The creases of tents are one of the core reasons for fabric aging, waterproof coating peeling off and structural deformation. If the folding method is improper, the following problems may occur after long-term use:
Fabric breakage: Repeated bending at the crease leads to fiber fatigue
Waterproof failure: Coating cracking or peeling
Structural deformation: Uneven force is applied at the connection between the support rods and the fabric
The following is a systematic solution that combines fabric characteristics, folding techniques and tool assistance to minimize crease damage to the greatest extent.
First, core preparations before folding
1. Cleaning and drying
Operation:
Thoroughly remove dirt, sweat stains and other contaminants in accordance with the cleaning process mentioned earlier.
Make sure the tent is completely dry (hygrometer detection โค50%).
Reason:
Folding in a humid environment can lead to mold spots or coating adhesion.
2. Relax the support rods
Operation:
Remove or loosen the struts section by section (depending on the type of tent) to prevent the struts from squeezing the fabric when folded.
Risk aversion
Forcibly folding a tent with poles may tear the fabric or cause the poles to bend.
Second, folding techniques: Classify and handle according to the characteristics of the fabric
Coated fabric tents (such as polyurethane PU coating)
Folding principle
Avoid repeated bending at the same position: Coated fabrics are prone to leakage due to coating cracking at creases.
Recommended method:
“Three-section” folding method:
Lay the tent flat and fold it in half along its length into three equal parts (to avoid the force on a single point caused by folding it once).
Fold it in half along the width direction again to form a rectangle.
Secure with straps or storage bags to prevent sliding.
“Roll-type” folding method (suitable for small tents) :
Starting from one end, roll up the tent like a carpet to reduce the concentration of creases.
After rolling it up, fix it with Velcro or straps.
2. Silicone coated fabric tents (such as Silnylon)
Feature:
Silicone coating is softer but more prone to adhesion, and high-temperature folding should be avoided.
Key points of operation:
Folding in low-temperature environment: At high temperatures, silicone may soften and cause adhesion.
Sprinkle talcum powder: Sprinkle a thin layer of talcum powder at the folds to reduce friction.
3. Cotton/blended fabric tents
Feature:
Cotton tents are prone to absorbing water and have poor crease recovery.
Key points of operation:
Thorough drying: Use a fan to accelerate drying before folding to prevent water stains from remaining.
“S-shaped” folding method
Lay the tent flat and fold it diagonally into an “S” shape.
Disperse the crease pressure and avoid excessive bending at a single point.
Third, tool assistance: Reduce physical damage
Example of folding board usage
Operation steps:
Lay the folding board flat on the ground.
Lay the tent flat on the folding board and fold it in three sections along the edge of the board.
After folding is completed, fix it with straps and put it together with the folding board into the storage bag.
Fourth, long-term storage: Crease protection and repair
Crease protection
Operation:
Filling support: Insert foam strips or bubble wrap at the folds to reduce direct contact with the fabric.
Hanging storage: If space permits, hang the tent on a hanger to avoid folding.
2. Crease repair
Mild crease
Gently iron the fabric with a steam iron (set the temperature to low) through a cloth to soften it, and then manually smooth it out.
Severe crease
Contact a professional tent repair shop to restore the coating through the hot-pressing process.
Fifth, key points for folding different types of tents
Dome tents (such as MSR Hubba Hubba)
Folding techniques:
Fold along the meridian direction of the tent (the direction of the support poles), and avoid bending perpendicularly to the direction of the support poles.
Tunnel tents (such as Hilleberg Anjan)
Folding techniques:
Roll up the tent from both ends towards the middle, keeping the roll uniform and avoiding excessive tightness in certain areas.
Quick-opening tents (such as Coleman Instant Tent)
Folding techniques:
Operate along the preset folding trajectory of the tent to avoid structural deformation caused by forced squeezing.
Sixth, Summary and Recommendation
Core principle:
Distribute pressure: Avoid repeated bending at the same position.
Reduce friction: Use tools such as folding plates and talcum powder.
Regular maintenance: Ventilate regularly when stored for a long time.
Recommended method:
Coated fabric: Three-section folding + filler support
Silicone fabric: low-temperature roll folding + talcum powder
Cotton fabric: S-shaped folding + thorough drying
Tips for avoiding pitfalls:
It is prohibited to forcibly fold tents with support poles.
Avoid operating in high-temperature or humid environments.
By using the above methods, the service life of the tent can be significantly prolonged, the performance decline caused by creases can be reduced, and it can be ensured that the tent can still maintain core properties such as water resistance and tear resistance after multiple uses.
