The Best Garage Slatwall Storage System (Gladiator Review)

I spent hours and hours going over garage wall storage systems.

I recorded the pros and cons. I calculated upfront costs and lifetime costs. I read reviews. I called wall system manufacturers. This is what I found about Gladiator garage wall storage.

Gladiator's GearWall and GearTrack are the best garage organization slat wall systems. Gladiator is reasonably priced. The GearWall is easy to install, but it helps to have two people do the initial steps. The GearTrack is easy for one person to install. The Gladiator system is durable, looks good, and has a great reputation. 

This does not mean Rubbermaid and Proslat are not worth a look. They're both really good as well.

Be Mindful of These Gladiator Wall Storage Choices

• Be mindful if you're buying gray or white. Gladiator sells both and it's often confusing which you're putting in your cart.
• Be mindful of the mounting hardware. See the section below on better hardware for mounting Gladiator wall panels and channels.
• You can mix GearWall Panels with each other. They will make a nice seam where they connect.
• You cannot mix GearTrack Channels. They don't connect.
• All Gladiator hardware works equally well on panels and channels.
• Warning: GearWall 8 ft. wide panels are difficult for just one person to install. Get 4 ft. panels or tracks if you think the 8 ft. panels might be to unwieldy to hold level while installing.

What's a Slatwall (Slat Wall)?

A slatwall is a wall made of channels called “slats.” When  you install a large panel, it's called a “wall.”

When you install a single row, it's called a “track.” Once you're done installing the panel or track, you're also done with the drill and screws.

You use hooks that lock onto the wall or track to organize your stuff.

These have locking mechanisms, freeing you from drilling more holes or banging nails into the wall. You can lock them in and unlock them off, and just move them anywhere you want.

This flexibility makes slatwall organizers convenient.

The area is dedicated to storage. Which item gets posted where is up to you and it's easy to change your mind.

Gladiator Garage Storage Wall Review

I compared Gladiator and Proslat wall organization “slatwall” systems. I think the Gladiator has slightly better quality on some items, but Proslat might excel a tiny bit in others. It was a close call.

What Makes a Great Slatwall Organization System?

The best garage slatwall storage systems easily get garage items off the floor.

A slatwall allows you to move your storage anywhere on the system with a simple locking/unlocking hook.

This is what you should look for in a great slatwall organizer. It should:

• have a reasonable price
• be reasonably easy to install
• provide some high-load capacities
• look good
• be durable
• have flexibility in where you hang tools and gear
• have a wide assortment of hooks
• have large baskets
• have professional cabinets
• have sturdy shelves
• have a good reputation
• accommodate sporting goods, bikes, garden tools, hoses, cords, auto supplies, hand tools, power tools, and similar weights and shapes.

How Gladiator Stacks Up

1. Gladiator passes on all requirements except shelving.
   • Gladiator does sell shelves, but not for their wall storage systems.
   • Everything else is here.
2. Gladiator is easy to install.
   • It carries loads up to 75 lb.
   • It looks good.
   • It offers tons of hooks.
   • You can easily move things around.
   • You can also use baskets and bins.
3. Gladiator offers first-class cabinets.
   • Gladiator has tons of good reviews online.
   • Use the cabinets to store sporting equipment, garden tools, and power tools.
4. Cover a part or a majority of the wall.
   • Use GearWall panels to cover large parts of the wall
   • Use GearTracks channels to cover the area in strips
5. The biggest complaint is shipping damage.
   • I spoke to Gladiator for almost an hour. The support rep emphasized that Gladiator is happy to replace shipping damaged parts.
   • But customers have to ask!
   • These are long products with edges; they weren't made for UPS trucks. Stuff happens, but Gladiator is anxious to make it right.
   • They want customers to be happy.
   • The other consistent complaint is about the Gladiator mounting hardware.
   • People really prefer using deck screws instead, so I've listed the options below as well.

Gladiator Garage Wall System Reputation

The good: GearTrack and GearWall are sturdy, clean, and easily cut to size.

The bad: The hardware and end caps do not come standard with the tracks and panels. The mounting hardware is not that well-liked; Shipping damage issues are common.

The surprise: I spoke to Gladiator support for almost an hour about how their system works.

He asked me to let people know about their shipping damage policy. Gladiator will send out replacements for damaged items. But you need to ask! 

He said it's frustrating to see bad reviews. Gladiator authorizes its support team to send out free replacements. I recommend Gladiator for its quality, storage choices, and reputation.

Gladiator will send out replacements for damaged items. But you need to ask!

GearTrack or GearWall: What's the Difference?

Decide upfront if you want a contiguous wall of storage, independent channels called “tracks,” or both.

