Tent Footprint vs Tarp
We all want the things we buy to last as long as possibly, possible. This includes your tent, there are multiple things that you can do to maintain your tent and keep it tip top shape. One particular item you can buy for your tent is a tent footprint. Nerver heard of a tent footprint before?
What is a tent footprint?
Its basically a piece of material that you place underneath your tent, to protect the base of your tent. Its a very similar material, to what your base of your tent is actually made of. So its like adding another layer underneath your tent.
Unless you have bought a tent footprint, the chances are you don't own one. It doesn't normally come with your tent when you buy a tent. But I strongly advise if you do want your tent to last as long as possible you consider using se sort of footprint. Whether that's a proper tent footprint or tarp.
Why would you need to use one?
There a multiple reasons why you would want to protect the base of your tent. Firstly the base of the tent is one of the main parts of the tent that can damage first. Although yes you have pitched your tent on grass, there could still be items underneath your tent that could damage your tent.
There might be some stones, broken glass, rubbish or whatever hidden in the soil you have pitched on to. When you walk inside your tent, you are potentially rubbing the base on any of these elements underneath. By adding another layer underneath you are protecting the base of your tent, and if anything gets damaged first it will be the tent footprint.
Obviously because this is not connected to the tent, it can be easily replaced or cleaned, which makes it ideal for me and other tent owners.
It can be cleaned separately like I just said, how many times have you gone to dismantle your tent and you've noticed how muddy the base is? This is annoying because you know when you get home you are going to have to clean this. If it had tent footprint underneath the tent, then all you would need to do is clean that rather than the tents base.
Its by far easier to clean just a tent footprint than the whole tent base. To clean a tent base you are going to have to spin the tent over, and potentially the rest of the tent might get dirty.
The last benefit of having a tent footprint is that it protects your tent base from moisture. How many times have you woken up in the morning whilst camping and noticed the grass is soaking wet? Now think how the base of your tent is looking?
By having a tent footprint your tent base will be dry, and just your footprint will be wet. This is great because when you go to roll your tent up, it will be bone dry from the ground up.
Tent footprint vs Tarp?
So i have heard a few people say they use tarp as there tent footprint, is this a good idea? Well in my opinion tarp is a very similar material to most tent footprints and achieves the same goal.
By using tarp it does give your tent base an extra layer of protection, both from the elements, like stones and moisture.
They other great reason to use tarp instead of a tent footprint is that its by far the cheapest option.
Make sure to read our tarp vs tent post here
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