Mylar

“anyone use it for a tent foot print. It is a lot lighter than the mfg's foot prints. Also lighter than tyvek.”

“Tears really easily though.”

“Serious question: Why do you use a foot print? Do you pitch tent where it might damage your tent? I've always gone without with no problems, but maybe in PA it's not as important for some reason.”

“They can also help keep your tent floor dry in the rain. Plus, even if you pitch your tent on safe, soft ground, that's probably harder on the tent floor than being in contact with the footprint or groundsheet.”

“hmmm, I'm dubious about footprints. I've never had a floor leak, and unless the water is coming from under the tent, or you've pitched it in a rain channel, I can't see how it keeps the tent floor dry. I've been out in some pretty moist conditions, and the ground under the tent is the one thing in the area that is dry.”

“I found they allow more water (if improperly used) and no less water (if properly used) than not using one. I suppose without a rainfly it would help, but then again, wouldn't you get wetter from the overhead (non drainage) rain anyways?”

“Ewker, I used a sheet of mylar for a while under my tarps and tents.
It's very light but the downside is it's noisy as he11 all night long. Every single time I would move, crack, pop, crinkle.
I quit using it.
I now use a very light lawn leaf bag split down the sides to make a undercloth that's just about the right size, about 4+ feet by 6+ feet.

The main reason I use it is to keep the bottom of my tent clean of mud and dirt.
last edited: 5/23/05 2:42:36 PM”

“Stove, I have heard of people using trash bags for foot prints. If you want noisy check out new tyvek before it has ever been used..yikes that will keep the dead awake”

“You people use tents?”

“Oh no, I cut down enough trees at every campsite to make a small cabin. It's a lot of work, but well worth it.”

“since WK, likes to cowboy camp he can use the mylar as a ground cloth for his sleeping bag”

“run the tyvek thru a washing machine cycle (detergent is optional) and its comfy soft and quiet.

probably don't want to run it thru the dryer though.


I like having a groundcloth just to provide a little protection to the tent floor and help keep it free of mud and such.”

“Too many downsides to Tyvek or Mylar to use either.

Tyvek - can be noisy even after washing it, it isn't waterproof, expensive (unless you get it free from a building site)
Mylar - tears and punctures easily, noisy”

“special made tyvek. It was $40.00 for a 20x20 peice. It is presoftened and lighter than regular tyvek. I have cut it to fit my pack tent and it makes not a bit of crinkle sound. I've also used it at least 30 times and it has not ripped or torn. It is water proof, as I made a cup with it and filled it with water and put tissue paper under it in the glass and left it there for a week, with NO seepage at all.

Like Roam and Stove, I like to keep my tent floor exterior mud and dirt free and the ground cloth does just that, plus getting in and out of a tent will create minute movement and scrapage on the ground which will eventually lead to fabric weakage, tears, or leaks. the ground cloth prevents that.

For canoe camping on gravel bars and or sand, I use a large peice of astro turf. I roll it up and place it in the canoe, then when I get to camp, I unroll it and have a lovely putting green to walk around on. Its 20x20. Wouldn't travel without it.”