Tent packing ?

I would like to know how everybody packs their tent/hammock? Do you fold and roll it neetly back into it's stuff sack every time or do you just jam it in the top of your pack for quick and easy access the next time?

Ed,

My tent I just stuff in it's stuff sack. I don't bother to fold it and I have read that folding is actually bad for the tent. It will form creases in the same places every time, not good. My Hennessey Hammock I have snake skins, I pull up the tent and wrap the guylines that I have then pull the snake skins up over the hammock. The rain fly is rolled (or stuffed) sepearte. This way if you have to set up in the rain the rain fly can go up first followed by the hammock. Everything will be high and dry.

Snake Skins:
http://www.hennessyhammock.com/new-products.html#snakeskins

Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

OH

To answer your question, I just stuff mine.

To address the two method options:

OH is righ, folding will eventually result in (if folded the same way everytime) creases in the fabric that can cause break downs in the fabric/coating. However, there has also been a case made against the stuffing method. If you stuff it, you're actually making hundreds of tiny folds that could, over time, do the same thing. Either way, it takes years for this to be a problem, and due to the nature of the gear's use, it'll probably meet its end some other way. Long story short, I don't think it matters.

Hope this helps !

I would like to add something to the discussion. This has nothing to do with the packing for a trip of your tent but the long term storage. I had a Hubba Hubba that the rain fly protective coating delaminated on me. I had stored it in a storage building that got very hot. My bad! At least that is why I think that it had failed, it got very sticky. I have heard that happening with other Hubba Hubba's. In any case REI took it back and I now have a different tent.

OH

Just wanted to say what the rest have already stated.... To Fold is bad.... Some of the tents I have and have had, simply will not fit back into the stuff sack that it came with unless its folded very neatly. I usually buy or make a compression sack that will allow me to stuff then compress it down. With my Hammock though I use a mesh net sack, as it helps dry it out.

Wow a compresion sack, That is a real good idea.
Thanks for all of the replies

Now what to do with a dirty floor saver and not get the dirt in your pack, maybe another compresion sack (I don't gues that anyone packs a broom to sweep it)?

No, but you could just carry a small trash bag and put the footprint in it. Stash it in one of your outside pockets, if your pack comes with those, and that way, you don't get any dirt inside.
UL

So I gues that the titanium, telescoping, solar powered broom that I dropped a grand on doesn't fit the backpacking lifestyle. J/K

Any thing dirty, or wet as in morning dew or rain, should go on the outside of the pack. Most packs have some sort of compression straps or some strapping system that you can lash it to.

OH

Loose the broom, or wisk broom that is! A good shaking will do the trick. Normaly that is.

OH

I stuff my sleeping bags, but my hammock and tarp I usually make into one long rope (length) and then roll it up from there. My tarp always stays on the outside of my pack in a mesh pocket so that it can dry. If I had a tent, and it was wet, then it would go there as well. I like the roll it up method, if that makes any sense. I am so very tired right now.

I stuff the tent body in my pack and the rain fly goes on top of the pile before I close the pack; last thing in, first thing out. No stuff sacks.

I got caught in a sudden January downpour once (30° degrees or so) and it was nice to simply drop my pack, and pull that rain fly right off the top and drape it over myself and my gear while I put on rain gear and waterproofed my pack. Like a giant umbrella.