Tarptent Footprints...

[Chubbs4U]

I recently got my rainbow and have the tyvek sheet. Wondering what people use as a footprint for their TT. Tyvek is a little bulky. Also have read that some poeple use nothing as a footprint. So what do you guys use/do?

[WhoDey]

I use a Poloycryo sheet from Gossamer Gear. I believe it's the same as that window heat shrink film sold at hardware stores

[Deadeye]

My tarptent goes naked, sans footprint. The way I figure it, by the time I wear out the floor, I'll want something new & different anyway. With a little care & careful site selection, it should last a good long time.

[10-K]

No footprint here either. I used to carry a sheet of tyvek for various reasons but noted it weighed 10 ozs so I started leaving it at home.

[Franco]

This popped into my head as I was reading the Op's comments..
Try this and see if it works for you.

With my Rainbow I can roll up the Tyvek groundcloth inside the fly and it still fits inside the original stuff sack.
(fold it so that the dirty side does not come into contact with the fabric)
A bit tight but the groundcloth helps in compressing the fly (as the pole also does) when you roll it up.
A quick way to soften the Tyvek is just to roll it up (like a newspaper) and twist it a few times.
BTW, I do not use one myself, the one in the pic is used for experiments .
Franco

[garlic08]

I don't use a groundcloth/footprint either. My Contrail has 6000 trail miles, quite a few of those in rocky desert, and shows no wear on the floor. Henry's website has a comment somewhere about this. He says he virtually never gets tents back for floor replacement. The comment above is correct--either something else will wear out or you'll want a newer design first.

Leaving the tyvek behind was one of the easiest 6 ounces I've lost from my pack. (Mine must be smaller than 10K's--tyvek, I mean.)

[gumball]

No footprint for our tarptent here either.

[Rocket Jones]

Nope. No footprint.

[Penguin]

NEver had a footprint on my Cloudburst or Sublite, and never got any holes in the floor. Even on AZT and PCT where the ground is just a little rocky at times.

[frisbeefreek]

I own a rainbow. I got some 0.8mil painters plastic from Walmart ($1.29). Trim it, and it weighs about an ounce. One sheet lasted an entire thru.

I used tyvek on a previous thru, but at 4oz, it wasn't worth it.

I like the groundsheet because it allows me to put my tent on some crappy ground (muddy, twiggy, etc). This makes it a little lighter and cleaner when I pack it up in the morning.

[Trailbender]

I use a half of a really light tarp, but my tarptent doesn't have a floor.

[bigcranky]

No footprint. Have used various Tarptents since 2003 with no issues.

[Rick500]

No footprint for my Moment.

[88BlueGT]

No footprint here as well. Never had a problem. hopefully never will.

Its just not worth it to me. I rather have a tent with a hole in the floor that's patched with duct tape before I carry a heavy ground cloth. Just my .02

[Chubbs4U]

So I took my Rainbow out for a night. Didnt bring a footprint but ended up using a couple of cardboard boxes underneath cause setting up in an ideal spot wasnt possible. Heres what I did notice. I slipped around like a skating ring. The boxes prob didnt help too much but they were worn a bit so I know they werent the full problem. On the floor of my tent it looks like they put some lines, horizontal, so that would stop some of the sliding. What have you guys used to help with this issue? I looked up some topics but it seems people have a difference of opinion. Thanks.

[Rocket Jones]

I painted a grid of dots on my floor with seam sealer that was slightly thicker than the stuff I used to seal the seams.

[Bags4266]

I bring one cause I use it in the shelters under my air mattress when I don't feel like setting up the tent.

[Chubbs4U]

Hey Rocket- what was the stuff called? Do you remember how long it took to dry. I live in an apt and I dont have a yard. I can make the time just wondering.

[tuswm]

u can mix clear silicon and mineral sprits to make seam sealer. people adjust the ratio for different purposes.

Just add mineral spirits till it gets thin enough to pain on.

[Chubbs4U]

It seems that making dots or rows could make pressure points. Even apply something rubberlike to the pad.