Damaging your tent is simpler than you would possibly assume.
Any time you pitch a tent by itself on tough terrain, its flooring is getting worn down, little by little.
Basically, you’re taking part in Russian roulette along with your tent’s life.
To delay the lifespan of your tent, it comes down to 2 decisions: tent footprint vs tarp.
But which is best? While each have execs and cons, we discover the winner by a slight edge is the tent footprint.
Here are the outcomes:
Tent Footprint – Why We Love It
A tent footprint is a chunk of fabric that’s specifically designed by the tent producer to go beneath your tenting tent.
Nowadays, most tents are made from skinny materials with the intention to be compact and light-weight. Their flooring, though waterproof and thicker than the partitions, aren’t too sturdy.
That’s why footprints are designed to guard your tent flooring from pointless injury and put on and tear brought on by the floor you place it on.
They come in numerous styles and sizes, meant to match your tent completely.
Tent footprints are made of various supplies, from polyester and nylon to rubber and even Tyvek.
What do these supplies have in widespread?
They’re waterproof!
Aside from additional safety in opposition to abrasive surfaces, this is likely one of the most essential capabilities of a tent footprint.
Which brings us again to my earlier level – tent footprints are made to match a selected tent’s flooring dimensions. If it was bigger, extending previous the perimeters of your tent, rain would discover its manner beneath, and you would say whats up to a puddle under your tent.
On either side, footprints are typically 1 to 2 inches smaller than the particular tent they’re made for, to keep away from this rain difficulty. For most tents, you could find a becoming footprint available on the market.
I received’t lie, they’re not normally low cost.
But, this price is nowhere close to the value of a brand new tent when you injury your flooring. Personally, I’m extraordinarily choosy when shopping for a brand new tent. That’s why I’d moderately spend slightly more money on flooring safety to increase its life, than undergo that meticulous and costly course of once more.
One factor you must know is that tent footprints aren’t precisely featherweight. In reality, you possibly can count on them to weigh roughly 25% of your tent’s weight. That’s one thing to remember when going backpacking or thru-hiking.
Pros:
- Reduces the quantity of warmth loss to the bottom
- Allows you to pitch your tent quicker, because of the grommets the place the poles go in
- Fits your tent completely
Cons:
- Not versatile, solely serves as a groundsheet
Using a Camping Tarp as a Tent Footprint
If you thought a tent footprint was your solely possibility, you had been flawed.
A tarpaulin (or tarp) is essentially the most versatile piece of tenting gear, and might work nice as a groundsheet, too.
It’s waterproof and intensely sturdy – each incorporates a tent footprint must have.
In case of an apocalypse, a tenting tarp can be one of many first issues I’d pack. Nay, I’d in all probability put on it as a cape.
I discover a tarp to be top-of-the-line tenting innovations ever made. It’s light-weight however sturdy sufficient to resist the weather.
All the weather. Wind, rain, solar, snow…
When correctly used, you may make a tarp shelter in any and all climate circumstances with such a easy piece of fabric. But I’ll cease right here earlier than my digression will get out of hand.
When used as a DIY tent footprint, a tarp does the whole lot you want it to do. It protects the tent flooring from harsh terrain, in addition to including an additional layer of waterproofing.
But, there’s a catch. Remember how tent footprints are barely smaller than the tent flooring to stop water from amassing between the 2 layers? Well, your tarp shouldn’t lengthen previous the tent edges both.
Finding a tarp that’s the appropriate dimension to your tent is moderately tough, so some modifications could be so as. You’ll must both reduce it to dimension or fold it.
Plus, relying on the fabric, a tarp would possibly tear on extraordinarily tough terrain. But, hey, I suppose that’s why you place it down within the first place, proper?
Pros:
- Generally cheaper than a footprint
- Can even be used as safety in opposition to all climate parts
- Can function an emergency shelter
Cons:
- Needs some changes to suit correctly underneath your tent
- Can be fairly cumbersome
Tent Footprint vs Tarp – Which is greatest?
Both tarps and tent footprints can serve the identical goal, indubitably.
But the true query is – can they do it equally effectively?
And to get essentially the most exact reply, let’s examine a few of their most essential options:
Coverage
Like I mentioned, tent footprints are designed to suit a selected tent. So when you personal two tents of various shapes or sizes, you’re going to want two footprints as effectively.
Tarps gives you the protection you want, and slightly additional. But on this case, you don’t need any additional, as a result of water will accumulate when you go away it uncovered.
