Do not fold tents to pack them.........

[WhereTheWildThingsWere]

?

I have just been reading an article on tent care that suggests you should not fold a tent to pack it away, as it will form permanent creases along the folds which will become points of weakness and are likely to let in water.

I was a girl guide and taught to carefully fold tents using a system of thirds and have always packed tents away like this ever since.

I think it would kill me to casually 'stuff' my beloved Monty back into his bag, it just seems so wrong.

What does everyone else do?

I've had an Outwell tent thats now 10 years old, always been folded and never had a problem.

we would never get ours back in if we didn't fold it

some have to be folded - rolling just isn't an option due to the size/shape...my folks beautiful awning is still in good nick despite always being folded...i suppose no-one will fold a tent away in the same wy exactly twice though. Our crappy eurohike tent is still useable too...after many years...i suppose if it was really thick waxed canvas it would destroy the waterproofing in the end though.

Ours is a combination of rolling and folding or we would never get it back in the bag!

Best thing to do is find the vendors website: most have pitching demos that show you how to get it back in now.

Our enw one needs rolling; last one folding.

Both fine.

the article is right - most tents, especially higher performance ones, should be stuffed. We've been doing it for years!!!

Well what if you fold roughly, not tightly, then roll - and not put the folds at exactly the same places each time?

Surely stuffing just does the same but at a lesser intensity, and all over the tent?

I guess that's okay too - but stuffing works really well and it's so much easier

Oh but I wouldn't be able to cope with all those random creases. No I think I'l have to stick with the combination of rolling and folding. Although it looks like i'm going to end up with nearly all pop up tents anyway.

I do stuff our sleeping bags into their sacks on the advice of a shop.

Maybe I should try stuffing , would be great if it was easier.

Definate yes to stuffing of sleeping bags, it's the only way to get the buggers back in.

Been camping for over 40 years. Always preferred to stuff, but sometimes had to fold roughly or roll first.

DH insists on folding carefully along the lines. Takes bloody ages and is a total waste of time imo. Not had one let water in yet though.

Have just had our scenic 7 out to check it, cos we are going away on monday, tried stuffing instead of folding. WOW, how much easier than folding, I am converted.