Regarding footprints

[One Half]

Pack your fears.

If you are afraid of getting small holes in the floor of your tent or having to pack your tent carefully when the floor is muddy, carry a footprint.

If you realized that small holes in the floor of your tent are easy to fix if you ever need to, and you can always fold your tent up in a way the the muddy floor doesn't get the rest of your tent dirty when packing it, then save the six oz. or so, along with the added clutter and do away with the footprint.

I use footprints in the front country to extend to life of my tent, when I don't have to carry them and when I may likely be camping on a hard gravel tent pad at a campground. I have never worried about footprint use in the backcountry. But then, I rarely use a tent in the backcountry either.

Hmmmm I don't think his foot print weighs 6oz. Just saying. I have that same tent and I would be surprised if the footprint weighed that much though I never weighed it by itself.


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[Venchka]

Has anyone used plastic sheeting from the hardware store for a footprint? If so, what mil would be thick enough? Thanks in advance!

Yes. 1.0 mil or 1.5 mil. Take your pick. I bought from Tru-Value Hardware. About $5 buys a piece big enough to make at least 4 4'x7' pieces for my Hubba Hubba NX. The same piece folded in half lengthwise works for my StratoSpire 1. Holds up well.
Wayne


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[BuckeyeBill]

I switched to a hammock a few years back and used a piece of tyvek as a footprint. After the switch I got a smaller piece to stand on in my bare feet while getting out of my day clothes and getting comfortable for a good night's rest. I got them for free from a contractor friend.

[garlic08]

Hmmmm I don't think his foot print weighs 6oz. Just saying. I have that same tent and I would be surprised if the footprint weighed that much though I never weighed it by itself.

According to the REI site, the footprint weighs 5 oz. And costs around $50. Not exactly nothing.

To those who think a footprint keeps a tent floor clean, what do you do with a dirty footprint? Same issue, I've found.

I don't understand the thought that a footprint will make striking camp easier. It's another thing to roll up and pack.

Has anyone ever worn out a footprint? I think it's a myth that it will extend the life of a tent floor. Unless people do kinetic things in a tent (I just sleep), what's the source of abrasion?

Why not use the tent itself as a ground cloth when warranted? No need for an extra piece of gear just for that.

To the OP, I'd say stick in a Priority Mail envelope and try bouncing it ahead a few weeks. Then if you find you don't miss it, forward it home for no additional cost.

[PatmanTN]

I've owned the Fly Creek II since 2010 and that floor is tissue thin. Even small pinholes will compromise it in standing water. If you want it to keep out water, use a footprint of some kind.

[PatmanTN]

One alternative use I've found is as a sun shade. Used on Choeah Bald here:

[PatmanTN]

ah this is a better pic with mountains

[AllDownhillFromHere]

According to the REI site, the footprint weighs 5 oz. And costs around $50. Not exactly nothing.

To those who think a footprint keeps a tent floor clean, what do you do with a dirty footprint? Same issue, I've found.

I don't understand the thought that a footprint will make striking camp easier. It's another thing to roll up and pack.

Has anyone ever worn out a footprint? I think it's a myth that it will extend the life of a tent floor. Unless people do kinetic things in a tent (I just sleep), what's the source of abrasion?

Why not use the tent itself as a ground cloth when warranted? No need for an extra piece of gear just for that.

To the OP, I'd say stick in a Priority Mail envelope and try bouncing it ahead a few weeks. Then if you find you don't miss it, forward it home for no additional cost.

I don't think its abrasion, it's puncturing. Lay your tent down on something hard, and any pointy thing will poke through.

[lonehiker]

LW posted years ago that he didn't use a footprint. I tried it (or didn't actually), liked it, and haven't used one for quite some time. One less thing to pack, unpack, carry wet/dirty etc. 100% weight savings by leaving it at home.

[Bansko]

I formerly used them religiously, but don't use them anymore. I finally decided that it was just something else to keep track of that provided little to no benefit. I have about 100 tent nights in my Copper Spur UL1 with no footprint, and the floor is fine. I pick up debris before pitching, but I don't over do it.

[saltysack]

Polycryo works great, I finally broke down and started carrying a small sheet for use in shelters (as described) and when tenting, I go ahead and put it under the tent since I have it anyway. I think it's 1.5 ounces for my BA Copper spur.

Did you ever try out the 1443 tyvek yet?


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[TrappedInsideACube]

I can't see paying ~$70 for a big agnes ground sheet when you can buy polycro or tyvek for ~$10.

[Ethesis]

I can't see paying ~$70 for a big agnes ground sheet when you can buy polycro or tyvek for ~$10.

My thought.

The polycro goes into an outside pouch. The tent goes into my pack.

[BuckeyeBill]

I got a 3' x 9' piece of tyvek from Anti Gravity Gear for $6.75. Nine foot wide pieces cut to length you want. I gave it to my grand kids and told them to wrinkle, crush, smash and twist it. I then washed it a couple of times and gave it back to the grand kids again. After a few rounds it still has some noise left in it, but no where near what it was when new.

[capehiker]

I started out this year without a footprint but by the NOC, I picked one up after having 9 straight days of rain at least once a day. Sooner or later the floor of the tent will wet out after prolonged rains. I also found I love spreading the footprint out on the grass at lunch and I have rigged it up as a tarp. It's multipurpose.

[DownEaster]

I can't see paying ~$70 for a big agnes ground sheet when you can buy polycro or tyvek for ~$10.

They're charging a big premium for those 4 tie-outs at the corners.

[Venchka]

They're charging a big premium for those 4 tie-outs at the corners.

Catch 22. Apparently many of their tents can only be set up in fly only mode with the factory footprint.
One of several reasons why I own MSR and TarpTent shelters.
Wayne


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[theinfamousj]

I bet someone could rig something up using webbing and grommets to approximate the location of the grommets in the footprint for fly-only.

Based on the tents I have seen with a fast fly option, it would be easy for someone with a thread injector and a grommet kit to do.

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[Venchka]

I bet someone could rig something up using webbing and grommets to approximate the location of the grommets in the footprint for fly-only.

Based on the tents I have seen with a fast fly option, it would be easy for someone with a thread injector and a grommet kit to do.

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Why bother? There are tents on the market that don't require the extra trouble.
Wayne


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[Ashepabst]

I hardly ever use a footprint, but I always bring a plastic sheet on trips just so I have a dry place to sit or sprawl-out at the end of the day. when I'm hanging, it goes under my tarp where I wrap my gear in it for rain protection.

but, I'm not a thru-hiker so take it for what it's worth. I get to (have to) go home and hose off after a few days.