UKH

Compressing a tent for a five nights trek, good or bad idea?

Personally I don't see a problem as long as my tent is stored dry, clean and stored in its original sac. Any comments would be welcome.

Thanks. 

None that I could see. 

All my tents are stored compressed into the storage bag.

Never had any issues.  

PS : make sure its dry.

Assuming you're sleeping in the tent for the 5 night trek, it's going to be hard to ensure it's dry each time you pack it. At the very least there will be condensation on the inside and quite possibly rain on the outside. However I don't see compressing it as being a problem, wet or dry. Better to stuff it into a sac than fold it along the same creases each time you pack up - that can lead to weaknesses in the folds over time. If you get a nice sunny day, then stop and lay the tent out and let it dry off.

It's hard enough trekking for five days with camping gear without the tent being larger pack size than necessary.  So compress it for sure.    

I stuff my tent directly into a bag that is lined into my 48L backpack and strap poles onto the side. When I get home I hang it up and air it out for a few days then fold and and store properly. My MSR Hubba Hubba is now more than 10 years old and has shown little signs of wear and tear. I will note that I have used a ground sheet with the tent from the start.

Thanks for the wise words everyone. I've decided to use a compression sac for my tent for the 5 nights which gives me plenty more space in my pack for nice things. I'll also pack the poles on the outside. No need for them to stay dry and take up room.

I never fold, always stuff.  Once home I'll pitch up in garden or the garage if the weather's bad then store in original sac until next time.

Again, thanks for the good comments,

Belle.

Some tents, e.g. the Vango Banshees, are supplied in a compression sac.

Related topic but store at home loose?

I've always stored packed but changed over this year to stuffing into a medium laundry basket. Better to air and allow any moisture to evaporate.

I think as long as properly dried can store in the supplied bag rather than loose - it’s what we’ve always done including cotton tents

I'd advise packing the poles inside the rucksack if possible -- one stumble or brush with a boulder and they could bend or worse. You could protect them (on the outside) with a foam mat if you are using one.

This... my plan was to tuck them behind my roll matt but will try to get them wrapped up in it as well.