Essential Tapes for Your Next Outdoor Adventure

Many people enjoy camping, but roughing it in the woods can leave you vulnerable. If your tent tears, the last thing you want to do is hunt down a replacement while rain is pouring down.

Come prepared with a tool kit of tape to handle any unpleasant surprises. Duct tape is essential, but there are plenty of other tapes you might also want on hand. As an expert in the tape industry, Tape Jungle has all the tapes you need to make your camping experience a smooth one.

General Camping Uses for Tape

Tape is an easy and effective solution for several common camping issues.

Repairing Tents and Tarps

A tear or hole in your tent can allow in bugs and moisture that can ruin your day. It also compromises the integrity of the fabric and can lead to further tears.

Tape is a quick solution. Duct tape is a common choice, but vinyl tape also works well for patching holes or tears. You may also want to consider gaffer tape. It can reinforce tent seams and prevent issues before they happen. This tape stands up nicely to the weather as well.

Another option is strong and versatile scrim tape. It uses woven fabric with a coating that makes it resistant to tears and stretching. It also stands up to various temperatures and is easy to work with. Scrim tape secures tightly and is flexible.

Nylon tape is another winner. Woven nylon fibers produce a strong, abrasion-resistant product. It resists hot and cold temperatures and is perfect for outdoor use. This tape is ideal for binding, reinforcement, and strapping.

Regardless of the tape you choose, patching a hole or tear is a fairly simple process:

1. Clean the area: Clean the area around the tear with rubbing alcohol. This will help remove any debris that could keep the tape from creating a secure seal. Make sure to completely dry the area after cleaning.
2. Prepare the tape: Cut the tape slightly larger than the hole or tear. For holes, trim the tape into a circle. This will help reduce peeling.
3. Apply the tape: Once the area is dry and you have your patch ready, press it firmly in place and ensure it covers the entire hole or tear. If you can lay the fabric on a hard surface, it will be easier to apply the patch. To reinforce the area, add a patch to the inside as well. This is especially important for areas that may be under a lot of stress, such as near a pole.
4. Let the tape cure: If possible, let the repair sit for a day before you use the tent again. This will ensure good adhesion and help make the repair more durable.

Securing Gear and Supplies

Tape is also a great tool for keeping your tools and gear organized. Many tapes have writable surfaces, so they're great for creating labels.

Try categorizing your gear and storing it in plastic bins. Then, tear off a piece of tape, stick it to the outside of the bin, and label what kind of gear is inside so you can easily identify the contents.

Tape is also handy for securing items together or organizing items that have multiple parts. For example, you can secure all your hot dog forks together to make them easier to carry, and you can tape all your spoons into one bundle so you don't lose them. A good choice for this would be gaffer tape. It removes cleanly, so you won't have to worry about residue.

Safety and Emergency Uses

Being outside is exhilarating, but it also can be dirty and dangerous. If you or someone in your party suffers an injury, it is essential to have some basic first aid supplies on hand. While you certainly can buy special medical tapes, it is often cheaper and easier to just use duct tape or some other type of multiple purpose safety tape.

Tape for First Aid

Tape is also great for securing bandages in place. Just cover the injury in gauze and place the tape over it to keep it in place.

Do be aware that some people's skin may be sensitive to certain types of tape or adhesives, so be cautious about applying it directly to the skin. It may be best to wrap the entire area in gauze and then apply tape to prevent direct skin contact.

You can also create a splint with wood pieces and tape to stabilize a broken arm or leg:

1. Gather two straight sticks that are about the length of the injured appendage.
2. Place them on either side of the arm or leg.
3. Wrap the limb and sticks with gauze or fabric to provide padding.
4. Tape the sticks to the arm or leg. You do not need to apply the tape along the entire length. Just secure the sticks at the top and bottom. Make sure you don't wrap it too tightly.

You can also create a sling if the person has broken their arm:

1. Use the tape to create a triangle large enough to contain the person's entire arm.
2. Add a strip of tape down the middle of the triangle from the top point to the middle of the base.
3. Flip the triangle over and apply more tape to cover the existing tape so it isn't sticky.
4. Place the person's arm on the middle line with the top point at the elbow.
5. Draw up each of the side points and use another piece of tape to create the strap that will go around the neck and connect to each point. A sling should elevate the fingers slightly, so keep that in mind when adding the neck strap.

Tape can be used in a few other health emergencies:

• To remove a splinter, apply tape over it, smooth it down, and pull it up.
• Place tape over a tick to remove it.
• Use a strip of tape on your nose to protect it from the sun or frostbite.
• Wrap fingers and toes to insulate them in cold weather.
• Put tape on the back of the ankle or other areas on the foot to discourage blisters from forming.

