A lot of standard camping tents can be a pain to put away, but they pale in comparison to their pop-up siblings. While they are super-easy and hassle-free to set up, they are a total nightmare to pack away.
When you want to erect a pop-up tent, all you need to do is take it out of its storage bag and, as if by magic, it will automatically spring into shape in seconds. It’s joyously quick and simple.
But when it's time to fold a pop-up tent away, it’s annoyingly difficult with confusing manoeuvres and complicated instructions – it sometimes feels like you’re wrestling with a slippery beast that doesn’t want to be caged.
But there’s no need to worry. With a little planning and preparation, and a few practice attempts, you’ll quickly learn how to fold up a pop-up tent in the most efficient and correct way. Here’s everything you need to know, including step-by-step instructions, expert tips and handy tricks.
How to fold a pop-up tent – FAQs
What is a pop-up tent?
A pop-up tent is a simple type of tent that springs into shape automatically in a matter of seconds. You don’t have to construct or insert poles, or do anything other than peg out the corners – instead the pitching process is rapid and automatic.
Pop-up tents are usually single-skin (one-layer) shelters, with a simple design only suitable for summer camping and festival trips. They are usually packed away in a storage bag shaped like a large, thin disc.
Why is it important to pack away a pop-up tent correctly?
This is because packing it away correctly will ensure it is stored in a safe, undamaged way, leaving the tent in perfect condition for your next adventure.
Conversely, if you pack away a pop-up tent incorrectly, this can cause big problems. You might bend and misshape the poles, for example, or rip and stretch the tent fabric. These issues will risk damaging the tent’s performance, meaning it won’t be as waterproof or comfortable for future camping trips.
Do all pop-up tents fold up in the same way?
No. While there are often similarities in the folding techniques for different tents, every tent is unique and there may be important differences in how to fold away a different pop-up tent. Therefore it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific tent.
Packing away larger 3-person pop-up tents often involves extra steps with additional folds required, for example, compared to 2-person tents. Some tents also have different types of straps or clips for keeping the folded tent together and compact.
How to fold away a pop-up tent: Step-by-step instructions
Before you start, what do you need to pack away a pop-up tent? Do you need any tools to fold up a pop-up tent? You don’t need any specialist equipment to pack away a pop-up tent, but it will be useful to have a few things to hand including:
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A dry cloth or kitchen roll for mopping up any moisture on the tent
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The tent’s storage bag
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Any additional storage bags such as the tent peg bag
You might also be asking yourself “Can I fold a pop-up tent by myself?” The answer depends on what brand, model and size of tent you have.
Some smaller tents can be packed away by one person on their own, but often it is far easier to have two or more people available for the task. This makes things easier – for example, one person can fold away the tent while the other can hold open the storage bag ready.
Step 1: Prepare your tent for folding
Avoid packing away a wet tent and leave it for weeks in your garage or garden shed. Doing so will risk mould and mildew damaging the tent fabric. Instead, where possible, before packing away your tent, it’s best to:
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Thoroughly allow your tent to dry out naturally in dry, warm, breezy conditions
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Use a dry cloth or kitchen roll to mop up any rain or condensation
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Remove all personal items and any debris (e.g. grass, dust) from the inside of the tent
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If your tent has got muddy during your camping adventures, it would also be wise to thoroughly clean your tent before packing it away (read our full guide on how to clean a tent)
Step 2: Unzip your tent door
If you leave the main tent door closed, then when you try to fold away the tent there’ll be loads of air trapped inside the interior.
This will cause the tent to “inflate” like a balloon and make it impossible to pack it away compactly. Instead you need to fully unzip the door so that any trapped air can seep out naturally.
Step 3: Read your tent instructions
As mentioned above, every pop-up tent works slightly differently, so it’s vital to re-familiarise yourself with the specific folding instructions for your exact tent model.
You can do this by searching for the brand’s written instructions online – although a better strategy is often to watch a tutorial video on YouTube. This will be far more visual and easier to follow.
Note: The instructions from steps 4 to 8 below describe a common way to fold away a pop-up tent, but remember that your specific tent model may work slightly differently – these instructions are only meant as an over-arching guide and overview of the basic principles.
Step 4: Fold the tent into a burrito shape
Pop-up tents usually have four poles visible in a semi-circular shape: one on the ground to the left, one on the ground to the right, and two in the middle forming the roof.
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Grab all four of these poles in one hand. The best way to do this is to grab the centre of the left-hand side pole and move it up towards the roof of the tent until you meet the next pole.
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Now grab both of the two poles in one hand. Continue towards the second roof pole and transfer that into the same hand, so you now have three poles in one hand. Do the same for the right-hand base pole so that you now have four poles all in one hand.
Tip: this will probably all sound quite confusing and it’s difficult to describe accurately and simply – if you’re struggling, watch a YouTube tutorial video and it’ll all become much clearer
Step 5: Flip the tent vertically
Usually with most pop-up tents, the next step is to flip your burrito-shaped tent from a horizontal position to a vertical one, moving it 90 degrees so that it is standing upright.
Keep the four poles secured in one hand, keeping your other hand free for the next manoeuvre. By flipping the tent vertically, you’re preparing it in the correct orientation for step 6 – the most difficult and crucial part of the process.
Step 6: Push down and invert
This is the crux of the whole packing away procedure – it’s the trickiest part of folding away a pop-up tent and it’s the move that requires the most flexibility and skill. So don’t worry if it doesn’t work straight away.
With your spare hand, grab the upper part of the vertical 'burrito' and pull or push downwards towards the ground. This action will fold down and invert the tent, forming a circular shape with the poles lining up neatly.
Sometimes this move involves creating a figure-of-eight of multiple circles, which ultimately will slide on top of each other to create a smaller, more compact circular shape that will fit into the storage bag.
You may need to apply gentle pressure to the tent at this stage to help release any trapped air inside the tent’s interior.
Tips:
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You'll need a firm grip but never be too forceful or aggressive when completing step 6, because this could damage the tent.
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What should you do if your tent is not folding properly? What if my tent won’t fit in the bag? These are common problem people encounter. Patience, persistence, and practice – you’ll get there in the end.
Step 7: Slide strap around the disc
The next step is to ensure the circular disc you’ve created stays securely packed away. Most pop-up tents achieve this task through the use of a stretchy strap, or fabric band, which loops over the centre of the disc and keeps everything taut, tight and secure.
Simply locate the band, move it into place and you’re good to go.
Step 8: Put the tent in its storage bag
All that’s left to do now is slide the giant, circular, thin disc into its storage bag. Do this carefully and then zip up the bag. You’re finished – well done!
Tip: The tent pegs may have their own small storage bag, which you’ll probably need to slide into the main storage bag at the very end of the packing away process.
About the author
James Forrest is one of LFTO and Trail's primary gear testers. Over the years he has spent hundreds of nights in a tent, often wild camping, and has also conducted our best pop-up tents test. You couldn't find anyone more qualified to write this guide.