Originally Posted: August 2025
If you spend a lot of nights in the mountains, you stand a good chance of suffering a broken tent pole. I’ve personally experienced broken poles on two occasions due to severe windstorms. Nowadays, most quality backpacking tents come with an emergency repair splint to deal with this situation, but they are also readily available from outdoor stores such as REI. These simple 5-inch-long aluminum tubes allow you to repair a pole and get through your trip.
.
After several years of carrying a 13mm splint in my mountain pouch, I realized that it is good for at least two other purposes besides tent pole repair.
- For one, it’s a great place to store some duct tape. Two separate wraps of conventional 2-inch-wide tape fit nicely side-by side on a splint. I can store 3 feet of tape this way.
- For another, it’s a great place to store AAA batteries. Three batteries fit perfectly end-to-end inside a 13mm splint. To keep them secured, I put a small turn of duct tape on each end and pinch it off. (Although I haven’t tried it, I think three AA batteries will fit inside a 16mm splint.)
.
.
Are there other uses? I’m sure there are. If you have any clever ideas, feel free to send me an email. I will present them here and give you credit.
…
<<< ————– >>>
Return to Trailcat Tips homepage
Return to Gear Reviews, Packing Lists & Trailcat Tips homepage