This is the result of complex ultralight designs and modern high tech fabrics. Footprints are usually made of a durable waterproof material like silicon coated polyester or nylon fabric, Tyvek, or polycryo (polycro). Privacy Policy. It's constructed using the same sewing, waterproofing and other techniques that go into creating your tent so it will come out in line with the price of the tent, i.e. A tent footprint can thus save your time, effort and keep you as well as an essential part of the tent protected. Is purchasing the additional footprint for $70 worth it? You can pick up a poly tarp at any hardware store, cut it to size, and have a functional footprint. Whether you're purchasing a tent that's £150 or £1500, a tent footprint can save you time, effort and, more importantly, keep an essential part of your tent protected. You want one that is slightly smaller than your tent. The material is also popular in the backpacking community because it is incredibly lightweight and waterproof. You will know the size you have chosen is the correct size if you place the footprint on the ground first. Window wrap is a material that is designed to add insulation to your windows during the winter. You can buy a pre-made Tyvek footprint from Tarptent.com for $14-$17. Going with a tent footprint specifically designed for your tent is by far the best option available. Given that the tent itself weighs 3 pounds 5 ounces and costs $400, a footprint is a significant addition: it adds about 15% more weight and 10% more cost to the equation. Most manufacturers use standard sizing so their entire lineup can use the same ground … It is lightweight, durable, water-resistant, and inexpensive. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. You can use ordinary cheap tarp. Ranging from £10 and upwards, the low cost of this accessory makes it absolutely essential to buy with your tent or for a tent your currently own. I recommend you attempt to patch the hole with Gear Aid Tenacious Tape. When you're setting up camp you should be looking at your pitch and checking for sharp stones, sticks and other debris that firstly might cause you to have an uncomfortable night's sleep and in the worst case could also damage your tent floor. This gives allows the tent to overlap the footprint by an … A tent footprint makes it easier to position the tent. if you have a high-end tent expect to pay high-end prices for the footprint. This synthetic material is one of the strongest known to man. I've used a piece of plastic in the past (actually a clear plastic tablecloth), which turned out to be really light and durable. Reasons Not To Use a Tent Footprint. Looking at the price of a footprint that goes with the lightweight tent you've just ordered can bring tears to your eyes. For example: Tent footprints are made with a variety of materials. After spending hundreds of dollars on a new tent, you want it to last as long as possible. This material protects the underside of your tent from getting ripped apart from dirt, rocks, sand, and other debris. If your tent pitch is wet when you're setting up camp, having a footprint will massively help to keep the inside dry. A tent footprint under $20 is worth it to add a layer of protection to your expensive tent. A tent footprint is simply a piece of material that you place between the ground and the floor of your tent. It is designed for use on outdoor gear like tents, jackets, and sleeping bags. Check out all the tents that can be pitched with just their footprint here. You will not lose time trying to set up a tent and finding the site is uneven or too small. Areas with lots of downed wood and the potential for … The only exception may be for a long-distance through-hike. Supposedly the shiny side is coated with waterproofing, but I don’t buy that (it’s probably just so people can see the logo). Many times when you are out camping or backpacking, you might find that your tent does become soaking wet or muddy at the bottom and this can be avoided with a tent footprint to keep the bottom protected. Sometimes looking at the price of a footprint can take your breath away, but you have to remember these things are made from the same high-tech fabrics that the rest of your tent is made from. Others believe they help with insulation. As a responsible gear professional, I cannot in good conscience tell you that using a tent footprint is a bad idea. Is it just a money spinner for the brand or do you actually need it and if you do why doesn't it come with the tent in the first place? If you let your tent floor wear out you may as well be using a tarp shelter or bivy sack. A footprint will prolong the life of your tent floor, adding a valuable extra layer of protection. One way to increase the lifespan of your tent is to use a footprint. Lightweight tents these days can feel like they've been made out of paper. This site uses cookies to provide and improve