I should also mention it protects your tent from dirt and debris. Sand stuck to the bottom of your tent on a 6 day or more packing trip can do a bunch of damaged when your tent is packed up in your backpack. It's like sandpaper. During wet muddy days, if you know how to properly fold a tent with the footprint, you can make sure only the bottom of the footprint gets dirty, and no dirt gets on the tent body or rain fly. It's a very easy way to help keep your tent clean.
Probably the only reason why I still use a footprint even though my tent has a tough 420D polyoxford PVC floor is because I find it easier to wash or clean a muddy footprint (and I use a purpose-built ultramesh one) than have to wash a tent that only has a dirty underside. That being said, I see all your points and will possibly not have to use my footprint during times when I'm on grass and there is no rain forecast.
Yeah - that makes sense. I usually don’t do much more than wipe down the bottom of my tent when it gets dirty, so the cleaning bit hasn’t been an issue for me personally.
Disagree. Firstly, let's discuss waterproofing. Tents are never fully waterproof, they have a hydrostatic head rating which is how tall a column of water would have to be to penetrate the fabric In other words, the more pressure there is, the more likely it is your tent will let in water. If you pitch on water logged ground, which is quite common here in the UK, then your own body weight can push the water through the fabric. A footprint protects you from that. Secondly it doesn't even need to be things like thorns and rocks you need to look out for. I regularly camp at the coast and the long grasses there are actually sharp enough to penetrate the tent if you're not careful. Again, a footprint protects from that. Thirdly, saving a few quid is not even something I worry about. I've never felt that footprints were expensive, and I'd rather prevent a problem than faff around trying to fix it later, especially in the field. My time is worth more than any savings. The enjoyment of my trip is worth more than any savings. As above, time is money. I'm not going to waste it buying tyvek or something and cutting it all neatly down to size, and installing grommets and guy ropes in it, when I can just buy a footprint that fits perfectly. Finally, you missed an important use of footprints: they help you get a better pitch. You can see where your tent is going to go and ensure your sleeping area is on perfectly flat ground. That's especially important for awkwardly shaped tents, or tents that aren't freestanding and can't be moved around.
Expert canoeist Cliff Jacobson stresses the importance of placing a plastic sheet, extended up the sides, inside the tent to insure staying dry in bad conditions.
Yes, I know that Cliff says that, but although you may stay dry within the plastic sheet, the inside of the tent can get soaked. On a longer trip without dry weather, this can get moldy.@@marilyn2
To each their own. I like using a footprint so that I can roll my tent up and stuff it in its sack without all the ground debris of mud, pine needles, etc. clinging to it and messing up the whole tent. The footprint can be wrapped up separately and washed when I get home. I also do believe it saves wear and tear of the floor of my tent.
There's so many advantages to using a footprint in bad weather/poor terrain: -The footprint serves as a staging area. Even if you're going set up your tarp first, the footprint is a great way to keep your gear from getting wet/muddy -Allows a fly-first/fly-only setup, which is great when you're in bad weather or hot weather with little shade -Easier to wash the footprint than the bottom of the entire tent -Reduces risk of mold for your tent if you're traveling and won't be able to dry out your tent for a few days. Then, there's the peace of mind, extra moisture protection, etc.
❤You make some excellent points. One thing you didn’t mention is many campers buy tarps that are too large for their tent floor and consequently increase the risk of water seeping through floor seams and soaking their bedding and clothing. On another subject, if you have the interest, we really need good reviews of kitchen shelters. You can’t find them setup in stores to inspect and there are very few good video reviews. I am familiar with the ABCCanopy and Eureka No Bug Zone 3 in 1 - but there are many other potential choices and I can’t afford to buy them all.
This guy is dead wrong. You ALWAYS want an underlayment. Period. You never know what will present itself when setting up a tent or your sleep system. Gear is expensive. Better to put a ground cover down as insurance than to risk damage to your gear.
Tyvek is also lighter than the nylon footprints. Great for backpacking. I do enjoy the tyvek though. I still have a couple of small holes on one of my tents i always used s groundsheet on. I also have an air mattress, thats one of the biggest reasons i use tyvek. Nice to have the extra peice of mind.
Bringing you'r own lightweight tarp/tyvek can be useful for so many other camping tasks like picnic blanket, sun/wind shield, covering things, collecting water. You would probably want a generic sheet for things like that anyway, so using it as a groundsheet can just be an option if you need it.
I use a tarp because it was dirt cheap and my tent wasn't. It is slightly larger then the footprint of my tent so I fold the edges in, the tarp only covers the bottom and rain just runs off the side. Necessary? No. But it is a slight extra bit of protection for a almost no cost/weight
I use tyvek because of the mud. On the east coast the Appalachian trail it rains A LOT!! Theres a lot of mud. I dont really like the extra weight but i want to use something. Plus i don't get holes in my sleeping pad. Great video
Hmmm ... Not sure even the makers still do a footprint for my tent, it's so old - or if they ever did. I've had a quick look online for Tyvek but couldn't see sheets large enough, just rolls for building purposes. I'm wondering if one of those cheap foil space blankets might work, cut to size & shape ...??? Does anyone know if Tyvek frays at the edges?
