Travel Guides Outdoor Adventures
Kyli Rodriguez-Cayro
Creating the ultimate backpacking checklist? A reliable tent for your next camping adventure is one of the most essential items to have before you hit the trails. Tents are designed to protect you from the elements, insects, and wildlife, as well as provide you with a little bit of privacy (and warmth in colder months). As an essential item, every hiker dreads hearing the sound of a branch snagging and tearing their tent’s fabric. Fortunately, you can use a handful of simple supplies to repair a ripped tent, including tape, mesh, and sealant.
Fixing your tent before a tear becomes a bigger problem can save you both time and money. Even a minor rip or hole in your tent can become a major inconvenience, with the possibility of putting a full-on halt to your backpacking trip if not quickly addressed. Not to mention, forking out money for a new tent can leave a dent in your wallet. The most popular tent repair items are affordable, simple to use, and reliable for when any mishaps occur while on the go.
How to fix different types of holes in your tent
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While some nature nomads swear by regular duct tape, tent repair tapes are specifically designed to be fabric-friendly and waterproof, helping your tent withstand tumultuous weather. These specialty tapes are cheap yet effective. When applying tent repair tape, like Gorilla waterproof patch and seal tape, lay the tent on a flat surface, pull together the rip as tightly as possible, and then tape the tear. To fix mesh screens that have a rip, you can use a stick-on transparent mesh patch that will allow you to still stargaze while keeping out pesky bugs.
What’s more, another common product you can use to mend a tear in a tent is a seam sealer. Per their name, these water-resistant sealants work to repair any rips along the seam of your tent. To properly apply a seam sealer, find a dry spot where you can set your tent. Next, gently clean the area surrounding the rip, and then use the application brush that comes with the sealer to fix the rip before letting it dry completely. GEAR AID is a popular brand among hikers that makes both affordable sealants and mesh patches. Regardless of the products you use, each solution will be around a $10 fix.
What to do if you can’t fix your tent
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Depending on the severity of the tear, your trail repairs may only provide a temporary solution. If you don’t have the expertise to correctly mend your tent for future trips, there are experts who can do it for you. Gear repair shops can fix everything from complicated tears to bent or cracked tent beams. Some shops will even spruce up other types of damaged backpacking equipment, such as hiking boots, sleeping bags, and jackets.
If your tent is unsalvageable, you’ll need to part ways with your trusted trail mate. Purchasing a new tent is a worthy investment, especially if you backpack on the regular. Or, if it’s still functional but you don’t plan on taking frequent trips to the great outdoors, you could simply opt to buy a tarp or canopy to provide coverage over your tent. While this setup may work a few times, tears will typically worsen with time. Fixing the holes or purchasing a new tent are simpler solutions than relying on a “tarp-over-tent” setup. Overall, by learning the basics of tent repair and packing the correct items to do so, you’ll be prepared to fix your tent if it’s damaged while camping. Even if it’s only a temporary solution, a quick tent fix may be the difference between a successful camping trip and a cold, wet, or buggy one.
