I know this probably sounds quite stupid but I don't know what a tent footprint for? Does it make a real difference to your tent and how have we managed so long without them? Up till now I have never thought of buying one but they seem quite popular now. I just don't see the point.
I always use them now. It helps keep the built in ground sheet clean, and also makes it easier to fold up the tent when the ground is wet or muddy. Perhaps more a today advantage, as earlier tents, did not have sewn in ground sheets. Would never camp without one now.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Agree with raf,i think its a must,it keeps the bottom of the tent mud free,much easier to wash down, much less hassel than messing about cleaning the underside of the tent after trips.Plus it helps as a good guide when positioning/pitching your tent,also adds another layer of insulation.Not that exspensive,and will last years if lookes after properly.
About 20 years ago when we got our first tent, we were recommended to put a lose groundsheet under the tent to help keep it clean, it just wasn't called a footprint then.
We cut it to size and it made pitching the tent a lot easier as we could position the groundsheet first and see if there would be enough room to peg out round it, and it helped pegging the tent out and getting it right as it was a funny shape.
It also means you can pitch and pack up with out the tent getting muddy if the weather is bad and now with a SIG I definatly wouldn't be without one, don't want to get my canvas dirty.
I don't think they make one for my latest tent so will be making one myself shortly. Essentially to keep the sig clean, extra protection from stones etc?, a small amount of insulation and a darn sight easy to chuck over the washing line back home.
There are videos on youtube explaining the principle of making your own.
Yep, modern take on the bit of polythene some people used previously:
- keeps the underside of your SIG cleean
- another layer to protect against sharp stones, etc
- another layer to insulate against cold, wet ground
- much easier to clean than your SIG if you want to
- cheaper to replace
If your tent maufacturer doesn't make one for your tent, you can buy simple groundsheets from camping/outdoor shops for a few pounds.
I have always used one - even way back when - it just never entered my head to put the tent straight onto the ground to get dirty when it is so much easier to wash off a piece of tarpaulin.
------------- Sue
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Quote: Originally posted by carasash on 08/2/2012
I know this probably sounds quite stupid but I don't know what a tent footprint for? Does it make a real difference to your tent and how have we managed so long without them?............. I just don't see the point.
Neither did I until a couple of years ago when I bought a tent which came with one, and I wouldn't pitch without it now. The advantages are exactly as others have said, especially if the ground is a bit wet or muddy - far easier to clean a footprint than it is to clean the underside of a sig. Get one, you'll soon be converted!
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
You don't need to buy one at an inflated price which is specific to your tent. If you make your own from a sheet of polythene just remember to cut it an inch or two smaller all round than the size of your tent so rain does not run off your tent and onto the sheet and then get between your SIG and footprint.
I used to think just like you do, carasash. What is the point of buying an extra layer to go under your tent when it already has a groundsheet? I always thought it was a rather posh and unnecessary add-on. I've changed my mind recently, though.
Firstly it's great to have a 'layout' of your tent which you can move about until you've found the perfect pitching-spot. Having the base laid out as a guide also helps to get the tent straight and shipshape, making pegging out much easier and smarter.
The underlay gives the SIG quite a degree of protection from sharp stones and gravel in the grass, which means your tent will last longer.
And the footprint is a godsend in mud. Since changing from a tent with a loose groundsheet to one with a SIG, I've been lucky enough not to encounter really muddy conditions, but I pitched the tent on an extra layer of groundsheet anyway, because I had a feeling it might be important some day. Then last November I was trying out my brand new Outwell Virginia at Hopley's. There had been a lot of rain, and inevitably on a grass pitch, conditions were quite spongy and in some places sodden.
I had a footprint this time, and it proved a great barrier between the mucky grass and the SIG. When it came to drying out the tent after a VERY damp weekend, I was able to take the tent into the house to dry it out. I left the filthy footprint rolled up in the garage until I had time to deal with it, and then just laid it out on the path and hosed it down. Very easy, very safe for my lovely new tent, which remained in pristine condition despite the mud!
I can't imagine how I would have got the muck off the sewn-in groundsheet if that had been in contact with the grass, and it would have seriously soiled the canvas as I rolled it up, no matter how carefully I did it. The weather was too bad to attempt cleaning something as large as a tent SIG outdoors, and so I'd have had to try and do it in the living-room. Nightmare scenario!
I used to be such a laid-back camper, but my first tent only cost about £20 and was 6' x 4'. We spend a lot of money on a good tent these days, and they're bigger and less manageable. I reckon the extra few quid on a footprint is a small price to pay for the ease of pitching and keeping the tent clean. I'd never pitch directly on the ground now.
Thanks for all the comments. Im still not sure but I do understand more about the reasons for having one. The sig on my pretty big tent seems very strong and in all the years I have been camping it has never ripped or torn. I do see the point in using it to avoid mud but really that is the only reason I would use it and ive never had much of a problem. Maybe im just trying to convince myself not to get one as I would rather spend the money on something for my tent that I can actually see or use. I need more persuasion.
weve got a diablo 900 that came with footprint, pevious tent diablo 600 without the shape is very aqward when it comes to drying and cleaning and the foot print has been a god send cause it me that cleans it. Your tent is a straightish shape whereas ours is like a Y with an extra leg in middle so for us just on cleaning side its saved me hours. Also didn't realise that last year we pitched on a tent peg which would have gone through the SIG, it also let us get right position too
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Topic: tent footprint
