With all the commitments of modern life, keeping gear organized and ready to go can be a challenge. This can lead to rushed, haphazard packing of outdoor gear at the last minute. The Oregon-based Kitworks aims to solve this dilemma with a cleverly designed suite of nestled products to keep your goods in order.
I’ve been guilty of throwing things into a pack or duffel at the last minute, in the dark, or before enough coffee has kickstarted my disjointed mind. One time, I drove from Austin to Moab in a single push, arriving in the middle of a frigid night. And — shockingly, but not surprisingly — I packed my four-season tent body, but forgot the poles. That was a frigid, uncomfortable 10 days.
As a fan of multiple outdoor endeavors and a gear tester across all of them, my poor gear management often rears its head. (I packed the wrong helmet just last week.) Kitworks may have devised a solution to keep it all straight while withstanding my negligent treatment of outdoor products.
Kitworks combines a large base platform with organizing accessories to create a flexible system that accommodates all sorts of gear collection permutations. And the system is built with laminated thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and radio frequency welded (RF-welded) construction, which can withstand harsh treatment and environments typical for outdoor lovers.
Choose a Kitworks Base Platform
The heart of the Kitworks Gear Management System is the larger base from which to build a “kit.” The current choices are a 75L Gear Box, 35L and 55L Gear Tote, or a 60L or 90L Adventure Duffel. Kitworks states that more of these foundational pieces are on the way.
I found the 75L Gear Box the most useful so far. Its structure prevents things like riding glasses or gel packets from being smashed. This box also accepts Kitworks dividers.
These larger pieces are covered inside and out with Molle-style attachment points and Velcro swaths, allowing the outdoor adventurer to attach smaller Kitworks items as well as products from other brands. The exterior attachment points also allow these base items to be mounted like cabinets. (Van life peeps, this is for you!)
Organizing Components and Accessories
Throwing gear into a large bag or box isn’t organizing. It’s just collecting related items into one “pile.” That’s a start, but Kitworks takes the next step with smaller bags and accessories that transform “catch-all” containers into neat, logical systems.
The current list of organizing items is extensive. It includes:
- Three sizes of Gear Cubes
- Four different Flat Pockets (including mesh)
- Two sizes of wet/dirty gear bags
- Two sizes of Utility Pouches
- An Everyday Tote
- A divider set for the Gear Box
- Elastic band organizer and system straps to attach Kitworks items to Molle points
For adventurers who like labels, Kitworks has embroidered GearID Labels with common categories like “tools” and “climbing,” as well as blank labels to write on.
How Do I Get Started Organizing My Mess?
I’m sure we have all tried the usual methods of wrangling our ever-increasing collection of outdoor gear: plastic bins, duffels, laundry baskets, and just assigning each open seat in a car to an activity. These may work, but for me, they have been far from ideal.
The various plastic boxes are bulky, slide around in the vehicle, crack in the cold, degrade in the sun, and are awkward to haul into the wilds if necessary. I’ve tried plenty of rugged duffels, but all the gear gets jumbled together, and I’ve crushed plenty of smaller items to smithereens. And not everything is weather-resistant and dustproof.
But Kitworks solves every one of these issues with its smart designs using durable materials. Every foundational piece the brand sent has easy ways to carry it. And with the collection of other items, we could all become a Marie Kondo of the outdoors.
Items on Kitworks start shipping today (except for the Adventure Duffels, which will ship in early 2025). The 75L Gear Box is $290, the 35L Gear Tote is $160, and the 55L Gear Tote is $190. Kitworks has not given a price tag yet for the Adventure Duffels. Kitworks’ organizing accessories range in price from $3 (for GearID Labels) up to $59 (for the Everyday Tote).
Look for a full review of Kitworks on GearJunkie in the near future.
