Are you a new camper who’s only just heard of a “tent footprint”?
Are you looking to keep your tent in good shape as long as possible?
Then, you may want to consider checking out tent footprints. These extra parts of a camping setup can make a huge difference in the life of a tent.
But the question may still remain, “Do I need to use a tent footprint?”
Whether you NEED a tent footprint or not is largely up to you. If you camp in areas with rough, rocky ground or you plan on camping during a rainy time, a tent footprint can provide an extra layer of protection from wear and tear due to rubbing against the ground.
Read on for more information on tent footprints.
Table of Contents
What Is A Tent Footprint?
A tent footprint is essentially a ground clot under your camping tent. This prevents wear and tear off the bottom of your tent as it lies on the ground.
Because tent bottoms experience the most stress, they’re often reinforced by the manufacturer (at least, good tents are reinforced).
But chances are, the bottom of your tent is going to be the part that wears down the fastest.
This is where the tent footprint comes in.
This ground cloth is often made of a very durable and waterproofed material to help protect the bottom from further damage.
Most often, these tents come in some kind of poly or plastic, but you can find them in other types of materials.
A good example of a tent footprint are these ones by ALPS. The durable material, waterproofing, and specific size make this a life saver for your tent bottoms (I picked it up on sale through Amazon for a steal!).
6 Reasons To Use A Tent Footprint
There may be more reasons to use a tent footprint, but these are the ones that have the most impact on your camping experience.
#1 Protect The Tent Bottom
This is the primary purpose of the tent footprint, and, seriously, these do a great job of protecting the bottom from direct contact with the ground.
In turn, this lengthens the life of your preventing things like water leakage later when the rain starts to fall.
If you want a sure investment, spend the money on a tent footprint and watch it pay off when your tent lasts a lot longer than those who don’t.
#2 Extra Warmth
We all know it can get chilly out there at night when you’re camping.
Personally, I love that cold and crisp feeling, but there is a point when it’s just too cold.
Since your tent bottom is in direct contact with the cold ground, you’re going to lose a LOT of heat this way.
Unless you have a tent footprint, that is!
A tent footprint provides an extra layer of insulation and protection from the cold earth. Try it and be shocked at how much heat you actually save when you have a tent footprint there.
Still too cold? You can always try these tricks to keeping a tent warm.
#3 Extra Waterproofing
Most people don’t realize it, but you’re much more likely to get water leaking in through the tent bottom than you are from the top of the tent.
And yet, everyone and their brother has a rain fly, but only some folks have a tent footprint.
A good rain fly can keep the water off the tent bottom AND guide water even farther away from your tent. This also prevents water pooling which is very dangerous when it comes to leaking.
Most of the time, tent footprints are water-treated to some degree and even if your generic tarp isn’t, it can still do a good job keeping the water from directly contacting the bottom of the tent.
Worried about water? You may want to learn about rain flies too.
#4 Easier Tent Setup
This benefits really only applies to tent footprints made for a specific tent. Be sure to check out your tent maker and see if they make a special tent footprint for your tent.
If the footprint is designed as a match, it can help you set up easier. One of the first things you’re going to do when pitching a tent is put down your tent footprint.
With exact footprints, you can better visualize and place your tent’s dimensions to make sure you’re in a good spot.
#5 Keeps Tent Clean
I think this is the second most important reason for using a tent footprint. If you’ve ever used your tent (especially after a rain), it can get dirty quite easily.
Even worse, if you don’t have the time to air the tent out, it can get moldy and start to smell.
While it’s possible and not too difficult to get the smell out (these strategies for getting a campfire smell out of a tent will work here as well), using a tent footprint can make it a whole lot simpler.
The footprint will take the brunt of the dirt and moisture, and it’s easier to move and clean a footprint than the whole tent.
#6 Rough Ground Camping
Using a tent footprint is ultimately up to you, but if you’re going camping over rough terrain such as sandy desert, rocky mountain, or where there’s a lot of water, you really should get a tent footprint.
Being the kind of person who camps in these places probably means you also camp all the time. Keeping your tent in good shape is important to you, and a tent footprint is a great place to start with this.
Can I Use A Tarp As A Tent Footprint?
Honestly, yes you can! Even hardcore campers can easily get away with using a simple tarp as a tent footprint with decent effect.
Get a lightweight tarp or sheet of the ultralight tyvek (check out my favorite one on Amazon) and throw it down below your tent.
This can save you some extra money when compared to official tent footprints.
These tarps go well with a variety of tent sizes, and, best of all, you won’t feel as frustrated when it tears and you need to replace it.
The drawbacks of using a tarp as a tent footprint include:
- Material rips easier
- Often waterproofing isn’t as good
- Tarps may collect mold faster
- Require some tweaking to fit a tent size
Note: Make sure the tarp goes beyond the area of the tent bottom slightly. This will prevent some water pooling which can then leak into the tent body.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed learning about why you need to use a tent footprint.
While you may be able to get away if you only go camping occasionally, a tent footprint does a lot to protect the bottom of your tent and keep your tent working longer along with those other benefits.
If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy the best 4 person cabin tents for rain.
Now get out there, and enjoy the fresh air!