It’s a conundrum that has plagued many a backpacker: should I roll my tent neatly, or stuff it in any which way? First and foremost, we’d say to go with what the manufacturer suggests. But anyone who has bought a tent lately knows that they rarely offer specific advice.
The plus side of stuffing is that usually you can get the tent very small, somewhat smaller than folding, especially if you use an after-market compression sack and carry the poles separately (some tents are designed to be packed like this). The downside of stuffing is that unsightly, wrinkled-tent look, something to consider in today’s upscale camping areas (kidding).
Stuffing works great for older tents; however, stuffing your tent doesn’t work very well for many of today’s more techy models. Many modern tents and flies have windows or vents that last longer when you roll or fold them flat. Folding or rolling prolongs the life of these features. If your tent lacks these features, go with the stuffing method.
Folding and rolling along the same creases can over time wear down fabrics and waterproofing in critical areas. Stuffing your tent and fly helps to avoid this.
Check out this clip from Backpacker magazine that details some key tent-care tips:
Regardless of whether you stuff or roll, the most important consideration is that you store your tent completely dry. A couple days on the trail won’t hurt anything, but for any prolonged period, moisture left on your tent and packed away will cause mildew, which is extremely harmful to the tent material and is not covered under any manufacturer’s warranty. When you return from any trip, set up the tent, inspect it, clean as necessary, and then let it completely air dry before storing in the stuff sack.
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Tags: backpacking, camping, gear maintenance, tents