Awesome tutorial. I did the same as yours except I sewed the edge instead of gluing it. I also added anchor points on all the corners by simply using adhesive tyvek anchor tabs and then sewing them. Adding a short section of shock cord tied to a paracord loop on the anchor tabs allows me to attach the ground sheet to my tent stakes to keep it taught and centered under my tent. (I use the paracord loop for the tent stake end for durability purposes)
Good video. I like to keep my footprint smaller than the inner tent to keep splash and blowing water from getting on top of the sheet. I also like a porch but it's usually just an extra piece so I can move it around as a door mat, a seat, or a knee rest if I am on the ground. Gotta love Tyvek
The footprint should always be a little bit smaller than the tent bottom for the reasons you mention. There is absolutely no reason to make it larger, it is just asking for trouble if water gets on top of it, and it will if it rains sideways.
Thanks for the instruction and advice. Just built a Tyvek footprint for a new tent following your guidance, and using the carpenter's rule - measure twice, cut once. Worked great, as I made a layout error on the Tyvek and caught it before making any cuts. Wish I could add a pic or two just to show the beginning and end results. Got the Tyvek for free, but paid for the glue and gromets - total
Thanks for calling me out, I did like the re-enactment - very scientific. My favorite part of this video though was your helper, I will make sure to have my own such helper if I ever take on this project!
Great video. Well thought out and produced. Thanks for the tips. A tip of my own, ditch the contact cement brush and use a two inch single use chip brush ($1.30). Pour 3oz of contact cement in a clean single serve yogurt container. Fast, even, thin coat of contact cement. Using my new footprint this weekend.
Excellent video! Just what I needed. =) I got excited when you threw in the grommets at the last minute because this has been part of my design plan. I think I'll attach cord to mine, though, so that the footprint shares the same stakes as the rest of the tent. Glad you pointed out the need to fold over the corners! Wouldn't have thought of that myself if I was winging it.
I picked up some scrap foam underlayment for engineered laminate floors that is slightly less than 1/8 inch thick. Bright yellow so I won’t forget it. Works great.
Thanks for the footprint! Saw in my memories that this was the weekend we went up north on the ice age trail last year. Can't wait to get back out there!
Great video! My golden retriever perked up once Maverick joined you! 😂 I was going to share a picture of him watching but I guess I can’t do that in comments. Thanks for sharing!
Another great video Jon - just what I needed. I bought a tyvek footprint with my new tent and from the tent mfg it was NOT cut to the footprint. It was just a big rectangle. Geez. Pleased you've shown me the way. Thanks.
Fantastic tutorial! The only thing I'm thinking to do differently is to cut some little reinforcement triangles for the grommets and sandwich them between the sheet and the folded edge. Perhaps not neccessary with tyvek but I never totally trust metal grommets not to fail.
Thanks for sharing your idee! I am gona make a Tyvek (soft version) groundsheet like yours for my 3F UL Lanshan 1 Pro. Great totorial, your channel deserves more attention!
Noooo! The soft version is no good for this application, although is is great for clothing. The hard version is much tougher and more puncture-resistant. Also it has the great virtue of not needing to be pulled flat as a soft fabric would as it just naturally sits flat and stays flat so no need for grommets or ties or stakes.
Really great detail, you get a really neat end product. Thumbs up. I'm more gung-ho I guess. I've grabbed a 2.5x1.5m piece, ensure to fold/tuck the sheet under the tent's own groundsheet (keeping it slightly smaller, 1 inch or so less area), so no water run-in. Never had an issue of it moving but always check. The benefit is can use for other tents and purposes (light tarp when moving, etc just twist corner ends + cord to create a loop/stake point). Horses for courses.
Same. Just fold it under. No need to stake out Tyvek as it is so stiff, it doesn't ruck up. I just use a simple rectangular piece and fold any corners under. A rectangle is easier to fold up, and has other uses.
Hmm, ...I have used a Tyvek tent groundsheet protector (AKA 'footprint') like this for many years, and I shall now share my experience in response to this video. Firstly, yes, if it is too wide/long then rainwater will indeed run on top of it and run underneath the groundsheet of the tent. However, you need to have the footprint smaller even than the groundsheet of the tent, otherwise rain-blown wind will still run in under the groundsheet. Bear in mind also that when the wind blows, the flysheet will be blown in closer to the inner tent as well. You should not see the Tyvek footprint AT ALL. The groundsheet will still be adequately protected as it is only the areas where your bodyweight is lying that are vulnerable to significant damage. The outer inch or two of the tent floor gets hardly any weight on it in normal use, so doesn't need protection. Secondly, Tyvek is not a woven fabric and does not need to be 'hemmed'. You can simply cut it to size and leave it at that. It won't rip at the edge as a woven fabric might. Thirdly, the noise, the crinkly noise, is of no consequence at all in this application. In fact it is better not to muss it up but to leave it hard and flat, as that makes it easier to slide into position under a tent. It will also take up less space in your pack if it is left hard and flat. Pack it folded, unfold it, slide it under the tent, fold it up after use. How is it going to flap in the wind if it is underneath the tent with none sticking out. It can't flap, so will make no noise.
Thanks. If you ever drive by an area where homes are being built, the guys wrapping houses always have Tyvek pieces lying around. $20 is no big deal, but free is nice.
I never see anyone extending their footprint under the vestibule and always wondered why. I always thought it was ideal for the same reasons you point out here.
Thanks for the great video. I’ll be making this weekend to help me survive the Scottish winter. The only bit I could do with some advice on is the grommets and how you go about fitting them. Many Thanks Martin
I set my tent on the finished footprint to mark where the grommets would go. I needed to be sure the poles were stretched out where they would be when the tent was fully set up.
Thanks for posting! I just made one for my Nemo Hornet, and it’s in the washing machine right now! I’ll have a porch, but it will be a separate piece, as someone posted earlier. Also, I didn’t create a glued hem, but I do have room to do that in the future if I feel like it would be beneficial.
