Storing CF tarps

**Nighthauk** · 11-19-2013, 11:32

Hey guys just wanted to ask a question. A couple of days ago. I saw someone state that you do not want to have crinkles in your tarp when you store it. For example I have a CF 4season tarp. I also have a full length sleeve for it. Do I A: roll the tarp up so that it is smooth or B: just pull the sleeve over it as it goes through and however it goes in it goes it. C: it doesn't matter. What are your thoughts on this?

**OutandBack** · 11-19-2013, 12:31

I also read Dutches comment on rolling to prevent crinkles.
I store all my tarps in sleeves including my CF will probably continue to.

**lostagain** · 11-19-2013, 12:41

You know I honestly never thought of it. I usually just bag the tarp in whatever stuff sack it came in and chuck it in a drawer of a filing cabinet i use for larger items to store. But it would make sense to not store it with wrinkles as, long term, it might cause a degradation in the DWR coating (if it has one).

Now I'll have to visit my storage shed and hang my tarps out with the stuff sacks attached.

**Mumbles** · 11-20-2013, 02:54

I roll mine, slide into mesh skins and fan fold to stuff in the sack. That is what I was told to do.

**Fixxr5** · 11-20-2013, 05:39

I roll it up around my CRL, tuck the guy lines in while rolling, pull the skins together when finished. I don't worry about creases, if you fold or roll them up neatly, you still get creases. I found mesh easier to handle than cuben fiber when loaded. I fold the skins up and strap it on the outside of my pack.
If you really hate creases, get a cordless iron and press them out on deployment. Oh yeh, get a set of lithium ion batteries, they will save a few ounces.

**Nighthauk** · 11-20-2013, 07:08

Lol. Trust me I am no neat freak, so I think I will leave the iron at home. I also would like to give my tarp the best chance at longevity too. Thanks for the input. I think I will do some more research on this just for piece of mind.

**Suede** · 11-20-2013, 07:19

I am not the authority but I go under the same premise that I had for tents which is to not fold and have the same creases repeatedly which can cause degradation along that crease. Having said that, I wrap around ridge line first then into the snake skins only because it's easier. I generally store for longer durations just stuffed in a stuff sack with skins pulled back.

**Dead Man** · 11-20-2013, 08:27

Tagging for interest as I have a new CF Tarp on it's way to me now.

We need some CF afficionados to weigh in on this. Commissioner Gordan, get me Dutch, Stormcrow and Shug. Stat!

**Dutch** · 11-20-2013, 08:43

I use to crinkle and cram like a sil tarp. Then one time I was hiking with Srormcrow and he showed me to roll it up. While it was still hanging from the ridgeline he rolled it up from the bottom and then rolled that coil up. My tarp has all the crinkle marks and it became more fabric-like because of that. It just made sense that repeated crumbling will weaken the CF. CF tarp is considerable investment. And sil doesn't show marks where is was folded and creased. I don't have any scientific proof but I think rolling caused less crinkles and repeated crinkles has to weaken it. SO now Stormcrow's way is how I roll.
Now WV on the other hand just stuffs it in a stuff sack, but his tarp is full of patches. But that may be from use.

My 2 cents

**hangnout** · 11-20-2013, 09:09

Originally Posted by Dutch

I use to crinkle and cram like a sil tarp. Then one time I was hiking with Srormcrow and he showed me to roll it up. While it was still hanging from the ridgeline he rolled it up from the bottom and then rolled that coil up.......

I have had a cuben tarp since 2007 that I have stored the way described above. The tarp has not had any issues.