Are Tent Footprints
Worth The Money?

Ground covers or tent footprints are coverings that go down before you set-up your tent to protect the floor and to help it last longer, although you'll still want to clear any rocks and sticks out of the way first. An added bonus is that it keeps the tent clean too, making packing easier.

If you have a high quality camping tent, you've probably invested a good amount of money into it. Don't throw it away because you don't want to spend another $20 on a tent footprint or ground cloth.

A good tent footprint will more than pay for itself if it saves your tent from one tear. Not to mention the abrasive wear it will save it from when it comes in contact with dirt, stones, and branches.

Keeping your tent as dry as possible is a good idea because moisture can encourage mildew. You don't want to have to smell 'musty tent' every time you go camping. A good tent footprint will protect your tent from the damp ground allowing it to dry faster, and depending on how waterproof your floor is, it will also protect your hiking equipment and camping gear too.

The ideal tent footprint should be slightly smaller than the floor of your tent by and inch or so. This will protect your floor as much as possible while still letting the rain run to the ground.

If you think $20 is just too much to spend, or if you can't find a custom cover you can always buy a tarp and either fold it over at the edges or trim it to fit. Both of these methods have disadvantages though.

Folding the tarp over at the edges can be a hassle because you'll have to fold and refold it until you get it to the right size. While this isn't a big deal during the daytime in nice weather, it's not as much fun during the night in a downpour.

Cutting the tarp to size can work but depending on the type of tarp you get it can fray, unravel, or slowly fall apart. Of course you could always tape the edges with duct tape but it probably won't be as durable and it isn't exactly pretty, but it does work in a pinch. :-)

In the end it's a choice about whether you want to save the money or save the time.

Custom Tent Footprints

Pros: Pre-cut to fit your tent right. Easier to set up in the dark or in bad weather.

Cons: A bit more expensive than a tarp.

Tarps

Pros: Cheaper, can be found at most grocery stores.

Cons: Folding a tarp can require a little more time and thought, they take longer to set up, and can fray if cut to size.

I hope this has made shopping for tent footprints easier.