The footprint for freestanding tents is essential when your want to setup the rainfly only. It will give the rainfly something to hold on to. You want to do this in instances when it is raining cats and dogs. Once you have that shelter, you can setup the tent inner in the dry. Same thing backwards. That way you can pack up a dry inner tent separetly, leave the outer shell wett and continue bikepacking or wahtever you are doing being 💯% sure you are sleeping in a dry tent the next evening even if it rains all day. This is where a footprint is gold. Cheers to all the bikepackers.
Interesting advice here, that may be beneficial to someone that goes camping once every two years out of their car. Here’s something that people continually ignore. When you have two separate sheets of material, they are able to move freely over one and other. So if there is any type of abrasion occurring on either the top, or the bottom, the material incurring the friction and abrasion abrasion will not move, it will simply have the effect of the opposing material sliding over it. This is why it’s still reasonable to have a dynamic ground sheet under a dynamo tent floor. They move freely over one another to prevent snagging and abrasion and puncture. The two separate materials essentially act like a solid state lubricant.
I go to Harbor Freight and buy the camo tarp. Makes me feel like a real bush crafter. Then I lay a piece of green outdoor carpet at the door to take my shoes off on. Just inside the door I lay a small rug. While I camp, this is my home and I make it feel like it. My tent, a Kelty gunnison 4.1 is 14 years old. Still looks almost new. Never leaks. One of those little aluminum tables and chair inside with a single blow up pad and I’m good for weeks. Take care of your gear and it’ll take care of you. Now if your back packing it across the country and lugging everything on your back in a little sack, it’s a different story. I use a tarp but if you need the footprint, because you just know you need it for your tent, even if it’s $60, well you just better get it. There’s more to camping than just seeing what you can do without. Now I also have a 8 person Orzark Trail tent that’s about 12 years old and that floor is a tarp. LOL. Do I still put one down? You bet ya. The Harbor Freight 12’x10’ camo tarp. But I also wear my boots in that tent. Hahahaaaa
What you said might well be true in certain instances. However, I would never put up my tent without one. I do mostly dispersed car camping and there are always small stick, gravel, pine cone peddles with points and even stiif sharp grasses. Besides The peace of mind it gives me is worth the investment. I even put a lightweight canvas tarp down on the interior floor for comfort, protection, and ease of cleaning.
Have been using the same sheet of visqueen for 30+ years. It’s slightly bigger than the tent floor, so we just tuck it under the tent at the edges in a way to prevent water from collecting (too lazy to cut it to size😏). For us, this is just a case of “this is how we always did it,” but you make some good points. Some of the other comments have as well. Just recently found your channel & am enjoying it.
Nice discussion. Good video. I have always used a footprint for the second reason...protecting my overpriced dyneema tent, lol. I will always use a footprint. Crow
I couldn't disagree with you more! As a guide, who takes people all over the world, tent footprints are a relatively inexpensive way to increase the longevity of your tent. My main tent is $700, and there are very few tents that are under $400 now. A footprint is $60-$100. I camp on volcanic glass in Iceland, Sand on the Pacific coast, The sharp Limestone of Ontario, the Granite of Northern Canada and Yosemite, and much more. My footprint, and the footprints I recommend to my clients absolutely have helped and saved tents. The footprint is made of a higher denier nylon than the tent floor and offers great protection against many different terrains. Also, blue tarps, tyvek, ect. does not allow ultralight setups, they also move about because they are not pegged in place. A tarp hanging out past the tent allows rain run off to run directly under the tent. Bottom line, if you're investing in a high priced backpackers tent, why would you suddenly skimp out on the footprint and the protection it offers? Doesn't seem to make sense does it?
@NoBody-pw3kf as you are American, that may be true. REI only exists in the USA. Also, the tents they sell that are under $400CDN ($304US) are entry level tents, very heavy and not really true backpacker tents. They are meant for those that are put only a few times a year. In Canada, our equivalent is MEC (Mountain Equipment Company and SAIL) and the decent to great quality BACKPACKING tents are seldom under $400CDN unless on sale or over 6lbs in weight. There is a big difference between a car camping tent, an entry level backpacking tent, and a true backpacking tent. ULers are a different breed and usually sacrifice many comforts and increase their risk to lower their pack weight. They also use a very different style tent (hiking pole tents) that has a much higher denier floor made of other materials outside of nylon and cost more $700-$1300CDN with a 1 - 3 year warranty. You can not compare a UL tent to a brand name backpacking tent like the MSR Hubba Hubba or Big Agnes Copper Spur. You're comparing apples and oranges. For the weekend warriors that get out 8 - 15 times a year, and have invested $400+CDN into a standard backpacking tent, a footprint is more than worth the $70-100CDN investment.
Yeah - you out West? There are definitely some places with Granite, thorny brush, etc. where the extra cover helps. My main aim is helping folks who don’t already *know* they need a footprint. Because I think a lot of people, including some I know, buy footprints when it’s really not necessary for where they camp.
Completely agree. Footprint is nice but not necessary. Or leave the tent at home and just put your bag on a ground cover. That’s what I do. No bugs or rain for long periods here in the southwest.
I use plastic sheeting from Home Depot. Cheaper than the tarp. It’s probably about 3-4 mill. I cut to slightly undersize and have enough leftover to use as tarps/rain covers.
