Let's be honest, if you're an accident-prone person, a campsite is a minefield of tripping hazards just begging you to sprain an ankle. From hidden canopy legs to picnic benches or those little baggies for storing camping chairs, there are lots of things to trip you up. At the very top of the hazard list, you'll find tent lines. Sometimes called "guylines" or "guyline systems," these long, thin ropes keep your tent from flying away and help maintain its shape. They usually attach to a metal tent stake
that you have to hammer into the earth. Now, the problem lies in how hard they are to see. Probably for the sake of aesthetics, tent lines come in black, grey, or camouflaging khaki brown more often than highly visible neon colors. Here's where pool noodles come in handy.
Not only are these foam flotation favorites extra cushiony, but they also come in bold colors like hot pink, lime green, or safety vest orange. After all, how often do you see black pool noodles? Simply thread the tent line through the hole in the center of the noodle and then stake the line down and you can finally see those sneaky little ropes. If you've already tied down your lines, cut open a section of the pool noodle lengthwise and slip it over the rope. It's a matter of choice, but you'll likely need half a pool noodle per tent line, so this set of six pool noodles will cover your bases.
Read more: Avoid The Hassle Of Checking Luggage With Samantha Brown's Space-Saving Hacks
Other Pool Noodle Camping Hacks You Need To Know
Of all the DIY camping hacks that will instantly improve your outdoor adventure, pool noodles might be the most versatile. In fact, your run-of-the-mill floaty might be even more useful than this TikToker's coffee hack for camping mosquito-free. A simple search of Reddit reveals at least a dozen different camping hacks to optimize your camping experience with a pool noodle.
One ingenious hack involves using a pool noodle to prevent rainwater from forming a puddle on top of your canopy. If done correctly, it will prevent your canopy from collapsing during a downpour. At each corner, shove a pool noodle between the frame and the canopy. The noodle helps stretch the fabric, creating a taut surface in place of a saggy dip. The water will roll right off instead of forming a mini swimming pool, keeping you and your camping setup dry.
Foam pool noodles can also be used to protect sharp or fragile objects. For example, if you're traveling with a fishing rod to some of America's best fishing spots hidden in Florida or another state, slice a pool noodle from end to end and nestle your rod inside. This is also a good way to keep the lines on multiple fishing poles from getting tangled together.
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Read the original article on Islands.