There is no need for a glued hem on the edges except for at the corners to reinforce them if you grommet them or intend to tie them out to the stakes. Tyvek has extremely good tear strength, so with a good clean edge cut, hemming the edges just increases weight and is a waste of material.
If you have some leftover from a job or know someone that has some it would be great . Last time I checked tyvek is very expensive . You can buy footprint tarps failed cheap , just go with no name brand . Good video though 👍
Great tutorial and love extending into the vestibule, but for layout, seems it would be much easier to just set the tent up on the tyvek sheet and mark the cut lines around the tent rather than mess with graph paper and detailed measurements
leave food in your tent and that dog will be a bear clawing at the tent....that was funny. This video is a cpl years old but I'd still say you and I are way late to the table on tyvek. I'm not sure I've even done a trip with it yet, but tyvek is just flat out bad ass...I had never held a piece. Its a little heavy compared to clear plastic but I think a little lighter than most actual footprints. Mine doubles as a really good rain kilt. like really good - typical tent length wrapped around me a full one and a half times meaning that no matter the wind its solid - wrap it and roll it down and it stays. I finish secure it with a tiny bungy around the waste. all the rest of the day its a great piece to lay on keep your stuff out of wet spots and pokeys...this stuff is just fantastic. It's cool but not necessary to do the grommets and border work but definitely try out this very versatile gear.
Your point on the rain under the tent is well taken. My concern is the rocks and pointy sticks. Tyvek is good stuff but I have never used it. Appears to be good stuff. Point to make; After clearing the area for your tent, is this Tyvek material resistant to the sharp rock or pointy stick missed during construction of your humble abode? Only to find your sleep mate sinking in the water? Thanks Amigo Many thanks Peace from Texas
Tyvek is very, very tough. I doubt you could puncture it with a stick even if you tried. I've been using mine for years on all types of surfaces and it doesn't have a single hole in it.
Sticks should be fine. The only thing that punctured my own Tyvek footprint was some razor-sharp little stones about the size and shape of coins embedded in the soil on a Norwegian mountain. I cleared as many as I could but on packing up found a couple of small slits in the Tyvek. In practice though, the tent floor itself remained undamaged, so the footprint did its job, and also the footprint has continued to work just fine, despite those two tiny slits, and I have not felt the need to replace it.
Makes no difference, although you’ll want to be consistent with the side you place toward the ground because it will get dirty and accumulate little pieces of leaf and brush over time. Shaking it out helps, but doesn’t seem to get all of it.
None of the footprint should be visible. ANY portion of footprint extending past the bottom of the tent WILL catch rain, and channel it under your floor. Ask me how I know this.
That's what I was thinking and also if you're going to use it for that tent it would be really easy to use Velcro adhesives Or double-sided carpet tape, And stick that thing to the bottom of the tent and you never have to mess with it again, Unless you get a hole in it and then you can repair it with duct tape.
Love the video! I have a BA Salt Creek 2 (which has two side doors & a end large door for the porch area). Would you recommend cutting a small floor mat area in front of the two side doors as well?
If the footprint is slightly bigger than the tent but wind is driving the rain onto the tent horizontally surely it will capture the water and wet under the tent?
Mind telling me what tent that is? Not looking for an endorsement, but I like the little strap connecting the tent body to the fly to pull the tent corner out just above ground level. That can be clearly seen at 2:30 Thanks!
Those who'd like one lighter and less noisy might look for those selling Dupont Liner Softwrap Tyvek 14M rather than the house wrap variety, Tyvek 1443R. You might also buy some to sew into a bag creates a very cheap bivy sack the might serve well enough in a light rain and will add extra warmth.
It gives the edge a bit of reinforcement, which is especially helpful if you install grommets for tent stakes or tent poles. Certainly not required though.
I did try this tyvek material once for ground sheet but found it was a bit big (volume) to pack once folded. I than found a light weight “emergency blanket” that has reflective material on one side and orange on other. This basic blanket was nearly the perfect size for a 1 person tent footprint and packed much smaller. It’s maybe not as strong as the tyvek but it works for cycle camping where volume and weight are critical.
The emergency blankets are very weak and will puncture on the spot. That's why it's not a good option since the reason for a groundsheet is to protect your tent floor to be.... punctured.
thanks for posting this! I have been wanting to make my own footprint, as it seems super easy... but my tent poles fit into grommets that are on the end of tabs, so I think I will need to attach tabs to the footprint if I want to install grommets. the grommets make it lay so well underneath, and secure it... I just don't think I should sew the tabs on.... or maybe its ok to do that, since its minimal stitching, and only in the corners? what do you think? for reference, I have the North Face Wawona 4P tent thanks!
Thank you - very helpful. Can you tell us the final weight of the footprint. I'd also be curious to know if that weight was more or less than the tent manufacturer's footprint. I suspect yours is of better quality.
I would strongly suggest washing the piece BEFORE you measure and cut it! Because it wrinkles a bit as it softens, you actually lose an inch or two over 7 or 8 feet. That can make a big difference.
I'm still a bit confused, as I've read on French and English blogs, that: Added the body weight pressure on moist or wet ground, the Tyvek will eventually leak, and small ponds of water will form in between the tent floor and the Tyvek footprint. Eventually leaking inside the tent... Am I wrong? Or it is accurate what I've wrote? Thanx for the video
Optionally, for wind blown cold, cold rain and snow, you could create a bathtub floor without gluing corners, just provide additional material, 3 to 4 inches to rise up the insides of the tent with the tent set at ground level. That would provide a warmer environment. Some of us prefer just enough material to protect our sleeping pad and gear - lower weight and volume. We each develop an amount of ground sheet based on our personal preference, experience and potential weather. For potentially cold and cold windy weather, I use a heat reflective ground sheet.
