Good backpackers and land stewards follow the “Leave No Trace” principles and will camp on stable surfaces as much as possible. However, these areas can act as sandpaper over time, eroding the tent’s fabric. A puncture from a root or rock causes a hole in your tent floor, which can be tough to repair. A footprint functions as a second skin, establishing an extra barrier to protect your tent’s flooring. This product is a low-cost, lightweight piece of equipment that may drastically improve your outdoor experience. One of its purposes is to protect your tent’s bottom from abrasion.
Your tent’s foundation or flooring will create a lot of friction between the soil, snow, rock, wood, or whatever material you’re camping on as you move around inside it. This friction can damage waterproof layers, develop holes, and wear out your tent more quickly. In this article, we will look more closely at what this equipment can do for your camping setup and why they’re well worth it.
Tent Footprint:Is It Worth it?
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Yes, purchasing and having one is a good idea, especially if you camp on rocky terrain with a high probability of rough edges. Sharp branches are also a problem in areas where there is a lot of fallen trees and wood. If you camp and backpack frequently and want your tent to last for years, a footprint is worth considering. This may be determined by your needs and financial constraints. However, we recommend purchasing a tent footprint because It’s an efficient approach that can protect and secure your tent.
If you think you’ll need a footprint, even on a trip-by-trip basis, buy one at the same time as the tent, or the very least during the same season. It’s because a lot of tent models come and go quickly. Year after year, manufacturers adjust and tweak the size of recurring models and their accompanying footprint. As time goes by, the chances of finding a perfect one to match an older tent decrease.
Reasons Why You Need A Footprint
1. It prolongs your tent’s life
With 90% of tents now having a sewn-in groundsheet, purchasing a footprint has never been more crucial. Protect your new tent from damage and abrasion from loose rocks and branches – think of it like getting a screen protector or cover for your new phone – it’s better to be safe than sorry! Accidents can happen even with the best intentions and greatest care, so it’ll pay off, in the long run, to provide your tent with as much protection as possible from the start.
2. For extra protection
Few campgrounds are as smooth or as lawn-like as we would want. While most of us accept the existence of the occasional roots, stone, or branch under our tent as part of the camping experience. If you’re setting up your tent camp, make sure to look around your pitch for sharp rocks, twigs, and branches that could disrupt your sleep and inflict damage to your tent floor. As a solution, make use of a footprint to increase resilience and protect the bottom of your tent. It’s recommended to have a footprint especially if your tent is lightweight because it is more susceptible to puncture.
The fundamental feature of a tent footprint is that it “takes one for the team” by adding an extra layer of protection. It will also serve as a barrier against mud, so you won’t have to clean the base or wait for it to dry when it’s time to put your tent away. The footprint can be folded and washed after you get home. The expense of replacing it is low, but the cost of repairing your tent is substantially greater.
3. Adds extra warmth
Installing a footprint inside your tent will provide an additional layer, lifting you somewhat off the ground and reducing heat loss. When camping, people grossly underestimate how much body heat can be lost in this manner. With a better sleep mat or air bed, you will have a more comfortable sleep. When you’re out camping, the majority of your heat is lost to the ground, thus leaving a footprint will help keep you warm.
4. More waterproofing
The foundation or the flooring of your tent is most likely the section where it is prone to leakage. The reason behind this is because the weight of the individuals inside the tent and their belongings doubles the amount of water pressure on the tent’s fabric. A hydrostatic head is a measurement of the force that fabric can endure before letting water in. A tent must have a sufficient amount of hydrostatic head because pressure points can be created from regions such as your elbows and knees.
While most footprints are more waterproof than tent walls, under exceptionally wet conditions, this isn’t enough to keep water from seeping through the floor. A tent footprint is essential in offering an additional layer of waterproofing that will keep you and your camping buddies dry no matter how damp the ground is. A footprint will substantially help keep the interior of your tent dry.
5. Insulation
The amount of heat loss can be reduced by adding another layer on the ground. Adding this product as a second layer will help to keep it warmer. If you’re planning a winter camping vacation, bringing this product on your camping trip might help you get a better night’s sleep.
6. Less hassle in packing away
If the camping grounds are wet throughout your stay, the sewn-in groundsheet of your tent will become quite wet and muddy when it’s time to pack your tent down, which isn’t the best. The footprint will prevent most of this from occurring and will keep your tent relatively dry and tidy, leaving you with a lot less work to do afterward.
7. Maintain the cleanliness of your tent
It’s ideal to have an additional base or layer on your tent’s floor, it can certainly keep your tent clean. If you have a muddy adventure and camping experience, this product will be packaged in its waterproof stuff sack, which will keep any dirt out of your pack. It’s especially useful on long journeys and winter camping in areas such as the United Kingdom, North America, and Northern Europe.
