Chris Pottinger

REI Senior Tent Designer

Chris Pottinger worked for 8 years as a senior tent designer for REI Co-op in Washington state.

Latest Articles

Care and Repair
How to Fix a Tent Pole
98 reviews with an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars
Learn how to fix a broken tent pole in the field and at home.
Care and Repair
How to Waterproof a Tent
374 reviews with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars
If your tent is leaking, it’s time to shore up its waterproofness. Learn how to seal seams, apply urethane coatings and refresh the DWR.
Care and Repair
How to Clean a Tent
328 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars
Properly cleaning your tent will allow you to enjoy many years of happy camping. Learn how in this article.
Care and Repair
How to Store a Tent
231 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars
Storing a tent properly is key to keeping it performing well for years. In this article, we teach you how and where to store your shelter.
Care and Repair
How to Repair a Tent
121 reviews with an average rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars
Learn how to do some simple tent repairs, such as fixing a pole and patching tears, both in the field and at home.
Skills
How to Set Up a Tent
200 reviews with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars
Learn how to select a good campsite and get tips on setting up your footprint, poles, rainfly and guylines when you’re pitching your tent.
Care and Repair
Tent Care Basics
461 reviews with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars
Learn how to extend the life of your tent by proper setup and takedown; also get tips on how to clean, dry, store and restore it at home.