What is a footprint tarp?

Many tent manufacturers sell a footprint tarp accessory. These are custom sized ground cloths for particular camping tents and match the footprint of those tents.

Footprint tarps are made an inch or two smaller than the tent floor. Often they have loops which can be attached with the tent stakes or poles to create a custom fit with no tucking under required. Footprint tarps, though usually an accessory, may be included as part of the tent package.

Are they necessary? Most of us prefer some type of tarp under our tents for dirt and moisture protection. My family most frequently takes a generic rectangular tarp that gives extra outside floor space for setting down our gear, shoes, or whatever, on a "clean" surface.

Depending on the weather, that can be an issue. For instance, if the weather brings rain, the water may sit on the tarp and roll under it. I do remember a honeymoon where this became a huge issue of rain seeping into our "cheap" tent, and pretty soon it was raining inside and outside of our camping tent. Our foam pads were also soaking up the rain water so we were sopping wet and laughing at the adventure. Yowzer! So much for a romantic weekend of camping, but it does make for a good story.

For sunny weather, a tarp will do just fine. For the rain, I would recommend a footprint and a bathtub style tent floor.

Do you have a story you would like to share? We'd love to hear from you.

Camping Tent Considerations--Weight, Size, Weather and Bugs

Before purchasing your camping tent, consider weight, size and ventilation. If you are packing your car for a campground, then it only needs to fit in your cargo area. For backpacking or canoeing/kayaking, then you need a more compact size for easy storage and lighter weight.

Weight
Hikers have the most important weight considerations in general. A camping tent should weigh around 3 pounds per person. For example, a two-person camping tent should weigh 6 pounds. A floorless camping tent weighs less, around 2 pounds/person. Sounds good, right? Remember that you will need to pack a tarp or a mat for possible wet conditions.

Size
A camping tent can be a cozy, romantic retreat, or a claustrophobic nightmare, depending on your perspective. The general rule for camping tent size allows for 2 more people than needed. Why the extra space? Most likely you will have camping gear bags or backpacks to keep clean and dry. You may also need the extra legroom for comfort.

As size increases, so does weight and bulk. Backpackers and small boaters may want to consider several small tents rather than one large camping tent. Backpackers hiking in cold or mountainous areas should consider a two-person tent for its lighter weight as well as heat efficiency.

Families and groups traveling by car to a campsite may prefer a multi-room camping tent with dividers to provide privacy or an indoor dining area for pest control. One thing to consider: the larger the tent, the more difficult to stay warm at night during cooler weather. With that in mind, dress or prepare with warmer bags and clothing for the night.

Rain, Snow and Insects
Repelling rain or snow, as well as keeping out insects are equally important. Obtaining those while maintaining ventilation will keep your smile. Without proper ventilation, your tent will rain on the inside from your respiration.

When comparing camping tents, remember that any opening big enough for an insect will be big enough for rain. Fine mesh openings will keep out the tiniest gnats and zippered flaps will stop the blowing rain.

Water-repellent tents keep light rain out, but eventually the rain will soak through. A waterproof tent will keep out the rain or snow, but offer less ventilation than a water repellent camping tent.

Most camping tents come equipped with a waterproof rainfly which acts like a roof above your tent. Usually it will extend down the sides of the tent to keep out the rain. Some rainflies are adjustable in length for greater flexibility in variable weather conditions.

A seamless tent floor or a bathtub floor that has stitching a few inches up the side of the tent walls will prevent water from seeping through the floor of the tent. It will offer some protection from runoff in heavy storms.

Camping Tent Considerations

Purchasing a camping tent could mean running down to the local discount store and grabbing what's on sale. But what happens when you get out in the field with your tent and you end up wet, freezing, or just can't figure out how to set it up? Hind sight brings the realization that you should spend more time in purchasing your camping tent. Let's go over the basic considerations.

Seasons

Camping tents are rated by seasons, and some tents can keep you drier than others. If you are planning a trip to a snowy region, even Yosemite in June, I certainly wouldn't recommend packing your 3-season tent you used for summer at the lake.

There are generally three types of camping tent classifications and each depend on the time of year they will be used.

• All-season or convertible - These are used year round but despite the name do not perform well in harsh winter weather. Weight is generally not an issue. All-season camping tents are typically associated with family or car tents. Most cabin tents are all-season tents. These are great for relaxed summer camping.


• 3-season - This type of tent works well for all but the harshest cold weather condition. The 3-season camping tent is what I would consider the most versatile. Some of the smaller 2-person tents are great for hiking and some of the larger tents are great for family campouts. Dome tents are usually 3-season.


• 4-season - built for extreme, cold weather climates.

Staying Dry

Without protection over your tent, if there are no vents it may stay dry in the short run. But touch the fabric, and it will begin to leak. And what about the floor? You need a groundcloth for the moisture from the ground.

Thanks to modern technology, camping tents can be purchased that have a water-resistant coating which allows for ventilation. Most camping tents have a waterproof rain fly that attaches to the tent poles and still allows for ventilation, along with built-in vents. And lastly, many camping tents have floors sewn into the bottom called bathtub floors.

Easy Setup

Your camping tent should be reasonably easy to set up. At no time will this be more apparent than when it is raining or pitch black.

How do you know the ease of set up? A-frame and dome camping tents are generally easy to pitch, even without directions. Most are even color coded. A cabin tent will likely be more complicated, especially the first time. So practice setting it up before you head out. Be sure to notice how it comes folded and packed so you can imitate the packing each time you take it down. Neat packing can help preserve the tent and save the poles and other pieces from damage.

Ventilation

Adequate ventilation on a good camping tent will have openings on all sides.

Most camping tents will have mesh screens on each side as well. This is to continue to have air flow though the tent even when you are trying to keep out the bugs or even debris if it is windy.

You'll want to choose a tent that has a large mesh opening if the bugs are annoying where you'll be camping.