That guy everyone is making fun of for having boots from the 1980s isn’t behind the trend, he just knows how to take care of his things. He’s also laughing back at everyone else for buying a new pair every season. Ski and snowboard gear can last a lifetime if it’s properly taken care of, which can be done quite simply. This gear is designed to hold up against winter’s harshest conditions, so there is no reason it can’t hold up against the elements in your closet after one season. Here are some ways to preserve all the expensive gear mom and dad bought, and also save heaps of money.

Wipe down

After coming off the mountain, always wipe down every piece of equipment. The first concern should be the edges on skis and boards because they can rust even within the drive back to Denver. Boots are important to wipe down as well, to prevent mold and rust, especially after trekking through a muddy parking lot. Goggles should be given a good wipe, as well, to prevent water from drying on the lenses and creating spots. Keep a rag in the car so all this can be done right away, but make sure to use a microfiber cloth for goggles so the lens doesn’t get scratched.

Buckle up

For all the skiers out there, keep boots buckled at all times. Whether they’re being used or not, it’s important to always buckle up so they keep the correct form. Leaving boots unbuckled will make them misshaped and not fit how they’re supposed to.

Evaluate it

Always inspect edges and bindings after hitting the slopes. Simply run a finger down them to check for any damage, and also take a quick look at the bindings to make sure no screws were lost or loosened throughout the day.

Hang ‘em up

Wet gear turns into moldy gear, and no one wants to wear mold. Upon returning to Denver, hang up everything to dry. This mainly pertains to the obvious: jackets, snow pants and gloves, but boot liners should also become a part of the routine. A lot of water can get trapped inside, which many people tend to overlook. Waterproof spray should also be applied to all gear so drying it out is less of a burden.

Watch your step

Another good way to keep ski boots in good shape is avoiding pavement. The bottoms will become worn down from walking on it, and eventually not fit into bindings properly. Simply avoiding the pavement and walking on snow or grass is one of the best ways to keep boots for a long time.

Use protection

Be an overachiever with your gear and protect it as much as possible. When traveling long distances, put a layer of wax on ski/board bases to prevent scratches and use straps on skis to prevent them from rubbing against each other. To protect goggle lenses from scratching, keep them in the microfiber bag they came in. These methods are quite meticulous, but are well worth it for thousands of dollars worth of gear.

Leave nothing behind

Keeping gear in the car or outside is the worst thing one can do. Although these things are built to hold up against weather, that doesn’t mean they should have to all the time. Always bring all gear inside to prevent it from being moldy, rusty, cold and even stolen.

Organize it

Designate a plastic bin, or even a cardboard box just for ski and snowboard gear. By keeping these many items in one place, packing up for the mountain will become an easy task. Looking for a pair gloves for thirty minutes is a huge waste of time, so prevent that by simply staying organized.