Stable Storage That Keeps Tack Dry and Organised
The Gamma2 Vittles Vault Outback is our top pick for feed, with an airtight seal that keeps grain dry and rodents out. The Suncast BMC4100 cabinet handles bulk supplies in the aisle, while the Tough 1 Blanket Storage Bag protects rugs through the off season.
For barn storage that lasts, start with the Gamma2 Vittles Vault Outback for feed, the Suncast BMC4100 cabinet for bulk supplies and the Tough 1 Blanket Storage Bag for rugs. Grooming kit is best handled by a dedicated tote such as the Weaver Leather grooming box.
Barn storage is harder than household storage because everything faces damp, dust, temperature swings and curious rodents, and containers that work in a garage often fail within a season in a stable. We compared sealing method, capacity, materials, latch design and stacking behaviour, weighed what owners report about longevity in humid barns, and ranked the seven picks below by the job each actually does best.
The top picks, ranked
Gamma2 Vittles Vault Outback Stackable Container
The screw down gasket lid is what separates this from a standard bin, because it seals feed against moisture and the smells that attract rodents. The stackable body lets you run several sizes in a line without wasting floor space. Owners report grain stays noticeably fresher through humid months.
Pros
- Airtight lid keeps feed dry and fresh
- Stacks securely to save floor space
- Wide opening makes scooping easy
Cons
- The screw lid is slower than a flip top
- Larger sizes are heavy to move when full
Suncast BMC4100 Resin Outdoor Storage Cabinet
A full height resin cabinet gives the aisle a single place for buckets, wormers, fly spray and spare hardware instead of scattered piles. The doors accept a padlock, which matters in a shared yard. Resin will not rust in a damp barn the way a steel locker eventually does.
Pros
- Rust proof in humid barn air
- Lockable for shared yards
- Adjustable shelves fit tall bottles
Cons
- Not fully airtight against fine dust
- Needs a level surface to close cleanly
Tough 1 Deluxe Blanket Storage Bag
Rugs are bulky, expensive and easy to ruin by storing them damp or on a dusty shelf. This bag holds a full weight blanket with room for liners, and the clear window means you can identify contents without unpacking. A zip closure keeps dust and insects off the fabric.
Pros
- Keeps rugs clean through the off season
- Clear window avoids unpacking to check
- Carry handles for loading into a trailer
Cons
- Fabric bags are not rodent proof
- Blankets must be fully dry before storing
Weaver Leather Deluxe Grooming Box
A grooming box that carries brushes, hoof pick, sprays and a comb in one trip is one of the most used items in any barn. Weaver’s version has a divided tray, a deep lower section for bottles and a handle that survives being dropped. Owners report the plastic wipes clean after muddy days.
Pros
- Everything for grooming in one carry
- Divided tray stops brushes mixing with sprays
- Easy to hose out
Cons
- Open top lets dust settle
- Tall bottles can crowd the tray
Rubbermaid Commercial Products BRUTE Container with Lid
The commercial BRUTE is the bin that outlives every cheaper barrel in the barn, which is why so many yards use them for bedding, shavings and bulk feed. The lid seats firmly and the reinforced rim tolerates being dragged across concrete. It is not airtight, so pair it with a liner for grain.
Pros
- Extremely durable in daily barn use
- Wide opening for scooping and filling
- Doubles for water or waste
Cons
- Lid is not airtight against moisture
- Determined rodents can work the lid loose
Derby Originals Deluxe Nylon Tack Carry Bag
Show days need everything in one bag that can be thrown in a trailer and found again quickly. This one has compartments for a helmet, boots, brushes and paperwork with padded shoulder straps. Based on specifications the nylon shell is water resistant rather than waterproof.
Pros
- Organised compartments for show kit
- Comfortable to carry loaded
- Wipes clean after a muddy day
Cons
- Water resistant, not waterproof
- Not intended for long term barn storage
Intrepid International Nylon Bridle Bag
Leather bridles left hanging in barn air pick up dust and mildew faster than most riders expect. A simple padded nylon bag keeps one bridle clean between uses and travels easily. It is the cheapest meaningful upgrade in a tack room and takes almost no space.
