What's everyones opinion on tent foot prints? Under the tent or in the tent, heard both ways just curious for more opinions

I realize that I'm likely in the minority here, but I cut my own 4 ml. plastic sheets and use them BOTH under and inside of my tents. It really helps to keep the tent cleaner from the soil beneath, and from debris inside (which you can get rid of by carefully pulling the plastic sheet out, shaking it off, and then putting it back inside again). The sheets are inexpensive, very lightweight, and sleeping pad slippage is minimal. Every other year or so I replace the sheets with new ones. Also, in all the years I've used them, I've never had water get inside my tents.

Like Mort, I'm a belt and suspenders guy.

We also use both, the footprint from the tent company under and plastic inside wrapped up the sides.

Spartan1

I've always been an outie, but will now try both on next trip.

Innie guy only here, 4 mil plastic cut slightly bigger than tent bottom, 2 mil will work for one trip, much lighter and easier to compress/pack than the four mil.

Outtie.

For those of you who put plastic on the inside of your tent, do you put something over that? I don't like the idea of walking or sitting on the plastic.

quote mc2mens: "Outtie.


For those of you who put plastic on the inside of your tent, do you put something over that? I don't like the idea of walking or sitting on the plastic."

I can't walk in my tent :). I crawl in and sit on the pad. It takes up most of the floor space in there ;).

+1 to boonie's reply

If you want info on this (ad nauseum) search on "innie" or "outtie" and you'll find debates with many many posts.

I grew up "outtie" and switched a year or so back (thanks to this site and Cliff J discussions) to an "innie".

Think I'd consider using both if weight not a factor.

I use the footprint for outside the tent. Its cut smaller than the actual floor so drippage does not get between the layers.

http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=32700

for a little discussion on floor permeability ratings.

Nowadays in the fast and light trend, floors are getting a little flimsy and 3000 mm is norm. I have also seen 2000 mm. You might need to be both innie and outie. Personally I hate sleeping on plastic.

MEC makes beefy floors 10000 mm hydrostatic pressure resistance.

quote BWPaddler: "If you want info on this (ad nauseum) search on "innie" or "outtie" and you'll find debates with many many posts."

tent liner and toilet paper?

bathtub insurance

Some are innies, some are outties

You say ground cloth, I say outtie

Another one

Using the search function, you may find even more threads on the innie/outtie debate than what I have linked.

Was an outtie, but got wet a couple times... switched to innie & have been dry ever since!

Footprints are overpriced. 6mil innie for me.

inside all the time. i use tyvek house wrap cut a little larger to wrap up the sides. the key is to cut the tyvek and put it in a top load washing machine without detergent. let the agitator do its thing to soften it up. it will make it pliable and soft while retaining its waterproofness and breathability.

Tarp under the car camping family tents. Mainly because there is more room and more feet walking around in it
Nothing under the canoe camping tent until this past June. Started using the very thin and very packable painting drop cloth plastic under the tent. I only started doing that because the waterproofing stuff and seam tape is wearing off and pulling up. The Kelty tent is 16 years old. I figure I paid enough money for a tent that is supposed to be water proof I am not going to drag any footprints along. Will not buy a foot print for the new tent I plan on buying next spring either. Just more stuff someone came up with to get more of our money IMO. If the tent needs a foot print with the prices we are charged for them we are getting ripped off. They are made to be used without one correct?

It depends on what it's for.
Outside is to protect your tent floor from wear and tear.
Inside is to keep you dry if your tent floor is prone to leaks.

The outside one should just be a flat sheet, slightly smaller than the tent so it doesn't stick out and collect water. The inside one should be a few inches larger on all sides so it goes up the walls like a "bathtub".

I'll use either, both, or none, depending on what sort of campsite I'll be in and what kind of camping I'm doing (backpacking vs. base-camping, for instance).

quote mc2mens: "For those of you who put plastic on the inside of your tent, do you put something over that? I don't like the idea of walking or sitting on the plastic."

The Therma-rest covers the majority of the floor in my tent, and the remainder is the line of water bottle, flashlight, clothes for the next morning, etc.

Oh, also:
My outer is a commercially-produced nylon footprint made for my tent, and also allows me to pitch just fly-and-footprint. My inner is cut black plastic sheeting.

