DIY Tent Footprint – Step-by-Step Tutorial

Every avid camper needs a footprint for their tent. This protective layer between the tent and the ground will help preserve your tent, so you can enjoy it for a long time.

This DIY tent footprint tutorial will explain to you, step-by-step, how to make it so you don’t have to waste too much money on something that’s easy to make.

You can buy them in many camping and outdoor stores, but why go that route if all you need is a good tarp, or something similar, I’ll tell you all you need to know about how to make a DIY tent footprint at home.

How To Make A DIY Tent Footprint at Home

Step-by-Step Tutorial of Tent Footprint

In terms of preparation, when you want to start making your own DIY footprint for your tent, you first need to decide on the material you’re using.

Read once through the step-by-step tutorial I provided, and make sure you have everything you need to begin making your footprint.

Choose your material wisely. It’s important you know which are the best materials suited for this job, so here are some of them that you can work with for your DIY project.

Best Materials For Tent Footprint

The fabric of your tent footprint can help determine whether or not it will last a long time. These are a few of the most popular fabrics used by backpackers and campers.

Tarp

Tarp is cheap and can be found anywhere, like Grizzly Tarps. Backpackers and campers like this kind of tarp because it is waterproof and flexible.

A tarp can be used as an emergency shelter, rain fly, or a sheet to cover an area where everybody can sit around while keeping clean.

While a tarp makes a good tent footprint material, it is not very durable and is also pretty heavy. Some say that a tarp is not very durable and disintegrates after a few uses.

If the weight of the tarp is not an issue for you and you don’t mind making one after several years then a tarp is good and inexpensive to use for your tent footprint.

See our review of the best tarp to give you more choices and options.

Window Wrap

Window wrap is the plastic covering you blow dry on your window for insulation during winter. One sheet can last one season depending on how often you use it. Popular brands include Duck Brand Window/Door Shrink Film and Frost King Stretch Window Kit.

Backpackers love to use window wraps because they are inexpensive, waterproof, and very lightweight.

Depending on the brand you buy, some of them will be narrow so you need to tape a couple together to get the right size.

However, window wraps are just plastic and are prone to tears and punctures especially if you camp in rocky ground. Expect to replace your window wrap tent footprint every year to ensure proper protection.

Dust Sheet or Painter’s Proof Sheet

They don’t only protect furniture from dust and paint when you’re re-doing your house. They can also be used as tent footprints.

There are many different kinds but the best to use are the non-woven variety because they are usually coated to prevent paint penetration.

In the case of camping, the coating will protect the tent from water seepage. You can buy them pre-cut. They will be ready to use especially if you find a size near the dimensions of your tent. Dust sheets are strong and affordable but a bit heavy.

Tyvek Sheet

Tyvek sheets are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). It is water-resistant, breathable, strong, lightweight, and resistant to tearing.

These features make the Tyvek sheet a favorite material among backpackers and campers. It’s also the material used by brand manufacturers when making tent footprints.

They are available in shops like Home Depot or Lowes or online through Amazon. Some sellers sell by the yard, others by roll so check out how much you need before buying.

Step-by-Step Tutorial of DIY Tent Footprint

Now that you have chosen your material, it’s time to follow these steps to ensure your DIY tent footprint will turn out exactly how you need it to.

1. Make a Plan

There are many different designs when it comes to tent footprints. Some have an extra flap in front so that you have a semi-circle in front of the entrance that can be used to put shoes on so that they don’t need to enter the tent.

Others just make it a rectangle with extra space around it to ensure that the whole tent is protected. Whatever your design is, you need to make a plan so that you can measure and cut your tent correctly.

Let’s say that you want to make a basic rectangle footprint to fit the base of your tent. Start by measuring the base.

For example, assumingly it measures 86×52-42″ as it is tapered in design, add 3 inches on the corners to reinforce where you will be putting in the grommets.

Following the measurement of the tent base plus the 3 inches, you will need approximately 92×58″ of Tyvek, if you’re going with this material.

The grommets on the corners can be used to make sure the footprint stays put by looping a nylon cord on the grommet to attach to the tent through the stakes.

2. Measure Where To Cut

It’s best that you get to work in a flat area where you can lay the whole sheet for cutting. This will help you mark the areas that need to be cut accurately.

It’s also a good idea to lay out the tent poles and to clearly mark the area so that you know where they will sit on the sheet.

Once you’re done laying the Tyvek sheet, make sure that it is taut and the tent is staked properly. Using your measurements, draw an outline with your marker.

An alternative is to set up your tent on top of the Tyvek sheet and to draw an outline with at least 3 inches of allowance on all sides so that when cut the sheet is wider than the tent.

3. Cut

Once you’re done drawing the outline, cut the sheet with a sharp pair of scissors. If you’ve measured your tent and sheet correctly, they should fit each other snugly.

4. Tape the Seams

In order to make the tent footprint stronger, tape the edges of the seams. Use the contact cement as instructed and tape around the extra area to make your footprint look nice and reinforce it.

An easy way is to pre-fold the fabric before applying the cement. First, fold the fabric and roll a rolling pin on the area you plan to apply the cement.

This will flatten the fabric making it easy for you to make the edges straight. Once the area has been rolled flat, apply the cement and then roll the pin again for better contact.

