Gear Care & Repair

Person carefully applying seam sealer to a tent fly outdoors

Your tent is an investment in your outdoor safety and comfort. Treat it poorly, and the waterproof coatings will delaminate. Treat it well, and it will shelter you for decades. Here is how to keep your gear in peak condition.

The Golden Rule: Never Pack It Wet (For Long)

Mildew is the nemesis of tent fabrics. It destroys the polyurethane (PU) waterproof coatings and leaves a foul smell that is nearly impossible to remove. If you must break camp in the rain, stuff the wet tent into your pack, but as soon as you get home or to a sunny spot, pitch it or hang it up until completely bone dry.

Cleaning Your Tent

Never put a tent in a washing machine; the agitator will destroy the mesh and sheer the fabrics. Instead:

  1. Pitch the tent in your yard.
  2. Use a soft sponge, lukewarm water, and a non-detergent soap (like Tech Wash).
  3. Gently wipe down dirty areas.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with a hose and let air dry completely in the shade (UV light degrades nylon over time).

Seam Sealing & Zippers

Over time, factory seam tape can peel. If your tent starts leaking at the seams, remove the old tape and apply a liquid seam sealer matched to your fabric (silicone-based for silnylon, urethane-based for PU-coated fabrics).

Zippers fail because dirt and grit act like sandpaper on the slider. Keep them clean by brushing them with an old toothbrush, and occasionally lubricate them with a specialized dry zipper lube.