What Is A Tent Footprint?

If you’re a fan of camping, then you need to be using a tent footprint. This handy piece of camping equipment protects your tent from the elements and keeps the inside of your tent warm and dry.

But what exactly is a tent footprint?

In this handy guide, we’ll take you through everything there is to know about tent footprints – from what they are to how they’re used. We’ll even show you how to make one yourself!

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

So What Is A Tent Footprint?

First things first – let’s take a look at what a tent footprint actually is. A tent footprint is essentially a large piece of waterproof material that is placed beneath a tent to protect it from the elements.

Also known as groundsheets or ground cloths, a tent footprint is similar to a tarp; however, tent footprints are typically made with thicker, heavier materials. This makes them better at insulating and protecting a tent on the ground.

Tent footprints come in all shapes and sizes.

They are typically slightly smaller than the tent itself (typically leaving around 2 inches of space from the edge of the tent), which prevents rain and groundwater from gathering and leaking between the footprint and the bottom of the tent.

You can get specifically-sized tent footprints to suit a particularly large or oddly-shaped tent, or you can simply make your own (though we’ll get to that later).

A tent footprint is a vital piece of equipment that any camper needs, and is one of the best ways to make sure the inside of your tent stays warm, dry, and undamaged.

What Are Tent Footprints Used For?

So now that we’ve taken a look at what tent footprints are, let’s go over the reasons why they’re so useful to have.

As we’ve already mentioned, the primary purpose of a tent footprint is to act as a barrier between the bottom of the tent and the ground.

By adding this extra protective layer, you’re able to keep the bottom of your tent from getting damaged by any sharp or pointy objects on the ground.

Tent footprints are also used to keep the inside of a tent safe and dry. Because they are made out of waterproof materials, they create a barrier to stop rain and puddles from soaking through into the tent.

This also helps to keep the tent clean by preventing mud and dirt from entering the tent.

By protecting the bottom of your tent, a tent footprint can massively improve the lifespan of your tent and keep it in top condition – even in rough environments like rugged ground and windy weather.

Whether you’re an avid camper or a beginner going on their first camping trip, using a tent footprint to protect your tent will help you get the most out of your experience!

How To Make A Tent Footprint

While you can buy a ready-made tent footprint online or in camping stores, it’s super-easy (and super-cheap!) to make your own tent footprint at home; all you need are a few materials and to follow this handy step-by-step guide!

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

The first thing you need to do is gather all the necessary materials and equipment for your tent footprint. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A large piece of suitable material – the best materials to use are Tyvek or Polycro, but a basic plastic painter’s tarp or sheet of polyester will work just as well
• Fabric or craft scissors
• Sharpie

Step 2: Measure Out Your Footprint

The next thing you want to do is measure out the size of your tent footprint. To do this, start out by laying out your material on a large, flat surface.

From here, set up your tent on top of the footprint material. You don’t need to fully pitch your tent to measure out the footprint – however, you need to make sure that the bottom of the tent is spread out to its full size.

Now, use the sharpie to trace around the bottom of your tent. Stick as close to the outline of your tent as you can, as this will give you the most accurate size for your tent footprint.

Don’t worry if the lines are a bit wobbly, as this can always be fixed when you’re cutting out the outline of the tent.

Step 3: Cut Out Your Tent Footprint

Speaking of which, now it’s time to cut out the footprint. Use your fabric or craft scissors to cut out the outline you traced. Don’t cut directly on the line however; make sure you leave a 1-2 inch gap on the inside of the outline.

This makes sure that your tent footprint will fit completely below the bottom of the tent with no edges sticking out.

Any parts of the footprint that stick out from below the tent risk gathering water from rain or puddles, which can then seep between the tent and the footprint to soak into the tent itself.

Step 4: Hem The Edges Of Your Tent Footprint

This step is optional, but can be used to strengthen the edges of your tent footprint. To do this, don’t cut inside the outline of your tent; instead, leave this excess material to be folded over and sewn down.

After you cut out the outline, make a diagonal cut around 1-2 inches deep in each corner of the footprint. From here, you can fold these inwards and trim the excess away.

Once you’ve cut these flaps that will form the hem, you can sew them down. This will give your tent footprint a bit more sturdiness and make it easier to lay your tent on top of.

Additionally, the extra weight caused by the folded material weighs down the edges of your tent footprint naturally, keeping it in place while you’re setting up your tent.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it! Now you know exactly what a tent footprint is, what they are used for, and how you can make one for yourself!

Tent footprints are incredibly useful – they offer plenty of benefits with no downsides, so there’s no reason not to use one.

So next time you’re going out camping, make sure to bring a tent footprint so you’ll stay warm and dry in the great outdoors!