I always packed my tent bag way too tight until a buddy in Bend pointed it out

We were packing up after a trip in the Oregon high desert and he watched me basically wrestle my tent back into its stuff sack. He just said, 'Dude, you're gonna wreck the waterproof coating doing that.' I had no idea that creasing the fabric that hard could actually damage it. Now I just roll it loosely and strap it to the outside of my pack. Anyone else have a simple trick that saves your gear from wear and tear?

3 comments

3 Comments

lilya7611d ago

That rain jacket story is a perfect example. It's wild how much damage just sitting in a closet can do. I've started loosely stuffing my puffy and rain shell into the top of my pack instead of using their little stuff sacks. The coatings and seams just last way longer when they aren't under constant strain.

reed.skyler10d ago

Wait, they actually stored it balled up in its own pocket all the time? That's like asking for it to fall apart. The DWR coating needs to breathe a little, doesn't it? Stuffing it once for a hike is one thing, but leaving it crushed like that for months is just brutal. Your friend basically cooked that jacket by keeping it under constant stress. Makes you wonder why they even make those tiny storage pockets if it wrecks the gear.

anderson.piper11d ago

Watched a friend ruin a nice rain jacket by storing it balled up in its own pocket. The constant pressure on the same folds killed the DWR coating way faster than normal use. He learned the hard way that some gear just needs to be hung up or packed loose.