What is a Tent Footprint? A Complete Guide

Whether you’re an avid camper or simply enjoy the occasional weekend getaway outdoors, a high-quality tent is an essential piece of gear. The right tent helps protect you from the elements and creates a cozy shelter away from home.

To get the most out of your tent, it’s important to understand tent footprints and how they help boost performance. This guide covers everything you need to know about tent footprints.

Tent Footprint?

A tent footprint (also known as a tent groundsheet or tent liner) is an extra layer that sits underneath the tent itself, providing a protective barrier between the tent floor and the ground surface.

The footprint is often made of a waterproof, durable material like polyethylene or polyurethane-coated nylon. It’s cut to the exact size and shape of the tent floor so it fits like a glove underneath the tent. The footprint gets staked into place then the tent is placed directly on top and secured.

Benefits of Using a Tent Footprint

Tent footprints offer several helpful advantages:

Keeps Tent Floor Clean – Protects from dirt, debris, and abrasion from rough ground
Adds Moisture Barrier – Creates separation from wet grass, soil, or puddles to keep the tent dry
Prolongs Tent Life – Reduces long-term wear and tear on tent floor from ground friction
Allows Pitching on Any Surface – This lets you set up a tent on rough or wet terrain more safely
Faster Site Cleanup – Easier to shake out and pack up footprint vs cleaning tent bottom
Thermal Layer – Can provide extra insulation and block cold from the ground
Tent Repair Patch – This can be used as a temporary fix for holes or seam leaks in the tent floor
Spares Backup – Provides insurance if tent gets damaged beyond use

For minimal cost and effort, a footprint delivers a lot of extra performance and protection for your tent.

When Should You Use a Tent Footprint?

While always a good idea, tent footprints become especially useful in these situations:

Camping in rainy, wet conditions where the ground will be soaked
Setting up on abrasive surfaces like gravel, pine needles, or jagged rocks
Locations with critters like snakes or rodents that could bite through the tent floor
Cold weather camping where an extra insulating layer helps retain heat
Protecting an expensive, delicate ultralight backpacking tent
Making an old tent last longer by minimizing any new floor wear
Keeping tent cleaner for easier maintenance after dusty, muddy trips
Storing tent long-term against a concrete or rough wood surface
Renting a tent where you can’t control prior ground surface abuse

Anytime you expect moisture, abrasion, critters, or temperature extremes, utilize a footprint for the best results.

What to Look for in a Tent Footprint

Not all tent footprints are created equal. Here are key factors to look for when choosing one:

Material – Polyethylene and polyurethane-coated nylon offer waterproofness, durability, and abrasion resistance. Uncoated nylon risks moisture bleed-through.
Dimensions – Size should match tent dimensions precisely without overhang. Allow 1-2 inch overage to tuck under.
Grommets/Corners – Perimeter grommets align with tent stakes to keep the footprint taut. Reinforced corners prevent tearing.
Seam Quality – Durable seam tape prevents leakage through stitching holes. Fully taped seams are optimal.
Packed Weight – Lightweight materials minimize added pounds for backpacking.
Color – Lighter opaque colors show less dirt. Black is good for sleeping in late.
Brand Reputation – Established outdoor brands offer reliable quality and materials.
Price – Higher denier fabrics and brand names often cost $30-$60 while budget footprints are $15-$25.
Warranty – Better footprints should come with a 1 year or limited lifetime warranty.

Prioritize waterproof, lightweight, rip-resistant fabrics with adequate coverage of your specific tent size.

Tent Footprint vs Tarp

Some people wonder if you can simply use a basic plastic tarp in place of a tent footprint. Here are the pros and cons of using a tarp:

Advantages of Tarps

Cheaper upfront cost
Easy to find many sizes
Can cut down to the size needed

Disadvantages of Tarps

Rarely fit tent floor shape exactly
Lack of corner grommets to align with tent stakes
Can blow around or slide if not weighed down
Allows water pooling if not taut underneath the tent
Often noisier and crinklier material
Not designed for compact storage

For occasional use in dry conditions, a tarp may suffice as a makeshift footprint. But for optimal performance, stick with a purpose-built tent footprint.

Using a Tent Footprint

Setting up your tent with a footprint is simple:

Clear the area under the tent site of any sticks, rocks, or debris.
Lay out the footprint smoothly and tight. Align corners with the desired tent orientation.
Secure footprint to the ground by staking down grommets or edges.
Ensure no folds, bunches, or raised areas under the footprint.
Set up a tent directly on top of the footprint.
Stake tent through both footprint and tent floor along the perimeter.

Tip: On the extra rainy or wet ground, dig narrow trenches around the footprint perimeter for moisture drainage.