I just buy a blue tarp for under $10 for & I’ll never buy a tent footprint. I do prefer to have that extra protection than not have it. My grandpa alway’s used a blue tarp. But sometime’s blue tarps are odd shaped & much smaller/larger than the actual footprint for the tent. So it’s a tough call really & for a motorcycle ride if the footprint is lighter, smaller I’ll spend the extra money for it.
I use a outside plastic straw mat so if it does rain the water can’t puddle up under the tent and the bottom of my tent is protected and you can have extra room to set your shoes or wipe your feet.
I believe NOT using a footprint is counterintuitive. I backpack in remote locations that do not usually have optimal tent site ground conditions. The imprint also serves as an additional deterrent to water entering my tent floor in the event of rain. I can't EVER count on it to NOT RAIN.
Yeah, I've been camping my entire life. During my yourh, I often woke up wet, because the tent leaked. When I became an adult, I bough an expensive 4 season tent with a footprint. I think it's a Patagonia. It's been all over. It's never once leaked on me, and the custom footprint has bever been puntured. Trust he, but a tent with a custom footprint.
I live in a small house. A large tent is very difficult to clean in my limited space. When I use a groundsheet my tent stayes clean and the groundsheet is easy to clean. For me a groundsheet can help.
I literally came here to find out if I could just use a regular blue tarp under my new tent. I got the cheapest tent I could find which was $20 on Amazon, so investing in a footprint seems ridiculous. I do already have a good quality nylon camping tarp/rainfly to put over it for rain. I just want to see how often I end up using it before getting a better tent and a bunch of gear. Thanks!
I USE A TARP UNDER MY TENT,,IT HELP TO KEEP BOTTOM DIRT SAND AND ANYTHING ELSE OFF THE BOTTOM WHEN PACKING UP MY TENT,,AND THERE IS SOMTIMES MOISTURE BETWEEN GROUND AND TARP. TENT FLOOR IS DRY
For many of our Guiding tents we just use tarps. We often tent in very wet weather (west cost of BC).... and have youth in the tent, so an additional tarp under is a good choice
I disagree with this video. First off my footprint cost $10 so basically less than a dehydrated backpack meal this guy probably buys. The footprint is just a rectangular waterproofed piece of rip stop nylon with tie downs and a stuff sack. It weighs 6oz including a stuff sack. This is as cheap as his alternatives but better because it has a stuff sack and ties downs. I'd rather have these amenities over tyvek which is the same price without tie downs and a stuff sack. I also disagree with his assessment on not needing one. First off not everyone uses a tent with a floor all the time. Secondly redundancy is key to survival and having an emergency tarp shelter given the size and weight is a no brainier. For example it's a perfect second tarp that you can carry in a fanny pack with some other survival items for when you leave camp to do whatever in the woods for a day. Ik I like to have a emergency shelter and sleep kit that packs into a smaller accessory pouch like said fanny pack. Throwing something like my footprint and an emergency bivvy in a fanny pack Incase I get stranded and can't reach camp. Anyways I could go on with the many other reasons it's worth having a rectangle of waterproof rip stop nylon with you especially one that has tie downs. Other examples of it's uses would be a gear hammock or a means to gather and move large quantities of dirt, debris or wood by piling it on the ground sheet and sliding it to camp. Anyways, if you don't think of it as just a tent footprint I think you'll realize it's a worthwhile carry, also I think you underestimate how you damage the tent floor in many camping situations. Sure your tent isn't damaged and sure it's easy to fix if it got damaged ,but why risk it or bother with repairs when you can carry something so simple, small, light and versatile??? You're over thinking this one imho
The main problem with a footprint is that it traps moisture between the tub and the footprint. The ground will absorb moisture naturally and will be better for the tub. Maybe a layer that breathe, that water passes through it would be ok. Like you I never used one , didn't even know it existed before looking for my next tent 😂
Agreeing to disagree as I have on other of your videos. Some good campers have already mentioned solid reasons for a footprint.. I will add temperature. It is one more barrier between you and the ground. The footprint is designed for the tent - a tarp from Walmart actually will force more water under the tent. The fact you suggested tent repair well before you should need it shows a lack of understanding of what the footprint does. Cleaning is far easier, as to longevity it will increase tent life. I have always used it on our more expensive tents. We have had the Bastion 4 by Northface, Cabelas Alaskan Guide 6 and this year we are trying out the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6. My point is when you are purchasing tents that cost between 500 and 1500 bucks you want it to last. Glad you have had good luck without, but the investment is worth it.
The biggest reason for me to buy a footprint is to keep the bottom of my tent floor dry. How do you guys pack up your tent if it’s wet at the bottom from wet soil?! This always perplexes me
Nice video. I use a cheap tarp to keep the bottom of my tent clean. It's also a bit wider than my tent and it's my spot I stand and take off my shoes before I climb into my tent to keep from tracking dirt/mud into my tent. I know I don't need it, but I don't know, it's nice enough to justify the price of a cheap tarp.
The extra protection from the cold was on my mind too… I’m from Scotland 😅 The points made are good and I learned something for sure! I camping in Europe I would reconsider the footprint now. (Unless travelling by motorbike, then the weight isn’t an issue!)