Pros
- Keeps leather clean and out of the dust
- Takes up almost no room
- Travels well for lessons and shows
Cons
- Holds only one bridle
- Light padding, not impact protection
How they stack up
| # | Model | Seal | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gamma2 Vittles Vault Outback Stackable Container | Screw down airtight gasket | Best overall for feed | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Suncast BMC4100 Resin Outdoor Storage Cabinet | Weather resistant resin | Best for bulk supplies | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Tough 1 Deluxe Blanket Storage Bag | Heavy nylon | Best for rug and blanket storage | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Weaver Leather Deluxe Grooming Box | Divided tray over deep base | Best grooming tote | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Rubbermaid Commercial Products BRUTE Container with Lid | Impact resistant resin | Best heavy duty bin | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Derby Originals Deluxe Nylon Tack Carry Bag | Water resistant nylon | Best for travel and shows | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Intrepid International Nylon Bridle Bag | Padded nylon | Best budget | 8.0 | Check price |
Before you buy
Seal feed properly or you are feeding rodents Open bags and loose lidded bins are the most common storage mistake in a barn. Feed absorbs moisture from humid air, which encourages mould, and the smell of grain travels far enough to bring in mice and rats. An airtight gasket container solves both problems at once, and it is worth sizing one per feed type so grain, balancer and treats never get mixed up during a rushed morning.
Store rugs completely dry, never merely dry to the touch Blankets that feel dry on the outside often hold moisture in the lining and stitching, and packing them away in that state is what produces the mildew smell in spring. Hang them fully open for a day or two before storage, then bag them with the fill flat rather than crushed. A zipped bag with a clear window also saves the annual hunt through a pile to find the medium weight.
Match the container material to a damp environment Steel lockers rust at the seams within a few damp seasons and cardboard is finished in weeks. Resin, moulded plastic and heavy nylon all cope far better with barn conditions. For anything that will get hosed, dragged or kicked, prioritise thick moulded plastic with reinforced rims, and check that lids latch rather than simply rest in place.
Organise by how often you reach for it The most efficient tack rooms put daily grooming kit and feed scoops at waist height near the door, seasonal rugs high or in a back corner, and medical or fly supplies in a closed cabinet where dust cannot settle. Labelling helps most in shared yards. If a container needs moving to reach another container, the layout is costing you time every single day.
Good to know
What is the best way to keep rodents out of feed?
An airtight gasket sealed container is the most reliable answer, since rodents follow scent. Keeping the floor swept of spilled grain matters almost as much, because loose feed is what brings them into the room in the first place.
Can I store feed in its original bag inside a bin?
Yes, and it makes cleaning easier, but the bag should be open inside a sealed bin rather than closed inside a loose one. The seal has to be on the outer container for it to do anything useful.
How should blankets be stored over summer?
Wash or brush them clean, dry them completely including the lining, then store flat in a zipped bag off the floor. Avoid compressing the fill tightly, since that shortens the life of the insulation.
Do plastic containers work in cold barns?
Most do, though very cold temperatures make thin plastic more brittle. Heavier commercial grade resin like the BRUTE handles freezing conditions better than lightweight household bins.
Is a lockable cabinet worth it?
In a shared or livery yard, yes. It keeps medications, fly spray and supplements from being borrowed or knocked over, and it stops curious hands reaching anything that should not be handled.
How do I stop tack going mouldy?
Airflow and dryness beat sealing for leather. Keep bridles and saddles off damp walls, use covers to block dust, and clean and condition on a schedule. A sealed airtight box around damp leather makes mould worse, not better.
What size feed container do I need?
Match it to how you buy. A container that holds one full sack means you empty a bag straight in with no leftovers, which is far more practical than a larger bin that sits half full and collects condensation.
Can I use household storage bins in the barn?
For light seasonal items, yes. For anything handled daily or exposed to damp, household bins crack at the handles and lids within a season, so the heavier commercial options are cheaper over time.
The bottom line
Most barns are best served by combining a few purpose built pieces rather than one universal container. Seal feed in a Gamma2 Vittles Vault Outback, put bulk supplies behind the lockable doors of the Suncast BMC4100, and protect rugs through the off season in a Tough 1 blanket bag. Add a grooming tote by the door and the daily routine gets noticeably faster.
