage containers are typically much smaller and can be used for organizing gear within larger storage boxes or a sleeping platform drawer system.
We like the Rubbermaid Brilliance Camping Storage Containers* because they’re great for organizing and storing smaller gear or food inside our larger camping storage boxes, drawer system, and camping fridge. They’re transparent so you can easily see what’s inside and they have nice secure latching lids.
Camping storage bins, on the other hand, are larger open-top containers that offer easy access to gear that may be cumbersome, odd-shaped, or dirty - such as camp tables, shovels, saws, or hiking boots.
The budget friendly Sterilite Plastic Storage Bins*, the heavier duty Muscle Rack Camping Storage Bins*, or the Sidio Crates we highlighted earlier in the post are perfect for keeping these types of loose items organized while camping.
Tips for Using Your Camping Storage Boxes
Here are some simple things we’ve learned over the years that will help keep your new camping storage boxes and containers organized and secured. But be sure to check out our detailed guide: Stress-Free Camping Storage Ideas for Organizing Your Camping Gear for more helpful ways to sort and organize your gear into camping storage boxes
Label Each Camping Storage Box - We’d recommend getting an inexpensive label maker* to clearly identify what each of your camping storage boxes contains to keep things organized and easy to find. Or use some blank mailing labels and a sharpie!
Use Plastic Camping Storage Organizers and Bags - We like to use these plastic gear organizers* for keeping smaller gear items organized inside larger camping storage boxes. And these reusable cotton mesh bags* are great for keeping other loose items or foods organized in your storage boxes too!
Store Smelly & Scented Items Together - Keep things like bug repellent and sunscreen together in Odor Proof Bags*.
Note Any Missing Gear After Your Trip - It’s inevitable that you’ll forget something while packing for the first trip, so always keep a sticky note under each lid to note anything you missed so that it can be added to your camping storage box when you get home. That way you’ll have it for the next trip!
Always Secure your Camping Storage Boxes - If the road to camp gets bumpy you don’t want your gear being thrown around your vehicle. We use the Front Runner Stratchits* because they’re essentially a combination of a bungee cord and ratchet strap, making them easy to use and capable of securing a wide variety of camping gear and equipment.
We hope this information helps you find the right camping storage boxes to organize your camping gear and adventures. And stay tuned for our next post where we’ll walk you through the process of categorizing and organizing your camping gear into your new camping storage boxes and containers as well as some more general camping storage ideas that have helped us over the years.
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As always, thanks for reading!
Related Posts:
Stress-Free Camping Storage Ideas for Organizing Your Camping Gear
Truck Bed Camper Interior: Organization and Space-Saving Storage Ideas
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