Whether you’re new to bushcraft or a seasoned hand, one thing that remains essential, is your clothing and equipment. A good bushcraft outfit earns its keep. Knives, tools, tarps, racksacks, clothing, and shelters all carry the marks of time spent outdoors, but if they’re properly cared for, they will be ready when the next season begins.

Now is the ideal time to repair, maintain, and reset your gear, rather than discovering problems once you’re already back in the woods. The Woodlore team has put together a practical guide to help you bring your clothing and equipment back into dependable working order. After all, learning bushcraft isn’t just about using your kit, but knowing how to care for and repair it too.

Look After Your Kit and It Will Look After You.

With a new season ahead, now is the perfect time to bring your bushcraft equipment out of storage and prepare it for your next adventure. Lay everything out and give it a thorough once-over, check clothing, tarps, and tents, inspect stitching, examine tent bases and zips, and keep an eye out for any small holes, tears, or signs of wear.

Taking the time now to ensure your gear is clean, dry, and ready to perform will pay dividends out in the field. A little pre-season care goes a long way, extending the life of your clothing and equipment and giving you the confidence to step back into your next outdoor adventure fully prepared.

Knives, axes, and saws
Should be wiped down, lightly oiled, and checked for damage. Wooden handles benefit from a light coat of linseed or mineral oil to prevent drying and cracking.

Tarps, tents, rucksacks, clothing, shelters

Clean and Dry
A sunny, dry day is perfect for unpacking your camping kit and giving it a little TLC. Brush off any mud or debris and let everything dry completely before taking a closer look.

Zips and Stitching
Check your zips and seams, if they’re sticky or dirty, a gentle toothbrush clean usually does the trick. For those stubborn ones, a bit of silicone zip spray will get them sliding smoothly again. While you’re at it, inspect all stitching, tidy up any dirt, reseal seams where needed, and patch any small holes or tears before they turn into bigger problems.

Sealing and Reproofing
Take a careful look at taped seams and apply seam sealant to any that are peeling or loose. This is also a good chance to see if your fabric needs reproofing. Signs to watch for include water no longer beading on the surface, damp spots inside, or seams starting to leak. A little attention now means your tarps and tents will be ready to keep you dry and comfortable all season long.

The right Outdoor Clothing can make all the difference on any adventure, keeping you comfortable, protected, and confident outdoors. Regularly checking your outdoor clothing for wear, small holes, worn stitching, or areas where water no longer beads will help it last longer and continue to support all your adventures.

Reproofing is easier than ever with modern spray-on or wash-in treatments like Nikwax. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results. A little care now ensures your clothing performs at its peak and is ready for every journey ahead.

Restore Waterproofing Where It Matters

Staying dry isn’t just about comfort, it’s key to staying warm, safe, and effective outdoors. Over time, even the best kit loses its waterproofing. If water no longer beads on your tarp, jacket, rucksack, or trousers, it’s time to reproof. Doing so protects your gear, keeps it lighter in the rain, and extends its life.

Keeping your gear waterproof can make all the difference out in the woods. From experience, a quick refresh with something like Nikwax can bring clothing, rucksacks, and shelters back to life, helping them perform when you need them most. These treatments are easy to apply, safe, and environmentally friendly, and in all cases, it’s worth taking a moment to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to get the best results.

How to Reproof in 3 Easy Steps

1. Clean first
Start with clean fabric, dirt, oils, and grime can stop waterproofing treatments from bonding properly. Use a purpose-made cleaner, such as Nikwax Tech Wash, and avoid household detergents. Rinse thoroughly so your fabric is ready to take on the treatment.

2. Apply the Treatment
Choose the method that works best for you: spray-on or wash-in. Wash-in treatments like Nikwax TX Direct Wash-In are especially simple to use, just add directly to your washing machine’s detergent drawer, Always follow the product and garment care instructions for best results.

3.Allow to Dry
Let your item dry completely, naturally, again, check your garment’s care instructions to be sure of the best process.

A properly reproofed garment, tent or tarp will shed water with ease, keeping you dry and comfortable on every adventure. For a more detailed, step-by-step guide, the Nikwax “how-to” videos are excellent.

Watch the Nikwax videos here

Repair, Replace… and Know When to Upgrade

Bushcraft has always been about making the most of what you have, and repairs should come first wherever possible. Small tears can be patched, loose stitching reinforced, and worn components replaced with a little time and care, often bringing your kit back to life better than ever.

But bushcraft is also a journey. As your skills grow, so too does your understanding of what works best for you. Adding new gear isn’t about collecting more, but about choosing the right equipment for your evolving needs. Upgrading to better-suited clothing, more robust shelters, or tools that match your developing skills can make your time outdoors safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable. The key is to select gear with purpose, not on impulse.

At Woodlore, we only work with suppliers whose products we trust, and that’s proven to be fit for the job.  Our online shop reflects this philosophy, offering carefully considered clothing, equipment, and tools to support your bushcraft journey. Visiting our onsite shop (Tues -Fri 10.00am – 4.00pm) is also invaluable, well-fitting clothing isn’t just comfortable, it’s more efficient and practical in the field.

Finally, take a moment to review and refine your bushcraft outfit . Look at what worked, what stayed unused, and adjust accordingly. Caring for your gear is about learning, improving, and making sure every item has a purpose. A well-maintained, well-proofed kit doesn’t just last longer, it builds confidence, sharpens your skills, and inspires you to embrace your next adventure fully prepared. Every bit of care now is an investment in the experiences yet to come.

For convenience, all the products mentioned here, and more are available through our online shop, carefully selected to support your bushcraft journey.

Email info@raymears.com Call us Tel 01580 819668