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How big of a deal is indirect UV from a window on soft goods?

Original Post
Louka Hendricks · · Longmont, CO · Joined Apr 2025 · Points: 25

I'd like to start storing my gear in my room rather than my garage, since my garage is becoming a bit too packed in with gear from my other hobbies. I don't have enough room for bins, so I would likely end up hanging stuff like my ropes and draws on gear slings on my wall. I like to keep my shades open most of the day for the ambient light, but I'm worried about the effects of UV on my gear. From my understanding windows block quite a bit of UV, and my gear won't be in direct sunlight most of the time, so I'm not sure if it's a factor worth considering. I also use my gear quite a lot, so I figure the UV exposure of actually climbing would far outweigh the UV exposure from sitting out in my room. I'd love to hear others' thoughts.

wolf rock · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2022 · Points: 0

not a big deal because of your windows but if you are paranoid, hang IKEA bags

Eli W · · Oregon · Joined Aug 2021 · Points: 0

UV blocking window film if you’ve got older windows, newer windows are typically already coated.

I would not be too concerned about indirect sunlight regardless— I’d only really think about it in the context of gear that’s been sitting in a shop display window for years.

that guy named seb · · Britland · Joined Oct 2015 · Points: 236

I've seen gear bleached in store windows and on diaplays. I think you'll be fine provided no direct sunlight as these examples generally don't move for years. 

MattH · · CO mostly · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 1,446
that guy named sebwrote:

I've seen gear bleached in store windows and on diaplays. I think you'll be fine provided no direct sunlight as these examples generally don't move for years. 

I seem to recall a gym having a quickdraw failure from exactly this mechanism (a sun-weakened draw on a window-facing facet of the lead cave). Don't want to name the gym in case my memory is wrong.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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