Caring for Your Tent Footprint

Follow these tips to extend the life of your tent footprint:

Let dry fully before packing away to prevent mildew.
Brush off excess dirt before storing.
Spot clean significant stains and spills with a gentle cleaner.
Avoid highly abrasive scrub brushes or chemicals that can degrade the fabric.
Store loosely folded or rolled, not tightly compressed.
Keep away from direct sunlight when storing to avoid UV damage.
Seam seal any new tears or leaks immediately.
Check for damage after trips and replace if necessary.

Proper care will help your footprint serve you many seasons before needing replacement.

DIY Homemade Tent Footprints

Looking to save costs? You can create your basic tent footprint if needed:

Supplies Needed

Durable, water repellent tarp or canvas slightly larger than your tent size
Grommet installation kit
Scissors to trim to size
Seam sealer (optional)

Instructions

Cut fabric to be 2-4 inches wider and longer than the tent base.
Use a grommet kit to install grommets every 1-2 feet around entire perimeter.
Treat seams and edges with seam sealer for waterproofing (optional).
Set up just like a normal tent footprint.

Use heavyweight tarps or canvases of at least 8-10 mil thickness for best results. Add seam tape for bonus protection.

Popular Tent Footprint Brands

These leading brands produce quality tent footprints to consider:

Eureka – Specifically sized for Eureka tents. Coated polyester or polyurethane.
ALPS Mountaineering – Affordable footprints for ALPS tents. Polyethylene fabric.
REI – REI branded footprints for many popular tent models. Durable construction.
Kelty – Polyester footprints sized for Kelty tents. Lightweight yet rugged.
Big Agnes – Nylon footprints matching Big Agnes tents. High performance.
Coleman – Budget-priced PE footprints for Coleman tents. Decent quality.
MSR – Advanced footprints engineered for MSR backpacking tents. Premium.
Nemo – Specialized footprints fitting Nemo tent models. Top-notch materials.

Check your tent brand’s footprint offerings first for an ideal matching fit. Then look to third-party footprints for more size options.

Footprint Alternatives and Substitutes

RV Protective Mats – Made of woven polyethylene, these durable outdoor mats can work as improvised footprints in a pinch. Look for waterproof, tear-resistant fabrics. Avoid options with carpeting.

Tarps – As discussed earlier, heavy-duty tarps can serve as cheap makeshift footprints if sized and secured properly. Prioritize heavyweight fabrics.

Old Tent Fly – Cutting up an outdated or damaged tent fly can repurpose rain fly fabric as a custom footprint. Use seam tape to seal edges.

Space Blankets – For ultralight backpackers, a lightweight emergency space blanket offers minimalist footprint protection. Avoid glassing surfaces.

General Outdoor Fabric – Durable, water-resistant coated canvas, vinyl, and poly tarps will get the job done. Install grommets for best performance.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tent Footprints

Should you remove the tent footprint before storing the tent?

It’s best to store them separately to prevent excess humidity or moisture buildup over time. Allow both pieces to fully air dry before packing away.

Can I use a tarp instead of buying a tent footprint?

In a pinch, yes. But purpose-built footprints provide a better fit under the tent and crucial corner grommets for alignment and tensioning.

How do I know what size footprint I need for my tent?

Measure tent floor dimensions or check tent specs to get the length x width. The footprint should have the same dimensions while allowing 1-2 inches extra around the edges to tuck under.

Is it necessary to stake down a tent footprint?

Staking creates tension so the footprint stays put on the ground. Otherwise, it can shift or blow around, defeating its protection purpose. Grommets allow aligning stakes with a tent.

What’s the best material for tent footprints?

Polyurethane or polyethylene-coated ripstop nylon offers the ideal blend of waterproof protection, lightweight packability, and rugged tear resistance.

What if my tent doesn’t have a matching footprint from the manufacturer?

You can purchase a footprint from a third-party brand made to fit your tent dimensions. DIY footprints are another option using tarps, canvas, etc.

Should I get a bigger tent footprint than my tent size?

No more than 2 inches of overhang is recommended. Too much overhang risks water pooling, tripping hazards, or footprint movement. A tight fit works best.

How do I repair a small hole or tear in my tent footprint?

Apply a patch of seam sealer or tent sealant on both sides for quick fixes. For larger rips, use ripstop repair tape or patches of tent footprint fabric and seam sealer.

My Closing Remarks

A purpose-built tent footprint offers cheap but valuable insurance for enhancing any tent’s performance and longevity. By shielding your tent floor from moisture, abrasion, critters, and temperature extremes, a properly fitting footprint helps maintain interior comfort while extending the usable life of your shelter.

Consider adding this easy upgrade to your next outdoor adventure for added peace of mind. With the right tent and footprint combination protecting you from the elements, you can better focus on creating lasting memories in the great outdoors.