This is info I would not follow. Foot prints serve two great purposes and one that’s made for your tent is easier to use. They provide wear protection for the bottom of your tent and they also function as extra water protection too!
agreeb and disagree - My 2 person "Hiking tent came with a fitted footprint and given the erratic positioning wouldn't be without it , for the other 4 and 6 person car camping tents use a basic Tarp - speeds up pack down , protects if using stretcher , helps thermally
This is a load of bollox. The extra waterproofing is essential if you live in wet areas, UK etc. It will make the tent last longer if it's a big family jobbie. Puncture proofing is also great, the bigger the tent, the more people in the tent then the more likely it is to get pierced. When a tent is pitched for a week or 2 and there's been a storm and it's been muddy then it's probably still wet under the tent and will be manky when it's rolled away. Tarp is a great option as a footprint BUT it's still a footprint. :) Been family camping for a long time and 100% a footprint/tarp is well well worth the small investment.
Not sure where this footprint idea came in, looks like it's only really available for hiking tents. They are thin and light, and an extra layer of protection is always welcome for those tents. Camping tents on the other hand have no footprint to buy.... Most places in my country wants us to use a netted groundsheet so that the grass underneath don't die.
Not really siding with the arguments. There's no such thing as waterproof fabric when it comes to tents or even rain gear. They all can wet out, given the right circumstances (although sometimes those would have to be fairly extreme). Even if forced to camp on wet ground that isn't soaked enough for water to penetrate your floor, a footprint then protects the floor from mud and the sort of dirt and debris that can damage the floor or abrade the waterproofing from the material. Don't make the mistake of getting one too much larger than your tent, though. Otherwise it will collect rain and funnel it under your floor. Kind of defeats the purpose. :) Also, the percentage of people setting up a tent on less than pristine ground is not microscopic. Even at a proper camp site there will be twigs, burrs, bristles, etc., that you don't see that very much can puncture the floor once weight is placed in those areas from the inside. What we ultimately come to is that I'm not sure most of us can see any reason to NOT use some sort of footprint, even if it's only for peace of mind. Its weight is negligible and it packs small. t But I absolutely agree to not waste money on a manufacturer's footprint any more than on an additional rain cover for a backpack if it can be avoided. You're just allowing yourself to get screwed then. Invest in the Tyvek. You can order it almost exactly to size on Amazon. Maybe it costs a little more than a blue tarp, but after a few washings it can be packed up like it was made of Kleenex, it's lighter than the tarps and I actually trust it more. Take care.
A footprint have the same mesurements as the tent. Water cannot go under the tent. With a sheet as showed it is larger than the tent and water can go under the groundsheet and the tent. Not a good idea.
Footprint is a glorified term for an overpriced tarp. I couldn’t imagine ANY type of camping without tarp to help protect the bottom of my tents from tears and moisture. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇮🇱🇮🇱
This person is lying about tent floors being waterproof. They are barley water repellent Every tent I've been in no matter the make, model, manufacturer, always winds up with pools of water within an hour of it raining. The water just pushes up through the tent material. I don't believe anyone that says they don't have puddles in their tent after an hour of rain.
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I use a footprint because it is easier to wash a muddy footprint than wash the floor of a tent without damaging the rest of the tent.
I should also mention it protects your tent from dirt and debris. Sand stuck to the bottom of your tent on a 6 day or more packing trip can do a bunch of damaged when your tent is packed up in your backpack. It's like sandpaper. During wet muddy days, if you know how to properly fold a tent with the footprint, you can make sure only the bottom of the footprint gets dirty, and no dirt gets on the tent body or rain fly. It's a very easy way to help keep your tent clean.
Probably the only reason why I still use a footprint even though my tent has a tough 420D polyoxford PVC floor is because I find it easier to wash or clean a muddy footprint (and I use a purpose-built ultramesh one) than have to wash a tent that only has a dirty underside.
That being said, I see all your points and will possibly not have to use my footprint during times when I'm on grass and there is no rain forecast.
Yeah - that makes sense. I usually don’t do much more than wipe down the bottom of my tent when it gets dirty, so the cleaning bit hasn’t been an issue for me personally.
Spot on...
Disagree. Firstly, let's discuss waterproofing. Tents are never fully waterproof, they have a hydrostatic head rating which is how tall a column of water would have to be to penetrate the fabric In other words, the more pressure there is, the more likely it is your tent will let in water. If you pitch on water logged ground, which is quite common here in the UK, then your own body weight can push the water through the fabric. A footprint protects you from that.
Secondly it doesn't even need to be things like thorns and rocks you need to look out for. I regularly camp at the coast and the long grasses there are actually sharp enough to penetrate the tent if you're not careful. Again, a footprint protects from that.
Thirdly, saving a few quid is not even something I worry about. I've never felt that footprints were expensive, and I'd rather prevent a problem than faff around trying to fix it later, especially in the field. My time is worth more than any savings. The enjoyment of my trip is worth more than any savings.
As above, time is money. I'm not going to waste it buying tyvek or something and cutting it all neatly down to size, and installing grommets and guy ropes in it, when I can just buy a footprint that fits perfectly.
Finally, you missed an important use of footprints: they help you get a better pitch. You can see where your tent is going to go and ensure your sleeping area is on perfectly flat ground. That's especially important for awkwardly shaped tents, or tents that aren't freestanding and can't be moved around.
