You could make your own for $5-$10. In most cases tent footprints are definitely worth it. The idea of spending $30-$80 on a tent footprint right after spending $300-$600 on a new tent is a hard pill to swallow. A Dyneema footprint will weigh 2-4 ounces (about 55-115 grams) for a one-person tent. A footprint is generally a good idea if you expect to camp on rough, rocky terrain with significant potential for sharp points and rough edges. I’ll also explain how to make your own tent footprint on the cheap. These are classic utility tarps that you would use to cover a vehicle being stored outdoors. The whole footprint usually weighs somewhere between 6 and 8 ounces (about 170-225 grams) for a one-person tent. It is lightweight, durable, water-resistant, and inexpensive. Tyvek is a synthetic material made from polyethylene fibers. If you decide to buy the fabric and make your own footprint, you’re looking at spending about $32 per yard. Window wrap weighs around .55 ounces per square yard. Using a tent footprint or groundsheet is very easy: simply lay the footprint out on your chosen camping spot, pitch your tent on top of it, then tuck the excess material under the tent floor to prevent any rainwater or condensation pooling on this “fringe” of the footprint. Carrying an extra 1-4 ounces to extend the life of your tent is worth it for most trips. If you didn’t use a footprint and ended up with a hole in your tent floor, there is still hope that it can be saved. Some manufacturers will take the most common measurements and create their own footprints which are usually cheaper. Most tent footprints are matched to a specific tent’s floor dimensions. Do I really need a tent footprint? Most include grommets so you can stake them down. We all know how much you can spend on a lightweight tent and whilst the majority of wear with a tent will come from the degradation of the fabrics from UV rays, it doesn't harm to look after the tent floor too. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. You can buy a pre-made Tyvek footprint from Tarptent.com for $14-$17. The Denier figure can be used to denote the toughness of a tent fabric. Knowledge Base - Are Tent Footprints Worth It? Tent footprints can greatly extend the functional life of your tent. Some people believe that they help to keep water out. We have decided to look a little deeper at the tarp and the tent footprint and show you exactly what the main benefits are of using each and how they can also be used in conjunction with one another on your camping trip. It is designed for use on outdoor gear like tents, jackets, and sleeping bags. In my mind, there is really no reason not to use a footprint. A footprint that is designed specifically for and made by the same manufacturer as your tent will have the same properties as your tent floor. There are a few good reasons to leave your footprint at home and do without. A footprint will prolong the life of your tent floor, adding a valuable extra layer of protection. To start discussing what a tent footprint is, we would need to look at how life is without one. Lightweight tents these days can feel like they've been made out of paper. Family Camping without a Tent Carpet. Here is a guide to how to use them, how to set them up and how to make your own DIY footprint out of tyvek polycro or painters tarp for ultralight backpacking. All Rights Reserved. A tent footprint should be seen as similar to a smartphone cover or protector, which could protect your tent against cuts and abrasions caused by loose twigs and stones. Subscribe to my Newsletter for New Posts and Exclusive Content! There are a few good reasons to leave your footprint at home and do without. I recommend you attempt to patch the hole with Gear Aid Tenacious Tape. This stuff is strong, easy to use, inexpensive, and water-resistant. This sounds a lot but makes a bit more sense if you think that your tent floor would account for approximately a quarter of the weight of your tent and with a footprint you are doubling up on that. The whole footprint will weigh 2-5 ounces (about 55-140 grams) for a one-person tent. Your tent footprint will come with its own waterproof stuffsack keeping any dirt seperate in your pack. One package is enough to make 4 footprints for my Big Agnes Fly Creek HVUL 1 person tent if I cut it carefully. Contact. It will be helpful. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. I was … You can use a sewing machine or sew by hand. You can buy pre-made window wrap footprints from several cottage manufacturers. You can grab some tent footprints on Amazon for cheap here. The one drawback of Dyneema is that it is incredibly expensive. You can pick up a poly tarp at any hardware store, cut it to size, and have a functional footprint. Purchasing a tent footprint comes with many added benefits, including a much sturdier built design as well as grommets for attaching the footprint to your tent. One way to increase the lifespan of your tent is to use a footprint. Dyneema weighs around 1 ounce per square yard. Below, I’ll outline each of the most commonly used tent footprint materials. A tent footprint acts as a protective barrier under your tent, so it absorbs the damage and preserves your tent floor. Final Thoughts. We camped for years without a tent carpet. These are the materials that most manufacturers use to make tent footprints. MSR advertise the fact that their footprints can be used instead of the inner tent to cerate a minimal, lightweight set-up. The main differences are the weight, cost, durability, and protection each material offers. If you don’t have the budget or don’t want to carry the extra weight of a manufactured footprint, you can always make one from polycro or Tyvek for just a few dollars. How to use a tent footprint. Is purchasing the additional footprint for $70 worth it? Tyvek weighs around 1.85 ounces per square yard. You can sew all of the above-listed materials except for polycyro. Avoiding Wild Animals, Insects, and Injury, Bear Safety Tips: How