Gram McGregor – June 4th, 2025 – WFU DMG 722 Midterm Project

Avid hikers and campers understand the kinds of dirt that accumulate from a long hike. You bring with you a new paperback or tool like a compass, and after a few days on the trail it comes out raggedy, wet, and full of dirt.

This is not only annoying, but this can lead to many problems that harm the quality and integrity of your hiking bags. Having a dirty hiking backpack leads to separated zippers, mold and mildew buildup, fabric degradation, and odor. All of these threaten the long-term quality of your hiking bag, and we know that the best places to hike, like Sedona, the Appalachian Trail, and Glacier National Park, are filled with dirt that is looking for a new home.

So what is the best way to fix this? In this guide I am going to show you how to clean your bag properly and to maintain its quality so that it remains functioning and looking good as new all the same. I will be using my personal favorite hiking bag, the Buhi OG Tactical Assault Pack, which I have found to be incredible for it’s durability on long hikes, but this guide can apply to all other hiking bags. Let’s begin.

HOW TO CLEAN A HIKING BAG AT HOME WITH A BATHTUB/SINK

Required items include:

• Bathtub or sink
• Dish soap
• Washcloth
• Place to dry.

1. Take a wet cloth and wipe loose dirt and debris from the outside of your pack. Empty your bag completely, removing any detachable pockets and straps. Open your bag’s pockets and turn it upside down, or better yet, use a vacuum to remove dirt.
2. Fill the sink or bath with lukewarm water, then put soap into the pockets of the bag. Apply the soap liberally in the bag, then place it into the water. Swish the bag around in the soapy water, and be sure to scrub dirty parts of the bag with your hands.
3. Rinse out soapy water from the bag using the bathtub or sink faucet.
4. Dry outside. Be sure to hang your bag upside down and outside of the sun to avoid fading the bag’s color. To maintain the integrity of the bag, avoid machine drying. Once your bag is dry, you’re ready to go.

HOW TO CLEAN A HIKING BAG USING A HOSE

This method is preferable for those who want an express way to clean your bag. For this method, you will need

• Hose
• Dish soap
• Cloth

1. Wipe the exterior of the bag with a wet cloth, emptying the bag completely and removing detachable pockets and straps. Turn the bag upside down and empty the bag of dust and dirt.
2. Squeeze dish soap into pockets of the bag.
3. Take a hose and spray into the bag, filling the pockets with water. After this, zip the bag and shake it.
4. Empty the soapy water out of the bag, and rinse the pockets with the hose.
5. Hang upside down and wait until fully dried.

Following these steps, you can extend the lifespan of your hiking bag far beyond its years.

This is something that I wish I had learned as a beginner hiker, and it has saved me many hundreds of dollars. Of course, not all bags are created equally, however. If you want to get a bag that will last you a lifetime, check out the Buhi OG Tactical Assault Pack; this backpack is based off the US Army’s assault pack and is built to MILSPEC standards. Use code BUHITACTICAL at checkout for a 10% discount and free shipping on all purchases on their website.

Gram McGregor is the owner of McGregor Strategies marketing solutions, a US Army Reserve Second Lieutenant, and a rucking aficionado. You can often find Gram hiking western North Carolina with his Great Dane, Blue. Contact me gram@mcgregorstrategies.com for further inquiries and other hiking tips.

Sources:

5.11 Tactical. (n.d.). How to take care of your 5.11 tactical apparel and gear: 5.11® tactical official site. How to take care of your 5.11 tactical apparel and gear | 5.11® Tactical Official Site. https://www.511tactical.com/se-en/take-care-of-your-gear

Hiking backpacks: Common issues and how to care for them. Purevave. (n.d.). https://www.purevave.com/blogs/news/hiking-backpacks-common-issues-and-how-to-care-for-them

Rei. (n.d.). How to wash a backpack: Cleaning & Care: Rei co-op. REI. https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpack-how-to-clean.html

Patagonia product care, repair, and washing instructions. Patagonia Product Care, Repair, and Washing Instructions. (n.d.). https://www.patagonia.com/repairs/