My man, said all what I wanted to say. Especially for water getting in! Cheers lad
@NoBody-pw3kf Dude, re-read what I said about hydrostatic head and you'll understand how ANY tent floor can let water through with enough pressure
Expert canoeist Cliff Jacobson stresses the importance of placing a plastic sheet, extended up the sides, inside the tent to insure staying dry in bad conditions.
Yes, I know that Cliff says that, but although you may stay dry within the plastic sheet, the inside of the tent can get soaked. On a longer trip without dry weather, this can get moldy.@@marilyn2
Wouldn't soaked sleeping bags and other gear pose a more serious, possibly life-threatening, risk than mold on a long expedition without dry weather?
To each their own. I like using a footprint so that I can roll my tent up and stuff it in its sack without all the ground debris of mud, pine needles, etc. clinging to it and messing up the whole tent. The footprint can be wrapped up separately and washed when I get home. I also do believe it saves wear and tear of the floor of my tent.
I just use a regular tarp 🤷🏻♀️
Ditto
Too heavy, not as compressible
There are a lot of tents that require a footprint if you want to pitch your tent outer first. That's a huge plus for rainy places like UK.
There's so many advantages to using a footprint in bad weather/poor terrain:
-The footprint serves as a staging area. Even if you're going set up your tarp first, the footprint is a great way to keep your gear from getting wet/muddy
-Allows a fly-first/fly-only setup, which is great when you're in bad weather or hot weather with little shade
-Easier to wash the footprint than the bottom of the entire tent
-Reduces risk of mold for your tent if you're traveling and won't be able to dry out your tent for a few days.
Then, there's the peace of mind, extra moisture protection, etc.
❤You make some excellent points. One thing you didn’t mention is many campers buy tarps that are too large for their tent floor and consequently increase the risk of water seeping through floor seams and soaking their bedding and clothing. On another subject, if you have the interest, we really need good reviews of kitchen shelters. You can’t find them setup in stores to inspect and there are very few good video reviews. I am familiar with the ABCCanopy and Eureka No Bug Zone 3 in 1 - but there are many other potential choices and I can’t afford to buy them all.
This guy is dead wrong. You ALWAYS want an underlayment. Period. You never know what will present itself when setting up a tent or your sleep system. Gear is expensive. Better to put a ground cover down as insurance than to risk damage to your gear.
I sometimes camp in the desert where there are cactus needles on the ground and i use tyvek to protect my tent floor and air mattress from puncture.
Tyvek is also lighter than the nylon footprints. Great for backpacking. I do enjoy the tyvek though. I still have a couple of small holes on one of my tents i always used s groundsheet on. I also have an air mattress, thats one of the biggest reasons i use tyvek. Nice to have the extra peice of mind.
Bringing you'r own lightweight tarp/tyvek can be useful for so many other camping tasks like picnic blanket, sun/wind shield, covering things, collecting water. You would probably want a generic sheet for things like that anyway, so using it as a groundsheet can just be an option if you need it.
I use a tarp because it was dirt cheap and my tent wasn't. It is slightly larger then the footprint of my tent so I fold the edges in, the tarp only covers the bottom and rain just runs off the side. Necessary? No. But it is a slight extra bit of protection for a almost no cost/weight
I’ve used a cardboard box (opened up flat) when I’m camping with a rough surface. 👍🏼
I use tyvek because of the mud. On the east coast the Appalachian trail it rains A LOT!! Theres a lot of mud. I dont really like the extra weight but i want to use something. Plus i don't get holes in my sleeping pad. Great video
As a car camper I use the footprint. As a climber/ mountaineer I left it at home.
Some inner first tents can be put up outer first with a footprint. In rainy England that can be really helpful.
Oh your right, I do feel better by hitting the like button. LOL
Told you so :)
Hmmm ... Not sure even the makers still do a footprint for my tent, it's so old - or if they ever did. I've had a quick look online for Tyvek but couldn't see sheets large enough, just rolls for building purposes. I'm wondering if one of those cheap foil space blankets might work, cut to size & shape ...???
Does anyone know if Tyvek frays at the edges?
The footprint for freestanding tents is essential when your want to setup the rainfly only. It will give the rainfly something to hold on to. You want to do this in instances when it is raining cats and dogs. Once you have that shelter, you can setup the tent inner in the dry. Same thing backwards. That way you can pack up a dry inner tent separetly, leave the outer shell wett and continue bikepacking or wahtever you are doing being 💯% sure you are sleeping in a dry tent the next evening even if it rains all day.
This is where a footprint is gold.
Cheers to all the bikepackers.
footprint/tarp make it a more robust, temporary homestead. Use another tarp/blanket inside tent and you're nice and cozy.
Interesting advice here, that may be beneficial to someone that goes camping once every two years out of their car.
Here’s something that people continually ignore. When you have two separate sheets of material, they are able to move freely over one and other. So if there is any type of abrasion occurring on either the top, or the bottom, the material incurring the friction and abrasion abrasion will not move, it will simply have the effect of the opposing material sliding over it.
This is why it’s still reasonable to have a dynamic ground sheet under a dynamo tent floor. They move freely over one another to prevent snagging and abrasion and puncture.
The two separate materials essentially act like a solid state lubricant.
I go to Harbor Freight and buy the camo tarp. Makes me feel like a real bush crafter. Then I lay a piece of green outdoor carpet at the door to take my shoes off on. Just inside the door I lay a small rug. While I camp, this is my home and I make it feel like it. My tent, a Kelty gunnison 4.1 is 14 years old. Still looks almost new. Never leaks. One of those little aluminum tables and chair inside with a single blow up pad and I’m good for weeks. Take care of your gear and it’ll take care of you.
