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Quote: Originally posted by carasash on 08/2/2012

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I know this probably sounds quite stupid but I don't know what a tent footprint for? Does it make a real difference to your tent and how have we managed so long without them?............. I just don't see the point.

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I used to think just like you do, carasash. What is the point of buying an extra layer to go under your tent when it already has a groundsheet?  I always thought it was a rather posh and unnecessary add-on.  I've changed my mind recently, though.

Firstly it's great to have a 'layout' of your tent which you can move about until you've found the perfect pitching-spot.  Having the base laid out as a guide also helps to get the tent straight and shipshape, making pegging out much easier and smarter.

The underlay gives the SIG quite a degree of protection from sharp stones and gravel in the grass, which means your tent will last longer.

And the footprint is a godsend in mud.  Since changing from a tent with a loose groundsheet to one with a SIG, I've been lucky enough not to encounter really muddy conditions, but I pitched the tent on an extra layer of groundsheet anyway, because I had a feeling it might be important some day.  Then last November I was trying out my brand new Outwell Virginia at Hopley's.  There had been a lot of rain, and inevitably on a grass pitch, conditions were quite spongy and in some places sodden. 

I had a footprint this time, and it proved a great barrier between the mucky grass and the SIG.  When it came to drying out the tent after a VERY damp weekend, I was able to take the tent into the house to dry it out.  I left the filthy footprint rolled up in the garage until I had time to deal with it, and then just laid it out on the path and hosed it down. Very easy, very safe for my lovely new tent, which remained in pristine condition despite the mud!

I can't imagine how I would have got the muck off the sewn-in groundsheet if that had been in contact with the grass, and it would have seriously soiled the canvas as I rolled it up, no matter how carefully I did it.  The weather was too bad to attempt cleaning something as large as a tent SIG outdoors, and so I'd have had to try and do it in the living-room.  Nightmare scenario!

I used to be such a laid-back camper, but my first tent only cost about £20 and was 6' x 4'.  We spend a lot of money on a good tent these days, and they're bigger and less manageable. I reckon the extra few quid on a footprint is a small price to pay for the ease of pitching and keeping the tent clean. I'd never pitch directly on the ground now.

FoO

Thanks for all the comments. Im still not sure but I do understand more about the reasons for having one. The sig on my pretty big tent seems very strong and in all the years I have been camping it has never ripped or torn. I do see the point in using it to avoid mud but really that is the only reason I would use it and ive never had much of a problem. Maybe im just trying to convince myself not to get one as I would rather spend the money on something for my tent that I can actually see or use. I need more persuasion.