GearWall is the wall of storage. GearTrack is the individual track. Gladiator baskets and hooks work with both the GearWall and the GearTrack.

The GearWall is a large wall that covers your existing garage wall.

The GearTrack is an independent channel of storage space. The GearWall is a contiguous wall storage solution. There are no gaps between the sections.

The panels cover the wall.

GearWall panels come in 8 ft. and 4 ft. widths. They are 12 inches high. The panels interlock together to create one contiguous wall of hanging channels. GearWall panels cover everything behind them, including outlets and electrical outlets. So your GearWall solution might include cutting the panels to expose these again.

Each GearTrack is independent of the other GearTracks. GearTracks come in 4 ft. widths.

They are 6 inches high. They create independent hanging strips. GearTracks don't interlock with anything: not each other, and not with GearWall panels.  You can stack GearTracks, but they won't interlock.

What Does 16 sf. of Gladiator Look Like

To help you understand the differences, let's create 16 sf. of storage using each of the Gladiator panels and tracks.

Here are 16 sf. of  8 ft. Wide GearWall Panels

One package of the 8 ft. panels yields 16 sf. of coverage. Each 8 ft. GearWall package contains a set of two 8 ft. x 12 in. GearWall panels. Stack the panels to create an 8 ft. x 1 ft. storage wall.

Put the panel's side by side to create a 16 ft. x 1 ft. storage wall.

Here are 16 sf. of 4 ft. Wide GearWall Panels

You need two packages of the 4 ft. panels to create 16 sf. of storage. One option is to stack them to create a 4 ft. x 4 ft. storage wall.

Another option is to stack two columns to create an  8 ft. x 2 ft. storage wall.

Place four 4 ft. panels side-by-side to create a strip 16 ft. wide and 1 ft. high.

Here is 16 sf. of 4 ft. Wide GearTrack Channels

You need four packages of GearTracks to make 16 sf. of storage. This gives you 8 pieces each 4 ft. by 6 in. high. Stack them in one column to get a 4 ft. x 4 ft. area of storage.

Create two columns of tracks each four high to make an 8 ft. x 2 ft. storage area.

Cover Ends and Cuts

You might need to cut the GearWall panels if they are irregular or you need to expose a light outlet.

The end caps are designed to cover these cuts and make things look uniform.

Cover GearWall panel ends and cuts with panel trim. 

The trim comes in packs of six 8-foot lengths.

White matches the panels and gray complements them.

Cut the trim to size and snap over the exposed edges.

Cover GearTrack ends with end caps. End caps snap over the GearTrack edges, giving the tracks a professional finish.

Warning: GearWall panels are designed to cover entire areas without gaps. You will need to cut the soft plastic and apply panel trim to the newly-exposed edges. Get the GearTracks instead of the GearWall panels if you're not comfortable cutting the plastic and and trim.

How to Install Panels and Tracks

Install the panels and Tracks into the garage wall studs.

You can install the material onto drywall, but there must be a stud where you put the screws.

For masonry installations, attach furring strips to the masonry, and install the channels into the furring strips.

Use tapcon screws for masonry/concrete installations.

If your GearWall is too large, you can cut it.

Understand the Hardware Before Starting

The weakest link in the Gladiator wall system chain is its mounting hardware.

Gladiator does not include the hardware with the packages.

This saves you from throwing away their hardware for a better choice.

Just buy the right hardware along with your panels or tracks.

Installing the Gladiator Garage Wall System

I've studied the installation of many garage slatwall organization systems.

The instructions are about the same across brands. Build from the bottom upward. Pre-drill holes.

Fasten to the middle studs before the end studs.

Add cap ends and trim if you can find them on the market.

Gladiator Load Capacities

Each GearTrack channel holds 75 lb. per linear foot. GearWalls hold 50 lb. per linear foot.

Gladiator Aesthetics

Gladiator garage wall tracks and panels are attractive.

They give the wall a sharp, finished look. I've read tons of Internet Gladiator reviews.

Gladiator always gets good marks on looks.

Hanging Flexibility

Gladiator hooks and accessories lock onto the channels.

You don't need tools to move the accessories around.

Just unlock, move the hook, and lock again.

It's kind of a brilliantly simple storage system.

After installation, you can hang all manner of tools without pulling out your stud finder and drill.

Gladiator Hook Assortment

Holy cow, documenting the Gladiator hook inventory got pretty tedious after a while.

They have 17 different hook designs, 2 baskets, and 3 caddies. View the many Gladiator hooks starting here in this article.

Holding Large Items

The Gladiator 24″ Wide Mesh Basket is perfect for storing stuff that doesn't have a built-in hook.