Now if your back packing it across the country and lugging everything on your back in a little sack, it’s a different story. I use a tarp but if you need the footprint, because you just know you need it for your tent, even if it’s $60, well you just better get it. There’s more to camping than just seeing what you can do without. Now I also have a 8 person Orzark Trail tent that’s about 12 years old and that floor is a tarp. LOL. Do I still put one down? You bet ya. The Harbor Freight 12’x10’ camo tarp. But I also wear my boots in that tent. Hahahaaaa
Wish they still made the Gunnison. I moto camp a lot and have had mine since 2010, it's a great tent
What you said might well be true in certain instances. However, I would never put up my tent without one. I do mostly dispersed car camping and there are always small stick, gravel, pine cone peddles with points and even stiif sharp grasses. Besides The peace of mind it gives me is worth the investment. I even put a lightweight canvas tarp down on the interior floor for comfort, protection, and ease of cleaning.
Have been using the same sheet of visqueen for 30+ years. It’s slightly bigger than the tent floor, so we just tuck it under the tent at the edges in a way to prevent water from collecting (too lazy to cut it to size😏). For us, this is just a case of “this is how we always did it,” but you make some good points. Some of the other comments have as well. Just recently found your channel & am enjoying it.
Nice discussion. Good video. I have always used a footprint for the second reason...protecting my overpriced dyneema tent, lol. I will always use a footprint. Crow
Ditto. My big agnes copper spur hvul tent is using a footprint.
You're right! I hit the like button and feel better.
I couldn't disagree with you more! As a guide, who takes people all over the world, tent footprints are a relatively inexpensive way to increase the longevity of your tent. My main tent is $700, and there are very few tents that are under $400 now. A footprint is $60-$100. I camp on volcanic glass in Iceland, Sand on the Pacific coast, The sharp Limestone of Ontario, the Granite of Northern Canada and Yosemite, and much more. My footprint, and the footprints I recommend to my clients absolutely have helped and saved tents. The footprint is made of a higher denier nylon than the tent floor and offers great protection against many different terrains. Also, blue tarps, tyvek, ect. does not allow ultralight setups, they also move about because they are not pegged in place. A tarp hanging out past the tent allows rain run off to run directly under the tent. Bottom line, if you're investing in a high priced backpackers tent, why would you suddenly skimp out on the footprint and the protection it offers? Doesn't seem to make sense does it?
@NoBody-pw3kf as you are American, that may be true. REI only exists in the USA. Also, the tents they sell that are under $400CDN ($304US) are entry level tents, very heavy and not really true backpacker tents. They are meant for those that are put only a few times a year. In Canada, our equivalent is MEC (Mountain Equipment Company and SAIL) and the decent to great quality BACKPACKING tents are seldom under $400CDN unless on sale or over 6lbs in weight. There is a big difference between a car camping tent, an entry level backpacking tent, and a true backpacking tent.
ULers are a different breed and usually sacrifice many comforts and increase their risk to lower their pack weight. They also use a very different style tent (hiking pole tents) that has a much higher denier floor made of other materials outside of nylon and cost more $700-$1300CDN with a 1 - 3 year warranty. You can not compare a UL tent to a brand name backpacking tent like the MSR Hubba Hubba or Big Agnes Copper Spur. You're comparing apples and oranges. For the weekend warriors that get out 8 - 15 times a year, and have invested $400+CDN into a standard backpacking tent, a footprint is more than worth the $70-100CDN investment.
I never used a footprint in 30 years of backpacking but now that I have started car camping with an inflatable air mattress I do use one.
I use a regular tarp, cut to shape. Lot's of sharp (Granite) rocks here!
Yeah - you out West? There are definitely some places with Granite, thorny brush, etc. where the extra cover helps. My main aim is helping folks who don’t already *know* they need a footprint. Because I think a lot of people, including some I know, buy footprints when it’s really not necessary for where they camp.
@@littlecampfires New Hampshire - the Granite state... Keep up the great videos
I agree with you that footprints are an option that you could ignore or go for a cheaper alternative. But beware a punctured sleeping pad.
Completely agree. Footprint is nice but not necessary. Or leave the tent at home and just put your bag on a ground cover. That’s what I do. No bugs or rain for long periods here in the southwest.
Can't really do that much on the east coast on the Appalachian trail. It rains a lot and tons of bugs lol
I use plastic sheeting from Home Depot. Cheaper than the tarp. It’s probably about 3-4 mill. I cut to slightly undersize and have enough leftover to use as tarps/rain covers.
What is the plastic sheeting original for i want to go to Home depot to find some for my tent?
I bought a tarp so that it will keep the bootom of the tent clean and hopefully dry
I just buy a blue tarp for under $10 for & I’ll never buy a tent footprint. I do prefer to have that extra protection than not have it. My grandpa alway’s used a blue tarp. But sometime’s blue tarps are odd shaped & much smaller/larger than the actual footprint for the tent. So it’s a tough call really & for a motorcycle ride if the footprint is lighter, smaller I’ll spend the extra money for it.
