{"id":10135,"date":"2016-10-11T16:10:14","date_gmt":"2016-10-11T16:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=10135"},"modified":"2022-11-07T16:00:34","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T05:30:34","slug":"the-benefits-of-a-tent-groundsheet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/the-benefits-of-a-tent-groundsheet\/","title":{"rendered":"The Benefits of a Tent Groundsheet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Groundsheets, footprints, floor savers. Call them\u00a0what you will – if you care about your tent then they’re a crucial piece of camping kit.<\/p>\n

The purpose of a groundsheet (we’ll call them this for the sake of this blog) is to protect your tent floor against the jagged, tent floor-wrecking ground. An insurance policy if you will. You’re much better off financially, replacing a groundsheet every so often than your entire Black Wolf Turbo or MSR Hubba Hubba.<\/p>\n

But groundsheets aren’t some one-trick pony. Depending\u00a0on which you buy, they can help waterproof the floor of your tent, stop condensation, help keep your campsite tidy, make it easy to pack away your tent in muddy or wet conditions, protect the ground and allow it to ‘breathe’ (a requirement in some caravan parks), and even double as an emergency shelter or stretcher.<\/p>\n

There are two main types\u00a0of groundsheet – solid and mesh. Here are some\u00a0pros and cons of each:<\/p>\n

Solid, Tarp-Style<\/h2>\n

Pros:<\/strong> Added level of waterproofness. Low cost. A solid wall of defence. Keeps your tent clean and in tip-top condition. Easier to clean – just hose or wipe off. May provide insulation against the cold ground.<\/p>\n

Cons:<\/strong> They get dirty. If you select one that’s too large, it can actually channel water and mud under your tent. They can encourage condensation.<\/p>\n

Mesh, ‘Shade Cloth’-Style<\/h2>\n

Pros:<\/strong>\u00a0The dirt and water fall straight through – no flooding and a clean campsite. They allow the ground underneath, especially grass, to breathe. Great for your awning and comfortable to walk on. If you don’t have a shade cloth, use one of these instead.<\/p>\n

Cons:<\/strong> Pointy objects can still poke through. Harder to clean. More expensive.
\n\"The<\/p>\n

The popular Oztrail Ultramesh Groundsheet.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Here are some of the groundsheet options on the market:<\/p>\n

Footprints to Suit Black Wolf, Oztent, and MSR Tents<\/h2>\n

Many popular brands of tents purpose-make footprints or floor guards to suit their tents. This is especially the case for some of the more serious touring and hiking tents. They are made to fit perfectly to the floor of the tent without overhang.<\/p>\n

\"MSRThe footprints\u00a0that come with high-end hiking tents like the MSRs and Wilderness Equipment are extremely lightweight and are vital to keeping that delicate floor in good condition.<\/em><\/p>\n

Here are some of the tents with\u00a0purpose made groundsheets:<\/p>\n