rolling or stuffing a tent?

[jamessummerlin]

So I have this new lightweight backpacking tent, very cool! I read where you should "stuff" backpacking tents into their stuff sacks, strap the poles on the outside of your pack. Sounds good to me, but I am sort of old-school and have always done the traditional, fold, roll, tent thing. The argument is that this creates repeated fold seems that, over time, damage the tent. I have never experienced this.

What are peoples experiences with this? Stuffing seems like it would do more harm than good. More creases, more folds, random "things" getting tangled. I have never had any problems rolling my tents.

[Quailman]

Intuitively, it sounds like your reasoning would be correct - stuffing seems like it would result in more folds and creases, whereas folding and rolling would leave large uncreased areas.

I bought a backpacking tent in 1979 and still use it. I've always rolled it the same way, and don't have any leaks or worn areas that I know of. I have two sleeping bags that I stuff. Granted, they're different material, but I've never had any problems with them either.

I did have one problem with the tent. The zipper on the mesh door gave out about three years ago. I sent it to The North Face and they replaced the zipper and repaired a small tear in the mesh. [edit] They did these repairs at no cost to me except the one way freight. [/edit]

If they told you to stuff it, you might as well. It might pack easier. I often have trouble getting a rolled tent back into its sack.

[SM-890]

I have seen this on several forums. I checked with the manufacturer of my tent and they suggested rolling. Rolling makes hardly any sharp creases, but stuffing can. Check with the the tent maker and see what they suggest for their product.

[WVBeaver05]

I'm with the others. I would request the recommendations of the tent manufacturer.

I have never heard of stuffing a tent. The reasons for stuffing a sleeping bag don't apply to a tent.

[deweylure]

Rolling the tent is correct. it will avoid you causing creases and tiny stress points on the fabric. Check out March Backpacker gear guide for some great tips.

Dewylure

[FrankJ]

I have heard both by people who should know. The above quoted article in back packer says folded is better. Apparently an much early article says stuffing is better. An equipment mfr I asked also believes stuffing is better. My conclusion? It doesn't really matter. Your light weight gear will wear out from other reasons long before this is an issue. Just make sure you store your gear dry because mold is an real issue.

[ScoutingStokes]

The reasons for stuffing a sleeping bag don't apply to a tent.

What are the reasons for stuffing a sleeping bag? And by stuffing, you mean rather than folding and rolling to go back in the bag the way it came, right?

[kwildman]

The reasons for stuffing a sleeping bag don't apply to a tent.

What are the reasons for stuffing a sleeping bag? And by stuffing, you mean rather than folding and rolling to go back in the bag the way it came, right?

Stuffing is recommended for down bags so that you don't always compress the fill the same way and ruin your loft. This can be an issue with some synthetics as well. You should never store a sleeping bag rolled or stuffed. As a rule, i stuff all of my bags as it makes packing much easier than trying to pull the cover over a rolled bag. I usually toss the manufacturers stuff sacks and get good quality siliconized nylon compression sacks and reduce the volume of the bag as much as possible. My marmot pounder in an x-small stuff sack is a little larger than a big grapefruit. It is nice to have all that extra room in you sleeping bag compartment of your backpack for quick access to other gear.

Tents - i have heard both ways and i dont think it makes much difference. I personally, like to keep all my stuff together. I could see forgetting the poles or stakes if I packed them seperately.

[ScoutingStokes]

Well, I'll be...makes sense! Thanks, kwildman! I've been "car camping" for years, but have just gotten into backpacking over the last year now that my boys are big enough to carry their own pack/tent. I still have LOTS to learn! That compression sack thing is a great idea, too! My tent is a teeny 2lb job that packs small enough back in its bag. Besides, I'm with you - I'd end up forgetting the poles or something!

[WVBeaver05]

As kwildman said, stuffing prevents the same fibers from being "crushed" repeatedly and helps maintain the insulation. From what I have seen recently most sleeping bags that are outside of the "car camping" group recommend stuffing.

In further investigation I have been told that similar reasons apply to tents. In that case, the stuffing prevents folds on the same place that weakens the fabric and the waterproofing.

YiS

[ThunderingWind]

My sleeping bag and tent manufactures (different companies) both told me to stuff when using the items
in the woods.

At home the sleeping bag gets hung in a closet or gently rolled for storage (with a week's hang time before use
unless I just plain forget).

The tent is to be folded in thirds and rolled for storage after it cleaned from use.

[kwildman]

Most good down bags actually come w/ two sacks - a small one for use in the field and large cotton bag (think laundry bag) for home storage.

on a good quality tent i would not worry about damaging the waterproofing. The rain flys are very very durable.

[alex gregory]

Rolling and folding is so old-school. The kids will make fun of you and call you names!

Remember hauling the canvas beasts between 4 or 5 guys on backpacking trips - it was awful. We quickly ditched the tents and slept under the stars on tarps as a troop - you almost never see that anymore. Almost makes me wish modern tents were no so incredibly lightweight and compact.

I always stuff my tent in the stuff sack, and if the manufacturer bag is no good get another stuff sack. If it's a quality tent it will do just fine. My 20 year old Sierra Design solo is good for another 20 years of stuffing, and all in the original sacks. My Black Diamond solo (which is awesome, by the way) actually is designed to be packed in a separate stuff sack (and after the factory fold it's stuffing only) with a separate pole bag.

The advantage of stuffing is you cram the tent down into the pack, and strap the poles to the exterior so the poles dont interfere with cinching the load as tight as you can get it.

If it's a cheap quality tent with bad stitching, stuff or fold won't make a lick of difference, the tent will leak, tear, or otherwise fail sooner rather than later. I always buy quality, and my gear lasts a very long time and seldom ends up in the dump.

So stuff it (unless you're worried about wrinkles).

[alex gregory]

By the way, this whole discussion about getting stuffed is obscene in the UK.

[LSR]

By the way, this whole discussion about getting stuffed is obscene in the UK.

Best post ever!