Tent stuffing

[Chris I]

I recently heard that it is better to just stuff your tent into the bag rather than fold it up, the person said that it helps keep it waterproof.

Any knowledge?

[Dick]

Originally Posted by Chris I

I recently heard that it is better to just stuff your tent into the bag rather than fold it up, the person said that it helps keep it waterproof.

Any knowledge?

I've always heard that folding, if folded in the same place each time, creates weakness in the fabric...or some such. Perhaps it depends upon the fabric in question? I'll never know, as I think stuffing is far easier, quicker, and more space-efficient than folding. Maybe that's why they call them 'stuff sacks' and not 'fold sacks'?

Dick

[poconoron]

Originally Posted by Chris I

I recently heard that it is better to just stuff your tent into the bag rather than fold it up, the person said that it helps keep it waterproof.

Any knowledge?

I generally fold and then roll mine up, but never the same way; I believe that avoids the problems described. I think either that or stuffing are the best options.

[RC]

Some people FOLD them ? I'm just happy to get my hammock back in the stuff sack


RC

[Boreal Chickadee]

I fold it for the actual hike but store it stuffed.

[whitefoot]

I always stuff my tents, ive always beleived that folding creates weak spots too.

plus i think they pack smaller like that.

[dog]

My tent would never fit in original bag , if to not to fold and roll it ( very tight !! ) . So far ( I've have it for ~ 5 years ) there is not any problems with water protections . Maybe it depends on tent .
I have Tree Frog 24 from NF .

[jellen]

Yea......I'm a stuffer too. Heard that same story about folding creating weakness so I've been stuffing for about 20 years.

[redhawk]

I always stuff. Common sennse dictates that if you fold it the same way all the time, the fabric will get more wear and the waterproofing will break down.

Plus if it's stuffed, it's not quite as tight and less chance of mildew starting if you're out for a few days and it's a little damp from condensation.

[Neil]

Hey Chris! Stuff it!

[dog]

Would demand hard work and training to fold and roll it the same way every time . I've never even try ( for last ~ 45 years ) -) .

[NicksMaint]

I agree with all of those whose say "stuff it". The best thing I like about doing this, is the short amount of time it takes to pack up everything in the morning.

[Eagle36Jake]

I fold lengthwise a few times and tightly roll the tent, then rainfly and groundcloth around the poles. It always fits in the bag, takes no time, and helps for quick setup too, just unroll and that's it. I have never had a problem. I have always thought I got better weight/bulk-distribution/balance from that method. At home afterwards, my tents hang until aired out and store stuffed in large stuff sacks.

[ellsaf]

How much do your tents weigh? I have one that is 2-man and about 6 lbs - is that average to pack with?

[redhawk]

Originally Posted by ellsaf

How much do your tents weigh? I have one that is 2-man and about 6 lbs - is that average to pack with?

"Average" is relative.

it depends on your backpacking "mode". I have a little 2 man that will just squeeze 2 in comfortably that weighs just under 3 pounds.

I have another "convertible" that in 2 person mode weighs about 6.

there are the ultra light people who have shelters, sometimes just a silnylon tarp that weighs under a pound and is pitched using their trekking poles.

The conundrum is that the farther the distance I hike, the less weight I carry so my "average" is different depending on the hike I am doing.

One word of advice. It's very in forums to hear what all the different people are doing, how much weight they are carrying, what equipment they are using etc., and get caught in the trap of thinking that you need to change in order to be able to do better. That's not the case. if you are comfortable with the weight and the gear you are carrying and the way you are hiking, then it's fine. You probably don't need to change anything.

But if you are exceedingly tired at the end of a day, your back is aching from the load, your feet are hurting, etc, then you might consider making changes. I have seen people go so light, they are without any comforts and in some cases taking a risk by not having something vital with them in order to keep the weight down.

I still hike in $8.95 wool OD army surplus pants in the winter and I'm just as comfortable as the people wearing the $250 hi-tech miracle fabric pants.

Just a thought.

hawk

[Neil]

I always folded and rolled my tent up, nice and neat. Then I read about stuffing and became free.

For years and years I carried a 7 pound 2-3 man tent everywhere I went, whether alone or with a partner, winter and summer. I gradually came to resent the weight and picked up a syl-nylon tarp. With a ground sheet, netting, some cord and a few pegs I have about a 2 pound system. Toss in a cheap bivy sac and the set-up is nearing 2½ lbs.

[ellsaf]

Good point Hawk, it also gets quite expensive trying to get the lightest, newest, "best" backpacking product out there. I remember backpacking when I was younger and I just threw in whatever I had laying around the house, didn't worry so much about the technicals back then.

[fingerlakeshiker]

I used to fold until I read that stuffing is better. Now I stuff, which is easeier and faster.I carry too much weight and need to work on lightening the load, but I do need to be comfortable at camp. I enjoy the camping part and a lot of my trips are hike to camp.

[randomscooter]

Originally Posted by Boreal Chickadee

I fold it for the actual hike but store it stuffed.

I stuff mine for the actual hike, but fold it loosely for storage. Go figure!!

[kayakrski]

I suffed mine for a long time but recently I've heard it's better to roll it up. I cant remember why. I think it came from someone at Mtn Hardware.

Gregg