In this article, you’ll learn why and when a tent footprint is mandatory, how to use it, and, more important, how to choose the right sized groundsheet for your specific tent.
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When and why are tent footprints necessary?
Almost all of us forget that our tents are just sheets of some sort of polymer that have to endure so much during their lifespan. UV rays (is your tent UV protected?), water, fire (sometimes), mold, condensation – the list can go on and on.
But all the above are something that you can notice quickly and take action upon. The problem is when the damage is done to parts that you rarely see: the underside of the tent floor.
Almost all types of soil are somehow abrasive. But the most dangerous of all are gritty soils, sand, and rocky terrain. They could easily damage a thin sheet of “plastic”, and this damage can be seen right after the first time you’ve been camping, let’s say, on the beach.
If the chosen campsite has a gritty, abrasive, or rocky terrain, a tent footprint is necessary in order to protect the tent floor from suffering irreparable damage like:
- Punctures;
- Deterioration of the waterproof coating (eg when it’s rubbing against the sand )
- Rips can easily occur when the tent is not properly secured and the floor is sliding on sharp terrain.
- Mold growth when the tent it’s being pitched on wet ground for too long.
The main purpose of the footprint is to provide protection against abrasion, but if installed correctly, it can also be used to further waterproof the tent floor. No matter how dense the footprint material is, it should never be used with the purpose of providing extra insulation, as it has almost zero insulation capabilities. Find out more about tent insulation during cold seasons.
People have been camping without them for years and never had problems, but it seems that lately, with the arrival of more expensive tents, they feel the need to protect their investment. This makes footprints worth every penny.
When you’re trying to decide if you really need a tent footprint, it’s worth knowing what factors you should also take into consideration (explained in detail further down in the article): the durability rating of the tent fabric and the waterproofing rating.
What are tent footprints and how do they work?
A tent footprint (often called groundsheet), is nothing more but a sheet of very durable fabric, often made out of polyester or nylon, that is applied underneath the camping tent to protect the floor against rips, wear, and tears when camping out on the rough ground.
Whenever you step inside your tent, the floor will move/slide ever so slightly, and if the soil underneath is rough enough, it could damage the waterproofing layer or, even worse, create a puncture. The footprint works as a barrier between the soil and your tent, allowing the floor to slide on top of it (if necessary).
Due to the fact that it is made out of much durable fabric, it has no problems dealing with any type of abrasion.
Depending on the quality of your tent’s floor, you might want to consider getting two ground cloths; one underneath and one inside.
Many times, the inside will wear out quicker than the outside as all that gear with sharp edges will rub against the floor.
Another benefit of using one is that you don’t need to wash the whole tent if it gets dirty.
Find out more about what else you can do to care for your tent.
How big should the tent footprint be?
It’s ideal to buy one that’s around 2 inches smaller than the bottom part of the tent. This way, if it rains when you’re out camping, you don’t need to worry about water going underneath the shelter, damping all the ground beneath you.
To make life easier for you, you should check with the tent’s manufacturer to see if they sell footprints for that specific model.
Chances are that most of them will sell them, but you need to be prepared to pay a premium for them.
In simple words, it’s just another way for them to make money off of you. But at least you don’t need to worry about the sizes as you know for sure that they will fit perfectly.
Important: if you buy a universal footprint and it’s bigger than the tent, never trim down the edges to match the size of the tent floor. Those edges are strongly sewed to reinforce them. Simply make it smaller by tucking them underneath.
Tent floor durability and waterproofing ratings
Almost all of the tents that you can buy today should list on their specifications something called a denier count.
This denier count represents the total thickness of the threads that make up the fabric (in our case, the floor of the tent which is usually thicker than the body). We can use this measurement to estimate (roughly) the durability of the material.
Generally, the higher the denier, the more durable the material is. But this higher durability will also add extra weight, as represented in the comparison table below.
If your tent floor material has a denier between 70 and 150, it is considered a very durable material, and in this case, using a tent footprint under normal camping conditions is not necessary.
However, these types of tents do cost a lot more and, for an extra $30 dollars you can probably buy a universal footprint that will add extra protection (better safe than sorry).
There is a similar measurement system for the waterproofing rating of the tent floor, but this time is measured in millimeters (find out more about tent waterproofing). This is called a hydrostatic head measurement. In this case, a higher rating translates to a better capability of the fabric to resist high volumes of water, as the millimeters refer to the pressure that the water needs to reach in order for the fabric to leak.
If the hydrostatic rating of your tent floor is only around 1200-2000mm, using a tent footprint is mandatory, even if the soil is apparently dry. This is because condensation will always occur underneath the tent, and the soil may be dry just at the surface – deeper water can also start to evaporate and build up underneath your tent.
