Just got a new tent. Now I need an innie to fit it. What kind do you like? For our other BW tent, we have a tyvek innie. For our car camping tent, we just use a regular (bulky) tarp. This innie will be for our family tent for camping in the BW.

Suggestions for outies are not needed. ;-)

Oh, and it's an Alps Mountaineering Taurus 4.

The cheap route is to use ~6-mil plastic sheeting.

quote boonie: "The cheap route is to use ~6-mil plastic sheeting."

This is what I use.

4-mil plastic sheeting should work fine, too. It's a common thickness used by contractors so it should be fine for an "innie", plus it will be a little lighter. Either one will do the job, though. Just depends on what you have available.

i agree with the previous three.

My vote goes to TYVEK, when and if I use a tent. Not as slippery and brightens up the interior (unless you completely cover it up with stuff), lasts longer too.

butthead

I'm a laundered tyvek fan myself. Make sure you cut it way too big because it shrinks alot.

4 mil. plastic sheets here. Light, tough, cheap. Easy to cut a new one and replace every 2-3 years.

I only use outer ground cloths (6mm plastic or a sears poncho) so I don't really know. But wouldn't tyvek work better since its air permeable? That way you don't get clammy or sweaty if you sit on it.
Is that an issue with plastic inside the tent?

i've used one of those heavy Space Blankets,the ones with the rip stop weave.never had a problem and i've also used it to cover my Crazy Creek chair on cold wet days to help keep warm.they are light, semi cheap and multi use.

maybe its just me...i think tyvek is slippery as hell.

Here is what I use (Think its the same as wetcanoedog). Been using these for over thirty years. On my second one now.

Sportsman’s Space Blanket

I see that it’s on sale right now for the red one.

6 MIL is the way to go

How does that space blanket thing compare weight and bulk wise to a regular old tarp?

Scratch the space blanket thing. I want a BIG innie so I can wrap it up around on the sides if needed. Especially with kids this helps. In front of the door...wrap it up on top of the sleeping area a bit, make sure they step on the actual tent floor, can fold it back down over the grime. Though this particular tent has huge vestibules so hopefully that will cut down on the grime/taking shoes off while inside the tent.

6 mil here we come. Thanks!

PS...I assume I can get this in the painting section of a home depot type store?

I go cheaper yet,

Go to Fleet farm and get a plastic painters drop cloth (about 2 mil I think) Cut it twice the size you need and double it over. I usually cut it a little oversized abd run up sides a little. If it ever gets a hole during a trip just make sure it does not pass through both thicknesses, I replace every other year. Cost is under $4.

6 mil. you'll never want to use different

quote mr.barley: "I'm a laundered tyvek fan myself. Make sure you cut it way too big because it shrinks alot."

Tyvek shrinks?? After washing or just in general? Who would have thunk that.

It shrinks alot when washed and dried. I gets very soft also.

quote nojobro: "How does that space blanket thing compare weight and bulk wise to a regular old tarp?"

I would guess about the same weight (compared size wise).
My son and I both have one and we just fold them up and stick them into the back slot of the CCS pack by the foam. Gives a little more padding on the gear pack.

They don’t take up very much room at all.

I am a 4 mil guy, to me 6 mil is too thick and bulky. When backpacking we use new 2 mil, lasts for couple weeks. Recycle when home, new one on next trip. Or as noted, you can double up 2 mil.

Your choice, you got options, but you are wise on innie choice, lol, as opposed to the other choice, well, either works, most likely.

We use a 2-mil sheet. To combat the slipperiness we are going to put strips of seam sealer on both sides. One side will hold it from slipping on the tent. The other should hold the sleeping bags in place.

quote andym: "We use a 2-mil sheet. To combat the slipperiness we are going to put strips of seam sealer on both sides. One side will hold it from slipping on the tent. The other should hold the sleeping bags in place."

Interesting. Please let me know how that works out after you do it.

I like tyvek. not only is it waterproof, but in a pinch you could use it as a small tarp or as part of a stretcher, etc. don't know if a similar strenght plastic would be as light.

I have never used an innie, but if I were to use 4 mil plastic, should I cut it a little bigger than the inside of the tent so that it cirls up on every side? Is that the best way of keeping water from getting on top of it?

Yes, an innie works best if it curls up the inside of the tent a bit. That will keep you perfectly dry. Unless your tent leaks from above but that's a different problem.

I'm a 4 mil plastic girl. Cut a little big like most everyone else. Cheap and easily replaceable if needed.

I like tyvek, too, and use it in a different tent...but I currently don't have any more nor a place to get it. UNLESS...we stop using our Tyvek tarp and use that inside, and use my new Guide Gear tarp instead of the Tyvek tarp. Hmmmmm.... Our campsite would look decidedly less redneck if we did that, but I'm not sure I want to give up the large size and versatility of the tyvek tarp.