What About Ground Cloths?

“Just heard from MSR, and the Helio Tarp is definately out as a ground cloth. It won't take the abrasion, they say.

So, what about some other suggestions. This will be for a groundcloth with, possibly, overhead tarp instead of a tent. Anybody use that kind of rig?”

“I use the clear HEAVY plastic (look at the ml) that painters use. Cut 1/2 smaller than the bottom of my tent. Put up your tent and mark the outline of it with a sharpie

Cheap”

“I use the same stuff as m&m. Workd like a champ.”

“Me, too. Same technique to cut out. After 3 years, there are some small holes in the plastic here and there. I think I'll try Tyvek next. It's a lot lighter than the thick plastic, but it's also not waterproof....mostly, but not completely waterproof.”

“Oh, I thought this thread was about carpet bombing Afghani's.”

“I put an afgan under my tent!

I use a piece of the heavy clear plastic when sleeping under the tarp.

I got one of those "footprints" for my Geo Mtn Dome.......that will make it last longer.”

“Tyvek. The stuff they wrap houses with before they put the siding on. It's as tough as nails.”

“Depends on which tent we're using.

With the big mama dome tent for nasty weather we use a fairly thick ml plastic ground sheet cut to fit the footprint of tent and vestibule. I bought the actual "footprint" for it and foound that it was a waste of money as far as a ground cloth goes. Sometimes I carry that for use as a tarp.

For the small 3 season I use the cheapest (cause it's light) shower curtain I can find.”

“The plastic painter's tarps sound like the way to go. Cheap and disposable.

Just to be clear, this is _not_ to fit under the tent. We're intending to sleep right on it (with pads and bags, of course), and use a Helio of some such as an overhead shelter if it rains.

I like the idea of Tyvec. But Dupont says it comes in 3, 5, & 9 foot widths in rolls 100 and 150 feet long. A bit more than we need.”

“I use half of the thinnest painter's plastic dropcloth --I think it is .85 mil. You have to replace it after a trip or two. For 99c I don't mind--I get two out of it. Weighs 3 ounces.

If you are sure it is not going to rain the dropcloth and a 99c poncho keep you in the safe range. To use the dropcloth as a tarp you nust tie the corners otherwise it will tear.”

“I use a standard blue tarp for a floor, and my poncho for a roof/walls. The poncho I just tie up between two trees.”

“We use an Army poncho spread out beneath our tarp.”

“colonialmiss, just look around for someone building a new house. They'll have leftovers I am sure. Or ask your local lumber store if they know of any builders that might have small piece they would sell, or better yet, give away.

You may even drop newgirl an e-mail. She might know of some hunky southern guy that has some.”

“Didn't like my idea of scrounging Tyvek from construction sites, eh? Alternately, there is some dude selling it for $2.25 per linear foot (for the 9 ft. width)on ebay. Or query the backpackinglight list for anyone with spare product. Blue tarps and plastic are way too heavy for a tarper.”

“I use a poncho for a ground cloth under a lightweight tarp. Works great. Double duty--saves weight.”

“I use the footprint for my tent.”

“I use Tyvek. Indestructable. And for some reason it's easier to shake the water off of before packing in the morning.”

“Don't need one, it never rains on me

I did read somewhere that if you use a ground cloth underneath your tent, it should be smaller than the tent. If not, it causes water to wick underneath it (heh, ya'll thought I couldn't read)”

“I use the black poly instead of clear; it seems to dry faster in the sun. Can't remember the mil... 1 or 2, I reckon.”

“I use my emergency blanket. I think it is made out of tough aluminum foil

VERY LIGHT & cheap!”

“I use the black plastic sold for garden mulch. It's cheap, dries fast, and makes a great Zoro cape on Halloween hikes.”

“I use the footprint for my Zoid. It's a little heavy, but I can fastpack the tent with it.”

“Tyvek, cut for the Stephenson's Warmlite, it weighs 7 oz. We started using it in July, and for 30 days on the JMT and its still in good shape.

We had 2 footprints for our other tent. Small one was 10 oz and used for the vestibule, the one that fit the tent was 15 oz. Cut a lot of weight there!”

“Al foil”

“I use a shower curtain. Not one of the ones with frills, but a very ugly orange and white shower curtain that happens to be the size of my tent. It's a little heavier, but it will keep you dry. Also, I put it inside the tent. Provides a better barrier (harder for water to get between it and you.)”

“Who needs clothes..when you're on the ground, anyway?”

“Try some of that plastic that's sold for covering windows for the winter. Very light and tough. Some type of mylar material.”

“There is probably a perfect ground cloth out there.

lightweight, sticks to the underside of your tent for no slip but not to dirt, easy to fold, good tear strength, good durability, waterproof..

Doesn't anybody want to pay me to research it?”

“I'll research it with ya! ;)”

“I wouldn't be surprised if some of you use your hood and robe.”

“nOW i THOUGHT tARPY SWORE HE'D STICK TO tARPrAT! (aBBy's helping today9 86N)GBV*T I give up!”

“that's not tarpy.”

“You can get any length of tyvek you want, in 60-inch widths from Quest Outfitters, 1-800-359-6931. I recently ordered a 5' x 8' strip and the total cost including shipping was $15.79.

Used it recently in Nantahala. Was tough and very lightweight.”

“Oh no!

It's the return of Wild Chlid”