Storing Tarps and Tents?

There are some theoretical differences between stuffing vs. rolling one's tent and storing it inside the stuff sack. However, folks using either method have successfully stored tents for a decade or more — so rest assured that it makes no practical difference at all.

The ONLY two things to watch out for are:

1. Clean and thoroughly dry your tent before storing — never store a tent that is still wet or damp in the slightest.

2. Store your tent in a cool and dry place away from sunlight. In other words, sunlight (UV), heat and humidity are what kill tents. Not folding vs. stuffing.

Someone once advised me not to fold a tent the same way every time as that can distress certain waterproof coatings on the fabric.

Linsey:

That one's been repeated for decades. If you think about it, the sharpest creases by far are actually created when a tent is stuffed into its impossibly tiny stuff sack. Thousands of creases are created, with the tent fabric and coating all pressed against itself. And often, especially in 'off season' — a tent will remain all creased up for months at a time! But if the tent is clean and dry and stored appropriately — no harm is done.

The folds created by folding — even repeated foldings along the same lines — are much, much gentler by comparison.

As mentioned above, neither folding nor stuffing — in and of itself — will harm a tent.

so it doesn't really matter then if it is stored in its stuff sacked vs. in a bin?

Correct. Doesn't matter at all.

It's cool, clean and dry storage that will prolong the useful life of your tent.

On different occasions in the past, I have asked on the various forums if folks have ever had their tents ruined as a result of repeated stuffing or folding. Not a single reply that either method runied a tent. In contrast, there were many replies from both "stuffers" and "folders" saying that they have had their tents for a decade or more!

I'm a big believer in air circulation and lack of pressure, for tarps/tents and sleeping bags, so I store my tarp and tent by hanging them upside down from nails hammered into the basement joists, 1 nail/corner so the tent/tarp is spread out but not tight like when pitching it. Sleeping bags get stored inside bivy bags laying on a storeroom floor
zipped up tight to keep bugs out.

This reminds me of the debate regarding packing for travel; does clothing take up less space if stuffed or rolled or folded.. I roll my tents, bags, pads, and anything else I can roll and get a rubber band around. Leaving stuff sacks at home saves ounces. Like Ben said, make sure your gear is clean and dry before stuffing/rolling.

Tom:

Reading your post got me to thinking that if one lives in a very hot and humid place — then it's probably best to leave a tent hanging loosely as you described, or folded very loosely inside a suitably large bin — minimizing the chance of PU coating coming into close contact with itself.

But if one has a relatively cool and dry place that's away from sunlight, then it doesn't much matter. I suppose I am lucky in that sense to be living in LA, where temps and humidity are mostly moderate. To the extent it gets hot around here, it's mostly dry heat.