The basket is 2 ft. wide and over a foot deep. Use the basket to store beach toys, sporting balls, baseball mitts, tennis rackets, and sleeping bags.

The Storage Bin Holder is two rectangular arms that sit at a 45-degree angle. You can place an 18-gallon storage bin into the arms.

Put the arms closer together for smaller bins. The Storage Bin Holder can carry up to 25 lbs.

I'm not a huge fan of wire baskets.

Stuff can fall through wires.

I prefer bins. But they're OK for holding cleaning supplies and sports balls.

The 18″ Wide Wire Basket is 11″ high and 13″ deep.

I still like a wire basket more than an open-ended shelf, though.

This basket is good for a couple of sports balls, a sleeping bag, and cleaning supplies.

Gladiator Garage Cabinets

Reviews of Gladiator garage cabinets are almost completely positive.

Gladiator offers pre-assembled and assembly-required (Ready to Assemble) cabinets.

I don't want to spend my Saturday assembling cabinets. Pre-assembled cabinets cost more. They're worth it, to me.

Gladiator offers three cabinets with the GearWall/GearTrack system. They're called GearBox.

They come in 24″, 28″, and 30″ widths.

The 24″ and 30″ are Pre-Assembled cabinets.

The 28″ cabinet is Ready to Assemble.

Gladiator Garage Shelves

Gladiator doesn't sell GearWall/GearTrack shelves.

They do offer shelves, just not for the GearTrack/GearWall system.

They look sturdy and easy to put together.

Gladiator Mounting Hardware

Many Amazon reviewers complained about the Gladiator mounting screws.

To get a feel for how important the hardware is, note that an 8'x8′ GearWall panel takes 224 screws.

Owners who mounted the Gladiator system suggested using these screws instead:

• black self-drilling screws from Ace Hardware
• gold screws from Home Depot
• self-tapping stainless steel screws
• ITW Brands 23410 Backer-On Cement Board screws
• 2″ #8 deck screws
• Headcote 2.5″ #8 trim head white #39 deck pack screws

Here are some mounting screw options for all three installation types:

Screw Sizes

Use #8 1-1/4″ and 2″ self-tapping stainless steel screws to install GearTrack or GearWall on bare wood studs.

Use 3/16″ x 1-3/4″ Tapcon concrete screws to install GearTrack or Gear Wall on masonry.

Hanging Bicycles

Use the Advanced Bike Storage v3.0 hook to vertically hang bicycles.

They hold up to 50 lb. Use the Horizontal Bike Hook to store a bike horizontally.

They come in pairs.

The pair of Horizontal Bike Hooks combined holds 50 lb.

Hanging Heavier Items Like Wheelbarrows and Ladders

The Dual Hook, Big Hook, and Utility Hook each carry 50 LB. All three offer two hooks.

Use these hooks for heavier garden tools, ladders, and sports equipment.

Use the Dual Hook, Big Hook, and Utility Hook for:

• beach chairs
• brooms
• coats
• cultivating forks
• cultivators
• hoes
• ladders
• lawn chairs
• lawn edgers
• leaf blowers
• rakes
• rotary cultivator
• shovels
• sledge hammers
• soil probes
• sod pluggers
• tillers
• tricycles
• tractor aerators
• turf edgers
• weed trimmers
• wheelbarrows
• wheels
• yard waste bags

Dual Hook, Big Hook, and Utility Hook Specifications:

The DUAL HOOK GAWUXXWHRH is 10.75 x 5.75 x 2.75 in. and carries and carries 50 lb.

BIG HOOK GAWEXXBHSH is 4 x 7.5 x 7 in. and carries 50 lb.

The UTILITY HOOK GAWEXXUHSH is 3.75 x 5.75 x 4.5 in. and carries 50 lb.

Hanging Medium Weight Tools and Sports Gear

The Wide Hook carries 30 lb. The Twin Hook, Tool Hook, and Scoop Hook each carry 25 lb.

(The S Hook also carries 25 lb. but is not recommended as it has a design flaw.)

The Wide Hook, Twin Hook, and Scoop Hook are uniformly shaped double hooks.

The Tool Hook has two small hooks at the bottom and two larger ones at the top.

The S Hook is a single bent hook.

Use the Wide Hook to hang:

• automotive tools
• axes
• garden tools
• rakes
• tennis rackets
• wide items

Use the Twin Hook, Tool Hook, and Scoop Hook for:

• axes
• bicycle pumps
• brooms
• fishing poles
• kayak paddles
• lawn chairs
• rakes
• shovels
• skateboards
• sledge hammers

The WIDE HOOK GAWUXXWDRH is 2.75 x 4 x 5.5 in. and carries 30 lb.

