Tips for Prolonging the Life of Your Tent Poles
Camping Hacks: Do You Know the Right Way to Store Your Gear?
In this series, we share tips and tricks to make camping more convenient and comfortable. Outdoor professionals and seasoned campers reveal their tried-and-true methods for maintaining gear. This time, we’re focusing on how to properly store tent poles to extend their lifespan. Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of your camping equipment.
Have You Been Maintaining the Shock Cord in Your Tent Poles?
Tents are essential for overnight outdoor adventures, which is why many campers invest in high-quality gear and take great care of it. However, tents are exposed to harsh natural elements like wind and rain, and without proper maintenance, they can easily get damaged.
One common issue is the wear and tear of the shock cord (elastic cord) inside the tent poles. Over time, the cord can stretch and lose tension, leading to pole failure. Here are some everyday tips to help you keep your tent poles in great shape for as long as possible.
What Campers Say About Shock Cord Wear and Tear
To help your tent poles last longer, store them the right way! Many campers fold their poles haphazardly after a trip, but this can cause unnecessary strain on the shock cord.
For example, do you fold your poles starting from one end? This is actually not recommended. The correct method is to fold the pole from the middle, as shown in the photo.
Next, fold it again to make it compact. Folding from the ends can stretch the shock cord unevenly, causing the rubber inside to wear out faster. Over time, this can lead to the cord breaking.
While the rubber in shock cords will naturally degrade over time, you can significantly extend its life by folding the poles correctly. Depending on the type of pole, it may not always be possible to fold it exactly in half, but try to fold it as close to the middle as possible to distribute the force evenly (Ushida).
What If Your Tent Pole Breaks? Learn How to Fix It Yourself!
Even if you’re careful, tent poles can still bend or break. But don’t throw them away just yet! You can easily repair them by replacing the damaged sections.
Here’s a handy trick for when you’re in a pinch:
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Secure the Shock Cord: Use a chopstick or similar tool to hold the shock cord on the opposite side of the broken pole. This prevents the cord from tangling inside the pole as you disassemble it.
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Remove the Cord: Pull the cord out from the end of the pole and untie the knot. If the knot is tight, use pliers or a similar tool to help loosen it.
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Disassemble the Pole: Remove the fastener (in this case, a washer) and take apart each section of the pole. Replace the damaged section with a new one.
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Reassemble the Pole: Thread the shock cord through the other sections of the pole, then reattach the fastener and tie the knot back in place.
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Secure the Knot: To prevent the fastener from loosening, tie a figure-eight knot or similar at the end.
Some manufacturers and outdoor stores offer repair services, but if the fix is simple, you can do it yourself. Repairing or replacing parts of your camping gear allows you to keep using it for as long as possible.
The More You Use Your Gear, the More You’ll Love It
The more you camp, the more attached you become to your gear. That’s why it’s important to maintain it properly and avoid throwing it away prematurely. In addition to the tent pole storage tips mentioned here, make sure to care for all your camping equipment the right way.
On days when you can’t go camping, why not take some time to properly maintain your gear? A little care goes a long way in ensuring your equipment lasts for many adventures to come.
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