Very similar to mine, which has stood up to 3 years of use and abuse (my dog scampering around on it!) as my awning groundsheet/carpet, without any obvious deterioration. Sufficient padding that you can walk on barefoot when used on gravel/slate hard standing.
Very similar to mine, which has stood up to 3 years of use and abuse (my dog scampering around on it!) as my awning groundsheet/carpet, without any obvious deterioration. Sufficient padding that you can walk on barefoot when used on gravel/slate hard standing.
Thanks that looks good. If used as a footprint with over hang would the railn drain through it so there wasn't any water trickling under the tent do you think?
Very similar to mine, which has stood up to 3 years of use and abuse (my dog scampering around on it!) as my awning groundsheet/carpet, without any obvious deterioration. Sufficient padding that you can walk on barefoot when used on gravel/slate hard standing.
Thanks that looks good. If used as a footprint with over hang would the railn drain through it so there wasn't any water trickling under the tent do you think?
Well mine once had a small river running under it on a HS during torrential rain that lasted hours, as it was floating the 'river' wasn't obvious until you stepped on it and then a significant puddle appeared around your feet! - but once the 'river' stopped it dried out PDQ! So yes, it is permeable, and made of substantially non-absorbent fibres, so rain should pass through and not puddle and/or be channelled under tent.
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Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 10/6/2021
Only a very occasional tent user these days as mostly in tin tent, but subject tweaked my interest.
Never had a problem with tarp type footprints, so probable wouldn't look to change. Bolon was not a product/material I was familiar with anyway (had to Google it!), but can see potential benefits.
It got me thinking, it looks a lot like, and works like breathable awning carpet/groundsheet, and that would probably be more easily obtained and from what I could see much cheaper, only found one priced outlet for Bolon at £16/m for 2.5m wide, I paid less than that for my entire 4x2.5m sized carpet complete with hemmed edges and peg down eyelets! So long as you avoid the big brand names and their inflated pricing, unbranded carpets are cheap as chips and available in a variety of sizes. The material/quality seems very similar to many expensive brands, so not automatically a case of budget equalling rubbish. Just a thought.
We've had different types, including the holey rubbery stuff, and it's not the same, so I'm not sure it would work so well.
Bolon (which also comes in different grades) is a super-tough, very close-weave fabric which can be cut to size and doesn't fray. We've used it in just about every camping outfit we've ever had (as caravan awning carpet and outside tents to create a clean area), and it doesn't seem to let muck through even with rain and high traffic, which is why I thought to give it a try as a permeable footprint.
You've got to remember you'll be walking on the SIG / ZIG so the last thing you want is for any mud to come up through and and defeat the benefit of a footprint groundsheet in keeping the underside clean, as well as protecting it.
Yes, it's expensive new but it's worth looking for used stuff on ebay etc as the age and design doesn't really matter if you're only using it as a footprint, this stuff lasts forever!
Another benefit, you can part the weave and peg through it. Even if you just go straight through it, it doesn't fray (why it doesn't need hemmed edges).
Interesting post, Lidds0.
Those negatives (to the brands/types) you mention are the very assumptions I've always made, with regards to potentially using the same type of awning carpet we use in our awning as an under-tent footprint.
For the record, we use one of these which work perfectly for the intended use, but I really cant see it keeping the underside of our tent clean, should the heavy rains hit our South of France dusty pitch!
With your comments, I may well join the queue on the lookout for offers/used Bolon. Gotta be worth a try, whilst little need for it to become a mission of urgency.
Quote: Originally posted by No Faff on 14/9/2008
I've just bought a sunncamp evolution 600 dl and thinking of buying one of these new-fangled footprints, are they worth the £25 my local camping store charge? Has anyone seen the footprint cheaper inc delivery? I hear you can make them out of a tarp, but sounds like a faff? Would an old groundsheet do? Suggestions please.
I have always used footprints on tents. Both backpacking and larger ones you can stand up in. Definitely worth the extra cost. It would cost a lot more to replace the original groundsheet. Or use gaffa tape to do a repair lol!
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Topic: Are footprints really worth their money?
via mobile 12/6/2021 at 9:53am
