View Full Version : Packing a tent
hikingbear
03-19-2009, 16:57
Do most pack their tent in the bag it comes in or do they use a compression bag to pack it in?
HeartFire
03-19-2009, 17:00
I generally use the bag it came in, but just sort of shove it in the bag, I don't fold it up, supposedly if you always fold it the same way it weakens the fabric where it's folded. I pack it loosely soo it will conform to the spaces in my pack.
I'm just a noob, but here's my guess as to the advice you'll get:
1/4 will say just stuff down at the bottom of your pack
1/4 will say use a plain old stuff sack that weighs very little. If the sack it came in qualifies, great. It will likely be pointed out that compression sacks weigh more than average sacks, and weight usually trumps space.
1/2 Will say "Tent?!?!?! You should use a hammock or tarp."
I subscribe to the second group.
4eyedbuzzard
03-19-2009, 17:03
Many carry the poles and stakes separately to better fit in the pack and keep the stakes from poking holes in things. Back when I had a double wall tent I used to not only carry my poles separately but also the fly in an outside pocket so it wouldn't get the rest of my gear wet.
hikingbear
03-19-2009, 17:06
I think you will be right one. HAHA
I'm just a noob, but here's my guess as to the advice you'll get:
1/4 will say just stuff down at the bottom of your pack
1/4 will say use a plain old stuff sack that weighs very little. If the sack it came in qualifies, great. It will likely be pointed out that compression sacks weigh more than average sacks, and weight usually trumps space.
1/2 Will say "Tent?!?!?! You should use a hammock or tarp."
I subscribe to the second group.
I stuff it in a trashbag and stuff it in my backpack.
Blissful
03-20-2009, 11:56
I carry tent, tent stakes, and poles separate.
Since my current tent is a Sierra Designs Lightning, I wanted to see what they recommend . . . from their website:
How should I fold my tent for storage?
Actually, it is best to roll/stuff/fold your tent a different way each time you put your tent away. This way you will not create permanent creases in the same place of the tent. A good way to store your tent is to fold the body of the tent in thirds length-wise. Drape the rainfly over the folded body so that no part of the rainfly is wider than the folded body. Lay the collapsed poles and the stakes across one end of the folded tent. Roll up the tent from one end to the other, rolling it around the poles and stakes. Insert the rolled tent into the stuff sack. So they advocate a combination of folding the main body and bundling up the fly without folding, which pretty much what I have been doing for years. I think I will try to consciously fold the main tent body a little differently each time. I do use the stuff sack that came with the tent. I do not roll everything into one bundle as it came with a stakes stuff sack and polls stuff sack. Mine holds the tent, fly, stakes, and polls in one nice little bundle that goes in the bottom, standing up in my main pack compartment. I have straps available and will strap it on the outside if the tent/fly are extremely wet.
Frick Frack
03-20-2009, 12:03
I carried the tent packed around my stuff inside the pack towards the top. I carried the rain fly compressed between my lid and pack and put the poles in the side pockets (secured to the pack). This allowed me to pull out the fly easily and let it air out at lunch (if it rained the night before or if there was a heavy dew) or access it quickly to use as shelter in heavy rain.
I carried the tent packed around my stuff inside the pack towards the top. I carried the rain fly compressed between my lid and pack and put the poles in the side pockets (secured to the pack). This allowed me to pull out the fly easily and let it air out at lunch (if it rained the night before or if there was a heavy dew) or access it quickly to use as shelter in heavy rain.That's a good idea . . . hmmm!
Christus Cowboy
03-20-2009, 12:24
I generally loosely store my tent in a cotton laundry bag when it is not in use and when I pull it out for use I try to alternate the way I pack it so as to minimize any damage from folding along the same crease lines.... Sometimes I use a compression sack and sometimes I just roll it up and use the original bag that came with the tent.... I guess it just depends on my mood at the time I guess.
For long term storage I always set my tent up in the garage for a couple days when I return from a hike, even if it felt dry the last morning packing it up. This way I'm assured of getting any excess moisture out of the fabric. Then I pack it back in the stuff sacks that it came with. Must work well because I've averaged 15 or more years of use (couple hundred miles a year of hiking) with my last three tents.
Glebbber
03-20-2009, 22:15
I use a REI compression sack for my big agnes SL1. It allows me to store it inside my pack getting my entire pack smaller and denser.
manufacturer's sack, my compression straps
I just use the sack it came in. Poles and spikes in a seperate sack.
Do most pack their tent in the bag it comes in or do they use a compression bag to pack it in?
Yes.
i'm trying to figure out how to config my rainfly to use as a pack cover. anyone? bueller?