So you’ll want to regulate your tarp to get the proper match.
Some campers reduce their tarps to get the appropriate protection, a technique that I’m not keen on.
Depending on the tarp materials, chopping may trigger the ends to fray. And moreover, you’ll take away the grommets on the edges you narrow, and these are fairly helpful for protecting a tarp in place.
Instead, I like to recommend merely folding it to your tent dimension, simply previous to pitching your tent.
Portability
If you’re backpacking, that is in all probability a very powerful characteristic of each piece of kit. Especially when you’re an ultralight backpacker.
Your groundsheet must be light-weight and compact when packed, or else it’ll solely sluggish you down.
Portability relies upon lots on the supplies this stuff are made from, in addition to their dimension. Generally, tarps are bigger, and you’ll count on them to be barely heavier. Plus, they’re normally bulkier when packed.
Material
For essentially the most half, tent footprints, and tarps are made from both nylon or polyester.
Both supplies are waterproof. But they’re additionally moreover handled with a water-resistant coating, to totally shield you from the weather.
Other, not-so-popular decisions of fabric embody Tyvek, polycryo, silnylon and Cuben Fiber. They’re all waterproof materials, however their different traits like weight or breathability are the explanation they don’t typically make the reduce.
Both a tarp and a tent footprint could be made from both of these supplies, so your alternative of material doesn’t have an effect on your alternative of groundsheet.
Terrain
Any tough floor requires some form of tent flooring safety.
Well, if you would like your tent to reside one other tenting day, that’s.
Believe it or not, this additionally contains sand. While you would possibly take pleasure in strolling barefoot on sand, your tent doesn’t share your enthusiasm.
Both a tent footprint and a tarp will work effectively on completely different surfaces. But, as a lot as I really like utilizing a tarp, I have to admit {that a} footprint will do a barely higher job.
After all, they’re made for this very goal.
Weather
The motive I rave a lot about tarps is as a result of they’re nice for all climate circumstances.
Depending on the forecast, you possibly can determine if it’s extra wanted under or above the tent.
Tent footprints, then again, are designed to guard your tent from beneath solely.
But, if it’s actually, actually chilly, a thick footprint won’t solely hold you dry, however heat too.
It’s an excellent insulator, and when you’re winter tenting, I’d decide it over a tarp.
Affordability
Pricewise, tarps are typically very inexpensive. Polyethylene tarps are just about a steal, however even nylon ones received’t price you a reasonably penny.
When it involves tent footprints, they’re made from the identical materials as their respective tents. So, in case your tent was costly, you possibly can count on the footprint to harm your pockets, too.
Tarp vs. Tent Footprint Compared
FAQs
Is it price getting a tent footprint?
While not an absolute necessity, a tent footprint prolongs the lifetime of your tent, so it’s a great addition to your gear.
However, a tent footprint could be costlier, which is why many campers go for a tarp as a substitute.
Can I exploit any tarp for a tent footprint?
A tarp must be the identical size as the underside of the tent. If it’s shorter, it received’t be as efficient.
An extended tarp, then again, will trigger water to gather beneath the tent. Luckily, you possibly can keep away from that by becoming your tarp to dimension.
We do that by folding it all the way down to the right dimension proper earlier than pitching our tent.
Do you want a tarp underneath a tent with a footprint?
If you have already got a tent footprint in place, there’s no want so as to add a tarp beneath.
However, it’s not a horrible concept to make use of a tarp as effectively when tenting on a extremely harsh floor, as it’ll hold your tent footprint from carrying down.
How can I make an inexpensive tent footprint?
You can get a tarp or a tyvek sheet (a water-resistant, puncture-proof materials), which you can regulate in dimension to suit your tent backside.
Adding grommets to every aspect requires a bit extra work, however it’s simply executed with a number of fundamental instruments.
Should a tent footprint be waterproof?
Yes, a tent footprint, similar to the tent flooring, must be waterproof.
And going with the double-proofed backside isn’t a foul concept, as you’re twice as positive you’ll stay dry contained in the tent, whatever the climate.
The Final Verdict
Both a tent footprint and a tarp can do an excellent job at defending your tent from abrasion in addition to protecting it dry. Ultimately, the selection is situational.
If you’re tenting on tough terrain, a tent footprint is a barely more sensible choice.
If you desire a extra inexpensive and versatile possibility, then tarp is what you want.
But, if doable, get each!
That manner, no terrain or climate situation can spoil your tenting journey.