What’s a Tent Footprint and Why You Want One

In the event you’re new to tenting or attempting to up your recreation, you’ve seemingly encountered tons of suggestions on what gear to purchase, issues to convey with you on tenting journeys, what to DIY, and extra. You could have been informed to pack issues like a rainfly, a sunshade, bungee cords, mosquito netting, and a tent footprint, however it’s onerous to know the way a lot is really essential.

Fortuitously, we’re right here to start out demystifying the listing of tenting necessities. In the event you’ve ever questioned, “What’s a tent footprint, and do I really want one?” you’ve come to the appropriate place.

Preserve studying to study all the things it’s worthwhile to know.

What’s a Tent Footprint?

In brief, a tent footprint is a protecting layer for the underside of your tent. It’s often a cloth sheet, although it may also be steel or plastic, and it sits beneath your tent to guard it from moisture and tough surfaces that may trigger harm.

Why Do You Want It?

A tent footprint has a number of advantages, however in a nutshell, it protects your tent. Learn on for extra particulars.

1. It protects your tent.

A tent footprint is an additional layer of sturdiness that protects the underside of your tent from the weather. Give it some thought – how usually have you ever encountered campsites which might be rocky, uneven, stuffed with twigs, or coated in different particles?

Whenever you lay your tent on prime of these surfaces, they will scratch the ground of your tent, put on down the material, and even puncture holes over time. Nonetheless, with a footprint in between your tent and the bottom, your tent has significantly better safety.

2. Waterproofing

Tents usually have some waterproofing, however simply how a lot waterproofing they’ve can differ. For instance, some tent flooring have a water-resistant stage of 1500 mm, which works in some climates, however it most likely received’t stand up to a downpour for those who get unfortunate with the climate.

So for those who suppose you might want some additional waterproofing to maintain the ground of your tent dry, that is the place tent footprints can turn out to be useful. Remember the waterproof ranges of footprints can differ too, so be sure that to analysis which is best for you.

In search of extra recommendations on waterproofing? Try our web page about How you can Waterproof a Tent.

3. Some Campsites Might Want It

With these issues in thoughts, whether or not you want a tent footprint or not might come all the way down to your campsite. Is your campsite paved, grassy, or gravel? Is it in a dry or moist local weather? The extra yow will discover out forward of time, the higher ready you’ll be.

However for those who’re uncertain the place you’ll be laying down your tent or what the circumstances are, it could be higher to be secure than sorry.

4. It Can Preserve You Heat

It could not sound like a layer of cloth beneath your tent would actually assist hold you heat, however simply give it some thought. If the bottom beneath your tent is cool, the ground of your tent seemingly will likely be, too. And meaning warmth is escaping.

Including yet another layer may also help hold the heat inside your tent from leaking out by the underside, and if it’s a very chilly night time, all the things counts!

5. It’s Made for Your Tent

You might discover loads of recommendation telling you to DIY your footprint or use one thing else like a tarp, however the draw back of those choices is that they’re not as custom-made on your tent.

Shopping for a tent footprint that’s designed to suit your tent’s dimension and form helps forestall points like water seeping in and pooling between your tent and the footprint.

Execs and Cons of Tent Footprints

So now that the fundamentals of what’s a tent footprint and why you would possibly want one, you might be beginning to weigh the professionals and cons. In the event you’re nonetheless on the fence about whether or not it is best to get a footprint, right here are some things to contemplate:

Some Tents Might Be Sturdy Sufficient

Along with waterproof ranges, tents usually have sturdiness ranges that point out how thick and sturdy the material is. This stage is often known as the “denier”, and it specifies the thickness of the fibers within the tent’s cloth.

The kind of cloth your tent makes use of may additionally impression its sturdiness. For instance, a tent made out of nylon is probably not as sturdy as a tent made with sure sorts of polyester.

So, it’s greatest to contemplate your tent’s specs to grasp simply how sturdy it could be. In case your tent isn’t fairly as sturdy as you’d prefer it to be, that’s the place a tent footprint turns out to be useful.

Weight

In the event you’re backpacking, you’ve seemingly opted for a light-weight tent and minimal different gear to maintain your load as mild as potential. Sadly, as you would possibly anticipate, a tent footprint will add additional weight to your pack.

Tent footprints can weigh wherever from 5 ounces to one-and-a-half kilos. And identical to with tents, the heavier ones usually use thicker materials and are due to this fact extra sturdy.

Backpackers usually have to decide on between a light-weight (however much less sturdy) tent with a footprint, or a heavier (however extra sturdy) tent with out one.

Price

After all, for those who’re contemplating shopping for new gear, value is one other vital issue to contemplate. Typical tent footprints can vary wherever from $15 to $60. And whereas this will appear to be an pointless expense to some, it could simply be worthwhile if it extends the lifetime of your tent (which might be costlier).

Tent Footprint Suggestions

Ceaselessly Requested Questions About Tent Footprints

What can you employ as a substitute of a tent footprint?

In the event you’re not bought on getting a tent footprint, you possibly can strive different supplies like a tarp, plastic sheet, plastic tablecloth, or Polycro.

Simply be sure that these supplies are the appropriate dimension; you need them to be barely smaller than the ground of your tent, so water doesn’t get trapped. And relying on which materials you go for, know that it could not final so long as a tent footprint would.

Is a tent footprint higher than a tarp?

It relies upon. A tarp may very well be extra sturdy and inexpensive than a tent footprint. Nonetheless, tarps are sometimes heavier to hold. Plus, with any DIY possibility, you’ll want to ensure it’s the appropriate dimension on your tent, which can require you to do some additional customization.

How huge ought to a tent footprint be?

The dimensions of your tent footprint relies on the scale of your tent. A superb rule of thumb is that it needs to be barely smaller than your tent’s ground. This prevents water from seeping in between the footprint and the tent itself, which defeats the aim of the additional waterproofing you get from a footprint.

Make sure that your footprint isn’t too small, although, or it would depart elements of your tent uncovered, additionally defeating the aim.

Wrapping Up Tent Footprints

A tent footprint is a helpful tenting device that protects your tent, extends its longevity, and provides additional waterproofing. Nonetheless, as a result of it provides additional weight and value to your tenting gear, some individuals decide to DIY it or forego it solely (particularly if their tent is additional sturdy).

Whether or not or not you want one relies on your particular circumstances and priorities. However likelihood is, a low-cost and light-weight possibility can’t harm!

In search of extra tenting gear evaluations, suggestions, and suggestions? Go to our Tenting Gear web page for all the things it’s worthwhile to know.