to Avoid Bears While Hiking and Camping, Quilt Vs Sleeping Bag: My Pros and Cons List. This adds a bit of work. The cheaper option is to buy a package of window wrap and make your own. A tent footprint is simply a piece of material that you place between the ground and the floor of your tent. You want one that is slightly smaller than your tent. This synthetic material is one of the strongest known to man. A tent footprint is a piece of plastic that goes on the ground and protects your tent from being damaged. This was the norm and is perfectly acceptable. Here are some advantages a tent footprint has to offer: You are assured a piece of dry ground. I've used a piece of plastic in the past (actually a clear plastic tablecloth), which turned out to be really light and durable. It weighs 5oz, alternatively I was hoping to just buy a knock of tyvek type material from a hardware store and cut it slightly smaller than my tent. This is by far the cheapest and lightest footprint option available. We all know how much you can spend on a lightweight tent and whilst the majority of wear with a tent will come from the degradation of the fabrics from UV rays, it doesn't harm to look after the tent floor too. A manufactured footprint will cost $100-$200. Is it worth buying a tent footprint? The answer of the question is absolutely yes. If you again think that is a tent footprint worth it? PU coated nylon footprints typically weight around 1.9 ounces/ square yard. I like tent footprints because they work to extend the longevity of your tent. They have even brought out a bathtub groundsheet for each of their tents that offers more protection than their normal footprints but still gives the open, airy feel of not using the inner tent. Tent footprints are certainly not necessary, but they can help extend the life of your tent. They offer a good level of protection for your tent floor. The main drawback of this material is that it isn’t very durable. A tent footprint protects the underside of the tent from abrasion and moisture, helping to extend the lifespan of the tent and keep it drier on the inside. Choosing the Right Tent Footprint Dimensions. A tent footprint under $20 is worth it to add a layer of protection to your expensive tent. Tent footprint also provides you other benefits like insulation from the earth’s surface temperature and cushioning when you lay down. Copyright 2020 - Where The Road Forks. Dyneema is an ultra-strong, ultralight material made from polyethylene. We carry a few brands that have this option integrated in their designs. Ranging from £10 and upwards, the low cost of this accessory makes it absolutely essential to buy with your tent or for a tent your currently own. Hydrostatic head is basically a measure of the pressure that a fabric can withstand before letting water through, for a tent floor then it is important to be high as you can create pressure points when using your tent from areas such as your knees if you are kneeling, your elbows, hands and even your bum. Is it just a money spinner for the brand or do you actually need it and if you do why doesn't it come with the tent in the first place? If you want to make a polycyro footprint for a large tent, you can simply tape two pieces together with something like duct tape or gorilla tape. A 6 x 8 foot poly tarp weighs around 10 ounces (283 grams). There are other options out there. One of the biggest drawbacks of taking a footprint with you on your trip is the extra weight. Why only keep your protected from one part of the elements, when you can ensure your tent is fully protected. You can use ordinary cheap tarp. The fabric is also incredibly durable and is tear and water resistant. Check out all the tents that can be pitched with just their footprint here. Minimalist polycyro footprint weighs around 1-2 ounces (28 … This prevents moisture from coming up through your tent’s contact with the ground. I am using a Big Agnes Fly Creek tent. They cost around $5-$10. To save some money, you can buy Tyvek by the yard on eBay off of a 9-foot roll and easily make your own. Lightweight tent manufacturers usually use a fabric with a higher denier for their tent floors, they know they can get away with a lower denier fabric, therefore lighter, for the flysheet as this doesn't get the abuse that a tent floor would experience. A tent footprint isn’t necessary for every trip. Tent footprints serve four main purposes: A tent footprint isn’t necessary for every trip. If you have to sew two pieces together, make sure you seam seal afterward to make the seam waterproof. With some tents having the correct footprint will provide extra pitching options. Tents already have a waterproof floor, on lightweight tents this is usually has a Hydrostatic Head rating of around 3-5000mm and is built into the inner tent. If you’re making a footprint for a larger tent, you may have to do some sewing. The dilemma is whether 25% more weight is worth the benefits that we have already outlined. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. As we’ve already noted, there are various shapes and sizes of tent footprints available. A tent footprint can thus save your time, effort and keep you as well as an essential part of the tent protected. The resulting tarp is inexpensive, durable, and water-resistant. The material is also popular in the backpacking community because it is incredibly lightweight and waterproof. We have already discussed about the worthiness of a tent footprint. After spending hundreds of dollars on a new tent, you want it to last as long as possible. They are cut a couple of inches smaller than the floor of your tent on all sides. You will know the size you have chosen is the correct size if you place the footprint on the ground first. Do you use a tent footprint? When is a tent footprint worth it? If you know you will be camping on rocky or stony ground we would suggest getting a footprint for your lightweight tent. Footprints are: Budget-friendly: Footprint is a very budget friendly camping