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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: Johnny Thunder on 09:44:33, 19/05/20

Title: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: Johnny Thunder on 09:44:33, 19/05/20
Do you bother with the extra bit of weight or do you just try to be careful where you pitch up?
Are the groundsheets of modern tents that thin they require a footprint?
I can't decide whether to order one or not.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: vghikers on 10:07:05, 19/05/20
Quote
Are the groundsheets of modern tents that thin they require a footprint?

It depends on your mindset but yes, many are far too thin for our liking. Obviously they do it to reduce the headline weight figures. The only manufacturer we know to stand fast against this trend is Terra Nova, they won't compromise on their groundsheets (though I haven't checked very recently).

The footprint is typically as tissue-thin as the groundsheet, you'll have to judge how much extra protection it gives.
Unfortunately for us, the only tents that satisfy our requirements are those with pathetic groundsheets, so we took the best - but most expensive - option: have the groundsheet replaced with a TN-quality one.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: Johnny Thunder on 10:25:10, 19/05/20
It is actually the Wild Country Helm that I have ordered so I will erect it in the garden and see what quality it is before I decide on the footprint. Thank you for the tip.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: gunwharfman on 11:36:22, 19/05/20
I have a footprint for my Marmot Pulsar 1P and it's thin and light and only covers the area that I sleep on. In hindsight, I shouldn't have bought it, it was one of those 'it seemed a good idea at the time' moments.

I always carry a larger area groundsheet because I like my porch or part of my porch to be covered as well. The footprint does serve one useful function, however, when it's raining it acts as a template where I can erect the outer tent first and then erect the inner tent in the dry. I can do this without the footprint as well, with four very simple pre-measured lengths of light string with a small loop at each end.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: Johnny Thunder on 11:42:11, 19/05/20
The coverage of the porch area is one of the the main reasons I am considering a footprint.
I could always make a groundsheet to just cover the porch if I find the tent groundsheet acceptable as is.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: SteamyTea on 11:48:37, 19/05/20
Has anyone tried using a cheap sleeping mat as a footprint?
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: gunwharfman on 11:54:21, 19/05/20
Wouldn't it become bulky, soggy, and heavy?
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: SteamyTea on 12:02:16, 19/05/20
Wouldn't it become bulky, soggy, and heavy?
may be bulky. But many people carry them anyway.
Not sure how much moisture they hold, would have to plunge one in a bath and see the before and after masses.
Think I may have one up in the loft.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: richardh1905 on 12:21:43, 19/05/20
I don't bother with a footprint nowadays, especially if wild camping, as I can usually find a nice soft pitch. The worst that can happen is that I puncture the groundsheet and have to patch it - hardly a big deal.
Campsites can be stony, though, but a bit of old polythene or cheap tarp will do the job just as well as something costing £20 or more.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: richardh1905 on 12:23:37, 19/05/20
It is actually the Wild Country Helm that I have ordered so I will erect it in the garden and see what quality it is before I decide on the footprint. Thank you for the tip.

Helm 1? I would be interested to hear what you think of it.

PS - I hate a footprint in a tent porch, just catches all the rain and condensation that drips off the edge of the fly, and generally collects mud and mess.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: richardh1905 on 12:25:55, 19/05/20
The footprint does serve one useful function, however, when it's raining it acts as a template where I can erect the outer tent first and then erect the inner tent in the dry. I can do this without the footprint as well, with four very simple pre-measured lengths of light string with a small loop at each end.


This is a consideration for some inner first pitching tents. Not all, though. Like your string tip. :)  ..and the string can of course double as a spare guyline in stormy conditions.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: gunwharfman on 12:59:20, 19/05/20
It can and I've used two of the strings once in a storm in France.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: Johnny Thunder on 14:32:35, 19/05/20
Helm 1? I would be interested to hear what you think of it.

PS - I hate a footprint in a tent porch, just catches all the rain and condensation that drips off the edge of the fly, and generally collects mud and mess.


It is actually the Helm 2 Compact Richard.
I never considered the footprint could cause issues like that.
I guess I need to see what the groundsheet is like and then weigh up my options.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: Stube on 14:47:26, 19/05/20
I always use a footprint - but they are also custom ponchos.
As a footprint the porch area is covered which makes the tent more confortaable when holed up in bad (wet) weather.
As a poncho it means that I only ever need a lightweight breatheable jacket which saves on weight.
I would never use a dedicated footprint unless I knew I would be pitching on flints or gravel.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: gunwharfman on 17:19:34, 19/05/20
I've never had 'rain in the porch' other than a mess that I've made. Sounds like an illness? The reason I like to porch area covered is partly to do with my age and flexibility, I unzip the inner door, swivel my body around and place my heels on the dry porch groundsheet. I can then put my socks on, then my boots, tie my laces and then get out of the tent properly. Often in the morning, I also use the porch area to organise my clothes etc before packing my rucksack for the day. On a wet morning it can be a bit more tricky but I still manage.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: GoneWest on 13:23:21, 21/05/20
I have successfully used the kind of permeable membrane you get in garden centres for suppressing weeds. OK, it's not, by definition, waterproof but it is light and is strong enough to be helpful under a thin tent floor. I've also found it a useful material for the porch or other rained-upon areas around the tent because it lets most of the water through and doesn't form puddles.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: gunwharfman on 14:37:12, 21/05/20
When The Helm tent was mentioned I thought, shall I look at this tent seriously again? I looked and gave up its a 2 person tent! On the Naturehike site is their Taga 1 the nearest model?
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: Johnny Thunder on 14:39:45, 21/05/20
I have successfully used the kind of permeable membrane you get in garden centres for suppressing weeds. OK, it's not, by definition, waterproof but it is light and is strong enough to be helpful under a thin tent floor. I've also found it a useful material for the porch or other rained-upon areas around the tent because it lets most of the water through and doesn't form puddles.




