- I get the safety thing, but honestly, if a harness or pack smells that bad, I just toss it.
- Tried everything to get rid of mildew—sometimes the smell means there’s deeper damage you can’t see or fix.
- For me, peace of mind is worth more than saving a few bucks, even if it stings the budget.
- If it’s just a little musty, maybe, but “gym bag” level? I’d rather skip the risk and the stink.
If it’s just a hint of mustiness, I’ll usually try a deep clean and let it dry out in the sun before making the call. But once that mildew smell sets in—like, really gets into the webbing or foam—I get wary, too. I’ve seen harness stitching go soft from moisture even when everything looked fine on the outside. Anyone ever tried taking apart old gear to check for hidden damage, or is that just me being overly cautious?
Anyone ever tried taking apart old gear to check for hidden damage, or is that just me being overly cautious?
Not just you. I’ve definitely taken stuff apart before tossing it, mostly out of curiosity but also because—like you said—sometimes things look fine on the outside and are a mess inside. Kind of reminds me of tearing into an old roof after a couple decades... you think it’s just one soft shingle, then you find a whole section of rotten decking underneath. That mildew smell is usually my “nope” moment too. If I notice stitching feels spongy or the webbing’s gone fuzzy, I don’t really trust it anymore. I figure if I’m second-guessing whether something’s safe, it probably isn’t worth the risk.
Funny how gear and roofs both have that “out of sight, out of mind” thing going on. You can only spot so much from the surface. I’d rather be the cautious one than end up regretting it later, y’know?
I get the urge to tear stuff apart, but honestly, I don’t always bother unless there’s a clear sign of trouble. Most gear gives you enough warning if you know what to look for—frayed edges, weird smells, or that “off” feeling when you handle it. If I took apart every old harness or strap just in case, I’d never get anything done. Sometimes a close inspection and a little common sense go further than overthinking it. Not saying you’re wrong to be cautious, but sometimes it’s just wear and tear, not a hidden disaster waiting to happen.
- Quick once-over is my go-to—if it looks sketchy, smells funky, or feels weird, it’s probably time to dig deeper.
- I’ve wasted hours chasing “what ifs” that turned out to be nothing.
- That said, I did ignore a frayed strap once... ended up with a busted cooler and a mess in the trunk. Lesson learned: trust your gut, but don’t overthink every scratch.
