Bruce
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Post by Bruce on Jun 20, 2024 15:41:41 GMT -8
whatever you refer to it as.
Is there anything close to a concensus on how to set it up? I've seen multiple repeats from both viewpoints, that it should be close, but just under the outer edges of the tent, and also that it should extend out beyond the tent, sometimes far enough to put your gear on (if the tent fly extends out far enough for that to be feasible)
Maybe someone has a go-to youtube boiokmarked that explores/explains this subject?
Or is in not that simple, and situation specific.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jun 20, 2024 15:48:04 GMT -8
If rain is expected, just short of the outside edges of the tent so water can't pool up and run under the floor of the tent. If no rain is expected, I like to unfold it enough so that I can put my gear and shoes outside the tent. Be careful not to lose your salty shoes to a critter, though.
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Bruce
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Post by Bruce on Jun 20, 2024 17:54:21 GMT -8
Zeke, that makes alot of sense, and explains the 2 schools of thought. Thank you!
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jun 21, 2024 5:43:26 GMT -8
A foot print usually implies something that’s cut to fit the tent. When I cut my own out of Tyvek, I included a flap to extend into the vestibule. Otherwise, I often use a garbage bag as a doormat (which does my back-up rain protection no good, I’m sure!).
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Post by dustin on Jun 21, 2024 6:11:14 GMT -8
I sometimes use a homemade rain kilt as a doormat/footprint, but make sure it's well underneath the tarp. It goes into the vestibule/entrance area and extends a little under the bivy.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Jun 21, 2024 7:36:28 GMT -8
All of my tent footprints are smaller than the tent floor. I don't always take a footprint when backpacking.
If I'm taking a tarp and/or planning to cowboy camp most nights, I take a groundsheet that's bigger than my pad by about 6" all around.
I almost always take a large bandana sized piece of plastic (polycro or painters plastic), which weighs nothing and has been surprisingly handy to have.
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swmtnbackpacker
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Jun 25, 2024 6:36:46 GMT -8
whatever you refer to it as. …how to set it up …, that it should be close, but just under the outer edges of the tent, and also that it should extend out beyond the tent, sometimes far enough to put your gear on (if the tent fly extends out far enough for that to be feasible) Most double wall tents have their inner almost flush with the outer fly wall, so in that case cutting it slightly smaller than the inner tent body would prevent pooling and potentially exceeding the tent floor’s waterproof pressure (temporarily). Then there’s the vestibule and besides a door mat, there’s having a bit to keep gear dry. With windproof bivy sacks, they’ll likely be well under the tarp (fly) so a larger, yet “UL”, groundcloth may is warranted as a kind of “porch” floor. Depending on the floor I’ll utilize different thicknesses of polycro. DCF is totally waterproof where water pressure doesn’t matter (it’s a non-woven fabric), .. so I can use a thinner polycro for example. Looking at a DCF floored “bug bivy” for fall and arachnids, though the purchase isn’t certain. Had a campsite sink on me in heavy rain (in the desert!!) .. so looking at a bathtub” floor set up that ties into the tarp corners. Still deciding.. |
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