Increase Your Conversion Rate When Selling Camping Tents
Increase Your Conversion Rate When Selling Camping Tents
Blog Article
How Important Are Tent Footprints and Ground Cover?
A tent footprint is a sheet of fabric that’s sized to perfectly match the base dimensions of your tent. Manufacturers offer their own branded footprints, which are convenient but expensive and relatively heavy (see NEMO Hornet Dragonfly 2P footprint details).
Are canvas tents better than nylon?
Investing in one can prolong the life of your tent floor by shielding it from rough ground surfaces that could wear thin spots or holes into the floor fabric.
Tent Footprints/Ground Cover
Despite 90% of tents coming with a sewn in groundsheet these days, it’s always worth considering adding a footprint to your kit. It’s a cheap investment and can save you time, money and hassle in the long run.
Footprints are essentially a tarp that goes under your tent’s bathtub floor to protect it from abrasions and keep it clean. They’re particularly useful if you’re camping in rough terrain where sharp sticks and rocks can easily tear or wear through your tent floor.
When it comes to choosing a footprint, it’s best to go with one that is specifically designed for your tent. That way, you can be sure it’s exactly the right size to avoid puddling. If the footprint is too large, it will collect rainwater along its edges, potentially soaking through the tent floor fabric. It’s best to tuck the edges of the footprint under the tent’s rainfly so water doesn’t pool on it.
How Important Are They?
A tent footprint (or ground cloth or tarp) is a great addition to any camping trip, especially if you camp in areas that have a lot of moisture. They provide an extra layer of protection to prevent the floor of your tent from getting soggy and worn down, which can cause leaks or seeps.
A good tent footprint will also help keep you dry by raising your body off the ground and reducing the amount of heat that’s lost to the floor. They’re particularly important for cold weather camping when a significant portion of your body heat is typically lost to the ground.
When choosing a footprint, look for one that’s close to the size of your tent and, if possible, a custom option. You can find tent footprints made of polyethylene, nylon and silnylon as well as ultralight options in cuben fiber or Dyneema. Generally speaking, the higher the denier number the more rugged and durable the footprint will be.
Do You Typically Pack One?
Many tent manufacturers offer a branded footprint for their specific tents, which is convenient but can be expensive and adds a few ounces to your overall pack weight. Backpackers who prioritize lightening their load can also make their own footprint out of Tyvek or another waterproof material for less money and a few more ounces in weight savings.
A footprint protects the floor of your tent from abrasive elements, like sharp twigs and jagged rocks and gritty surfaces. A tent footprint can also help you find the best spot to pitch your tent by allowing you to see how much space is available before you start setting up camp.
However, footprints do not add any additional waterproofing to your tent as the floors of most modern tents are already made out of a waterproof fabric. If you plan on tarp camping or are concerned about water leaking into your tent, a footprint may be worth the extra investment.
What’s the Best Option?
Tent footprints offer a level of peace of mind for campers that don’t want to risk rainwater seeping under their tent, but they can be expensive and heavy. Some gear companies provide branded footprints that match the designated tent for convenience, but they also add to the overall price and weight of the system.
Ideally, the footprint is cut smaller (on all sides) than the tent’s floor dimensions to prevent puddling. Puddling can occur when large canvas tent rainwater draining from the tent’s rainfly reaches the edges of the footprint and soaks in underneath the tent, causing leaks and potentially mold and rot.
Many ultralight backpackers skip the tent footprint altogether or use a thin sheet of Tyvek home wrap or Polycryo window insulation shrink film for a cheap, lightweight option. Both materials are water-resistant and durable enough to serve the purpose of protecting the ground beneath your tent without adding unnecessary weight to your backpack. For those who do choose to pack a footprint, consider the material and durability as well as the attachment mechanism when selecting a product.
How much is a small tent?
