Gear storage

Just wanted to throw this out there... picked up a large (3600) Pelican case on CL for $60 and have been using it to store climbing gear, ropes & rack. Seems like a great way to protect everything from oxidation, and whenever it's been closed for more than a few days when I open it up thing smells like nylon and that "soft goods" smell. Can only imagine this will prolong gear life? Been the best $60 I've spent + it's the perfect international travel carryon. Locks rock!

Pelican cases are great when you're trying to protect gear from threats of external water, but if you're storing the gear indoors I don't really see the purpose. In fact, it could end up being worse for your gear, if you're not fastidiously drying everything out before you put it away. If you store your gear in a breathable bag, it will dry out on its own. But inside a Pelican case, the bit of dampness left over after a climb will just stew in there and maybe even grow mildew.

If you're storing your gear in a sub-optimal location (like a leaky garage), then maybe something like a Pelican could make sense. But for most people, a cheap cotton laundry sack would work better.

I used to store some tents in a plastic bin with the lid on, and it had that nylon smell. Why don't you just leave it open and let it air out (I'm not familiar with a Pelican). Even if everything is already dry, you wouldn't want condensation inside.