Yes, I like the idea of a bathtub floor shape, although in practice I find a simple flat sheet of Tyvek works perfectly well as long as NONE of it is showing beyond the edge of the groundsheet. In a storm the wind can blow the flysheet right up against the inner tent, so if even half an inch is showing beyond the groundsheet the rain will run right under the tent and you'll be lying in a cold wet puddle all night. Even if the groundsheet remains waterproof that's going to be cold! I guess if your tent has a high edge to the flysheet then a bathtub shape would be good, but I live in a wet and rainy part of the world, so all my tents have a flysheet that goes right down to the ground, more or less.
@@paulmackilligin1754 You might consider a ground sheet of heat reflective Tyvek, great for cool & cold weather, breathable, wind & water repellent/proof if DWR coated.
@@ULperformance Thanks for the suggestion Mr Performance. I do actually have a sheet of reflective Tyvek somewhere which I have never used. A piece 2 metres x 1.4 metres I believe. I was sent it as a sample years ago. It is structurally somewhat different from Homewrap/Housewrap, as it is micro-perforated, presumably because the metallic coating would otherwise stop it breathing. Still, it is both waterproof and breathable, so I might give it a go.
If you create a "bathtub", you will get a bath, if it rains. NO PART of your footprint should extend beyond the floor of your tent. Rain WILL find it and fill your tub. Been there, done that. 😂😂😂
@@Clay_Maguire Clay, what you described was what I described. Since when does a bathtub floor exceed the interior of a tent? You apparently don’t know it’s basic function.
Ive recently watched a prick / puncture test on this stuff and it was far better than other products. Do you know if this material degrades in strength or waterproofness after you have washed or tumbled it?
I’ve been using mine for years and it’s holding up well. I have not noticed any degradation in the material. The only change I’ve seen is that it gets softer and quieter after years of use and washing.
@@jonallenoutside Thanks for the reply Jon, Looking at another vid re the tyvek and the chap just screws the material up by hand a couple of times. It worked too in reducing the noise. Neat product and im about to get some.
Got it. For that part I just tossed it in the washing machine by itself on a normal cycle with no soap. Then I let it air dry. Once through the washing machine will be enough to make it softer and quieter.
Why not just set up the tent on top of the tyvek, then using a sharpie trace it out? Your method seems to be making something simple more difficult. I'm sure if I used your method I would end up screwing it up and needing to order more tyvek! Lol
That is another way to do it, but in my opinion it’s much more difficult to get an accurate measurement. I’ve tried it and with stakes and poles it’s harder than you’d think to work with a large sheet of Tyvek under the tent. But as with most things, there are many ways to get the job done.
@@davedewitt18 Yes, that's what I do, and it's fine. Just fold it under. I have none showing beyond the groundsheet though to prevent wind-blown rain getting between the Tyvek and the groundsheet. One day I will maybe cut it to the exact size - that size being slightly SMALLER than the groundsheet - but it works fine to fold it under.
Not trying to troll here or anything negative… but somehow ground sheet and ground cloth got into my feed. I have been on literally hundreds of campouts (car camping and backpacking) over the last 35 years. I never knew that such a thing (ground cloth) existed. and now in my feed, I see peoples videos about how “essential” Ground cloths are. that has not been my experience in the my tent floors have never been wet or damaged (and yes I have been in the rain and camped on rocks and twigs.) and then to find out how expensive they are. It just seems like a thing that has been propagated a little bit. Again, sincerely, I appreciate videos like this and I’m only bringing an opposing view for friendly chat (I don’t like when people come in, trying to tear down other people.)
I do occasionally camp without one. However, I do like how it keeps my tent clean and also protects from abrasion over time. I’ve recently switched to polycryo material which is super light and takes up almost no space.
Tent manufacturers used to make groundsheets much tougher. I guess they found they could reduce the headline weight of the tent by using super-light fabric for the groundsheet, thus being able to charge more for the tent, and then charge extra for a dedicated fitted 'footprint'.
My $Store shower curtain ripped immediately. I also swept and blew the platform first, but there were still pebbles (apparently). Glad I had tarps to lay down & use. Only issue is I wasn't able to tell which side was facing down (gravel) & up (tent) when packing up. Even after shaking the tarps off, I'd still prefer not to put the ground side up. I sometimes see an odd piece of tyvek at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Now, I know what I can do with it.
Great video. But I will stick to my guns that the liner should go INSIDE the tent. It protects the floor from wear and captures any water that seeps in through seams or what ever. But if you try it, be aware that Tyvek is very slippery
If your tent floor is letting through water at the "seams or whatever" then time to get a new tent, and put the protector/tyvek between any rough, stony, thorny ground and the underneath of the tent floor, you see the logic in that right? If not maybe buy a camper van.
Footprints is just a waste of time and money for small tents. 1. What you dont actually realize is that Moisture happens not only a few cm or mm from the ground but moisture raises from air. Dew is the result of water changing from a vapor to a liquid. Dew forms as temperatures drop and objects cool down. ... This forces water vapor in the air around cooling objects to condense. When condensation happens, small water droplets form-dew Therefore Mist will occurs and and condesation will not only be a thing from the ground but all over the tent, including on the inside. 2. Never Never Never Ever in my 30 years + of experience, and life have I had a repair of a inner tent floor. If so that ever happend it is pretty easy to repair with either Tear Aid, Tape or sew it. If not send the Inner Tent inn. 3. Inner Tents normally do that job and can also be wash inside the washing machine if it gets dirty. 4. Footprints not only adds more weight and cost more to produce and its even harder to buy due to lack of demand. 5. You actually point out this one, but Footprints if placed wrong can give you a horrible night if the water comes over it and into your tent. (it actually hapend to a few scouts once I had to evacuate them to go sleep into a Tipi lavvo. 6. Speaking of Lavvo / Tipi.Here is actually the place a footprint fit better, on smaller tents? Not so much of a smart idea.
Seriously dont pay for this stuff. Go to any construction site and the framers and exterior guys will have loads. We go through ao many rolls of this stuff that giving someone a 5ft x 8ft piece or whatever is nothing. Unless you desire a different grade of tyvek.