I use a outside plastic straw mat so if it does rain the water can’t puddle up under the tent and the bottom of my tent is protected and you can have extra room to set your shoes or wipe your feet.
I believe NOT using a footprint is counterintuitive. I backpack in remote locations that do not usually have optimal tent site ground conditions. The imprint also serves as an additional deterrent to water entering my tent floor in the event of rain. I can't EVER count on it to NOT RAIN.
Yeah, I've been camping my entire life. During my yourh, I often woke up wet, because the tent leaked. When I became an adult, I bough an expensive 4 season tent with a footprint. I think it's a Patagonia. It's been all over. It's never once leaked on me, and the custom footprint has bever been puntured. Trust he, but a tent with a custom footprint.
I live in a small house. A large tent is very difficult to clean in my limited space. When I use a groundsheet my tent stayes clean and the groundsheet is easy to clean. For me a groundsheet can help.
Exactly! I live in an apartment and don't have a garage to wash and dry out a soggy tent in.
If you don’t have a spare $50 you don’t need to be going on a camping trip!!
It will be miserable!
no-one has a spare 50 bucks there's always something else you could do with your money.
I literally came here to find out if I could just use a regular blue tarp under my new tent. I got the cheapest tent I could find which was $20 on Amazon, so investing in a footprint seems ridiculous. I do already have a good quality nylon camping tarp/rainfly to put over it for rain. I just want to see how often I end up using it before getting a better tent and a bunch of gear. Thanks!
I USE A TARP UNDER MY TENT,,IT HELP TO KEEP BOTTOM DIRT SAND AND ANYTHING ELSE OFF THE BOTTOM WHEN PACKING UP MY TENT,,AND THERE IS SOMTIMES MOISTURE BETWEEN GROUND AND TARP. TENT FLOOR IS DRY
Tyvex is the construction stuff right?
I think so.
Yep, it’s spelled Tyvek though.
I use a footprint only to stop dirt build up under the tent. much easier to clean a foot print than my tent.
For many of our Guiding tents we just use tarps.
We often tent in very wet weather (west cost of BC).... and have youth in the tent, so an additional tarp under is a good choice
Definitely need a footprint if you like keeping your tent clean and in good shape.
I got a 7x9 thrift store rug for $6 and it does the job. I also only use a tarp for a tent
Oh - interesting. What do you do for bugs?
@@littlecampfires nothing really, though, I camp in the winter primarily.
Just use a cheap $20 tarp like 100% of everyone else I know. $400 tent/2 $20 tarps over and under. It's a no-brainer.
i just use a bit of plastic inside the tent. if a thorn is going through it is going to wreck the sleeping pad and maybe stabbing me too.
I disagree with this video. First off my footprint cost $10 so basically less than a dehydrated backpack meal this guy probably buys. The footprint is just a rectangular waterproofed piece of rip stop nylon with tie downs and a stuff sack. It weighs 6oz including a stuff sack. This is as cheap as his alternatives but better because it has a stuff sack and ties downs. I'd rather have these amenities over tyvek which is the same price without tie downs and a stuff sack. I also disagree with his assessment on not needing one. First off not everyone uses a tent with a floor all the time. Secondly redundancy is key to survival and having an emergency tarp shelter given the size and weight is a no brainier. For example it's a perfect second tarp that you can carry in a fanny pack with some other survival items for when you leave camp to do whatever in the woods for a day. Ik I like to have a emergency shelter and sleep kit that packs into a smaller accessory pouch like said fanny pack. Throwing something like my footprint and an emergency bivvy in a fanny pack Incase I get stranded and can't reach camp. Anyways I could go on with the many other reasons it's worth having a rectangle of waterproof rip stop nylon with you especially one that has tie downs. Other examples of it's uses would be a gear hammock or a means to gather and move large quantities of dirt, debris or wood by piling it on the ground sheet and sliding it to camp. Anyways, if you don't think of it as just a tent footprint I think you'll realize it's a worthwhile carry, also I think you underestimate how you damage the tent floor in many camping situations. Sure your tent isn't damaged and sure it's easy to fix if it got damaged ,but why risk it or bother with repairs when you can carry something so simple, small, light and versatile??? You're over thinking this one imho
Just spend the damn money and buy a footprint. This is bad advice here.
@@nosac1230 I said I have a footprint.
@@Thee-_-Outlier yes, I know. I was agreeing with you. That was meant for anybody wanting to forego it.
@@nosac1230 Roger that, a rare thing online ✌️😇
I was going to comment but basically you said everything I would. This guy has terrible advice.
Window film is great light weight alternative.
For me, it's about having a floor in my vestibules.
Living in Nevada, we need a footprint from thy goat heads alone!!!
The main problem with a footprint is that it traps moisture between the tub and the footprint. The ground will absorb moisture naturally and will be better for the tub.
Maybe a layer that breathe, that water passes through it would be ok.
Like you I never used one , didn't even know it existed before looking for my next tent 😂
Agreeing to disagree as I have on other of your videos. Some good campers have already mentioned solid reasons for a footprint.. I will add temperature. It is one more barrier between you and the ground. The footprint is designed for the tent - a tarp from Walmart actually will force more water under the tent. The fact you suggested tent repair well before you should need it shows a lack of understanding of what the footprint does. Cleaning is far easier, as to longevity it will increase tent life. I have always used it on our more expensive tents. We have had the Bastion 4 by Northface, Cabelas Alaskan Guide 6 and this year we are trying out the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6. My point is when you are purchasing tents that cost between 500 and 1500 bucks you want it to last. Glad you have had good luck without, but the investment is worth it.
