Maine Bound Gear Library
For the University of Maine community and the general public
New items coming soon for Summer 26!
Maine Bound Gear Library: what you need to know
Reservations & Payments
All rentals must be reserved and paid in full at the time of reservation. Visit us in person or give us a call during our open hours to make reservations.
Hours & Seasonal Availability
Plan your pick-up and drop-off times accordingly. Gear can only be picked up and dropped off during regular Maine Bound open hours.
Important Reminders
Please do not leave rental items outside the building under any circumstances. If you’re unable to return your equipment as scheduled due to unforeseen issues, contact us via phone or email, and we’ll work with you.
Maine Bound Gear Library is CLOSED on weekends in the summer. Please plan your rental accordingly! All weekend rentals (Friday to Monday) will be charged for 2 days.
Updated summer 2026 pricing information coming soon.
Academic Hours
August 30th-May 7th, 2027
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Summer Hours
May 9th-August 29th, 2026
Monday – Thursday: 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: CLOSED
Also Closed on: Memorial Day and July 3rd & July 4
Group Rentals
For large group rentals (5+ people), please contact beth.jackson@maine.edu at least 2 weeks before you plan to rent the equipment. Many items are available in quantities of 10+, and size ranges can generally fit a group.
gear Library Policies
Maine Bound’s Gear Library is a shared resource. We do our best to provide high quality items that are clean and in good working condition. To assist us, we ask that everyone do their part to treat items with care and return everything in good, clean, working condition.
- Reservations must be paid in full, at the time of reservation.
- Reservations can be canceled free of charge, until the time of pickup.
- Advance reservations are recommended for popular items or for trips with set dates.
- Refunds will not be issued for equipment not picked up.
- Refunds will not be issued for equipment picked up, but not used.
- If you need to extend a rental, call Maine Bound.
- Pick up all items at Maine Bound during normal open hours.
- Return all items to Maine Bound during normal open hours. Please DO NOT leave items unattended outside of the building. If you anticipate issues with pick up or drop off times, contact us in advance.
- Renters are responsible for the cost of gear if it is lost, stolen, or damaged. This includes the replacement cost for boats.
- Late fees will be charged at our normal daily rates.
- Items returned excessively dirty will be charged excessive cleaning fees.
- Damage fees will be charged for items damaged beyond normal wear and tear.
- Repeated failure to follow policies, or abuse of programs such as UMSG rentals for undergraduate students, may result in loss of rental privilages.
Gear Library Items
Check your gear! It is best practice to check all of your gear before any outdoor adventure!
We do our best to check and repair all items. Before heading out on your adventure, double-check your gear and make sure you know how to use each item.
Whether you are looking to go on a day trip, a pond adventure with kids, or multiday expedition on Maine’s rivers, we have boats for you!
- Canoes
- Old Town Discovery 169: 7 available. Discoveries are tough boats best for races, extended trips, low water, rivers, big lake paddling
- Old Town Guide: 1 available. The Old Town Guide has seats with backs, is smaller, and is best for local day trips on smaller bodies of water
- Esquif Prospecteur 16: New item available June 1st! 6 available. Lighterweight boats, excellent for river tripping, big lake paddling, extended trips, and trips with lots of portages.
- Recreational Kayaks: Recreational kayaks are best for flatwater, single-day trips
- Old Town Twin Heron Tandem: 2 available
- Old Town Loon: 1 available. A classic model, the loon is a faster boat that tracks well
- Old Town Vapor 10: 4 available. The Vapor 10 is a short, stable boat, that turns easily, and is fun for a day paddle or fishing.
- Old Town Dirigo 120: 3 available. The Dirigo 120s are longer and faster than the other kayaks. They have a couple of dry compartments and are best for longer paddles when you want to cover more distance.
- Old Town Heron Jr: 2 available. The Heron Junior is great for kids under 90lbs who are ready to try their own boat! The boats come with a short tow leash that can be used if needed.
- Stand Up Paddle Boards:
- Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards: Inflatable Glide SUPS, 2 available. (includes: hand pump, paddle, leash, removable seat, fin, directions & a QR code for a video with additional inflation directions). Everything is packed into a carrying bag with wheels for easy transport.
- Hard Paddle Boards: Glide Paddle Boards, 10 available. 10 & 11 feet in length.
Boat Rental Tips
- Paddle within your groups skill level.
- Use flotation for all whitewater river trips and whitewater downriver races. Maine Bound does not provide flotation.
- Consider water flow level, weather, wind, and water temperature when making float plans.
- Renters are responsible for transporting boats two are from paddling locations.
- Renters are responsible for lost & damage fees.
Follow the state of Maine boating laws!
It is the responsibility of the renter to understand and follow all boating laws. Maine Bound is not responsilble for any ciatations.
**For more information about boat models, please visit the boat manufacturer’s website.
New items include: a fleet of NNN xc skis, kids xc skis, microspikes, day packs, & single mountaineering boots.
- Classic Cross Country Skis, Adult: Fischer Apollo EF skis with Fischer NNN bindings. Sizes: 164, 174, 184, 189
- Classic Cross Country Ski Boots, Adult: Alpina T5 Touring NNN boots, Sizes: EURO 36-48
- Classic XC Skis, Kids: Fischer Spirit Crown Junior with Fischer NNN bindings. Sizes: 110, 120, 130, 140, 150
- Classic XC Ski Boots, Kids: Alpina T Kid Jr. NNN boots. Sizes: EURO 29-35
- Adult & Kids Ski Poles: Sizes: 70-165
- Microspikes: Kahtoola. Sizes: small-XL
- Crampons: Petzl Vasak (or similar) horizontal points, for general mountaineering. We do not rent front-point crampons for ice climbing.