Pretty clever until you got to the part with The graft paper. why do all that? Why don't you just lay out the tyvex put the tent on top of it, Go around to the edges to where you have it equal where you want it and then take a pair of scissors and cut out, giving it an extra inch or whatever past where the tent is? Life is hard enough without overcomplicating stuff complicating stuff. You don't need graph paper, you don't need rulers, you don't need to convert inches, And you don't need an hour extra to do it. I mean you really don't even have to set up your tent all you have to do is lay your tent on it right there in your livingroom and pull it tight On the bottom part you don't even need the top-up. Once you have it the right size though you might consider putting duct tape around the edge All the way around, To keep it from fraying. And if you were any holes in it from sticks or whatever it's easily repaired with duct tape or gorilla tape. I do like your information on where to find it on ebay. Much smarter than buying an expensive roll and having to store extra just in case you might have to use it later which you probably never will. I also like the vestibule floor idea. No one likes tracking in dirt or grass into their tent. You just have to learn to work smarter not harder. The more complicated you make any project the more chance you have for errors. I mean you mark it all out and then you cut it and if you made any kind of mistake at all you could have short sheeted yourself. Laying it out and putting the tent on top of it first is a no-brainer. You know it's the right size because you cut it to the right size provided you have the tent completely stretched out on top of it. I mean why take a chance? Why make it overly complicated? Stove pipe fit that bad boy
Always hate to criticize someones efforts BUT “your shooting a rabbit with an elephant gun” . Its simple, cut your ground cloth about 4” smaller then the bathtub of your tent and go camp… simple. Dude , ya get A for effort !
Awesome tutorial. I did the same as yours except I sewed the edge instead of gluing it. I also added anchor points on all the corners by simply using adhesive tyvek anchor tabs and then sewing them.
Adding a short section of shock cord tied to a paracord loop on the anchor tabs allows me to attach the ground sheet to my tent stakes to keep it taught and centered under my tent. (I use the paracord loop for the tent stake end for durability purposes)
Sounds like some nice upgrades!
Good video. I like to keep my footprint smaller than the inner tent to keep splash and blowing water from getting on top of the sheet. I also like a porch but it's usually just an extra piece so I can move it around as a door mat, a seat, or a knee rest if I am on the ground. Gotta love Tyvek
Tyvek is so tough. I’ve been using mine for years and it’s still going strong.
The footprint should always be a little bit smaller than the tent bottom for the reasons you mention. There is absolutely no reason to make it larger, it is just asking for trouble if water gets on top of it, and it will if it rains sideways.
I have cut off the ground sheet bath tub off my old tent and now making a ground sheet/footprint for my new tent. I found your video very helpful ❤
Thanks for the instruction and advice. Just built a Tyvek footprint for a new tent following your guidance, and using the carpenter's rule - measure twice, cut once. Worked great, as I made a layout error on the Tyvek and caught it before making any cuts. Wish I could add a pic or two just to show the beginning and end results. Got the Tyvek for free, but paid for the glue and gromets - total
Thanks for calling me out, I did like the re-enactment - very scientific. My favorite part of this video though was your helper, I will make sure to have my own such helper if I ever take on this project!
You are welcome! Thanks for watching every week.
0:56 😅😅@@jonallenoutside
Great video. Well thought out and produced. Thanks for the tips. A tip of my own, ditch the contact cement brush and use a two inch single use chip brush ($1.30). Pour 3oz of contact cement in a clean single serve yogurt container. Fast, even, thin coat of contact cement. Using my new footprint this weekend.
Awesome! Thanks for the tip on the contact cement.
Excellent video! Just what I needed. =) I got excited when you threw in the grommets at the last minute because this has been part of my design plan. I think I'll attach cord to mine, though, so that the footprint shares the same stakes as the rest of the tent. Glad you pointed out the need to fold over the corners! Wouldn't have thought of that myself if I was winging it.
Glad the video helped. I think you’ll enjoy your new footprint.
I picked up some scrap foam underlayment for engineered laminate floors that is slightly less than 1/8 inch thick. Bright yellow so I won’t forget it. Works great.
Brilliant! I can't even tell you how great this is. Thank you for doing this video! I'm off to make my own footprint! So many great tips and tricks.
@@seanopenshaw Thank you and enjoy your new footprint.
Thanks for the footprint! Saw in my memories that this was the weekend we went up north on the ice age trail last year. Can't wait to get back out there!
You are welcome! Thanks for all the great backpacking trips!
Whoa! I made Tyvek footprint, but it looks very beautiful/functional. Good idea for creating porch area, too! Nice video!
Great video! My golden retriever perked up once Maverick joined you! 😂 I was going to share a picture of him watching but I guess I can’t do that in comments. Thanks for sharing!
Another great video Jon - just what I needed. I bought a tyvek footprint with my new tent and from the tent mfg it was NOT cut to the footprint. It was just a big rectangle. Geez. Pleased you've shown me the way. Thanks.
Fantastic tutorial! The only thing I'm thinking to do differently is to cut some little reinforcement triangles for the grommets and sandwich them between the sheet and the folded edge. Perhaps not neccessary with tyvek but I never totally trust metal grommets not to fail.
Thanks for sharing your idee! I am gona make a Tyvek (soft version) groundsheet like yours for my 3F UL Lanshan 1 Pro. Great totorial, your channel deserves more attention!
Thank you! Let me know how it turns out.
@@jonallenoutside it went alright but I have a feeling that the classic tyvek stronger is than the soft tyvek.
@@simonvoorspoels5819 I didn’t even know there was more than one kind of Tyvek.
@@jonallenoutside Tyvek 1442R is the specific name
Noooo! The soft version is no good for this application, although is is great for clothing. The hard version is much tougher and more puncture-resistant. Also it has the great virtue of not needing to be pulled flat as a soft fabric would as it just naturally sits flat and stays flat so no need for grommets or ties or stakes.
Thanks for sharing, looking forward to making it for our tent.
Thank you so much for a very detailed step by step instructions. I love the rain thing that you showed.
