Hi... just purchase a monty 6... love it..
Now, I need a footprint, not sure weather to buy an outwell monty one, or one of these breathable ones..
I have never used one or know nothing about them.
Thoughts, views & recommendations please..
Which shall I go for, where from, fors and againsts..
Thanks
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I would go for the specific one for your tent. No problems with bits sticking out and easy to pitch the tent.It makes taking the tent down easy as everything stays nice and clean and dry. It also protects the sewn in groundsheet of your tent.
I'm not sure what 'breathable' one you mean? If it's the softex/aerotex type they take up more room and the moisture comes through them.
------------- Are you sure you've read the instructions?
The specific footprints for your tent are overpriced for what is essentially a bit of tarp. B&Q, Homebase, or where ever will do a tarp for about a tenner. Lidl sometimes have them cheaper than that.
My footprint is a big piece of pond liner, it's a bit smaller than the tent which is ideal. You don't want anything sticking out so if you get a sheet of pondliner or tarp one tip I've read on here is to erect your tent on top of the tarp, mark it out with chalk and then cut it, well inside the lines so that it's a bit smaller than your tent.
In my opinion the footprint doesn't need to cover the entire area under your tent. It's purpose is to stop stones damaging your groundsheet from underneath and the heavy traffic in a tent generally is through the middle. So therefore the footprint needs to cover the high traffic area. If the bits around the edges don't have any footprint under them it won't matter, at most you'll be sleeping on them.
The main thing is that nothing sticks out, you'll have water getting trapped between the two layers.
I think it depends on how good/ happy you are at diy if you're happy enough to do it with a tarp and scissors then that's fine if not then buy the purpose made foot print, after all it's made professionally to be an exact fit and match.
------------- Steve
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Quote: Originally posted by xtinexoop on 01/7/2010
Do the matching ones clip to the tent? or are they literally just shaped tarp?
Christine
Just shaped tarpaulin Christine.
We've always used B&Q or Lidl tarps and just folded any excess underneath. When we leave we just fold the tarpaulin dirty sides together and then hose down when we get home. They didn't make footprint when got our first SIG tent and having been happy enough to use something else we couldn't see a good reason to pay more for essentially the same thing.
Now we also have a frame tent, we've invested in a good quality pond liner as there is no SIG and we need something heavier to hold down the flappy bits at the bottom of the tent and also to give a decent floor.
We also just re-use the one big Outwell carpet we bought for our SV8 with our others tents, well not the Nevada 3 as that would be plain silly, a couple of picnic rugs covers the whole of that lol.
------------- Christine
2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July
Hello Deebo69.
For my new Outwell Virginia 5, tent I considered the purchase of a matching footprint, to protect the SIG.
However, some campsites prefer people to use breathable coverings rather than tarp.
I came across ECO-mats, and after some mathematics I decided to purchase 2 pieces.
I use 1 for my small tent, and both for my Virginia 5.
The mats feel really nice underfoot (especially bare ones), it is noiseless, unlike the rustling of plastic/poly tarp. Rot proof, does not flap about in a breeze, so I have not had to peg it whilst getting my tent sorted.
Despite the initial cost, it will last me for the rest of my tenting life.
I bought mine from 'World Of Camping', the grey one means I'm less likely to leave it behind than the green one LOL.
Just something for you to consider.
Regards James
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Campsites usually only ask for breathable coverings for caravan awnings I thought? I would think having a breathable footprint under a non breathable SIG would defeat the object?
There's no point having a breathable footprint under a SIG tent, the SIG cuts out the light which stops the grass growing. Some campsites do have a breathable groundsheet policy, but they'll only accept Non SIG tents.
Or sometimes they will accept your SIG tent if you move it every few days. I go to a local site where you're only allowed four days before you move your tent. It's so much hassle to move a tent though that I only go for a weekend. If I had to pack up to move I'd just go home instead.
If you got pools under the tent you must have not tucked it in enough.
A tarp should be cut an inch or 2 shorter all around to stop water creeping in between the tent and tarp.
The trapped water would smell after a couple of days .
I have always used cheap blue b&q tarp and never used anything to stop fraying . I just pegged at the corners and its lasted 3 seasons so far . You can reinforce pegging points with ductape though.
Don't know where you'd get a black one though.
------------- Debbie
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What about using some Damp-Proofing Membrane 1000 gauge It comes in different sizes, but the 4x12m is big enough for most tents, or maybe two! At £26 (or less) it's far cheaper than most footprints and does just as good a job. It's hard to tear, but easy to cut - ideal for odd shaped tents.
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Topic: Footprints