your shopping experience. They have even brought out a bathtub groundsheet for each of their tents that offers more protection than their normal footprints but still gives the open, airy feel of not using the inner tent. If you have to sew two pieces together, make sure you seam seal afterward to make the seam waterproof. A tent footprint is used for adding a barrier between a tent and the ground below it. It is much easier to wash the footprint than the whole tent. Your whole footprint will weigh just 1-2 ounces (about 28-56 grams) for a one-person tent. When you pack up your tent you pack the inner tent with your flysheet, if it was a muddy pitch this could get seriously messy. Dyneema weighs around 1 ounce per square yard. My tent pitched on a blue poly tarp footprint. This material is designed for use as a house wrap but is incredibly popular in the backpacking community. They are made by coating a nylon or polyester fabric with polyurethane. Well, are tent carpets worth it, after all, they can just be another expense on top of the cost of buying the tent? Call up the manufacturer and ask if they sell a tent footprint designed for your tent. Here is a guide to how to use them, how to set them up and how to make your own DIY footprint out of tyvek polycro or painters tarp for ultralight backpacking. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. One of the biggest drawbacks of taking a footprint with you on your trip is the extra weight. This isnât the case. The main drawback of this material is that it isnât very durable. This post will also teach you more details about tent footprints, as well as which ones are the best on the market. Tent footprints are certainly not necessary, but they can help extend the life of your tent. A tent footprint will make camping a nicer experience. The tarp is a little thicker and will be less likely to leak, while the tent footprint will be the exact size that you will need to place underneath your tent and ensure that the elements do not get in from underneath. MSR advertise the fact that their footprints can be used instead of the inner tent to cerate a minimal, lightweight set-up. Final Thoughts. A footprint is generally a good idea if you expect to camp on rough, rocky terrain with significant potential for sharp points and rough edges. There are a few good reasons to leave your footprint at home and do without. I am making last minute preparations for my SOBO hike starting in July. You can also try cool your tent without electricity in 2021 . I like tent footprints because they work to extend the longevity of your tent. We have already discussed about the worthiness of a tent footprint. Unfortunately like most things when going ultralight, there are too many factors to give a definitive answer. Even serious ultralight campers don’t need to dish out much to get the right gear. If you really pushed us for an answer we would probably say save the weight, unless you know where you are going you are going to have to pitch up on slightly rocky ground. If youâre making a footprint for a larger tent, you may have to do some sewing. If you again think that is a tent footprint worth it? If you decide to buy the fabric and make your own footprint, youâre looking at spending about $32 per yard. This stuff is strong, easy to use, inexpensive, and water-resistant. Subscribe to my Newsletter for New Posts and Exclusive Content! In most cases tent footprints are definitely worth it. PU coated nylon footprints typically weight around 1.9 ounces/ square yard. Manufactured footprints usually cost $30-$50. For example: Extra weight-No matter what type of footprint you choose, it adds a bit of weight to your pack. The Denier figure can be used to denote the toughness of a tent fabric. Choosing the Right Tent Footprint Dimensions. While just a rainfly and footprint won't keep bugs out, it will protect you from rain and wind, and will be much lighter without all of the tent fabric. The fabric is also incredibly durable and is tear and water resistant. We've listed some of the reasons why you might want to get the footprint for your tent and some reasons why you might not. These tarps are also widely available. The resulting tarp is inexpensive, durable, and water-resistant. You can buy pre-made window wrap footprints from several cottage manufacturers. For example, when you use a footprint, you don’t want it to be larger than your tent floor and reach out past the tent rainfly, because rain will … Available in Make and Model Specific Sizes. It should have at least the same, if not higher, Hydrostatic Head rating. I use this Duck Extra Large Patio Door Shrink Film from Amazon. You will probably have to pay a premium, but it’s so worth it. We camped for years without a tent carpet. All Rights Reserved. A 6 x 8 foot poly tarp weighs around 10 ounces (283 grams). Considering a backpacking tent can cost $300 or more, a $40-50 or less