8. Easier pitching
A footprint makes it much easier to set up your tent. The majority of footprints are custom-made to fit perfectly under your tent. Setting it out on the ground will give you a good idea of where to place your tent without getting your guy ropes in the path of other campers, which will make the work much easier.
9. Protect your Investment
All of us are aware of the cost of a lightweight tent, and while most damage is caused by UV rays degrading the textiles, it doesn’t hurt to take care of the tent floor as well. A footprint will allow your tent’s floor to last longer by providing an additional layer of protection.
Hopefully, the nine reasons listed above have enlightened you of the value of having one. A footprint or groundsheet is just as important as your guy ropes, but it all depends on personal choice. If you’re a seasoned camper who has never used one, you may not see the benefit, but if you’ve ever had a tear on your tent floor, deal with water leaking in from underneath, or hate putting up a muddy tent, a footprint may be really useful. They’re also cost-effective, so it’s not a huge investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a tent without a footprint?
- Although tent footprints are not necessary, they will increase the lifespan of your tent. It may be worthwhile to spend the extra money or construct your footprint especially if your tent has a low denier floor.
What is the ideal size of tent footprint?
- It’s best to get one that’s a little smaller than the floor of your tent or about 5 centimeters. If it rains while you’re camping, you won’t have to stress about the water getting underneath the shelter and soaking the entire area.
How do I clean my tent footprint?
- Use cold water, a non-abrasive sponge, and soap that isn’t detergent. Gently scrub dirty spots by hand, paying attention to coated sections of the fly and the floor. Household cleansers including spot removers, harsh dish soaps, laundry presoaking solutions, and bleach should be avoided.
How do I make my tent floor more comfortable?
- By planning ahead of time and selecting the appropriate equipment, you can make your camping experience luxurious. A little planning is all you’ll need for a fantastic, enjoyable camping trip. The tent floor is one of the things that makes campers unhappy and bored. Backache and sleep problems can be caused by rough, lumpy ground, as experienced campers know. It will make the entire journey a nightmare. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t make your tent as comfortable as possible. If you were dissatisfied the last time you slept in a tent, you most likely did it incorrectly. Finding effective methods for a comfy tent floor is possible, and it’s critical if you want to relax after a hard day of trekking. or going camping
Which way does tent footprint go?
- A shiny (coated) side and a dull (uncoated) side are common in footprints. To avoid abrasion on the coating, you should position the dull side on the ground (shiny side facing up). Waterproof fabric is used in two areas in a tent: the floor and the rainfly.
Does Tyvek make a good footprint?
- Tyvek is an excellent material for producing footprints since it is lightweight, resilient, waterproof, and affordable. Another wonderful choice is Cuben Fiber, which is significantly stronger and lighter but also much more expensive.
Is a tarp required if my tent has a footprint?
- It’s a smart idea to have both a footprint and a tarp on hand in case one or the other is needed. You can use the tarp if you forget your footprint and need to have something under your tent for protection. In most cases, the tarp will be slightly larger than your tent.
Why would I use a footprint?
- It prevents rain from leaking into your tent in addition to prolonging the longevity of your tent. Any tent’s floor will be worn down especially if you decide to set up your tent in rocky terrain. A ground cover or footprint protects the tent.
What is the ideal thickness of a footprint?
- A heavy-duty, thick footprint will function better depending on how harsh the terrain is, but you should consider the increased weight before opting for it. The thickness of the material varies from 0.5 millimeters for lightweight models to 1.8 millimeters for heavy-duty ones.
How do you use the footprint?
- It’s simple to use a tent footprint or groundsheet: lay it out on your preferred camping location, pitch your tent on top of it, and tuck the excess material under your tent to prevent precipitation or condensation from accumulating on the footprint’s “fringe.”
What is the main difference between a footprint and a tarp?
- The distinction between the two is the intended usage and extent of coverage provided by each. Both are primarily intended to improve and raise the overall comfort and safety of your tent. Size and height will influence whether you use a tent footprint or a tarp. Some people would prefer tarps because of their versatility and multi-purpose use, while others prefer the footprint for heavyweight protection. The type of location you’re camping in, as well as all of the surrounding components that may affect your adventure, will be the ultimate deciding factor. As long as you keep these important factors in mind, either of these solutions will suffice in giving you the protection you require when camping.
Is it necessary to waterproof a tent?
- Many individuals believe that just because they have a tent, they would be safe from any weather conditions. Even tents that claim to be waterproof might leak, so waterproofing the tent before going camping is usually a good idea. When you realize your tent isn’t waterproof, the last place you want to be is miles away from civilization, caught in a heavy downpour. It’s not only inconvenient because of the damp clothes and cold, but it can also cause overheating and make you sick if you sleep in a wet tent.
