How to Use a Tent Footprint for Camping

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If you need to set up your tent on rough ground, you can be worried that the tent will be scratched by small gravel. When you walk into the tent, the floor will move slightly, and if the ground is rough enough, then the waterproof layer of your tent floor will be damaged.

If you have a footprint, then you don’t have to worry about it. The footprint not only protects your tent from tearing but also keeps your tent separated from the wet ground. In addition, it can also relieve you of the work of cleaning the tent floor.

A footprint is a very durable fabric usually made of polyester or nylon. You can purchase two footprints for your tent, one for the bottom and one for the inside, depending on the quality of your tent floor.

Usually, you need to purchase a footprint that is about 2 inches smaller than the bottom of the tent. This way you don’t have to worry about rainwater pooling into the footprint and entering your tent from the tent floor.

If you purchase a universal footprint, it may be larger than the floor of your tent. However, please do not modify its size because it will damage its edges. You can simply tuck its edges underneath.

How to Use a Tent Footprint

Place the footprint in the location where you plan to pitch your tent

Find the side of the footprint that is waterproof. Usually, the light side faces the tent, while the dark side faces the ground. Place the footprint exactly where you want to set up your tent.

Set up the tent

Set up the tent on top of the footprint. Insert the tent poles into the grommets of the footprint. If the footprint comes with straps, use the straps to secure the footprint.

Check for proper installation

Check that the footprint is not sticking out of the tent. If you are using a universal footprint, tuck the part that sticks out underneath. That’s all you need to do.

Richard

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