Packing up Switch Kite

[marlboroughman]

Think you got it backwards. It's actually better to roll it loosely.

If you mean roll it loosely, not bend it, not put it in a bag, yes. But if you bend it and put it in a bag and your kite looks like a dog ate it, I just told you why. And if you talking about not bending it, there is no difference if you roll it round or fold it into pleats.

[Teabageppo]

Far out ?

[dylan*]

I'm not sure where you're getting your info from that folding kites doesn't weaken them, I've seen kites with creases in them. It takes a few years but they will show up if you fold them in the same spot every time.

[keegster17]

so what's the verdict?

[marlboroughman]

Folding kites in pleats doesn't create creases only the final folding in three to fit it in the bag does. The final three fold is the killer when the kite was rolled round. Experiment with one kite one way and the second one the other, you will see.

[Faxie]

I don't really see a difference between rolling and pushing it flat, or folding. Folded my kites in the beginning, can't be bothered by it anymore and roll them by the LE.

[jeromeL]

I found even the Elements are not easy to pack in their bags when new, leading edge is very stiff but they soon loosen up.

My new GP was also super hard to pack at first because material was so stiff.

Regarding technique I agree that it's slightly different if you roll from wingtip.
But like marlboroughman said, it's easier on delta shape if you fold the wingtip over first strut then roll or fold. Folding over the first strut (1 or 2) fold also has advantage that you can line up your battens with strut if you have any. You don't want those to be misalign, my friend puncture his canopy with battens by packing his kite incorrectly.
I usually do a couple of loose fold to get though battens then I roll.