If you happen to’re new to tenting or making an attempt to up your sport, you’ve probably encountered tons of suggestions on what gear to purchase, issues to deliver with you on tenting journeys, what to DIY, and extra. You might have been informed to pack issues like a rainfly, a sunshade, bungee cords, mosquito netting, and a tent footprint, however it’s onerous to understand how a lot is really vital.
Luckily, we’re right here to begin demystifying the checklist of tenting necessities. If you happen to’ve ever questioned, “What’s a tent footprint, and do I really want one?” you’ve come to the fitting place.
Maintain studying to study every little thing you could know.
What’s a Tent Footprint?
In brief, a tent footprint is a protecting layer for the underside of your tent. It’s normally a cloth sheet, although it will also be metallic 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, filled with twigs, or lined in different particles?
Whenever you lay your tent on high of these surfaces, they’ll 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 range. For instance, some tent flooring have a water-proof stage of 1500 mm, which works in some climates, however it most likely gained’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 come in useful. Take into accout the waterproof ranges of footprints can range too, so ensure to analysis which is best for you.
Searching for extra tips about waterproofing? Try our web page about How you can Waterproof a Tent.
3. Some Campsites Could Want It
With these issues in thoughts, whether or not you want a tent footprint or not might come right down to your campsite. Is your campsite paved, grassy, or gravel? Is it in a dry or moist local weather? The extra you’ll find out forward of time, the higher ready you’ll be.
However for those who’re not sure the place you’ll be laying down your tent or what the circumstances are, it could be higher to be protected than sorry.
4. It Can Maintain You Heat
It might not sound like a layer of material 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 probably can be, too. And which means warmth is escaping.
Including yet one more layer will help hold the heat inside your tent from leaking out by way of the underside, and if it’s a very chilly night time, every little thing counts!
5. It’s Made for Your Tent
You might discover a number 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 measurement and form helps stop points like water seeping in and pooling between your tent and the footprint.
Professionals and Cons of Tent Footprints
So now that the fundamentals of what’s a tent footprint and why you may want one, you might be beginning to weigh the professionals and cons. If you happen to’re nonetheless on the fence about whether or not you must get a footprint, right here are some things to think about:
Some Tents Could 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 material.
The kind of material your tent makes use of may impression its sturdiness. For instance, a tent made out of nylon might not be as sturdy as a tent made with sure sorts of polyester.
So, it’s finest to think about 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
If you happen to’re backpacking, you’ve probably opted for a light-weight tent and minimal different gear to maintain your load as mild as potential. Sadly, as you may 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 similar 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
In fact, for those who’re contemplating shopping for new tools, value is one other vital issue to think about. Typical tent footprints can vary wherever from $15 to $60. And whereas this may occasionally look like an pointless expense to some, it could simply be worthwhile if it extends the lifetime of your tent (which might be dearer).
Tent Footprint Suggestions
Finest Tent Footprint General
Gold Armour
The Gold Armour Tent Footprint is a good all-around possibility. It’s comparatively light-weight, weighing just below one pound, and it does every little thing a tent footprint ought to do. It’s fabricated from 210-thread-count nylon, has leakproof taped seams, and has a water-proof ranking of 2000 mm. And better of all, it has a five-year guarantee.
This tent footprint is available in seven completely different sizes, making it straightforward to search out the scale that’s good on your tent.
Finest Tent Footprint for Your Price range
Arctic Lemmings
The Arctic Lemmings Tent Footprint is a good low-cost possibility that protects your pockets with out sacrificing high quality. It has bolstered seams, a 3000 mm waterproof ranking, and a 150 denier ranking. It additionally comes with handy options like stakes, a rope, and a storage bag.
This tent footprint is available in three completely different sizes, making it appropriate for a lot of completely different tents.
Finest Light-weight Tent Footprint
Close to Zero
Weighing simply six ounces, this light-weight Close to Zero Tent Footprint is a good possibility for backpackers. The very best a part of this footprint is that regardless of its light-weight really feel, its sturdiness holds up. It’s made out of 20D nylon that’s waterproof and windproof, and most reviewers are happy with the acquisition.
Whenever you’re making an attempt to pack mild, multifunctional instruments are a good way to maintain provides to a minimal. And never solely is that this footprint for shielding your tent, however it will also be used as a rain cover, sunshade, or floor tarp.
Incessantly Requested Questions About Tent Footprints
What can you employ as an alternative of a tent footprint?
If you happen to’re not offered on getting a tent footprint, you possibly can strive different supplies like a tarp, plastic sheet, plastic tablecloth, or Polycro.
Simply ensure these supplies are the fitting measurement; 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 verify it’s the fitting measurement on your tent, which can require you to do some additional customization.
How large ought to a tent footprint be?
The dimensions of your tent footprint is determined by the scale of your tent. A very good 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.
Be sure your footprint isn’t too small, although, or it’ll 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 folks choose to DIY it or forego it fully (particularly if their tent is additional sturdy).
Whether or not or not you want one is determined by your particular circumstances and priorities. However likelihood is, a low-cost and light-weight possibility can’t harm!
Searching for extra tenting gear evaluations, suggestions, and ideas? Go to our Tenting Gear web page for every little thing you could know.
