Campers And Road Trippers Swear By This Space-Saving Gear Organization System From REI

Road trips are an epic way to travel, and there's nothing quite like an extended camping trip. But a major downside to both is that your car usually turns into a total mess after just a few days. Whether you're staying in hotels or roughing it in a tent, things can get chaotic quickly when you're loading and unloading your belongings from your car every day or so. Before you know it, you'll be digging through piles of discarded snack wrappers in search of a clean pair of socks.

If you don't find a way to keep your gear organized, you may end up experiencing some unnecessary stress. Imagine if you were trying to quickly set up your tent before the arrival of a rainstorm, but were unable to find your tarp. You'd likely be in for a rough night of wet camping. Similarly, spending a half hour looking for your picnic supplies could put a damper on an otherwise romantic lunch stop on a scenic drive. If you're looking for the perfect way to keep your car organized, many campers and road trippers online recommend investing in REI's Trailgate gear storage solutions.

The Trailgate Gear Bins and Gear Cubes are ideal for stowing everything you need for your adventures. The cubes are great for smaller items and clothing, while the bins are perfect for all of your larger gear. According to REI's website, they're designed to work in tandem — the cubes fit perfectly inside the bins. They can easily stack on top of each other so that you can organize your trunk for a road trip. Plus, they're made from water-resistant and recycled fabric. The Trailgate storage products have plenty of rave reviews on REI's website, with the cubes garnering a 4.9-star rating, and most customers agree that they're well worth the price. 

REI stands for Recreational Equipment Inc. It's an extremely popular place to shop for outdoor gear and clothing, and there are stores scattered across the United States. It's a consumer cooperative, which means it is owned by members who are also customers. REI sells lots of different brands that make top-rated outdoor gear, but the company also has its own in-house brand. REI's own label is often a budget-friendly option when compared to other popular brands. The gear storage systems aren't inexpensive, but they are well-made — and they're perfect for storing everything you need for your vacation in an organized way.

The REI Trailgate line has a variety of products that are perfect for camping, and the storage cubes and bins are some of the best. The two different storage options, cubes and bins, help you stay organized, and each comes in three sizes. The Gear Cubes are ideal for smaller and lighter items. There is a 10 liter, a 15 liter, and a 25 liter size, and the prices range from $25-$35. 

They're crafted from heavy-duty recycled polyester fabric and have a zipper closure. There is a super-fine mesh top that allows the storage cubes to ventilate. According to reviews, they're pretty great. "I have tried countless different storage cubes, zipper bags, etc but these are by far my favorite. I have multiple in each size," a customer named Ellie wrote in a review on REI's website. "Sturdy with a good zipper, I also like that the tops are mesh so you're able to see what's inside each cube."

Road trips and camping trips require some serious packing. You may need to pack a tent, food, cooking tools, your best hiking gear, and enough clothing to keep you warm and dry for the duration of your trip. In order to keep things tidy during your adventure, you're going to need a way to store all of your essential gear for your camping and hiking excursions. REI's Trailgate Gear Bins are big enough to fit all of your stuff with room to spare. They fit nicely in trunks, truck beds, and back seats, and like the cubes, they also come in three sizes. Choose between 60 liters, 100 liters, and 140 liters, depending on how much gear you're bringing. Prices range from $100 to $150.

"I'd been eyeing this for a while, but didn't think it would really add enough value for the price. I was wrong!" wrote WI Girl in her review on REI's website. "The 100L size fits my half dome 4 tent, Nemo sleeping bag (in the mesh storage bag, not compressed), big Agnes sleeping pad, a closed cell foam roll sleeping pad, flexlite camp chair, my dog's camping bed, my life jacket, and my dog's life jacket with a little room for more since all of these are softer items. Great for dust-free storage in my garage, but also fits nicely in my trunk." Other reviewers love the side straps, which make it easy to maneuver the bag from a variety of positions.

If you're really looking to save space, pair the cubes with the bins. Four of the Trailgate 10-liter cubes fit neatly in the bottom of the 100-liter Trailgate bin. The cubes can stack two deep in each of the bins.