material. We've listed some of the reasons why you might want to get the footprint for your tent and some reasons why you might not. You can also buy the material by the yard and make your own PU coated nylon footprint for $15-$20. Others believe they help with insulation. Manufactured footprints usually cost $30-$50. The only exception may be for a long-distance through-hike. Most manufacturers use standard sizing so their entire lineup can use the same ground … Most manufacturers recommend putting the shiny side with the logo up. If your tent pitch is wet when you're setting up camp, having a footprint will massively help to keep the inside dry. These tarps are also widely available. A tent footprint makes it easier to position the tent. Footprints are usually made of a durable waterproof material like silicon coated polyester or nylon fabric, Tyvek, or polycryo (polycro). Dyneema has applications in a number of industries including medical, military, policing, maritime, aviation, mining, and of course, outdoor gear. Your window wrap footprint will probably only last one season. All Rights Reserved. Available in Make and Model Specific Sizes. This is a great footprint choice for car campers who don’t care about the weight or bulk of their gear. Honestly it really doesn’t matter which side of the Tent Footprint Goes Up. © 2020 Ultralight Outdoor Gear. Known as a ground cloth and groundsheet, they are waterproof sheets placed in between the floor of your tent and the forest floor. This guide outlines the purpose of a tent footprint and what to consider when buying one. It's constructed using the same sewing, waterproofing and other techniques that go into creating your tent so it will come out in line with the price of the tent, i.e. A footprint will prolong the life of your tent floor, adding a valuable extra layer of protection. The manufacturer claims that it is 15x stronger than steel. Let me explain…. They are made by coating a nylon or polyester fabric with polyurethane. This material is designed for use as a house wrap but is incredibly popular in the backpacking community. For example: Tent footprints are made with a variety of materials. Check out all the tents that can be pitched with just their footprint here. Footprint or not, we always make sure to meticulously clear twigs, rocks, and pinecones from our campsites before pitching a tent … You can therefore double up on the toughness of your tent floor with a footprint. When it comes to cheap tents with poor design you want to have that layer between the ground and your tent bottom. This means that you can effectively double the waterproofness of your tent floor with a footprint. They are made from tightly woven together polyethylene fibers. Tents these days are expensive and fragile. Ultralight Outdoor Gear Limited Registered office Unit 2 Tees Valley Court, Glenarm Road, Wynyard Business Park, Wynyard, TS22 5FE, United Kingdom. This gives allows the tent to overlap the footprint by an … If you want to benefit from this improved service, please opt-in. The material is light but most manufactured footprints include straps, grommets, and a stuff sack which adds some weight. Your whole footprint will weigh just 1-2 ounces (about 28-56 grams) for a one-person tent. There are a lot of types of tent footprints but the most important feature it should have is being … They usually market the material under the name Polycryo. Whether you're purchasing a tent that's £150 or £1500, a tent footprint can save you time, effort and, more importantly, keep an essential part of your tent protected. Going with a tent footprint specifically designed for your tent is by far the best option available. If you really pushed us for an answer we would probably say save the weight, unless you know where you are going you are going to have to pitch up on slightly rocky ground. However, DIY options can be easily made for much cheaper and will serve a similar purpose to manufactured footprints. You can also try cool your tent without electricity in 2021 . Personally, I've found it useful to have just a footprint when backpacking or camping in mild climates to reduce the carrying weight. A tent footprint is basically a light waterproof material that you place underneath your tent, right above the ground where it’s going to sit on. This is the result of complex ultralight designs and modern high tech fabrics. You will need to check the measurements against the size of your tent and if you are looking for alternative pitching methods as described in point number 5 you are better off sticking with the same brand footprint as your tent just to ensure it all works seamlessly. This site uses cookies to provide and improve your shopping experience. If you have an ultralight tent with a low denier floor, it might be worth it to shell out the extra dollars for a footprint or to make your own. This material protects the underside of your tent from getting ripped apart from dirt, rocks, sand, and other debris. A tent footprint will make camping a nicer experience. You will not lose time trying to set up a tent and finding the site is uneven or too small. Luckily, you can make your own tent footprint for just a few dollars if you’re on a budget. Looking at the price of a footprint that goes with the lightweight tent you've just ordered can bring tears to your eyes. I use this Duck Extra Large Patio Door Shrink Film from Amazon. There is some confusion as to the actual purpose of tent footprints. A one-word answer: yes. For example, the footprint for our top-rated backpacking tent, the Nemo Dagger 2P, weighs 8 ounces and costs a whopping $50. While just a rainfly and footprint won't keep bugs out, it will protect you from rain and wind, and will be much lighter without all of the tent fabric. It is much easier to wash the footprint than the whole tent. It holds a ton of benefits that you can take advantage of, making it worth the investment or extra time setting it up. 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