I use a footprint and a tyvek innie.

fitgers1, ...my sentiments exactly. I agree with you 100%.

I use a the footprint made for my tent to protect the bottom of the tent from abrasion. I have never used a piece of plastic inside the tent. If I needed a piece of plastic inside I would think it would be time for a new tent. All of my tents are seam sealed and are bathtub design. Protect the bottom and it will protect you.

Outtie. Silnylon home cut slightly smaller than my tent. I paid good money for my tent it shouldn't leak. The outie keeps it from damage.

I see the reasoning for innie as well. Personally if you do either properly and have good equipment then you shouldn't get wet no matter which method you use. Older tent or poor material/floor innie would be better if it is bigger than your floor.

T

A footprint, by design, goes outside the tent to protect it from dirt, debris and water (if the right size and laid correctly).

quote Savage Voyageur: "I use a the footprint made for my tent to protect the bottom of the tent from abrasion. I have never used a piece of plastic inside the tent. If I needed a piece of plastic inside I would think it would be time for a new tent. All of my tents are seam sealed and are bathtub design. Protect the bottom and it will protect you. "

Now see - I am 100% with what SV just said. If your tent floor leaks, it's time for a new tent. I don't see the need for an innie. It's extra weight in my book. And by the way, in 40 years of camping using this method, I have never had water in the tent. Never.

when i was using a Timberline i put a Space Blanket on the floor and now using the Atko i don't bother,whatever they made the floor from seems to be bomb proof and with the small size my sleep mat also fills up most of the space.

i'm sure you "tarper's"--is that a word???--don't lay out a floor but in my Baker shelter i use a old Space Blanket with a stove hole cut into it..

Tomato, tomaaaaaaaaaaato, as long as you are dry, that's what works best.

MC2, I don't use an outie, innie only, so that is not extra weight, and as far sitting on plastic, if I am in the tent, I am either on my bag or pad, so it really doesn't come into play. Never bothered me.

I received a nemo losi 3p for father's day this year. Love it.
I added both the footprint (under tent) and Pawprint (floor liner), and am now spoiled rotten. I'm on that getting soft as I age track with my gear now.
For years I'd used a green tarp under the tent and it worked fine. Only once had rain water get between the tarp and the floor.
The Losi Footprint attaches to the tent poles which pulls the edges of the tarp up so water runs under. The Pawprint snaps to the inside corners of the tent so it stays tight. The paw print is a softer material (think thin fleece), but water proof on the underside. It's nice to take it out and shake after a few days. I've done two BW trips with this setup so far and it is totally dry and comfortable.

quote northallen: "I received a nemo losi 3p for father's day this year. Love it.
I added both the footprint (under tent) and Pawprint (floor liner), and am now spoiled rotten. I'm on that getting soft as I age track with my gear now.
For years I'd used a green tarp under the tent and it worked fine. Only once had rain water get between the tarp and the floor.
The Losi Footprint attaches to the tent poles which pulls the edges of the tarp up so water runs under. The Pawprint snaps to the inside corners of the tent so it stays tight. The paw print is a softer material (think thin fleece), but water proof on the underside. It's nice to take it out and shake after a few days. I've done two BW trips with this setup so far and it is totally dry and comfortable."

ooooooh, that setup sounds just about perfect! About time a tent mfr got on board with the innie... I never heard of "paw print" but you'd think they'd all be on board to SELL MORE STUFF.

I own a couple of footprints that I've never even used because of a) more weight and b) too small to be an innie. Hey tent-makers, I'm here and I'm gullible!! Make me an innie that's light as plastic, waterproof as plastic, and feels like fleece with no "crinkling" sound!!

Good reason to buy a nemo.

Jrlatt

Outie, but that means, like others have said, that you have a quality tent. Just returned from a trip where the rain came down, down, down like in the Pooh stories and the footprint was more than enough; from the inside the floor literally felt like a waterbed from the 70's, but not a drop entered the tent. Same tent went through a week of rain in June with said footprint and no water penetrated. Bottom line, the seams on this tent (a Big Agnes product) are incredible, and I am more than happy with the performance of the the footprint in the rain.