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Hi

Just cheaking throgh list to make sure we have everything and I realise I havent got a footprint. So my question is do I need one & what are they?

I have a Hi Gear Mojave 5 with SIG

Thanks

Hi

Basically, a footprint groundsheet is a separate groundsheet cut to the shape of your tent that goes onto the ground first and you pitch your tent over it. If there isn't one that goes with your tent, check out the dimensions of other tents to see if their footprints might be compatable. Alternatively, you can buy a groundsheet/tarpaulin that is a bit big, pitch the tent over it in the garden and then cut the groundsheet to shape. You could hem it properly if it came with a hem or leave the edges raw if it doesn't fray. You must make sure that none of the footprint groundsheet sticks outside the bottom of the tent as it will gather water which will eventually seep up through your SIG and into the tent. Just cut it slightly short.

I would always recommend a footprint as it is extra protection for your tent's SIG from stones, brambles etc and will keep it clean from mud etc, which you wouldn't want transfered onto your flysheet when you fold the tent up. With a SIG this can be a real problem. It will also speed up the packing up, as you can fold up the tent and SIG and pack it away clean and then just bundle up the footprint groundsheet into a bin bag and hose it clean when you get home. Without it, you will have to spend time cleaning the SIG on site before packing up your tent to avoid the damp and mud transfering to the rest of the tent or the tent bag.

Hope this helps !

Helen

I have noticed that the Gelert Lakesbury 5 is the same tent as mine and i can find what it says is footprint/groundsheet so whould this be the right thing

Link to one i seen http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/shop/gelert_lakesbury_5_footprint_groundsheet__2780?utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=ProductSearch

Hi

It looks like what you need. They have the same dimensions 380x480 and shape. Have a search on google and yahoo to check the cheapest source, but you look to have identified what you need (unless you want to go down the dust-sheet, tarpaulin route that is).

Happy hunting!

Helen

Footprints, as far as I know, are a fairly recent idea. Somebody obviously came up with the idea and found they could make a lot of money out of them and they seem to have caught on.

The idea is good i.e. they help to keep the tent groundsheet clean and they help protect it from sharp objects. Personally I check the pitch for sharp objects before pitching the tent and remove them or ask for another pitch if they are too bad, like tree roots etc.

I did once try a footprint, which was basically a sheet of plastic, and found it was just another thing that you have to fight with to get it pinned down in windy weather before you can start pitching your tent. I have seen more than one footprint flying off into the adjoining fields never to be seen again. Then at the end of the weekend I ended up with a filthy muddy sheet which was only fit for the skip. It seemed to gather more wet mud than the tent groundsheet ever did and that was on a fairly dry weekend.

After that I didn't bother any more. I have never had a groundsheet damaged by sharp objects and when I pack the tent away I simply wipe or brush the groundsheet as I fold it. It's only going to get dirty again the next trip so no need to be too particular...it's inside that matters.

Still, lots of people use them and swear by them, so each to his/her own I say.

hi there

we bought the mojave 5 last summer for a weekend tent, fab purchase, pitches like a dream and still offers you good living space for the family.

we bought a green ground sheet from go outdoors cost me about £8  - we pitched it on that and and it fit perfectly width and length ways we just folded the corners in to give it the shape of the front of the tent. 

Goes down as my best buy!!  -  i will be sorting out my camping cupboard next weekend so i will take a note of the size i bought off the bag and update this for you.

Jillian