A tent footprint, or ground sheet, is an added layer of protection placed between the bottom of your tent and the ground. The holes also need to be evenly placed on every corner within the three extra inches of your material. The simple answer is yes. Camping entails you investing in the proper equipment. A tent footprint is traditionally made of the same material that the base of your tent is made of. @markjake Thanks for reaching out!. View: Showing 30 results per page; show 90 results per page REI Co-op. This complete guide helps you find that perfect cup of morning joy wherever the trail may take you. Sean was backpacking since he was 7. Once that happens, it’s only a matter of time before that tear turns into a irreparable hole. Favorite quote, by Jim Rohn, “If you’re not willing to risk the unusual you will have to settle for the ordinary.”, Is A Tent Footprint Worth It: Yes, and how to make your own for free. DIY Tyvek Tent Footprint As you may know, we have a Big Agnes, Fly Creek UL2 tent that we use for pretty much every backpacking trip. A second hand groundsheet is cheap, but the cost of how much risk you run into buying a used tent footprint is too high to pay. Out of all the materials you need, the most important is choosing the right material you want for your groundsheet. I am thinking I can make one WAY cheaper. When the footprint wears out it can easily be replaced at a comparably low price tag compared to your tent. But then again, maybe you only need your groundsheet for just one or two camping trips. Read on to find one that fits your budget, some tent background, and buying tips. However, a footprint will increase the longevity of your tent, prevent moisture and cold from entering your tent, and is relatively light. By using Crux Range you accept our use of cookies. 5 Comments. Footprints are cheap and replaceable but do an important job like preventing punctures and tears. Theirs is made of nylon taffeta with I guess rubber or plastic backing. A sheet under your tent. Spider Bites Treatment: What You Need to Know to Stay Healthy, How to Dry Clothes Fast: When You Are in A Hurry, Best Camping Blankets: 8 of the Best for Outdoor Comfort, Smokeless Fire Tips: Where There’s No Smoke, There’s Fire, Best Filtered Water Bottle: From Everyday Adventures to Extreme Excursions. Numerous customers who bought the manufacturer-made tent footprint for the 'Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2' tent reported on Amazon that the tent footprint is poorly made and NOT AT ALL a good purchase. A tent footprint is a sheet of fabric that will protect the base of your tent from any wear and tear it might encounter. Considering a backpacking tent can cost $300 or more, a $40-50 or less footprint might just be worth it. This site uses cookies to improve user experience. Lastly, if you don’t want to end up shivering and miserable after a rainy night inside your tent, make sure you invest in a good tent footprint … Make sure your measurements are precise, and don’t hesitate to measure out your tent multiple times. Despite being made of extremely durable nylon or polyester, the bottom of your tent takes a lot of wear and tear. If you already read our in-depth guide to choosing a tent and found your perfect backcountry structure you might be wondering if you need a footprint for your tent. 5 Comments. Denier is a measure of thread thickness. All images are the property of their respective owners. Until the prices of a customized, manufactured tent footprint are lowered, then your best bet is to make your own tent footprint. You’d be right to think that paying that much for a protection sheet is a little steep. For double-walled tents, the denier is not as critical because the inner tent is protected by the rain fly. Despite being fairly important, tent footprints are simple things. Once you’ve cut your fabric to its appropriate size, it’s then time to cut the holes into your material. There’s no better example of this then building your own DIY tent footprint. The following are some of the alternatives that can be taken into account: An old tarpaulin can be used. It’s a good idea to use your tent footprint every time you’re camping, but it’s ideal for campers who stay at rugged and sandy terrain or places prone to harsh weather. The footprint is highly useful to convert the tent into a tarp-tent among other things.. If at this point it looks like the corners of the sheet are popping out, then repeat steps 1-4 until it’s nice and neat. by Daniel Carraway. Polycro has an extremely high strength to weight ratio, meaning for such a thin layer it is puncture and abrasion-resistant as well as waterproof. 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