Want to get the best value out of your tactical gear? You’ll want to ensure it provides long-lasting utility and dependable functionality. The first step involves acquiring high-quality tactical gear in the first place. Go for products that are well-reviewed, known for their longevity⁠—or come with a lifetime guarantee, as 14er Tactical products do!

That said, you can’t do without proper tactical gear maintenance. Owning a high quality product simply reduces the demands for product care and maintenance. It does not do away with the need to take on such a responsibility. But a quality product requiring less maintenance is already a great convenience!

It is easier than you think to extend the lifespan of 14er Tactical backpacks and range bags. With it being so easy, there’s no reason not to do it! And we can give you some gear care tips to ensure the best results.

Best Practices for 14er Tactical Backpack Maintenance

 

Your backpack needs regular cleaning so that it won’t smell and gather mold. It takes a lot of neglect to get it into such a sorry state, but it’s worth mentioning! A good clean backpack is sure to be more functional, and that’s what truly counts.

A soft-bristle brush will do the job of cleaning up a backpack in many cases. The brush can be used to scrape off dirt and debris without causing damage to 14er Tactical products. Once that’s been done, then you can give the bag a good wipedown with a cleaning cloth. Apply a gear cleaning solution to the cloth for better results. 

What gear cleaning solution should you use? A variety of products designed for tactical gear maintenance are available on the market. Some of the more well-reviewed options include Nu Technical Detergent, Grangers Outdoor Gear Cleaner and NikWax Tech Wash. 

Do you really need to purchase a specialized gear cleaning solution though? We believe that will give the best results, but similar outcomes can be achieved with ordinary detergent, as long as it is free of additives. Many outdoors enthusiasts swear by the cleansing power of Tide Purclean Unscented Detergent⁠—a plant based product that uses no dyes, phosphates or perfumes in its formulation. Though gear cleaning solution tends to work better for spot cleaning⁠—for example, removing a grease stain caused by campside cooking near the pack.

 

 

Gear Care Tips for Hand Washing a Backpack

 

If your tactical backpack or range bag could use a more thorough cleansing, you can decide to wash it. Before you get started, take a look at the washing instructions that come with the bag. Often, these are on a label on the bag itself. You’ll want to follow these instructions to minimize the risk of causing damage to the bag in the wash. 

 

You don’t want to put the backpack in the washing machine or the dryer. Many bags have components such as straps, zips and fasteners. These could scrape up against the washing compartment, the bag itself, or anything else in the machine. They could snag on something. The machine wash cycle can also damage the seams, harming the integrity of the pack. In any case, it’s not an ideal approach to take when it comes to backpack maintenance. We feel that it’s better to wash the backpack by hand.

 

A hand washing will require a bit of setup. You’ll need a bathtub or a large basin into which the entire backpack can be placed. Fill the basin with water, which should be lukewarm (not hot). About half a foot of water should be enough, depending on the size of the bag. Use a mild soap, one that is free of fragrance and other additives.

 

Soak the bag in the soapy water. Use a sponge or washcloth to clean it as thoroughly as you can. If necessary, use a soft bristle brush (or even a toothbrush) to rid the bag of clinging dirt. Alternatively, you can simply let the bag soak in the water for a while, up to an hour.

 

Follow this up by rinsing the backpack thoroughly using cold water. Be sure to wash off all of the soapy residue. Rinse it twice if necessary. Once you are satisfied, hang up the bag to air dry. Take note⁠—it should be hanging upside down!

 

Backpack Maintenance: Storing Your Gear for Long-Term Durability

 

Unless it’s your everyday carry bag, you’ll probably be putting your 14er Tactical backpack or range bag in storage at times. Even an EDC bag will occasionally have to be stored. In any case, storing your 14er Tactical products correctly is part of smart tactical gear maintenance.

 

The storage area for your gear should be clean, of course! No dust, no dirt, no mold. Importantly, you should choose a cool, dry space with adequate ventilation. While 14er Tactical products are quite water resistant, exposing them to wetness or moisture for prolonged periods is not recommended. In any case, a damp storage space will be prone to collecting mold and other contaminants. Forget the bag⁠—that part of your residence is likely to get unsafe!

 

 

Additional Gear Care Tips for Your Range Bag

 

With just a little added thought and care, range bag maintenance can become a lot less of a hassle! Your concern when it comes to range bags is the nature of the items it often carries. These can include gun oil and lubricants, which run the risk of leaving stains on the material. 

 

To avoid having to deal with stains, keep the gun oil and lubricants inside enclosed plastic bags within your 14er Tactical Range Bag. Those zipper lock bags will do nicely. And we advise you to carry a bit of gear cleaning solution along with a microfiber cloth. If a stain does occur, you can wipe down the bag right away. That will make it easier to get rid of the stain with a more thorough cleansing later.

 

Best Tools for Backpack Maintenance

 

We’ll round up our handy guide with a list of useful tools and materials for tactical gear maintenance. Keep them close at hand so that you can perform maintenance routinely without having to go out of your way to do it. Here’s the list of helpful items to add to this kit:

 

Enzymatic cleaner - This type of cleaning product is very good at getting out those stubborn stains. You can make your own at home.

 

Gear cleaner - A specialized solution formulated to clean backpacks and bags without risking damage.

 

Detergent - An alternative to gear cleaner. You must use a detergent that doesn’t include commercial additives.

 

Mild soap - Use this for hand washing your backpack. Again, it needs to be fragrance-free and additive-free.

 

Soft bristle brush - Select the type of brush that you like best, as long as it doesn’t have hard and stiff bristles. An old makeup brush can work wonders!

 

Microfiber cloth - Your best friend when you need to give your backpack a good and proper wipedown!

 

Handheld vacuum or air blower - This can quickly blast the areas of the bag where grime likes to cling. The type of air blower used to clean computer keyboards can do the job, actually!