In a week or two I’m making a similar video on how to make a Polycro footprint for people with Dyneema tents. Stay tuned.
Really great detail, you get a really neat end product. Thumbs up.
I'm more gung-ho I guess. I've grabbed a 2.5x1.5m piece, ensure to fold/tuck the sheet under the tent's own groundsheet (keeping it slightly smaller, 1 inch or so less area), so no water run-in. Never had an issue of it moving but always check. The benefit is can use for other tents and purposes (light tarp when moving, etc just twist corner ends + cord to create a loop/stake point). Horses for courses.
Same. Just fold it under. No need to stake out Tyvek as it is so stiff, it doesn't ruck up. I just use a simple rectangular piece and fold any corners under. A rectangle is easier to fold up, and has other uses.
very good instructions on making the tyvek foot print for a tent.
Thank you so much! This will be my first tiny myog project 🙂
Tyvek is also great as a bottom layer for cowboy camping. Good luck with your project.
Hmm, ...I have used a Tyvek tent groundsheet protector (AKA 'footprint') like this for many years, and I shall now share my experience in response to this video.
Firstly, yes, if it is too wide/long then rainwater will indeed run on top of it and run underneath the groundsheet of the tent. However, you need to have the footprint smaller even than the groundsheet of the tent, otherwise rain-blown wind will still run in under the groundsheet. Bear in mind also that when the wind blows, the flysheet will be blown in closer to the inner tent as well.
You should not see the Tyvek footprint AT ALL. The groundsheet will still be adequately protected as it is only the areas where your bodyweight is lying that are vulnerable to significant damage. The outer inch or two of the tent floor gets hardly any weight on it in normal use, so doesn't need protection.
Secondly, Tyvek is not a woven fabric and does not need to be 'hemmed'. You can simply cut it to size and leave it at that. It won't rip at the edge as a woven fabric might.
Thirdly, the noise, the crinkly noise, is of no consequence at all in this application. In fact it is better not to muss it up but to leave it hard and flat, as that makes it easier to slide into position under a tent. It will also take up less space in your pack if it is left hard and flat. Pack it folded, unfold it, slide it under the tent, fold it up after use. How is it going to flap in the wind if it is underneath the tent with none sticking out. It can't flap, so will make no noise.
This makes a lot of sense! 👍
thanks a lot for clearify
Thanks. If you ever drive by an area where homes are being built, the guys wrapping houses always have Tyvek pieces lying around.
$20 is no big deal, but free is nice.
Great suggestion!
Thank you so much sir ! Absolutely brilliant info and you answered all questions I had . God bless you
I never see anyone extending their footprint under the vestibule and always wondered why. I always thought it was ideal for the same reasons you point out here.
I think it also gives you more material to play with if you want to use your footprint as a bottom layer for cowboy camping.
You might want to consider making a heat reflective Tyvek 14-S tent footpring/ground sheet. Quest Outfitters sells the material.
Thanks for the tip. I’ll look into that.
Great video , and some good information . But you could just draw round your tent once its off the tyvek
I tried that and it’s way harder than it sounds to get it precise. However, I’m a bit nutty about making things perfect so I take the long route.
Thanks for the great video. I’ll be making this weekend to help me survive the Scottish winter. The only bit I could do with some advice on is the grommets and how you go about fitting them. Many Thanks Martin
I set my tent on the finished footprint to mark where the grommets would go. I needed to be sure the poles were stretched out where they would be when the tent was fully set up.
Thanks John. I’ll let you know how this works out. Cheers Martin
Great video and very well presented. Subscribed. Cheers!
great video! nice hack with the washer!
This is brilliant THANK YOU
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for posting! I just made one for my Nemo Hornet, and it’s in the washing machine right now! I’ll have a porch, but it will be a separate piece, as someone posted earlier. Also, I didn’t create a glued hem, but I do have room to do that in the future if I feel like it would be beneficial.
Awesome! Glad it worked for you!
There is no need for a glued hem on the edges except for at the corners to reinforce them if you grommet them or intend to tie them out to the stakes. Tyvek has extremely good tear strength, so with a good clean edge cut, hemming the edges just increases weight and is a waste of material.
Tent manufacturers should include something like this
If you have some leftover from a job or know someone that has some it would be great . Last time I checked tyvek is very expensive . You can buy footprint tarps failed cheap , just go with no name brand . Good video though 👍
@@Geebee246 I bought mine on eBay and it was inexpensive. Just checked eBay and there are several options around the $20 range with shipping.
Great tutorial and love extending into the vestibule, but for layout, seems it would be much easier to just set the tent up on the tyvek sheet and mark the cut lines around the tent rather than mess with graph paper and detailed measurements
I subscribe to the school of "theres always a more fussy expensive and time consuming way to make things better" whether it needs it or not.
Great video.Enjoyed it very much.You did a good job making this video.Looking forward for more.ATB:Soren.
Thank you! Let me know if you decide to build your own tent footprint using my guide. I’d love to see how it turned out.
Thank you. Really saved me a trip to Home Depot with the Ebay insight. Just ordered. Thorough presentation! New subscriber and liked of course.
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Many thanks very helpful
leave food in your tent and that dog will be a bear clawing at the tent....that was funny. This video is a cpl years old but I'd still say you and I are way late to the table on tyvek. I'm not sure I've even done a trip with it yet, but tyvek is just flat out bad ass...I had never held a piece. Its a little heavy compared to clear plastic but I think a little lighter than most actual footprints. Mine doubles as a really good rain kilt. like really good - typical tent length wrapped around me a full one and a half times meaning that no matter the wind its solid - wrap it and roll it down and it stays. I finish secure it with a tiny bungy around the waste.
all the rest of the day its a great piece to lay on keep your stuff out of wet spots and pokeys...this stuff is just fantastic.
It's cool but not necessary to do the grommets and border work but definitely try out this very versatile gear.
Thanks for the commentary. It's a big win any time you can have a piece of equipment serve more than one purpose.
