Earlier this summer, I found the dream apartment. Big windows, killer views, and easy access to some of Santa Fe鈥檚 best-known mountain bike trails.听
The only problem: lack of storage space. With seven bikes and three pairs of skis, this meant the dream apartment was a no-go unless I built my own gear shed (not feasible, considering my lack of home-ec skills) or bought a DIY model from a place like Home Depot (expensive). 听
Then I stumbled on the , an outdoor storage unit guaranteed to keep your stuff dry and big enough to hold two bikes. And it only cost $130!? I鈥檒l take two, said I.
YardStash (the company) sells one product currently: the YardStash III. It鈥檚 essentially a super burly tent with heavy-duty UV-protected polyester, an industrial-grade vinyl tarpaulin roof, a reinforced floor, sealed seams, and strong zippers.
If you鈥檝e ever set up a camp tent, you鈥檒l intuitively know how to set up the YardStash. Two of us pitched the unit in about 10 minutes by following the simple, included directions. 听
At 74 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 65 inches tall, I found the YardStash easily accommodates two road bikes, plus two folded camp chairs, a tent in a stuff sack, a tarp and roof-rack bars. It takes a bit more finagling to fit two mountain bikes, but it鈥檚 easy enough once you get the right wheel alignment. I have a small and large Yeti SB95 in one YardStash, plus two backpacks and a tarp, with room to spare.
So far, the YardStash has lived up to its rain-proof promise: we鈥檝e had a dozen heavy thunderstorms roll through Santa Fe since I set up the tent, which has kept the gear bone-dry. Other than some fading, it鈥檚 held up well during a month exposed to the hot, dry climate of New Mexico. And I’ve found that it keeps the bikes surprisingly cool even when sitting in direct sunlight.听
Now, I haven鈥檛 tested the tent in the winter, but if you live in the snowy high country, I suspect this won鈥檛 be the best solution for you. (Having any tent sit in a few feet of snow for several months isn鈥檛 a recipe for success.) I would also advise those living in high crime areas to look for another option: the YardStash鈥檚 biggest downside is the lack of security. It’s a tent, after all.听
But if you live in a place with a relatively mild climate and little crime, I wholeheartedly recommend the YardStash. It costs about one-tenth of many Home Depot units, and is much lower-commitment than building your own shed. 听 听听
$130, 听