The biggest reason for me to buy a footprint is to keep the bottom of my tent floor dry.
How do you guys pack up your tent if it’s wet at the bottom from wet soil?! This always perplexes me
I simply pack along 24 square feet of clay tiles. Lay those down and place the tent on top. Voila!
Nice video. I use a cheap tarp to keep the bottom of my tent clean. It's also a bit wider than my tent and it's my spot I stand and take off my shoes before I climb into my tent to keep from tracking dirt/mud into my tent. I know I don't need it, but I don't know, it's nice enough to justify the price of a cheap tarp.
I tried both ways ... For me there was a big difference ... Especially when it was cold ... Sorry maan
Good to know the footprint adds warmth. Thx!
The extra protection from the cold was on my mind too… I’m from Scotland 😅
The points made are good and I learned something for sure! I camping in Europe I would reconsider the footprint now. (Unless travelling by motorbike, then the weight isn’t an issue!)
This is info I would not follow. Foot prints serve two great purposes and one that’s made for your tent is easier to use. They provide wear protection for the bottom of your tent and they also function as extra water protection too!
agreeb and disagree - My 2 person "Hiking tent came with a fitted footprint and given the erratic positioning wouldn't be without it , for the other 4 and 6 person car camping tents use a basic Tarp - speeds up pack down , protects if using stretcher , helps thermally
This is a load of bollox. The extra waterproofing is essential if you live in wet areas, UK etc. It will make the tent last longer if it's a big family jobbie. Puncture proofing is also great, the bigger the tent, the more people in the tent then the more likely it is to get pierced. When a tent is pitched for a week or 2 and there's been a storm and it's been muddy then it's probably still wet under the tent and will be manky when it's rolled away. Tarp is a great option as a footprint BUT it's still a footprint. :) Been family camping for a long time and 100% a footprint/tarp is well well worth the small investment.
Not sure where this footprint idea came in, looks like it's only really available for hiking tents. They are thin and light, and an extra layer of protection is always welcome for those tents. Camping tents on the other hand have no footprint to buy.... Most places in my country wants us to use a netted groundsheet so that the grass underneath don't die.
I'm sorry, but I am using a footprint for my big agnes copper spur HVUL 4 tent. The ul doesnt mean much if you buy a cheap blue tarp.
footprints also helps with condensation!
Totally agree
Peopke who go camping with tents without footprints, get wet. I've had it hapoen several times, and it will never gapoen to me again.
I just use the one I bought with my tent a decade ago.
Not really siding with the arguments.
There's no such thing as waterproof fabric when it comes to tents or even rain gear. They all can wet out, given the right circumstances (although sometimes those would have to be fairly extreme). Even if forced to camp on wet ground that isn't soaked enough for water to penetrate your floor, a footprint then protects the floor from mud and the sort of dirt and debris that can damage the floor or abrade the waterproofing from the material.
Don't make the mistake of getting one too much larger than your tent, though. Otherwise it will collect rain and funnel it under your floor. Kind of defeats the purpose. :)
Also, the percentage of people setting up a tent on less than pristine ground is not microscopic. Even at a proper camp site there will be twigs, burrs, bristles, etc., that you don't see that very much can puncture the floor once weight is placed in those areas from the inside.
What we ultimately come to is that I'm not sure most of us can see any reason to NOT use some sort of footprint, even if it's only for peace of mind. Its weight is negligible and it packs small. t
But I absolutely agree to not waste money on a manufacturer's footprint any more than on an additional rain cover for a backpack if it can be avoided. You're just allowing yourself to get screwed then. Invest in the Tyvek. You can order it almost exactly to size on Amazon. Maybe it costs a little more than a blue tarp, but after a few washings it can be packed up like it was made of Kleenex, it's lighter than the tarps and I actually trust it more.
Take care.
Totally disagree. Footprint keeps the tent clean. Use an almost weightless space blanket. It works, and it keeps floor warmer.
Has anyone used an emergency blanket (cut to size) as a footprint?
This is what I'm thinking about doing. I bought an SOL heavy duty emergency blanket, and it's already the same size as my 2 person tent floor.
A footprint have the same mesurements as the tent. Water cannot go under the tent. With a sheet as showed it is larger than the tent and water can go under the groundsheet and the tent. Not a good idea.
But in your your "tent camping for beginners," video you not only use one, you mention that it's a necessity.
Footprint is a glorified term for an overpriced tarp.
I couldn’t imagine ANY type of camping without tarp to help protect the bottom of my tents from tears and moisture.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇮🇱🇮🇱
You’re tent is falling down👆🏼
"Cheaper footprint" and "tyvek" do not belong in the same video
Thanks, I was just thinking about buying one but I wont. I've already got repair tape in my pack, so I'll leave it at that!
That's the biggest load of crap iv ever heard of
This person is lying about tent floors being waterproof. They are barley water repellent
Every tent I've been in no matter the make, model, manufacturer, always winds up with pools of water within an hour of it raining. The water just pushes up through the tent material.
I don't believe anyone that says they don't have puddles in their tent after an hour of rain.
lol
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