Fold it, Roll it or Stuff it?

**Sappy** · 11-02-2011, 22:23

They are called "stuff sacks" for a reason, though different people offer different opinions. Some things need to be rolled, like sleeping pads. There are certain sleeping bags of the family-camp variety that really don't lend themselves to the stuffing technique, need to be rolled, folded or sometimes both in order to squeeze things back into their impossibly small sacks.

For tents, backpacking sleeping bags, hammocks and tarps / fly's I typically employ the grab and stuff technique, gently but effectively. As far as I know, I've never damaged any gear stowing this way, at least for the duration of a trip, usually longer-term (except for sleeping bags).

I've heard / read that folding things like tarps or tents can create unnatural creases in the fabric and eventually wear out the waterproofing treatment at those points, which can lead to leaks and possibly damaging material. Others say that if you fold it a different way each time, then it's less likely to occur. I'm just wondering if this data is old or outdated (Lord knows how long ago I acquired this info) or if anyone has any opinions on this.

-Sap

**Fronkey** · 11-02-2011, 22:28

Roll my hammock, stuff everything else.

Fronkey

**Stormstaff** · 11-02-2011, 22:29

Stuff it all for me

**timabababaluka** · 11-03-2011, 02:11

Tarp, hammock, and turkey--all stuffed.

**Catavarie** · 11-03-2011, 02:20

Hammock - stuff

Sleeping bag I currently use - stuff

Pad I currently use - roll

Tarp - skin

UQ I'm currently DIYing - stuff

TQ I'm currently DIYing - stuff

All items in my pack - stuff

My favorite Thanksgiving side dish - stuffing with cranberry sauce

**Redoleary** · 11-03-2011, 06:03

I stuff fairly everything, Sleeping bag, tarp, hammock, IX UQ, Gar-quilt, my clothes, just about everything except my fleece, which I fold, its quite bulky otherwise.
I typically leave my hammock and UQ fully rigged, and stuff my sleeping bag, hammock and UQ all into one large compression sack.

**mbcruzin** · 11-03-2011, 06:09

Rolling and folding take to long. Stuff it all!

**raiffnuke** · 11-03-2011, 06:10

Stuff it all, except my tarp which is in a python skin.

**scottpash** · 11-03-2011, 06:18

Great ? I have also been doing some thought I how to pack since I will soon have to pack a UQ, TQ, Tarp Hammock etc.... and I would like to keep it all inside my pack

I need to purchase a new pack so I wonder what kinds of packs are all you experienced Hammock campers using to stuff all of this in

I am looking at the Osprey 58 (should work for multi day trips)

**MrClean417** · 11-03-2011, 06:22

Originally Posted by timabababaluka

Tarp, hammock, and turkey--all stuffed.

mmmmmm he said Turkey mmmmmmm

I'm saving up for an underquilt, but I roll up my tarp a bit and pull the snakeskings over it then stuff that then I roll up my BB and jam it back into the bag and I guess I'll roll up the underquilt, stick it in the bag and compress it.

And I need a backpack too, but, I'm not going to be a serious hiker. I just don't have time to get out to a trail and then hike it. Probably just do a night or two somewhere, so, I'm thinking Walmart special. Just something big enough to carry the equipment, foodbag and water.