The BEST Way To Pack Your Tent For Backpacking!

NOTE! I show the tent inside my pack in the video. This is simply to show that the tent easily fits inside the pack. It’s not meant to be the literal placement of the tent inside your pack. Please keep in mind that there are obvious variables to all the tent designs out there that may not allow this method of packing to work. Some of this also comes down to personal preference, or based on conditions. So packing your tent differently would totally make sense. But this is my go to method of folding and rolling a tent to pack it into my backpack. ** I will also add that in the event you have a soaking wet tent, you may want to pack your tent differently or have a dry bag on hand to pack it into.**

Your tent is literally the last thing you pack, especially in bad weather. By then, your backpack is filled with all the rest of your gear. For this reason it stays on the outside of my pack and if wet, it can dry out and does not leak in my backpack.

Your method is great for neatness. However, I am 76 and have been camping since I was 5, and that is the last way i would pack my tent. I fold it similar to your way, but it will never go in my bag first unless I have a tarp to put over my pitch area first to keep the area dry. Your method looks good in a perfect world. 😊

Thanks for showing the folding/rolling method. But I do agree with previous comments about carrying/strapping your tent outside your pack. Here on the East Coast; lots of rain and moisture and doing so will keep the inside of your pack cleaner and drier. One other thing that I would change is not placing your wet fly directly over the mesh portion of the tent prior to rolling and folding. Perhaps fold the tent first with the mesh ( the inside of the tent) on the inside and then before rolling, add the fly so that it only touches the outside floor portion of the tent; then roll and place inside the stuff sack. And of course if hikers do want to pack it inside the backpack, make it the last thing in your backpack on top, because it will most likely be the first thing out at the end of the day.

Here in the UK where its basically perpetually wet, I generally seperate my inner and outer into two seperate bags to keep the inner dry!

Thank you for sharing how you fold/roll your tent. I've always just attached it outside because of how it comes packaged.

With eight months of constant rain, it's usually better to keep the wet tent outside the pack. The tent is most often the last item packed so everything in the pack stays dry under cover, and the first item set up in camp. But it makes little difference in dry periods.

Love the tent rolling! That pretty much exactly how I do it too. The only difference is when it is wet, then it does not go inside my pack. Never rains in Utah though, so you’re lucky there!

Great tips. My favorite setup was stuffing the entire wet tent in the huge side pocket of the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60. Didn't need a bag for it. These days I'll fold & roll and stick it near the top of my current pack.

Thank you for sharing. I've found keeping my shelter on the outside generally works for me as its the first thing I set up. I have it strapped to one side and to help balance it out I put my cook kit on the other. 🤘

That is almost the exact way I package my tents out on the trail. Thanks for the video.

😂 "Butt" it feels so good to have the tent bumping my behind the whole hike.

Wow, something to consider when packing my backpack. I figured it was going to be on the side. You have given me another way to pack my tent. Thanks for sharing this video!

This video was a game changer for me and my pack. Following the method you showed in this video resulted in a much more efficient use of the space in my pack. Thanks for your assistance.

I like your roll up method. I’m gonna try it. Also, love the Flash 55 debut!

Yeah Ultra Rainbow! Always liked to see that. Thanks for the tips.

I like it. One exception. I always put my tent on top or in the top (last item in, first out). Happy trails from CO.

I only camp in the snow here in Australia (yes we have snow). I have a Hilleberg one man tent. I stuff it into a small Sea to Summit compression sack and keep the stakes and poles separate and just slide them in my pack. There are only three poles, 8 stakes so it is pretty easy.

Good rolling technique 😂 Finally a YT-bet that can pack things well

Newbie to backpacking here. Great tip!! Even worked for my Elixir 4P. Thanks!!