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Footprints

Top Picks

How we choose: The best footprints highlighted here were selected based on 18 reviews of 17 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.

How we test: Trailspace is powered entirely by our community of readers. The reviews posted here reflect the real-world experiences of outdoor enthusiasts just like you.

If you've used a footprint that you think should be listed here, please share your experience.

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Mountainsmith Morrison Footprint

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

This footprint has grommets, clips, and loops on corner tabs. I would recommend to anyone wanting a fitted footprint.

Reasons to Buy

  • Waterproof rated at 2000 mm
  • Weight is 9 ounces
  • Has clips, grommets, and loops on corner tabs

Reasons to Avoid

  • Same as all fitted footprints, a little pricey

I use this footprint on my Mountainsmith Upland 2 tent and it is a perfect fit. The footprint has clips and so does my rain fly so it attaches perfectly. The fly clips can be tightened or slacked out to assure it a custom fit on the tent. I use the grommets to attach to the tent poles themselves. After I lay out the footprint and set up the tent minus fly I just place the tent on top of the footprint. Then on each corner I remove the tent pole one corner at a time and place the grommet of footprint onto the pole first, then hook the grommet from tent body onto the tent pole under the footprint grommet.

Read more: Mountainsmith Morrison Footprint review (1)

ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 2 Floor Saver

user rating: 4 of 5 (1 review)

The brown footprint (floor saver) is ripstop nylon. Has six reinforced grommets for the tent poles to slip into. Six male 3/4 inch buckles snap into the tent fly buckles. Works in snow and ice. Seam seal it when you first get it — to be sure it doesn't leak. The one that I bought did not come with taped seams. Washable. Does not extend under the Tasmanian 2 vestibules. There is a 3-person size. This one won't fit the 3-person Tasmanian 3 tent. Can be used for other things that need a ripstop waterproof fly with grommets and buckles.

Reasons to Buy

  • Strong, lightweight, waterproof
  • Washable
  • Works well in snow and ice
  • Inexpensive — more expensive than a tarp

Reasons to Avoid

  • Does not extend under the Tasmanian 2 vestibules
  • Extends an inch beyond the tent base, good for winter.
  • Did not come with taped seams

This is the 2-person size for the Tasmanian 2. There is a 3-person size of this footprint for the Tasmanian 3. Required item — Tasmanian tent floors are not Ripstop. Much better than a tarp: Lighter and stronger than the cheap blue or green tarps sold at hardware and home stores  Less trouble than making your own TYVEK ground sheet Fits tent outline Reinforced grommets and buckles Color Brown Item dimensions 2 x 7.5 x 12 inches in pouch Hint - Just attach it to your tent and use the pouch for something else Matches the six sided Tasmanian 2 floor outline Item weight approximately 1/2 pound Shipping Weight 0.65 pounds Nylon tent floor saver Corner and center Attachment: 6 reinforced Grommets & 3/4 inch Female Buckles For ALPS Mountaineering...

Read more: ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 2 Floor Saver review (1)

Hilleberg Kaitum 3 Footprint

user rating: 5 of 5 (2 reviews)

Expensive, but useful, addition to your valued Hilleberg tent. Provides great level of floor protection against wear and mechanical damage, introduces floor in vestibules, extends the possible pitching options. The footprint stays connected to the tent during transportation and storage, which is simply great.

Reasons to Buy

  • Extended level of floor protection against abrasion and other damage
  • Stays connected to the tent during transportation and storage, thus it doesn’t add time to pitching
  • Introduces the floor in vestibules for more comfort and convenience
  • May be used to make the lightweight shelter with floor
  • Clever design of toggles
  • Some sort of condensation prevention
  • Some sort of additional water protection on floor
  • May serve as an improvised sun shield

Reasons to Avoid

  • Expensive
  • Requires folding away the vestibule part to avoid water pooling
  • In some cases collects dirt and snow in vestibule
  • Not super lightweight, as you shall expect from a huge piece of 70D fabric

Drying the footprint after night Purchasing the footprint for my Hilleberg Kaitum 3 tent was a difficult decision for me. The floor of this tent is already strong, and the footprint is quite heavy and expensive. But after some use of footprint with my Fjallraven Abisko Lite 3 (its floor is less strong, so there was real sense in strengthening it) I decided that such accessory does worth its money, and ultimately I ordered one for Hilleberg in beginning of 2017. The footprint is made of the same fabric as the floor of my tent: 70D Nylon, triple-coated polyurethane, 90 g/m², 15 000 mm water column.

Read more: Hilleberg Kaitum 3 Footprint reviews (2)

SlingFin CrossBow 2 Footprint

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1 review)

This factory footprint is functional and lightweight, helping protect the valuable bathtub floor of the CrossBow 2 tent. Simplicity of design makes this footprint easy to use, allowing one to focus on the horizon ahead, and not the gear. This footprint is best for those who want the perfect fitting accessory for all SlingFin CrossBow 2 tent configurations.

Reasons to Buy

  • Easy to use clips
  • No adjustment necessary

Reasons to Avoid

  • High price point

SlingFin’s accessory tent footprint is simply a no-brainer! Four clips attach the the tent body, whether one is using the CrossBow 2 StormPak, CrossBow 2 Mesh, as well as the four-season CrossBow 2 R/S models. Although having used few factory footprints with tents, this is a very easy to use accessory.  This polyurethane coated fabric feels slick to the touch, and stays clean easily despite living directly in contact with the ground. Testing has shown that the material dries very quickly, which is very important for long-term use, as well as minimizing weight carried.

Read more: SlingFin CrossBow 2 Footprint review (1)

Eureka! Floor Saver Square Medium

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1 review)

Very durable ground cloth for the backpacker that is going to use their tent regularly. I am impressed with the thickness of this floor saver yet how light and unnoticeable it is in my backpack.

Reasons to Buy

  • Protects your tent floor from rocks and sharp sticks
  • Completely waterproof and can even be used as a tarp tent

Reasons to Avoid

  • No eyelets to enable multiple functions
  • Does not fold quite as compact as I would prefer

Your eyes open, you wake up to hearing the robins and the other wildlife in the forest doing their thing. It was a cold night and you're sure your gear that you left outside and your backpack are going to be soaked from the dew.  You search for your socks in the bottom of the sleeping bag and slip them on. The only thing you're not concerned with is the dryness of your tent floor. Not this trip, not this time. Why? Because you decided to invest in what I would consider the paramount of ground tarps....

Read more: Eureka! Floor Saver Square Medium review (1)

Equinox Tyvek Ground Cloth

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

My sheet of washed and edge-seamed Tyvek with strategic grommets and center flaps acts as ground cloth, rain fly, tarp, bivy, pack cover or poncho. I don't leave home without it.

Reasons to Buy

  • Durable
  • Replaces other gear
  • Cheap (free at construction sites)
  • Very lightweight

Reasons to Avoid

  • Creates jealous campers

Cut sheet to size of required footprint plus a foot or two on door side if under a tent. Place grommets where poles and stakes would go. Cut and seam openings for head and arms. Tape (Tyvek tape) flaps over head and arm slits. Seam all edges with Tyvek Tape. (Tyvek Tape is lighter than, say, Gorilla Tape, and equally strong.) Wash in large machine at commercial laundry with soap and softener to eliminate crinkle sound. Will it to your grandchildren. Still using original design 12 years later. Very weather proof. Ventilates as poncho. Packs small. Always works. You can't buy it already made. Velcro at flaps are optional. 

Read more: Equinox Tyvek Ground Cloth review (1)

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