I recently got serious about trail running and have accumulated all sorts of gear - hydration packs, trail shoes, gaiters, and a bunch of technical clothes. The problem is, my apartment's entryway closet is tiny, and it was originally just for coats and shoes. I tried using some hanging organizers and shoe racks, but it’s still a mess, and I end up digging through everything before heading out. I want to organize the closet so I can grab my trail essentials quickly without turning it into a chaotic jumble. I’m also trying to avoid buying bulky storage bins because the closet space is really limited - it feels like every inch counts. Plus, I don’t want to lose the functionality for everyday stuff like my raincoat and work shoes. Has anyone managed to maximize a small closet for outdoor gear without sacrificing everyday use? What kind of organizers or setups worked best for you in a tight space? Would vertical storage or hooks be better than shelves here?

On 02/06/2026 at 4:25 AM, mostly_runner23 said:

I recently got serious about trail running and have accumulated all sorts of gear - hydration packs, trail shoes, gaiters, and a bunch of technical clothes. The problem is, my apartment's entryway closet is tiny, and it was originally just for coats and shoes. I tried using some hanging organizers and shoe racks, but it’s still a mess, and I end up digging through everything before heading out. I want to organize the closet so I can grab my trail essentials quickly without turning it into a chaotic jumble. I’m also trying to avoid buying bulky storage bins because the closet space is really limited - it feels like every inch counts. Plus, I don’t want to lose the functionality for everyday stuff like my raincoat and work shoes. Has anyone managed to maximize a small closet for outdoor gear without sacrificing everyday use? What kind of organizers or setups worked best for you in a tight space? Would vertical storage or hooks be better than shelves here?

Totally get the struggle with tiny closets and all that trail gear! One thing that really helped me was using slim, vertical hanging hooks for things like gaiters and hydration packs - keeps them off the floor and easy to grab. I also swapped out bulky shoe racks for stackable, open shoe shelves that fit just one pair per slot, so I can see everything at a glance without digging.

Since you want to keep everyday stuff handy too, maybe try a double-rod setup if your closet allows it - hang your raincoat and work clothes up top, and use the lower rod or hooks for trail gear. That way, everything has its spot without overcrowding. Vertical storage definitely beats shelves for maximizing space in a narrow closet, but a combo of both could work depending on your layout.

On 02/10/2026 at 5:50 AM, cv199 said:

On 02/06/2026 at 4:25 AM, mostly_runner23 said:

I recently got serious about trail running and have accumulated all sorts of gear - hydration packs, trail shoes, gaiters, and a bunch of technical clothes. The problem is, my apartment's entryway closet is tiny, and it was originally just for coats and shoes. I tried using some hanging organizers and shoe racks, but it’s still a mess, and I end up digging through everything before heading out. I want to organize the closet so I can grab my trail essentials quickly without turning it into a chaotic jumble. I’m also trying to avoid buying bulky storage bins because the closet space is really limited - it feels like every inch counts. Plus, I don’t want to lose the functionality for everyday stuff like my raincoat and work shoes. Has anyone managed to maximize a small closet for outdoor gear without sacrificing everyday use? What kind of organizers or setups worked best for you in a tight space? Would vertical storage or hooks be better than shelves here?

Totally get the struggle with tiny closets and all that trail gear! One thing that really helped me was using slim, vertical hanging hooks for things like gaiters and hydration packs - keeps them off the floor and easy to grab. I also swapped out bulky shoe racks for stackable, open shoe shelves that fit just one pair per slot, so I can see everything at a glance without digging.

Since you want to keep everyday stuff handy too, maybe try a double-rod setup if your closet allows it - hang your raincoat and work clothes up top, and use the lower rod or hooks for trail gear. That way, everything has its spot without overcrowding. Vertical storage definitely beats shelves for maximizing space in a narrow closet, but a combo of both could work depending on your layout.

Totally get the struggle with tiny closets - mine’s barely bigger than a shoebox. Hooks are a lifesaver for me, especially for hydration packs and gaiters. I hang them on different levels so they don’t overlap, which keeps things visible and easy to grab. Vertical space is definitely your friend here.

Also, consider slim, clear shoe organizers that hang on the back of the door or inside the closet. They don’t take up shelf space and keep your trail shoes separate from work shoes. This way, you keep the everyday stuff accessible while giving your trail gear its own spot without bulky bins.

Others have mentioned shelves, but in a tiny space, those can eat up precious room fast. If you can combine hooks with a narrow shoe rack on the floor, that might be your sweet spot. Good luck with the setup!