I went to roll out my tent fly after not using it for a while, and it was all stuck together. With difficulty I was able to unstick it for use, but if I roll it up again it will get stuck again and maybe more so and perhaps rip. I’ve aired and sunned it out on the line for many days. No change. Sticky inside of fly. Help! – Charles Little, Fairfax, Calif.

An interesting problem: Is there any sign of mildew on the tent? Was it packed tightly for a long period of time? It could be that some combination of moisture/warmth/tight packing has caused the polyurethane coating on the fly to deteriorate a little and become semi-liquid, and it’s now gluing itself together. It is my understanding that this was not uncommon in older tents – those made a decade or more ago. If it’s a very uniform stickiness, this could be what happened.

Try this: It could also be something else – something environmental when you last used it. So try this method: Get a big bucket or plastic tub, fill it with warm water and a little Dawn detergent, and sluice the fly around in that for a while. Then rinse it thoroughly and air-dry out of the sun. Maybe some tree residue or something is causing it to stick.

If that doesn’t work, well, you probably have a problem. Depending on the age of the tent – and you seem a little coy on this point – it could be possible for you to order a fly replacement from Sierra Designs.

New tent options: Otherwise, probably time to buy a new tent. Sierra Designs’ Meteor Light ($239) is a classic two-person backpacking tent and a really a great performer. I also like Marmot’s Aeolos 2P ($335), which has two doors and two vestibules for easy in-out and good gear storage. For something a little different, Black Diamond’s Lighthouse ($379), uses a highly water-resistant fabric with Nextec’s Epic treatment so that only one fabric layer is necessary. I’ve been using a Lighthouse this summer and like it a lot.

Pack your fly carefully: I always recommend packing tents loosely in a breathable sack – a cotton pillowcase works great, and most tent makers now include breathable sacks as well. It helps ensure the maximum lifespan of the tent.