Backpacker Magazine SkillsCast: Build A Tent Footprint

March 14th, 2010 | by admin |

Backpacker magazine shows you how to build a plastic footprint for your tent–a skill taken from the Jan/Feb 2007 issue. Associate editor Jason Stevenson explains the nine steps to create a footprint, including how to cut webbing and punch grommets. Learn more Skills at www.backpacker.com.

Duration : 0:8:33


[youtube RueJ7t2J6t0]


  1. 25 Responses to “Backpacker Magazine SkillsCast: Build A Tent Footprint”

  2. By vanderslagmulders on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    it’s not a joke.
    …
    it’s not a joke.
    it’s true..

  3. By mortenkongsfelt on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    @vanderslagmulders …
    @vanderslagmulders
    Weakeners? Haha, that’s a joke.

    There’s nothing “special” about footprint material, likely there’s no standard either…

  4. By dedicated2outdoors on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    if you have a …
    if you have a decent tent you should not need an extra footprint. I have put my Marmot through some very wet rainy conditions and have yet to get wet while inside it.

  5. By QRPisFun on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    Nice video!

    How …
    Nice video!

    How about a part number for the webbing or where it was found (dept.)?

  6. By vanderslagmulders on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    look it up if you …
    look it up if you don´t believe it.

  7. By DownOnwax on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    Weakeners?

    What …
    Weakeners?

    What are you talking about?

  8. By vanderslagmulders on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    Guys, do NOT use …
    Guys, do NOT use normal plastic for your footprint if you like your tent.

    Normal plastic contains weakeners that will decrease the lifespan of your tentfloor. I am amazed that Backpacker magazine does not warn about that.

    There is special footprint material that does not contain weakeners. Other than that, useful workshop.

  9. By Darmuuk on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    Very helpful, …
    Very helpful, better to make my own then pay the 55 dollars for the prefab one.

  10. By doggymcnuggets on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    Thanks for the …
    Thanks for the helpful video. Made a footprint for my new tent for much less than the manufacturer’s would cost and now have a grommet kit in the tool box. Sweet!

  11. By cha1ny on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    In the UK we call …
    In the UK we call the ‘gromits’, ‘brass eyelets’. Hope this helps.

  12. By CurtNN on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    рак папуга
    рак папуга

  13. By rongallant on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    They are nice …
    They are nice looking, expensive and usually more heavy then say a Tyvek one. Outside if the weight and cost, they are fine as well. Some are designed to work with the tent fly as a lightweight tent. So they could have multiple uses. Of course, having both is nice for options.

  14. By pr0n3 on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    Meh, you can make …
    Meh, you can make one just as good or better than manufacturers using his technique. Thats what I THINK.

  15. By duckydacks on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    i think its better …
    i think its better to buy foot print made by the manufacturer.. Or may ask questions from this site..

    w w w . CheapBackpackerTravel . c o m

    its the no.1 blog site for backpackers around the globe.

  16. By 280az on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    I was going to buy …
    I was going to buy the footprint for my tent sierra designs gamma , but I couldn’t find it so I will make one myself

  17. By santosrocks on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    I would say to get …
    I would say to get the manufacturer’s footprint because it only costs a few more dollars than this and it is made specifically for your tent model. On the other hand my footprint for my tent did not cover the vestibules floor. If u make ur own u can make it how you like

  18. By curtiswiens on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    Is it better to buy …
    Is it better to buy a footprint that was made by the manufacturer for your tent, or is it better to make your own?

  19. By greggregoryvigilant on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    I never use a FP. …
    I never use a FP. It seems my upper tent wears out just as fast as the bottom from Ozone. And I’m ready for a new tent anyway by then. Saves weight to.

  20. By 888zzz on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    why attach the fp …
    why attach the fp to the tent or anything? with the tent on the fp the fp will not move.

  21. By babbbsy on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    I found this to be …
    I found this to be amazingly helpful. I bought this enormous tent that appearantly does not have a footprint. Basically the measurements are 27′x22′. It is in the shape of a T so I have some excess to cut and piece together. I wanted to know the best method for attaching the plastic together and keep it’s waterproofing. I am using 6 mil contractors plastic. I have only found it in our area at 10′x25′.

  22. By tcabner on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    I prefer the …
    I prefer the classic sheet of tyvek, easily obtainable from about any construction site. No need to steal it either. Every time I’ve needed a sheet, I’ve drove by a construction site and asked the workers if they had any scrap pieces they were willing to part with. I’ve yet to be turned away empty handed :) Quick tip for tyvek users, if you want it a bit softer and not as noisy, wash it a few times in either straight cold or mildly warm water with no detergent…works like a charm!

  23. By BackpackerMagazine on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    Thanks for the …
    Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

  24. By dickenine on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    oh, and yeah, only …
    oh, and yeah, only turn it up side down for tracing, when you’re using clear plastic for your footprint…otherwise it’s a little challenging : – )

  25. By dickenine on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    Not to be a pain in …
    Not to be a pain in the ass, but you can also turn your tent upside down (groundsheet up), on top of something soft, and trace almost exactly three inches inside the perimeter to make the footprint. Again, a footprint is a really good idea and I am definitely going to use the grommet set up for my next one…thanks.

  26. By dickenine on Mar 14, 2010 | Reply

    The blue tarp …
    The blue tarp certainly will protect the groundsheet. In a pinch it’s great, but if you have the time to look around you can find a more flexible material that will help for packing it smaller and lighter. Not that I’m a weight freak, but the blue tarps are also loud and generally the quieter the better. Even my plastic was a little loud for me. I suppose other wouldn’t care as much, but I do like to arrive and go unnoticed.

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