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Dec 10, 2023

How to Repair Tent Poles

Step by step guide for all your tent pole repair needs. Learn how to replace shock cords and splint broken or bent poles at home or in the field. By Meg Carney | Updated Feb 1, 2023 9:41 AM EST We may

Step by step guide for all your tent pole repair needs. Learn how to replace shock cords and splint broken or bent poles at home or in the field.

By Meg Carney | Updated Feb 1, 2023 9:41 AM EST

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Even the sturdiest tents need repairs sometimes, and one of the most common tent repairs is the poles. If you want to prolong the life of your tent, proper tent maintenance can help, but knowing how to fix or replace broken pieces will help too.

We will cover how to fix broken tent poles when you are on the trail and when you are at home. While repair work tends to be easier at home with access to tools and other materials, packing a repair kit and knowing how to use it will keep your shelter intact for the remainder of your trip.

Even poles from the best camping tents can break from user error, general wear and tear, accidents, or even manufacturer defects. The biggest tent pole fix I’ve ever had was when I crashed while bikepacking. My poles were rolled up in my sleeping pad attached to my bike, and the crash broke a few of the poles along with the shock cord.

Talk about a crash course in tent pole repair! I had to replace the shock cord on the fly and fix a few poles.

Luckily, I was close to camp, and I had a repair kit so I could fix them that night. Having a repair kit with you while camping, backpacking, or hunting can ensure that you stay warm, dry, and protected for the remainder of the trip.

The two main tent pole repairs you may run into are:

The type of tent pole you have significantly influences the durability, how you perform repairs, and what needs to be fixed most often.

Tent poles can be made from:

What to include in a tent pole repair kit:

Other items like a lighter, multi-tool, and even super glue can come in handy for tent pole repairs, but these are likely items you already have packed for other purposes.

We recommend having a complete nylon tent repair kit if you’re packing a repair kit. These include items for tent pole repair and mesh screen and fabric patches. Buying a premade repair kit can work, but double check it has the proper size tent sleeves, ferrules, and long enough cord.

It is easiest to repair a tent shock cord at home when you have access to more tools, but it can also be done in camp. If you are at home, here are the items you need to replace your tent pole’s shock cord:

Whether the elastic cord has just worn out with time or broke, replacing it is relatively easy. Most tent poles will have the same diameter shock cord, but they require different lengths. Once you have a replacement card, start by following these steps:

The process you follow to replace a shock cord when hiking or camping is essentially the same as at home. We recommend having most of what you need to replace the cord with you in a repair kit, but you may need to improvise a little.

For instance, if you have a multi-tool, you can use a knife to cut the cord instead of scissors. You may also be able to use the pliers on your tool to clamp the cord in place.

If all else fails and you do not even have an extra shock cord, you can use a string or nothing at all. I’ve gotten by with no shock cord in my tent poles for a night or two in a pinch. It makes for some extra difficulty when setting up the tent, but it should stay in place through the night once it is set up.

While it may seem more dramatic to have a tent pole break versus the shock cord, it is an easier in-field fix. A tent pole break has a few temporary fixes meant to sustain you until you have a chance to replace that section of the tent pole.

All you need to have to repair a broken or bent tent pole is:

Splinting tent poles works best when the pole breaks away from connecting points. You can splint the ends of two poles together, making it harder to carry.

Whether you have a surprise repair due to an accident like I did, or your tent poles just need a little extra love to last longer, tent pole repairs can be made easy with a bit of practice and the proper repair equipment. If there is one piece of advice we can give folks, it is to be prepared. Packing a repair kit with you is the best way to ease the stress of damaged equipment on the trail. Hopefully, you won’t have to use it, but you’ll be ready if you do.

Carbon fiber tent poles are among the best materials for tent poles because of their durability and ultralight construction. Many professional guides and outdoor athletes use them, but they have a high price point. Aluminum alloy tent poles are far more affordable while still being durable, lightweight, and flexible. They hold up well in most conditions, but they will corrode quickly if you camp or travel near saltwater. If you look strictly for durability, steel tent poles will be the strongest. They are very heavy and don’t work well if you carry your gear.

Yes, you can buy replacement tent poles. Most tent manufacturers sell replacement poles if you cannot fix a broken tent pole effectively or want to replace the one you’ve splinted. There are also universal poles sold, but make sure they are the same materials and length. You can buy a whole set or individual sections.

Yes, local gear shops or large retail shops may repair tent poles or have replacement parts in stock. Contact a local outdoor gear store to learn more about their services. Many backpacking tents have some kind of repair or replacement tent pole program. If you have an MSR brand tent, tent pole repairs fall under a limited lifetime warranty and can be replaced. Other tent brands may have repair policies and warranties, and we recommend contacting the tent company directly to see if they can repair or replace the tent pole.

A tent pole sleeve is often provided with your tent and is the fastest way to repair a broken or bent tent pole. It is meant to be a quick fix on the trail until you can get back to a place for a permanent fix or replacement of the pole. It can also be called a splint and looks like a short tube that fits over the broken area of the pole to make it usable again.

Use your tent poles or the old shock cord to measure the appropriate length. Always measure slightly longer than the tent poles and shorten it later. If you are using the old shock cord as a guide, be careful not to cut it too long or short. If the elasticity of the old cord is gone, it won’t be easy to get a proper measurement, and using the poles might be easier.

Author of the Outdoor Minimalist and host of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, Meg Carney, has been an outdoor and environmental writer for over six years. After studying communication arts and literature in Duluth, Minnesota, she pursued various outdoor-industry jobs that eventually led her to her current career in freelance writing.

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