Algonquin Adventures / What do you do with YOUR pockets?

**Posted by Peek** 10/10/2022 9:07 am

Hey AAF!

Not an overly exciting topic, but having just purchased a new tent and while going through my 'initialization process' (removing tags/instructions, adding vent lines, etc.) I wondered...

What do you guys do with your tent pockets?

I never use them - instead, I cut them right out of the tent. It's not for weight saving (obviously), it's just that I never use them - so why keep them in?

I don't use them because I don't like the idea of adding any weight to a tent wall - and in most cases, they are attached to a lower section of the tent wall. Who knows - maybe it's completely fine and my concerns aren't really an issue, but I can't see this being good for the tent in the long run.

Never the less - what do you guys do? Keep them? Ditch them? Use them? Any problems?

Also - Happy Thanksgiving!

**Posted by captainchaos2000** 10/10/2022 9:59 am

I've always found some use for the tent pockets. Great place to store odds and ends for me. Extra flashlight and such. The last tent I bought the tent pockets are purely the screen mesh so not sure how long they will last.

**Posted by MooseWhizzer Dave** 10/10/2022 12:36 pm

I put my flashlight in one and my glasses in the other, and that's it.

**Posted by PaPaddler** 10/10/2022 1:02 pm

My hammock has a "pocket" that slides along the top line inside the hammock - I use it to hold my glasses, headlamp and any loose items from my pockets that I'll want when I wake up.

For tent pockets they were the go-to place to keep eyeglasses safe so they don't get squished in the darkness.

**Posted by RobW** 10/10/2022 5:13 pm

Use them all the time. Really useful for keeping stuff organized in the tent.

**Posted by hiker72** 10/10/2022 6:00 pm

Stuff I put in the pockets... eye glasses, map, kleenex, toque/gloves on the colder trips, TP, stuff sacks (just recently in our new one that has a small gear loft)

Last edited by hiker72 (10/10/2022 6:01 pm)

**Posted by scoutergriz** 10/11/2022 7:32 am

during the day it holds my headlamp and flashlight, at night it holds my glasses and watch...

**Posted by Shayne74** 10/11/2022 7:48 am

I hammock now and use the ridgeline and hanging pocket to store anything I may need through the night or may need to find quickly when I get out . Lights, multi tool, toque etc . When I was still tenting I did prefer a gear loft over side wall pockets . Also like the gear loft lines to hang lantern, wet gear etc .

**Posted by TripperMike** 10/11/2022 8:16 am

That's where I keep my beef jerky, of course.

In all seriousness, I keep tent repair stuff in one of them permanently. Spare mesh/nylon/gear tape and seam sealer in a little ziplock bag. I'll often put my sunglasses in there after sunset so I don't step on them or squish them in a pack (as I have done too many times).

I don't find much other use for them outside of that though.

**Posted by tentsterforever** 10/15/2022 6:15 pm

I always use them, as many here, my glasses and map in one, flashlight and camera in the other, so they are easy to find and grab. I too bought a new tent, this one from overseas, waiting for it to arrive. If it doesn’t have the pockets I’ll sew some into it.

**Posted by ChristineCanoes** 10/16/2022 10:45 am

I keep things I need to be able to find in the middle of the night (like headlamp) and make sure not to overfill them

**Posted by Peek** 10/18/2022 9:44 am

This is why I love this forum. Some really great replies here, and a lot of them just plain old make sense.

So, I've opted to KEEP my tent pockets and use them for my sunglasses, tuque & headlamp. I really like the idea of not having to pat down my entire tent floor in the pitch black at 4am looking for my headlamp while I desperately have to pee.

Thanks guys!

**Posted by MooseWhizzer Dave** 10/18/2022 3:23 pm

In 1980, had I been able to locate my flashlight, I wouldn't have the handle Moosewhizzer. It would be something like WetMyPantsWhenMyFlashlightLitUpTheMoose. That's just entirely too long - so I keep my flashlight in the pocket.

**Posted by Peek** 10/18/2022 4:03 pm

Haha tent pockets saved the Dave!

Both names involve whizz tho.. just depends on yours or the moose.