I'm sure I have some of this kicking around in the shed. I could always give it a go. Thanks for the idea.






When The Helm tent was mentioned I thought, shall I look at this tent seriously again? I looked and gave up its a 2 person tent! On the Naturehike site is their Taga 1 the nearest model?


They do a 1 man too I think.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: Johnny Thunder on 14:42:46, 21/05/20
Here is the link to the 1 Man Compact. Inner and outer pitch together, which was one of the main features I was looking for.




https://www.terra-nova.co.uk/all-tents/1-man-tents/helm-compact-1-tent/?c=19767 (https://www.terra-nova.co.uk/all-tents/1-man-tents/helm-compact-1-tent/?c=19767)
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: richardh1905 on 15:06:46, 21/05/20
When The Helm tent was mentioned I thought, shall I look at this tent seriously again? I looked and gave up its a 2 person tent! On the Naturehike site is their Taga 1 the nearest model?


The Helm range have a cross pole that extends all the way to the ground, for added stability. The cross pole on the Taga is cantilevered out from the main pole, MSR HubbaHubba style. A potential weakness that offends the engineer in me.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: Sonatine on 21:29:25, 22/05/20
I use a piece of tyvek under my tent where I sleep, it weighs about 100 grams. Have a look on ebay there was someone selling person size pieces for just under £5. Waterproof, tough, light, and cheap so it doesn't matter if it goes missing.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: taxino8 on 07:48:25, 23/05/20
I always use a footprint, it’s permanently attached to the underside of my tent, the reason being my tent was very expensive so I wanted to give the groundsheet a bit more protection from unseen rocks, etc.

Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: richardh1905 on 08:35:17, 23/05/20
I use a piece of tyvek under my tent where I sleep, it weighs about 100 grams. Have a look on ebay there was someone selling person size pieces for just under £5. Waterproof, tough, light, and cheap so it doesn't matter if it goes missing.


I've heard of Tyvek being used before - is it not a bit crackly? Or am I mistaking it for something else?
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: Requiem on 09:05:45, 23/05/20
It won't cause any harm getting one (other than increasing initial cash outlay) - They're usually light enough to carry just-in-case, and if its not used under the tent it often useful to put next to the tent when the grounds damp to sit on and chill
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: Sonatine on 11:13:05, 23/05/20

I've heard of Tyvek being used before - is it not a bit crackly? Or am I mistaking it for something else?


I've heard some complain about that, but it doesn't bother me. It can sound a bit crunchy at times, but as a footprint with your mat and sleeping bag on top, the opportunity for it flexing and crunching are limited, so it's no bother really. I've heard tell that some people put their tyvek in the washing machine with clothes to soften it, but I've not tried as I have no issue personally. Enjoyed your photos from south lakes, I might have seen my house in the panoramas of the bay, ha!  ;D
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: Sonatine on 11:19:06, 23/05/20

I've heard of Tyvek being used before - is it not a bit crackly? Or am I mistaking it for something else?


Sorry forgot to add, some use polycro sheets, I haven't tried myself. I think these are lighter, and are also crunchy. Harder to get hold of, though I believe you can get a good sized sheet as part of a window insulation kit for about a tenner. I've not bothered as I'm entirely satisfied with tyvek.


I think the only manufacturers footprint I have is where it gives me an option to pitch without using the inner cabin, just the fly and footprint. I think this is the only circumstance where I would consider buying the manufacturers footprint given the cost, a fivers worth of tyvek provides exceptional protection.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: SteamyTea on 12:45:46, 23/05/20
You can, if you think that more money means better quality, go for this:
https://proclima.com/service/distribution/united-kingdom (https://proclima.com/service/distribution/united-kingdom)


It is intelligent.
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: richardh1905 on 14:37:23, 23/05/20
Enjoyed your photos from south lakes, I might have seen my house in the panoramas of the bay, ha!  ;D


Glad that you enjoyed them.  :)
Title: Re: Footprint. Yes or no?
Post by: Johnny Thunder on 15:30:03, 23/05/20
Thanks everyone. Plenty for me to think about. I might just give that Tyvek a go first if it only a fiver or so.