Campsite selection determines the need for a footprint
Campsite selection can also determine if you need a tent footprint.
For example, if you’re out camping on the forest floor, you’ll probably end up pitching on terrain that is not clear of brambles, twigs, gravel, roots sticking out, etc. In this scenario, a footprint might be necessary if you want to be sure you’re not damaging your tent.
Also, even if you’re using a groundsheet, you’re better off spending a couple of minutes trying to clear the ground.
On the other hand, if you’re camping on grassland (a meadow), chances are that the tent footprint is not necessary, even if the denier count is somewhat low. The grass alone should act as a footprint and protect the floor of your tent.
Pre-existing campsites, where most people end up camping, do sometimes require a footprint. This is because with time, the ground where people slept before turned into a “dish”.
This “dish” is the perfect spot for gravel, sand, and water to collect. It might not be visible to the naked eye, but even the smallest sunken area can hold all these elements.
You can use the table below to estimate the necessity of a tent footprint depending on the type of soil that you’re going to camp on.
| Terrain type | Denier < 50 | Denier > 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | Not required | Not required |
| Sandy beach | Required | Required |
| Forest floor | Required | Optional |
| Rocky terrain | Required | Required |
| Snow | Optional | Not required |
Winter camping
Do you need a tent footprint during winter camping?
The answer depends on the 2 types of scenarios that you can probably encounter:
- Camping on the snow – if this is the case, a tent footprint is not necessary as long as the layer of snow is thick enough.
- Camping on frozen ground – in this scenario, it’s better to use a tent footprint, as condensation can build underneath the tent and it can quickly freeze. Frost can damage the waterproofing coating and, sometimes, it freezes so hard that you can rip the floor when you’re lifting the tent up.
Beach camping
Do you need a footprint when camping on the beach?
Almost all the time, when camping on the beach, a tent footprint is mandatory. This is because sandy soil is the most abrasive of them all (think sandblasting).
Sand can damage the floor of the tent in many ways, but the most common problem is that the tent floor will move ever so slightly on top of it, this act is similar to rubbing it against sandpaper.
The waterproofing layer will be destroyed very quickly. It’s true that you can probably recoat it, but this application will never be as strong as the factory-made.
Best universal tent footprints that you can buy
If your tent does not come with a footprint (most of the times the manufacturers sell them as an overpriced accessory), the cheapest and most convenient alternative is to buy an universal groundsheet. Down below you’ll find the best one for the money.
3. Marmot Ultralight
Most of us are being used with heavy groundsheets, but if you’re searching for something light, this would be the winner.
People usually skip on using footprints just because they’re an extra weight that nobody wants, especially if backpacking.
But this product is light and compact enough to fit any backpack. Really, weight is no excuse if you go for this.
Material: ultralight nylon.
Sizes: Available for 4 and 6 person tents only.
Multipurpose: No. It can solely be used as a footprint for a specific size.
Reinforcement: It doesn’t come with any reinforcements.
Waterproofing: It has waterproofing on both sides.
Price range: High
Vendor: Check availability on Amazon.
2. ALPS Mountaineering
Great price for a high-quality fabric. It’s also available for many tent sizes, and it only takes 5 minutes to install it.
The reinforced edging with a strong sewing make it very durable, and it should last you for many camping seasons.
Material: Polyester fabric.
Sizes: Available for 2 to 6 person tents.
Multipurpose: No. It can solely be used as a footprint for a specific size.
Reinforcement: It doesn’t come with any reinforcements.
Waterproofing: It has a waterproofing level. The manufacturer doesn’t mention if both sides are coated.
Price range: Medium
Vendor: Check availability on Amazon.
Terra hiker universal footprint
A genuine multifunctional design that can be used for more than camping.
Very often people use these groundsheets for many other things: for example, some use them as a tarp. This is an universal product that will serve you well for years.
Material: 210D Oxford cloth
Sizes: 59″ x 86″ (150 x 220 cm), 70″ x 86″ (180 x 220 cm), 94″ x 86″ (240 x 220 cm).
Multipurpose: Picnic, tarp, groundsheet, rainfly.
Reinforcement: It doesn’t come with any reinforcements.
Waterproofing: It has a waterproofing coating on both sides.
Price range: Low
Vendor: Check availability on Amazon.
DIY tent footprints and lower-cost alternatives
I look around, and I see how people put so much time in a DIY groundsheet, sewing grommets, and cutting sheets of Tyvek or polypropylene to fit their tent.
