Stuffing Vs. Folding For Tent Storage

Camping tents are made to withstand the elements, abrasion and rough country. While the tents are made for hard use, they require proper care to maintain useful live. Most modern tents are made from high-tech rip-stop nylon. This nylon needs to be stored in ways that preserve the fabric. Two common tent storage methods are stuffing and folding. Each has its place in the tent's care and storage.

  1. In the Field

    • Store the tent in the stuff sack when you are in the field on camping adventures. Ease of use plays a role in the decision to stuff or fold. Most often, during a backpacking camping trip, weight is an issue and a tent is best stored folded and dispersed among the backpacking team. For example, if your tent has a rain fly, vestibule, footprint, poles and stakes, fold the tent body into thirds, the footprint into thirds and the fly-vestibule into thirds. Distribute the pieces among the group top relieve weight while still storing the tent is a way that does not mar or damage the fabric. Poles and stakes get hung off packs or clipped to the inside storage sleeves in packs.

    Weather

    • The weather also plays a role in how you store the tent during a camping trip. Rain or heavy precipitation means the tent is most likely going to get stored wet. It's unavoidable many times, but care must be taken to help prevent mildew and mold from developing on the tent fabric. Stuffing is best in this case, as each time the tent gets stuffed, the fabric is randomly compressed, allowing more breathing through different parts of the tent versus folding, where the tent fabric stays in one position. Stuff the wet tent into the storage sack, but get it out at the first chance to dry.

    Home Storage

    • A tent does not get stored in its stuff bag at home, stuffed or folded. The reason is the tent stays in a compressed state in the bag and the nylon begins to develop unwanted folds and creases.

      Fold the tent into a lofty square. Do not compress the fabric folds. Place the folded tent on a shelf in a dry, dark closet. Fold the fly and vestibule the same way. Use the footprint to cover the folded and stored tent-fly combo.

    Prepping the Tent for Storage

    • Each time you fold or stuff the tent, take time to clean it off and out. Sand, grit, small rocks or forest debris gets stuck in zippers, on the floor or in pole sleeves. This detritus rubs on the tent fabric, eroding it over time. When the tent is stored with this crud, as you hike or move, the tent gets scraped and loses integrity. Regardless of your choice of fold or stuff, clean the tent as best possible before putting into storage.