@@jonallenoutside True words. Dual-use stuff saves a LOT of weight.
Your point on the rain under the tent is well taken. My concern is the rocks and pointy sticks. Tyvek is good stuff but I have never used it. Appears to be good stuff. Point to make; After clearing the area for your tent, is this Tyvek material resistant to the sharp rock or pointy stick missed during construction of your humble abode? Only to find your sleep mate sinking in the water?
Thanks Amigo
Many thanks
Peace from Texas
Tyvek is very, very tough. I doubt you could puncture it with a stick even if you tried. I've been using mine for years on all types of surfaces and it doesn't have a single hole in it.
Sticks should be fine. The only thing that punctured my own Tyvek footprint was some razor-sharp little stones about the size and shape of coins embedded in the soil on a Norwegian mountain. I cleared as many as I could but on packing up found a couple of small slits in the Tyvek. In practice though, the tent floor itself remained undamaged, so the footprint did its job, and also the footprint has continued to work just fine, despite those two tiny slits, and I have not felt the need to replace it.
Great video!
New subscriber, that was are really good demo.....does it make any difference if the Tyvek is Writing side up or not ???
Makes no difference, although you’ll want to be consistent with the side you place toward the ground because it will get dirty and accumulate little pieces of leaf and brush over time. Shaking it out helps, but doesn’t seem to get all of it.
@@jonallenoutside thanks for the heads up 👍
To make the tyvek quiet some say put it in the washer. Will washing shrink the tyvek? Should I cut after washing?
Drying will shrink, washing should not. Just hang dry it
Why wash it? It isn't going to be noisy underneath your tent where the wind can't get at it. The stiffness is an advantage.
this dude is definitely an engineer
second guess architect
@@jzubs Career IT person, so yes, always focusing on proper planning and design.
None of the footprint should be visible. ANY portion of footprint extending past the bottom of the tent WILL catch rain, and channel it under your floor. Ask me how I know this.
Sounds like a good story there!
That's what I was thinking and also if you're going to use it for that tent it would be really easy to use Velcro adhesives Or double-sided carpet tape, And stick that thing to the bottom of the tent and you never have to mess with it again, Unless you get a hole in it and then you can repair it with duct tape.
Does water damage the bottom of the tent?
@@dfjdskf9234j4fisd - Damage? No. Miserable night trying to sleep in a puddle INSIDE your tent? ABSOLUTELY!
@@Clay_Maguire Is your tent not waterproof?
Love the video! I have a BA Salt Creek 2 (which has two side doors & a end large door for the porch area). Would you recommend cutting a small floor mat area in front of the two side doors as well?
Maybe just one of the two side doors (whichever one you use the most).
If the footprint is slightly bigger than the tent but wind is driving the rain onto the tent horizontally surely it will capture the water and wet under the tent?
I've not had this happen and I've camped in some windy and wet conditions.
Mind telling me what tent that is? Not looking for an endorsement, but I like the little strap connecting the tent body to the fly to pull the tent corner out just above ground level. That can be clearly seen at 2:30 Thanks!
Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 2
great video. What size do you use as the top that touches the tent?
I'm not sure I understand the question. Can you restate it a different way?
Lol tougher than a $3 steak love it
Glad you liked it.
Great video....thanks!
Glad you liked it!
Those who'd like one lighter and less noisy might look for those selling Dupont Liner Softwrap Tyvek 14M rather than the house wrap variety, Tyvek 1443R. You might also buy some to sew into a bag creates a very cheap bivy sack the might serve well enough in a light rain and will add extra warmth.
Good tips!
well done, thanks
What is the folded edge for please?
I have the same tent, I’ll be making one soon, thanks for the vid 🖖
It gives the edge a bit of reinforcement, which is especially helpful if you install grommets for tent stakes or tent poles. Certainly not required though.
@@jonallenoutside great thanks 🙏
I did try this tyvek material once for ground sheet but found it was a bit big (volume) to pack once folded. I than found a light weight “emergency blanket” that has reflective material on one side and orange on other. This basic blanket was nearly the perfect size for a 1 person tent footprint and packed much smaller. It’s maybe not as strong as the tyvek but it works for cycle camping where volume and weight are critical.
The emergency blankets are very weak and will puncture on the spot. That's why it's not a good option since the reason for a groundsheet is to protect your tent floor to be.... punctured.
Yes I tried an emergency blanket as a footprint and it punctured in multiple places on the first night of use, I’m going back to my tyvek one!
thanks for posting this! I have been wanting to make my own footprint, as it seems super easy... but my tent poles fit into grommets that are on the end of tabs, so I think I will need to attach tabs to the footprint if I want to install grommets. the grommets make it lay so well underneath, and secure it... I just don't think I should sew the tabs on.... or maybe its ok to do that, since its minimal stitching, and only in the corners? what do you think? for reference, I have the North Face Wawona 4P tent thanks!
Grommets go well on the footprint without needing tabs. I have grommets on mine and they work great.
Thank you - very helpful. Can you tell us the final weight of the footprint. I'd also be curious to know if that weight was more or less than the tent manufacturer's footprint. I suspect yours is of better quality.
Final weight of 7.8 ounces.
Tyvek Housewrap/Homewrap has a published weight per sq foot or sq metre, so you can calculate the weight of any given area in advance.
I'm not sure if you'll see this, but will the water not drain under the porch piece?
@@kimberlyc84 The porch is covered by the vestibule when the rain fly is all zipped up.
I would strongly suggest washing the piece BEFORE you measure and cut it! Because it wrinkles a bit as it softens, you actually lose an inch or two over 7 or 8 feet. That can make a big difference.
That’s a solid suggestion. Thanks for sharing.
I'm still a bit confused, as I've read on French and English blogs, that: Added the body weight pressure on moist or wet ground, the Tyvek will eventually leak, and small ponds of water will form in between the tent floor and the Tyvek footprint. Eventually leaking inside the tent...
Am I wrong? Or it is accurate what I've wrote?