Marking Trails and Campsites

Specialty tapes, such as barrier, glow-in-the-dark, or reflective tape, can help keep you safe when camping in a more rugged landscape. Low-light conditions can lead to people getting lost while hiking in the wilderness or failing to notice drop-offs and other hazards. Making use of marking tapes can make things a bit more safe.

You can mark tents, gear, and vehicles with glow-in-the-dark or reflective tape so that all party members can easily identify where they are. You should also consider doing this for tent stakes or anything that could pose a trip or fall hazard.

Barrier tape is perfect for marking the edges of your camp. It can be a great way to prevent anyone from wandering into dangerous areas outside the camp.

Fluorescent or glow-in-the-dark tape is also useful for marking zipper pulls or pockets in a tent to allow for easier use in the dark. You may even want to consider putting this tape on your flashlights so they are easy to find once the sun goes down.

Waterproofing and Weatherproofing

One of the easiest products to help waterproof and weatherproof your camping gear is tape. Many types of tape are waterproof and can withstand extreme temperatures. This means it will stay in place and remain functional even when the elements are harsh, which is exactly what you need in the great outdoors.

Sealing Leaks

Waterproof tapes are the best choice for tent seams that start to leak or other items that may be exposed to moisture. Duct tape is a common solution for shoes that develop holes, for example. Just make sure that you confirm the tape is waterproof before you buy it. Not every tape has this quality.

Duct tape is incredibly versatile, so it is often a go-to choice. But other tapes, such aselectrical tape, can also work depending on your needs. You also want to consider the tape's flexibility and other features that may work best for your situation.

Protecting Against the Elements

Water isn't the only element tape can protect against. If your tent has air conditioning or a heater, tape can seal holes or tears that would let in the cold or heat (or let it out).

However, it's important to take care of weatherproofing before you need it. You should always check your gear before heading out on a camping trip and tape everything up while it's nice and dry. This will help to ensure the best seal from the tape.

Creative Uses for Outdoor Activities

Tape has so many uses, and campers have come up with creative ways to take advantage of it.

Setting Up Camp

As mentioned, you can use tape to keep all of your supplies organized and to mark off camp boundaries. But did you know you can make almost anything with duct tape?

Everyone has gotten to a campsite and realized they had forgotten something at home. Did you forget spoons? Make some from duct tape. Are your oven mitts missing? Create a new pair with tape (just make sure the tape can withstand high temperatures).

DIY Camping Hacks

There are so many innovative ways to use tape to make your life easier:

• Consider using electrical or gaffer tape to create hangers for your hiking poles.
• Use tape to make some rope in a pinch. However, be aware this isn't an intended use for tape, so it is not a good idea to use it in place of towing or climbing ropes.
• Close up packages with tape or use it to bind your food so you can hang it from a tree and keep animals out of your camp.
• Grab some double-sided tape and make a DIY fly strip.
• Take some nonadhesive barrier tape with you on hikes and use it to mark your trail so you don't get lost. Just tie a small amount to trees or branches as you walk. Remove it on your way back to avoid littering.
• Bring disposable tablecloths and tape them to the table for a more sanitary eating area.
• Keep some waterproof tape handy in case your water bottle springs a leak.

Vinyl Fabric Fixes and Patching for Campers

While duct tape often gets a lot of attention, vinyl tape is just as versatile. Plus, it is more durable and can be a long-term solution, whereas duct tape wears out quicker and may require more frequent replacement.

Vinyl tape also has a long shelf life, so you can put it in your gear and use it for years. You can write on it, and it is resistant to sun, water, fungus, bacteria, oil, chemicals, abrasion, and rupture. This tape can create a moisture barrier, and it is flexible enough to conform to many surfaces. Vinyl tape comes in a variety of colors too, which makes it a nice choice for color-coding.

Some camper and RV retailers recommend that buyers use vinyl tape to repair and reinforce pop-up camper tops. Vinyl tape works very well for areas under tension, such as around rivets and moving parts. You can also use this tape on RV awnings or other fabric-based equipment.

Wrapping Up Your Camping Trip With Duct Tape

Tape is a valuable part of your camping gear, great for emergency repairs and reinforcing your gear to avoid said emergencies. Duct tape is a great all-around choice, but you should also check out options, such as vinyl, gaffer, and electrical tape.

Tape Jungle has all these tapes and more. Questions or comments? Send them our way and learn more about our tape, other products, and special offers. You can also follow Tape Jungle on social media for the latest news and outdoor tape tips, and share your own camping tape hacks.