footprint might just be worth it. Personally, I've found it useful to have just a footprint when backpacking or camping in mild climates to reduce the carrying weight. You will need to check the measurements against the size of your tent and if you are looking for alternative pitching methods as described in point number 5 you are better off sticking with the same brand footprint as your tent just to ensure it all works seamlessly. Footprints are: Budget-friendly: Footprint is a very budget friendly camping material. On average you can expect the footprint to weighs around 25% of what your tent weighs. They are made from tightly woven together polyethylene fibers. One package is enough to make 4 footprints for my Big Agnes Fly Creek HVUL 1 person tent if I cut it carefully. Having an extra layer of fabric between you and the bottom of your tent is great for keeping your tent clean. Tent footprints and tarps are essentially similar when you look at them, but they are designed for different purposes. In the end you have to weigh up the pros and cons of taking a footprint with you and make your own decision. This sounds a lot but makes a bit more sense if you think that your tent floor would account for approximately a quarter of the weight of your tent and with a footprint you are doubling up on that. You could make your own for $5-$10. Share your experience and tips in the comments below! They cost around $5-$10. If you didnât use a footprint and ended up with a hole in your tent floor, there is still hope that it can be saved. This is my favorite footprint option. Yes, tent footprint is definitely worth every penny you spend because it helps you to protect the tent surface from getting damaged due to rough surface. Knowledge Base - Are Tent Footprints Worth It? Dyneema is an ultra-strong, ultralight material made from polyethylene. When is a tent footprint worth it? It will be helpful. Carrying an extra 1-4 ounces to extend the life of your tent is worth it for most trips. I recommend you attempt to patch the hole with, Is Camping Safe? Tent groundsheet nice and clean and dry for folding, footprint wet / muddy, much easier to dry at home. Why only keep your protected from one part of the elements, when you can ensure your tent is fully protected. Dyneema has applications in a number of industries including medical, military, policing, maritime, aviation, mining, and of course, outdoor gear. Footprint or not, we always make sure to meticulously clear twigs, rocks, and pinecones from our campsites before pitching a tent … If you have an ultralight tent with a low denier floor, it might be worth it to shell out the extra dollars for a footprint or to make your own. The fabric is thin to make them lighter and easier to carry but this also has the unintended consequence of making them more prone to becoming damaged. If you're making a custom footprint out of tyvek or something like that, I recommend two inches less than the size of the tent. However tent footprints are not entirely necessary. While this won’t necessarily cause extra wear and tear on our tent, it can damage other items you’ve brought along. These are classic utility tarps that you would use to cover a vehicle being stored outdoors. To start discussing what a tent footprint is, we would need to look at how life is without one. A footprint is an important accessory when pitching your tent, but a lot of people take it for granted. Iâll also explain how to make your own tent footprint on the cheap. The material is light but most manufactured footprints include straps, grommets, and a stuff sack which adds some weight. Tyvek is a synthetic material made from polyethylene fibers. If you want to benefit from this improved service, please opt-in. The one drawback of Dyneema is that it is incredibly expensive. When it comes to cheap tents with poor design you want to have that layer between the ground and your tent bottom. Avoiding Wild Animals, Insects, and Injury, Bear Safety Tips: How to Avoid Bears While Hiking and Camping, Quilt Vs Sleeping Bag: My Pros and Cons List. If you didnât use a footprint and ended up with a hole in your tent floor, there is still hope that it can be saved. A tent footprint is basically a light waterproof material that you place underneath your tent, right above the ground where it’s going to sit on. This adds a bit of work. Family Camping without a Tent Carpet. If your tent manufacturer makes one for your tent, only make the purchase if it is reasonable. Differences are the best on the ground and the ground first of taking footprint... Sharp objects like sticks and rocks in my mind, there is really no reason to! All of the most common measurements and create their own footprints which are usually cheaper footprint by an do! Material under the name polycryo as an essential part of the strongest known to man save money! 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