“We’ve found that duct tape is not a perfect solution for anything. But with a little ingenuity, in a pinch, it’s an adequate solution for just about everything,” said Jamie Hyneman, one of the creative and whacky masterminds behind MythBusters.
When it comes to camping, he couldn’t be more right. Duct tape should be in every backpacker’s survival kit and every camper’s toolbox. Here are 15 uses for duct tape. When the time comes, you’ll be glad you have it.
Repair a Tear
Duct tape is a temporary tear fix in nearly any situation, whether it’s your tent, a camping chair, a tarp or your sleeping bag that’s in need of repair. Put a strip of duct tape on the front and back of the ripped item for extra reinforcement.
Make a Rope
Though this shouldn’t be your first option, twisted duct tape can substitute for a non-load bearing rope in the case that you left yours at home. For a thin rope, simply coil two long pieces of tape together. Use more pieces for added thickness.
Seal Packages of Food
Use duct tape to close packages of food when you leave your campsite or go to bed. Curious animals are attracted to crumbs and scents, so keep everything closed up tight with a strip of duct tape.
Temporary Sprained Ankle Wrap
Duct tape can be used to support a sprained or rolled ankle when you’re far from a hospital. Learn how to properly tape your ankle in this video.
Fly Trap
If your campsite has more flies than you can handle swatting, hang a strip of duct tape somewhere in your campsite and wait for the pesky insects to stick to it. The best place for this is near the food, where the flies are likely to gather.
Create a Spear Fishing Pole
Want to catch a fish, but don’t have a pole? Tape your knife to a long stick, and create a spear fishing pole. Be sure the tape is wrapped tight and thick before trying to catch anything.
Keep Your Tent Closed
A busted zipper lets in the cold and bugs as your tent door flaps in the wind. Hold the door down with duct tape, and deal with your broken zipper at home.
Make a Windbreaker
If the wind picks up in your campsite, tape a few sturdy trash bags together and hang them on the side of your pop up shelter for a windbreaker wall. Tape the windbreaker to the poles of your shelter so it doesn’t blow in the wind, which would defeat the purpose.
Cover a Blister
Hiking with a blister is painful, especially if you’re trekking for miles at a time. Cover the affected, or potentially affected, area with duct tape to avoid any further pain.
Fix Your Glasses
If your glasses break straight down the middle, use duct tape to put them back together. Simply wrap a thin strip of tape a few times around for a quick and easy fix.
Mark a Trail
If you’re hiking in unfamiliar territory, with few trail markers, make your own. But, don’t leave them on the trees; take each strip off as you find your way back.
Fix a Broken Tent or Fishing Pole
A broken tent or fishing pole should be replaced or fixed in a shop. While at the campsite, however, use duct tape for a temporary remedy. The tape will hold for a few days so you can still make use of the items when you need them most.
Keep Your Tablecloth On
On an especially blustery day your tablecloth will blow around the campsite. Tape the sides down to keep it on the table.
Fix a Leaky Water Bottle
Place a thick strip of duct tape over a crack in your water bottle. Reinforce the patch with two or three strips to be sure no water leaks on you or in your backpack.
Keep the Cold Out
Wrap duct tape around the seams of your tent windows. On an especially cold night, this will help keep as much of the chill outside as possible.
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