- Mountaineering Ice Axe: Classic mountaineering axes in a variety of sizes. We do not rent ice tools for ice climbing.
- Double Plastic Mountaineering Boots: Double plastic boots, brands, and sizing vary. Men’s sizes 4.5-13.
- Single Mountaineering Boots: Scarpa Mont Blanc Pro GTX. Limited Sizing: EURO 37, 40, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47
- Adult & Youth Snowshoes: Redfeather. Size: Youth (17”), S (22”), M (25”), L (30”)
- Alpine Snoeshows: Redfeather Alpine snowshoes with heel riser bars. Sizes: 25”, 30”, 35”
- Winter -20 degree Sleeping Bags: Mountain Hardwear Lamina -20. Sizes: Long, Short.
3-Hour Ski Packages
- Ski Packages are available during weekday open hours when ski conditions on campus trails or Caribou Bog are good. Kids and adult packages are availble.
- Packages are walk in only; no advanced reservations allowed for 3 hour ski packages.
*Ski Rentals are exceptionally popular when the snow is good locally. We recommend advance reservation to ensure we will have correctly sized skis & boots available for your party.
New Items comeing soon! Most items are available in quanites to outfit a group of 12.
Sleeping Bags
We rent sleeping bags in different degrees of warmth and length. All bags are synthetic-filled and come with compression stuff sacks. Size Long sleeping bags are best for those 5’11 and over, or for winter camping.
- 20 Degree: Kelty mummy style bags, Sizes: Regular, Long
- 20 Degree Kids Sleeping Bags: Kelty mummy style bags, best for kids 5′ and under
- 0 Degree: Kelty mummy style bags, best for spring and fall trips. Sizes: Regular, Long
- Winter -20 degree Sleeping Bags: Mountain Hardwear Lamina -20. Sizes: Long, Short.
Tents
Maine Bound rents a variety of 3 season tent models for car camping and backpacking. If you are interested in a specific tent model, please specify at the time of rental.
- 2 person: Kelty Outfitter Pro 2, Kelty Grand Mesa 2
- 4 person: Kelty Outfitter Pro 4, Kelty Grand Mesa 4
- 6 person: Kelty Basecamp 6
- Sleeping pads: Z-Rests, RidgeRests, closed-cell foam pads
Backpacks
- 85L Packs: Kelty Asher, adjustable size. 85L packs are best for winter & extended trips
- 65L Packs: Kelty Asher & Outfitter, adjustable size. 65L packs are best for summer shorter trips
- Day Packs: Kelty Asher 35L hiking daypacks.
We have an expanded list of items available to rent for the summer paddling season!
Please know your size when you call! You can look up the item & model of interest to view the companies sizing charts. Or, you can come in to Maine Bound to try items on before making a reservation.
- Cold Weather Paddling Clothing
- Paddling Jackets: NRS Stratos Paddling Jacket. These include latex wrist gaskets. Sizes: Women’s XS-Men’s XXL
- Wetsuit Tops: NRS 1.5mm Hydroskin Jacket. Sizes: Women’s XS-Men’s XL
- Wetsuits: NRS Farmer John wetsuits. Sizes: XS-XXXL
- Neoprene Booties: NRS Neoprene booties. Sizes: EURO 37-50
- Neoprene Gloves: NRS Hydroskin Forcast 2.0mm Neoprene Gloves. Sizes: SM-XXL
- Paddling Basics
- PFDs (Life jackets): A variety of Type III PFDs. Sizes: Child (30-50lbs), Youth (50-90lbs), Adult S/M, L/XL, XX/XXL, Universal
- Canoe Paddles: Sizes: 48″-66″
- Kayak Paddles: Adult and Kids sizes available (188cm-230cm)
- Stand Up Paddle Board Paddles: adjustable sizes
- Paddle Board Leashes: 10 available
- Whitewater Helmets: NRS Helmets. Sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL, Universal
- Canoe Camping Accessories
- 20L Dry Bags: Seal Line Discovery Clear roll top dry bags. Size: 20 Liters
- 110L Dry Bags: NRS Bills bags with backpack straps
- Portage Pads: 6 pairs. Screw on portage pads make portages on your adventures canoe trips a little more comfortable.
- Roof Kits & Tie Down Straps
- A roof kit allows you to transport a boat on a vechicle without a roof rack. These are best for short driving distances. For canoes, it is recommended that you bring extra tie down line to secure the bow and stern of your boat to your vehicle.
- Kayak Roof Kits: What’s included: Stuff sack, 2 foam blocks, 2 9ft tie-down straps (kayak roof kits also work for hard SUP boards)
- Canoe Roof Kits: What’s included: Stuff sack, 4 foam blocks, 2 12ft tie-down straps
- NRS Straps: 9 & 12 foot straps to tie a boat down on an existing roof rack
- Small Boat Anchors: 10 available. Great for fishing or paddle board yoga!
*Boats, paddles, and PFDs are all rented separately*
- Outdoor rock climbing shoes: Available in a wide variety of sizes and styles.
- Rock climbing helmet: Camp helments, S/M & M/L
Commonly Asked Questions
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