Thanx for the video
I’ve never heard of Tyvek leaking. It’s incredibly durable.
Optionally, for wind blown cold, cold rain and snow, you could create a bathtub floor without gluing corners, just provide additional material, 3 to 4 inches to rise up the insides of the tent with the tent set at ground level. That would provide a warmer environment. Some of us prefer just enough material to protect our sleeping pad and gear - lower weight and volume. We each develop an amount of ground sheet based on our personal preference, experience and potential weather. For potentially cold and cold windy weather, I use a heat reflective ground sheet.
Yes, I like the idea of a bathtub floor shape, although in practice I find a simple flat sheet of Tyvek works perfectly well as long as NONE of it is showing beyond the edge of the groundsheet. In a storm the wind can blow the flysheet right up against the inner tent, so if even half an inch is showing beyond the groundsheet the rain will run right under the tent and you'll be lying in a cold wet puddle all night. Even if the groundsheet remains waterproof that's going to be cold!
I guess if your tent has a high edge to the flysheet then a bathtub shape would be good, but I live in a wet and rainy part of the world, so all my tents have a flysheet that goes right down to the ground, more or less.
@@paulmackilligin1754 You might consider a ground sheet of heat reflective Tyvek, great for cool & cold weather, breathable, wind & water repellent/proof if DWR coated.
@@ULperformance Thanks for the suggestion Mr Performance. I do actually have a sheet of reflective Tyvek somewhere which I have never used. A piece 2 metres x 1.4 metres I believe. I was sent it as a sample years ago. It is structurally somewhat different from Homewrap/Housewrap, as it is micro-perforated, presumably because the metallic coating would otherwise stop it breathing. Still, it is both waterproof and breathable, so I might give it a go.
If you create a "bathtub", you will get a bath, if it rains. NO PART of your footprint should extend beyond the floor of your tent. Rain WILL find it and fill your tub. Been there, done that. 😂😂😂
@@Clay_Maguire Clay, what you described was what I described. Since when does a bathtub floor exceed the interior of a tent? You apparently don’t know it’s basic function.
Wind will push rain onto the footprint and it will then run under your tent floor. make the footprint slightly smaller
What washer setting did you use?
Just standard
I have never seen rain come straight down
does putting the Tyvek in a washing machine to reduce the crinkling noise also reduce its thermal properties?
Someone would need to specifically test for this, but I doubt that what little thermal properties Tyvek has are impacted by getting wet.
@@jonallenoutside ok cheers, and what is the main reason to use Tyvek if it has negligible thermal properties?
@@watch-Dominion-2018 It protects the bottom of your tent from rocks/sticks/thorns while also keeping it clean.
@@jonallenoutside would the tyvek's puncture resistance be reduced as the crinkliness is reduced from putting it in a washing machine?
@@watch-Dominion-2018 I doubt it. Tyvek is very tough.
Wouldn’t it be easier to just set the tent on the Tyvek and mark your points?
Tried it, but more difficult than it would seem.
Can you use a tarp as a substitute to Tyvek?
I don’t see why not. Tyvek is commonly used because it’s cheap and durable.
Ive recently watched a prick / puncture test on this stuff and it was far better than other products. Do you know if this material degrades in strength or waterproofness after you have washed or tumbled it?
I’ve been using mine for years and it’s holding up well. I have not noticed any degradation in the material. The only change I’ve seen is that it gets softer and quieter after years of use and washing.
@@jonallenoutside Thanks for the reply Jon, Looking at another vid re the tyvek and the chap just screws the material up by hand a couple of times. It worked too in reducing the noise. Neat product and im about to get some.
Presumably the Tyvek is waterproof either way round. Just printed side down to avoid seeing the printed words.
Yeah, it seems to be the same on both sides.
Could you tell me what kind of tyvek do you use? because I bought already but is too thin.
I didn’t know there was more than one thickness of Tyvek.
@@jonallenoutside yes, for example tyvek pro is more thick than tyvek housewrap. Anyway thanks
@@giuseppebommarito5804 I just used the basic housewrap.
I put mine though the wash and only half of the dumb thing has gotten wrinkly. No matter what I do lol.
Great. What is the temperature for washing tyvek?
I just wash it in cold water.
@@jonallenoutside I was referring to washing machine water temperature. If you are too, thank you for your answer.
Yes, washing machine water temp is cold.
@@jonallenoutsideThank you.
Does it matter which side of the Tyvek contacts the ground?
It doesn’t matter which side.
Hi Jon, can you give a little more detail on washing Tyvek? Thanks
After a trip I take it in the back yard and hose it down and then hang it to dry. Does that help?
@@jonallenoutside I was wondering about seeing you putting it in the washing machine? I really appreciate this video and for your responses. Thanks
Got it. For that part I just tossed it in the washing machine by itself on a normal cycle with no soap. Then I let it air dry. Once through the washing machine will be enough to make it softer and quieter.
@@jonallenoutside ok, perfect. Thanks again. I’m a subscriber
@@jonallenoutside at What temperature in the washer? I just bought a 43 grams tyvek to make my footprint and dont want to ruin it 😄
How much the tvyek weighs after the complete process?
Mine was 7.8 ounces, but it will vary a bit based on how big you make it.
Where can you get a large enough sheet of tyvek?
Watch the video.
Why not just set up the tent on top of the tyvek, then using a sharpie trace it out? Your method seems to be making something simple more difficult. I'm sure if I used your method I would end up screwing it up and needing to order more tyvek! Lol
That is another way to do it, but in my opinion it’s much more difficult to get an accurate measurement. I’ve tried it and with stakes and poles it’s harder than you’d think to work with a large sheet of Tyvek under the tent. But as with most things, there are many ways to get the job done.
Wouldn't it be okay to have a piece of tyvek a little bigger than the tent and have to get the chance set up fold over any extra underneath the tent.
@@davedewitt18 You could, but you’d have to be very careful to fold it under in case it rains.