The results look nice, but I have a problem with this; what if you change your tent? Most likely, you have to do it all over again.
So why not save yourself some time and just buy some inexpensive blue polypropylene. Don’t worry about cutting it at the right size; if it’s too big, simply fold it underneath your tent. Five minutes and 10 dollars later, you have the best universal tent footprint, and you’re ready to camp like a pro.
How to correctly set up a tent footprint
Time needed: 10 minutes
How to correctly set up a tent footprint
- Choose where to pitch the tent and place the groundsheet
First, you need to place the groundsheet exactly where you want the tent to be. Find out from the product label which side is waterproof. Usually, the shiny side (coated) will go up (facing the tent), and the dull side (the uncoated) should face the ground.
- Set up the tent
Start setting up the tent on top of it, inserting the poles in the footprints grommets. Some may have straps attached, to achieve a better fixing; check if yours have them.
- Check for a correct instalation
Make sure the sheet isn’t sticking out and if it doesn’t, you’re all done.
If you have one that you built yourself, you can just lay it underneath, and you’ll be fine. Just make sure you pitch on a flat terrain otherwise you may slip off.
Frequently asked questions
Multifunctional footprints like Redcamp or Terra Hiker can be used as a tarp without making any modifications to it.
If the product is designed solely to be used as a groundsheet, then you’ll probably need to look for a proper tarp.
The majority of footprints are narrow because they were designed to be slightly smaller than the tent floor. These dimensions might not be ideal for a tarp.
Also, because it needs to resist tears and rips, the fabric is quite heavy, making it a bit difficult to string up.
Depending on how abrasive the terrain is, a heavy-duty, thick footprint will work better, but you should consider the extra weight before going for it.
The thickness ranges between 0.5 millimeters for the lightweight designs, to 1.8 millimeters for the heavy-duty models.
All the tent footprints have at least one side of it that is waterproofed.
To start with, you should know that most quality tents already have a waterproof floor.
If you choose the one that’s recommended by the manufacturer, you’ll probably end up with a footprint that has the same Hydrostatic Head rating as the tent.
Most likely, one face of the sheet will be covered with a waterproof coating, and the other will have no water resistance value.
Although their initial purpose is to protect from abrasion, having one will double the waterproof value, which is not a bad idea considering that the more pressure you apply to a tent’s floor, the more it loses its water resistance.
You need to wash the footprint with cold water and a sponge. If the dirt does not come off with water alone, you need to buy a tent-specific wash that will not degrade the waterproof coating.
Never use a washing machine as it can shred the footprint. Resist the urge of using conventional soaps and detergents, as they will ruin the waterproof coating.
If you don’t have a specific cleaning product, leave the footprint in WARM water for an hour or so, then start to clean it. It will help with softening the dirt and which will come off easier.
Don’t expose it to direct sunlight. Keep it in a shaded place, even though it will take longer for it to dry.
Being just a sheet of “plastic”, the groundsheet has no insulation value at all, therefore, it shouldn’t be used to provide extra warmth if the ground is very cold.
In this situation, space blankets or insulated footprints can be used.
In general, footprints have a shiny side (which is coated for waterproofing purposes) and a dull side (which shouldn’t have any coating whatsoever).
The uncoated side should be placed facing the ground, and the coated side should be facing up. This way, the waterproofing coating will not get damaged.
It is important to verify that the floor of the tent is clear of dirt before placing it on top of the footprint. Any dirt left behind will scratch the coating as the tent will always slide occasionally over the groundsheet.
Also knows as Painter’s Tarp Sheet, although they are much more lightweight than your usual footprint, I wouldn’t recommend using them all the time.
The material is not that durable and if you decide to use one as a footprint, you should try and bring an extra one just in case it’s not going to last for long.
Ideally, if you’re using the original footprint for your specific tent, the grommets position should match with the tent floor ones, and the poles should perfectly slide in through both, leaving you with the perfect fix.
However, as we all know, we usually have to go for an universal sheet, which will never match the exact size of the tent.
Unless you’re camping on a big slope, and there’s the risk of the tent to slide down the valley, you should be fine without attaching it to the tent’s floor.
Conclusion
The main purposes of any footprints, commercial or DIY improvisation, is to protect the more expensive tent from the rough terrain, keep the water away from the tent floor and help keep the tent clean of dirt when it’s muddy.
This makes the footprint a must-have accessory even if the durability of your tent is high enough to not require one.
It’s always worth buying one, as the price for a universal footprint is very low. If your budget can’t afford it, even a DIY groundsheet can do wonders and, honestly, you can build one for as little as $10.