 

TWIN HOOK GAWEXXTWSH are 2.75 x 4.25 x 6.5 in. and carry 25 lb.

SCOOP HOOK GAWEXXSCSH is 2.75 x 4.25 x 4.25 in. and carries 25 lb.

 

The TOOL HOOK GAWEXXTHSH is 3.25 x 4.5 x 10.5 in. and carries 25 lb.

The S HOOK GAWEXXSHSH is 2.75 x 5 x 1 in. and carries 25 lb.

Hanging Electrical Cords and Hoses

The Cradle Hook holds 25 lb. so be sure to measure your hose weights before using it.

The CRADLE HOOK GAWEXXCLSH is 4.5 x 7.5 x 6.5 in. and carries 25 lb.

Hanging Lightweight Tools and Sports Gear

The J&L Hook is actually two different hooks. One is a “J” and one is an “L.”

The J&L Hooks and the Loop Hook each hold 5 lb.

Use the J&L Hooks and the Loop Hooks for hanging:

• coats
• electrical tape
• keys
• nut drivers
• scissors
• screwdrivers
• tools (hand)
• wrenches

The J&L HOOK (8) GAWAJL8PPH is 1 x 4 in. 5 LB.

The LOOP HOOK GAWALP8PPH is 1 x 4 x 2 in. 5 LB.

Hanging Storage Bins and Coolers

The Storage Bin Hooks hold up to 50 lb. in a bin you supply.

Coolers hang well from these holders as well.

The STORAGE BIN HOLDER GAWUXXBMTH is 24 x 24 x 12 in. and holds 50 lb.

Hanging Sports Equipment up to 35 LB.

The Mesh Basket and the Ball Caddy are each 2 ft. wide, which I think is a really generous size for a wall-hanging system. The Mesh Basket and Wire Basket hold up to 35 lb. The Ball Caddy holds up to 25 lb. The Ball Caddy is really good for sports balls but can be used for other equipment as well.

The 24″ MESH BASKET GAWU24MBBH is 24 x 14.5 x 12.5 in. 35 LB.

The 18″ WIRE BASKET GAWA18BKRH is 18 x 11 x 13 in. 35 LB.

The BALL CADDY GAWUXXBLTH is 24 x 24 x 12 in. 25 LB.

Use the Mesh Basket for hanging:

• baseball gloves
• baseballs
• basketballs
• beach toys
• footballs
• Frisbees
• soccer balls
• gloves
• hats
• helmets
• kickballs
• scarves
• sleeping bags
• softballs
• tennis balls
• tennis racquets
• winter gloves

Use the Wire Basket for hanging

• auto supplies
• cleaning supplies
• garbage bags
• gardening supplies
• household chemicals
• motor oil
• rags
• spray bottles
• vacuum accessories
• window cleaner

Use the Ball Caddy for storing:

• 9 basketballs (capacity)
• baseballs
• basketballs
• footballs
• gym equipment
• handballs
• kickballs
• paddle balls
• pool toys
• soccer balls
• softballs
• stability balls
• tennis balls
• volley balls

Hanging Small Items Such as Nuts and Bolts

The Small Item Bins come 3 to pack. Each bin is 4.5″ wide and 7″ deep. My nuts and bolts would have to be pretty dense to overload their 10 lb. capacity. The SMALL ITEM BIN (3) GAWESB3PGC 4.5 x 4 x 7 in.” 10 LB.

Good Uses for the Small Item Bins

• nuts
• bolts
• nails
• screws
• hooks
• hand tools

Hanging a Paper Towel Dispenser

The Cleanup Caddy holds a hefty 25 lb. and a roll of paper towels hangs underneath. The Cleanup Caddy is good for holding:

• paper towels
• cleaning supplies
• sprays
• wipes

People Also Ask

What do people think of the Proslat garage wall storage system? Gladiator's best competitor is probably the Proslat garage wall storage system. Learn more about Proslat here.

Can I store bicycles on a slatwall? Yes, all major slatwall vendors sell bike hooks. Gladiator offers the Advanced Storage Bike Hook which locks onto the wall and grabs onto the bike tire, and the Horizontal Bike Hook for hanging the bike profile against the wall. Proslat offers the Super Duty Bike Hooks (2 per pack), also for hanging the bike flat against the wall.

Can I use Proslat gear on Gladiator? In general, one vendor's hooks won't fit on another vendor's wall system. Sometimes you will get a fit, but it's best to stick the hanging tools made by the brand that made your slat wall or slat track.