@@davedewitt18 Yes, that's what I do, and it's fine. Just fold it under. I have none showing beyond the groundsheet though to prevent wind-blown rain getting between the Tyvek and the groundsheet. One day I will maybe cut it to the exact size - that size being slightly SMALLER than the groundsheet - but it works fine to fold it under.
Спасибо! делаю согласно вашего видео!
Did it shrink in wash?
No
Tyvek Tape .... 🤙
Not trying to troll here or anything negative… but somehow ground sheet and ground cloth got into my feed. I have been on literally hundreds of campouts (car camping and backpacking) over the last 35 years. I never knew that such a thing (ground cloth) existed. and now in my feed, I see peoples videos about how “essential” Ground cloths are. that has not been my experience in the my tent floors have never been wet or damaged (and yes I have been in the rain and camped on rocks and twigs.) and then to find out how expensive they are. It just seems like a thing that has been propagated a little bit. Again, sincerely, I appreciate videos like this and I’m only bringing an opposing view for friendly chat (I don’t like when people come in, trying to tear down other people.)
I do occasionally camp without one. However, I do like how it keeps my tent clean and also protects from abrasion over time. I’ve recently switched to polycryo material which is super light and takes up almost no space.
Tent manufacturers used to make groundsheets much tougher. I guess they found they could reduce the headline weight of the tent by using super-light fabric for the groundsheet, thus being able to charge more for the tent, and then charge extra for a dedicated fitted 'footprint'.
so you don´t use your tyvek anymore?!@@jonallenoutside
@@seakyle8320 I only use it with my Big Agnes tent. With my ZPacks tent I use polycryo.
Yup I thought that was a bear when the dog popped up
There was a bear in the neighborhood a few years ago. He didn’t help with the tent footprint though.
Dollar store shower curtain . Never will I buy anything that cost more . Fancy don’t get it done outdoors
My $Store shower curtain ripped immediately. I also swept and blew the platform first, but there were still pebbles (apparently). Glad I had tarps to lay down & use.
Only issue is I wasn't able to tell which side was facing down (gravel) & up (tent) when packing up. Even after shaking the tarps off, I'd still prefer not to put the ground side up.
I sometimes see an odd piece of tyvek at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Now, I know what I can do with it.
You could have just laid the tent on the tyvek and traced it
That is a lot harder to do than it looks, but yes, that would be another way to get the job done.
I have a tent
You can't have too much Tyvek.
Great video. But I will stick to my guns that the liner should go INSIDE the tent. It protects the floor from wear and captures any water that seeps in through seams or what ever. But if you try it, be aware that Tyvek is very slippery
Don’t try this at home, folks.
If your tent floor is letting through water at the "seams or whatever" then time to get a new tent, and put the protector/tyvek between any rough, stony, thorny ground and the underneath of the tent floor, you see the logic in that right? If not maybe buy a camper van.
nice doge
Footprints is just a waste of time and money for small tents.
1. What you dont actually realize is that Moisture happens not only a few cm or mm from the ground but moisture raises from air. Dew is the result of water changing from a vapor to a liquid. Dew forms as temperatures drop and objects cool down. ... This forces water vapor in the air around cooling objects to condense. When condensation happens, small water droplets form-dew Therefore Mist will occurs and and condesation will not only be a thing from the ground but all over the tent, including on the inside.
2. Never Never Never Ever in my 30 years + of experience, and life have I had a repair of a inner tent floor. If so that ever happend it is pretty easy to repair with either Tear Aid, Tape or sew it. If not send the Inner Tent inn.
3. Inner Tents normally do that job and can also be wash inside the washing machine if it gets dirty.
4. Footprints not only adds more weight and cost more to produce and its even harder to buy due to lack of demand.
5. You actually point out this one, but Footprints if placed wrong can give you a horrible night if the water comes over it and into your tent. (it actually hapend to a few scouts once I had to evacuate them to go sleep into a Tipi lavvo.
6. Speaking of Lavvo / Tipi.Here is actually the place a footprint fit better, on smaller tents? Not so much of a smart idea.
Seriously dont pay for this stuff. Go to any construction site and the framers and exterior guys will have loads. We go through ao many rolls of this stuff that giving someone a 5ft x 8ft piece or whatever is nothing. Unless you desire a different grade of tyvek.
.
Pretty clever until you got to the part with The graft paper. why do all that? Why don't you just lay out the tyvex put the tent on top of it, Go around to the edges to where you have it equal where you want it and then take a pair of scissors and cut out, giving it an extra inch or whatever past where the tent is?
Life is hard enough without overcomplicating stuff complicating stuff.
You don't need graph paper, you don't need rulers, you don't need to convert inches, And you don't need an hour extra to do it. I mean you really don't even have to set up your tent all you have to do is lay your tent on it right there in your livingroom and pull it tight On the bottom part you don't even need the top-up.
Once you have it the right size though you might consider putting duct tape around the edge All the way around, To keep it from fraying. And if you were any holes in it from sticks or whatever it's easily repaired with duct tape or gorilla tape.
I do like your information on where to find it on ebay. Much smarter than buying an expensive roll and having to store extra just in case you might have to use it later which you probably never will.
I also like the vestibule floor idea. No one likes tracking in dirt or grass into their tent.
You just have to learn to work smarter not harder. The more complicated you make any project the more chance you have for errors. I mean you mark it all out and then you cut it and if you made any kind of mistake at all you could have short sheeted yourself. Laying it out and putting the tent on top of it first is a no-brainer. You know it's the right size because you cut it to the right size provided you have the tent completely stretched out on top of it.
I mean why take a chance? Why make it overly complicated? Stove pipe fit that bad boy
I skip all of this by just not using a tent.
Always hate to criticize someones efforts BUT “your shooting a rabbit with an elephant gun” . Its simple, cut your ground cloth about 4” smaller then the bathtub of your tent and go camp… simple. Dude , ya get A for effort !
Approach a roofer on a building site as they might be willing to give you end of roll
Good call!