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.
Principally, you’re taking part in Russian roulette along with your tent’s life.
To lengthen the lifespan of your tent, it comes down to 2 selections: tent footprint vs tarp.
However which is healthier? Whereas each have execs and cons, we discover the winner by a slight edge is the tent footprint.
Listed 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.
These days, most tents are product of skinny materials so as 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 harm and put on and tear attributable to the floor you place it on.
They arrive in several sizes and shapes, 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 frequent?
They’re waterproof!
Except for additional safety towards abrasive surfaces, this is likely one of the most vital capabilities of a tent footprint.
Which brings us again to my earlier level – tent footprints are made to match a particular tent’s flooring dimensions. If it was bigger, extending previous the perimeters of your tent, rain would discover its manner beneath, and you might say hiya to a puddle beneath your tent.
On all sides, footprints are usually 1 to 2 inches smaller than the particular tent they’re made for, to keep away from this rain subject. For many tents, you could find a becoming footprint available on the market.
I gained’t lie, they’re not normally low cost.
However, this value is nowhere close to the worth of a brand new tent if you happen to harm your flooring. Personally, I’m extraordinarily choosy when shopping for a brand new tent. That’s why I’d reasonably spend a bit of 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 truth, you may anticipate them to weigh roughly 25% of your tent’s weight. That’s one thing to remember when going backpacking or thru-hiking.
Professionals:
- Reduces the quantity of warmth loss to the bottom
- Lets you pitch your tent quicker, because of the grommets the place the poles go in
- Matches your tent completely
Cons:
- Not versatile, solely serves as a groundsheet
Utilizing a Tenting Tarp as a Tent Footprint
For those who thought a tent footprint was your solely possibility, you have been unsuitable.
A tarpaulin (or tarp) is probably 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 could be one of many first issues I’d pack. Nay, I’d most likely put on it as a cape.
I discover a tarp to be probably the greatest 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 can also make a tarp shelter in any and all climate circumstances with such a easy piece of fabric. However 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.
However, there’s a catch. Keep in mind how tent footprints are barely smaller than the tent flooring to forestall water from amassing between the 2 layers? Nicely, your tarp shouldn’t prolong previous the tent edges both.
Discovering a tarp that’s the best dimension on your tent is reasonably troublesome, so some modifications could be so as. You’ll must both lower it to dimension or fold it.
Plus, relying on the fabric, a tarp would possibly tear on extraordinarily tough terrain. However, hey, I suppose that’s why you place it down within the first place, proper?
Professionals:
- Typically cheaper than a footprint
- Can be used as safety towards all climate parts
- Can function an emergency shelter
Cons:
- Wants some changes to suit correctly below your tent
- Could be fairly cumbersome
Tent Footprint vs Tarp – Which is finest?
Each tarps and tent footprints can serve the identical goal, unquestionably.
However the true query is – can they do it equally properly?
And to get probably the most exact reply, let’s examine a few of their most vital options:
Protection
Like I mentioned, tent footprints are designed to suit a particular tent. So if you happen to personal two tents of various shapes or sizes, you’re going to want two footprints as properly.
Tarps will provide you with the protection you want, and a bit of additional. However on this case, you don’t need any additional, as a result of water will accumulate if you happen to go away it uncovered.
So that you’ll want to regulate your tarp to get the right match.
Some campers lower their tarps to get the best protection, a way that I’m not keen on.
Relying on the tarp materials, chopping might trigger the ends to fray. And in addition to, you’ll take away the grommets on the perimeters you narrow, and these are fairly helpful for preserving a tarp in place.
As a substitute, I like to recommend merely folding it to your tent dimension, simply previous to pitching your tent.
Portability
For those who’re backpacking, that is most likely crucial function of each piece of kit. Particularly if you happen to’re an ultralight backpacker.
Your groundsheet must be light-weight and compact when packed, or else it should solely sluggish you down.
Portability relies upon rather a lot on the supplies this stuff are product of, in addition to their dimension. Typically, tarps are bigger, and you’ll anticipate them to be barely heavier. Plus, they’re normally bulkier when packed.
Materials
For probably the most half, tent footprints, and tarps are product of both nylon or polyester.
Each supplies are water resistant. However they’re additionally moreover handled with a water-resistant coating, to completely defend you from the weather.
Different, not-so-popular selections of fabric embrace Tyvek, polycryo, silnylon and Cuben Fiber. They’re all water resistant materials, however their different traits like weight or breathability are the rationale they don’t usually make the lower.
Each a tarp and a tent footprint might be product of 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 type of tent flooring safety.
Nicely, in order for you your tent to reside one other tenting day, that’s.
Consider it or not, this additionally consists of sand. Whilst you would possibly get pleasure from strolling barefoot on sand, your tent doesn’t share your enthusiasm.
Each a tent footprint and a tarp will work properly on completely different surfaces. However, as a lot as I like utilizing a tarp, I need to admit {that a} footprint will do a barely higher job.
In any case, they’re made for this very goal.
Climate
The explanation I rave a lot about tarps is as a result of they’re nice for all climate circumstances.
Relying on the forecast, you may resolve if it’s extra wanted beneath or above the tent.
Tent footprints, however, are designed to guard your tent from beneath solely.
However, if it’s actually, actually chilly, a thick footprint won’t solely maintain you dry, however heat too.
It’s an amazing insulator, and if you happen to’re winter tenting, I’d choose it over a tarp.
Affordability
Pricewise, tarps are usually very reasonably priced. Polyethylene tarps are just about a steal, however even nylon ones gained’t value you a reasonably penny.
On the subject of tent footprints, they’re product of the identical materials as their respective tents. So, in case your tent was costly, you may anticipate the footprint to harm your pockets, too.
Tarp vs. Tent Footprint In contrast
FAQs
Is it price getting a tent footprint?
Whereas not an absolute necessity, a tent footprint prolongs the lifetime of your tent, so it’s a very good addition to your gear.
Nevertheless, a tent footprint might be dearer, which is why many campers go for a tarp as an alternative.
Can I take advantage of any tarp for a tent footprint?
A tarp must be the identical size as the underside of the tent. If it’s shorter, it gained’t be as efficient.
An extended tarp, however, will trigger water to gather beneath the tent. Fortunately, you may keep away from that by becoming your tarp to dimension.
We do that by folding it right down to the right dimension proper earlier than pitching our tent.
Do you want a tarp below 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.
Nevertheless, it’s not a horrible concept to make use of a tarp as properly when tenting on a extremely harsh floor, as it should maintain your tent footprint from carrying down.
How can I make an inexpensive tent footprint?
You will get a tarp or a tyvek sheet (a water-resistant, puncture-proof materials), you can alter in dimension to suit your tent backside.
Including grommets to every aspect requires a bit extra work, however it’s simply achieved with just a few primary instruments.
Ought to a tent footprint be waterproof?
Sure, a tent footprint, similar to the tent flooring, must be waterproof.
And going with the double-proofed backside is rarely a foul concept, as you’re twice as certain you’ll stay dry contained in the tent, whatever the climate.
The Remaining Verdict
Each a tent footprint and a tarp can do an amazing job at defending your tent from abrasion in addition to preserving it dry. Finally, the selection is situational.
For those who’re tenting on tough terrain, a tent footprint is a barely better option.
If you need a extra reasonably priced and versatile possibility, then tarp is what you want.
However, if doable, get each!
That manner, no terrain or climate situation can smash your tenting journey.