Repeat this process around the Tyvek sheet so that your footprint is strong and can resist tears and punctures.

5. Apply Grommets

Using your grommet kit, apply the grommets to all corners of your tent footprint. Grommet kits have everything you need so you just need to follow instructions and your grommet should be correct.

If you don’t have a grommet kit, you can apply the grommet by marking the area of the corner of the tent where you want your grommet to be.

The area should coincide with the tent pole locations. Lay the male part of the grommet on the fabric and trace the inner part of the hole using a pencil.

Repeat this process on all four corners. Using your pencil, trace an X-mark on the middle of the circles and cut the mark using the box cutter or Xacto knife. Insert the male part of the grommet through the hole you just made.

Place the female portion on top of the male portion that’s sticking out of the hole. Put the setter on top of the female and use your hammer to give the setter a couple of good whacks from the top. Repeat for all corners.

6. Apply Nylon Cord

Now that your grommet is set, tie loops of nylon cord through the holes to secure your tent footprint. Do a trial setup with your tent fully pitched on top of the footprint so that you can measure the length of the nylon cords.

Making a Tent Footprint In The Wild

If you forgot your tent footprint at home and now you need to use materials available to you to protect your tent from pebbles or moisture, the easiest way of doing so is to check if you have a tarp with you.

Just lay the tarp on the ground and pitch your tent on top of it. If you don’t have a tarp, you can use the garbage bags you brought along with you. And here’s how to do it.

1. Determine the number of garbage bags you need to cover your tent. If you have a limited number of bags, cut the bags open and spread them apart.

2. Tape them together so that it forms a big rectangle and pitch your tent on top. Not easy without tape, but you can overlap the bags, carefully lay the tent on top of the bags and slowly erect the tent. Make sure you don’t move much but it’s better than sleeping on wet ground.

3. You can prevent the bags from moving by securing the corners with a rock since you can’t secure the garbage bags with nylons and tent stakes as there are no grommets.

You don’t have many choices if you don’t have a garbage bag or any waterproof material to make your tent footprint.

Natural material is not waterproof and can snag the tent’s bottom and damage it. If you’re camping without a footprint, it’s best to do so if you have a sleeping pad and if your tent’s bottom is waterproof.

Why you need a Tent Footprint

Footprints are cheap and replaceable but have an important job, preventing punctures and tears. Some argue that they have a sleeping pad to make sleeping on the ground bearable.

Check out this article to know which one is best, Tent Footprint Vs. Tarp: Which one to Choose.

Sometimes there are pebbles, small sticks, pine cones, and other debris that can make sleep uncomfortable.

But they can also rip apart your expensive tent floor rendering it useless unless you know how to patch one up while you’re in the woods. Not to mention that there are areas that can stain your tent.

A good solution to this problem is to use a tent footprint. They are very inexpensive even if you buy them. If you have one from good quality materials, your footprint can last a long time as it can be reused every time you go camping.

Tent footprints give an extra layer of protection for your tent. If you make a big one, they can provide space for you to sit outside your tent, somewhere to put your bags, shoes, and other items you want to keep off the ground.

Plus, they can make tent cleaning easier since it prevents soil and mud from entering the tent.

Making VS Buying

So what’s the difference between buying and making a tent footprint? If you’re trying to decide which one is best, you have to look at a few pros and cons first.

Here are a few points to consider when choosing what you should do between making a footprint or buying a footprint.

Material

You can choose whatever handy material you have at home to make your own tent footprint. If you have a used tarp, old dust cloths, or extra window wraps, you can easily make your own without leaving your house and spending any money.

Choosing whatever material is available to you is very convenient and inexpensive.
Manufacturers also make tent footprints from different materials.

Buying a footprint lets you access more variety of materials and construction, and you can be sure it will fit your tent if you buy one specifically for it.

Convenience

Depending on the readiness of your materials, the construction of a footprint can take a few hours. If you have experience, it can go even faster. Buying a footprint is very convenient from this point of view.

In fact, you don’t have to leave your house thanks to the internet. Many camping gear manufacturers have websites or you can check sites like Amazon or eBay for the best footprint for your camping or backpacking lifestyle.

Affordability

DIY a footprint is very affordable. Depending on the materials used, you can make one for as little as $20.

If you already have materials or want to recycle an old tarp or dust cloth, then you can cut down on costs even more.

Store-bought tent footprints can be expensive depending on the material and manufacturer. So, naturally, they tend to be more expensive than DIY ones.

You might not always need a footprint, but it can save your tent from tearing, puncturing, and getting stained.

Sometimes we can’t see where we pitch our tent especially if it’s getting dark. Small pebbles, roots, debris, sticks, and other sharp debris can puncture holes into expensive tents.

Also, not all tents have waterproof flooring and a footprint can provide waterproof protection and insulation from the cold ground. For some people, a tent footprint is just added weight they don’t need when they’re lugging their backpacks.

However, they are very handy to have around during a rainstorm or when you’re camping on cold or rocky ground.

Imagine entering your tent all wet and muddy. With a tent footprint, you can leave your muddy boots outside or shake off excess water before entering the tent. It helps keep the interior clean and dry.

Conclusion

Many commercial tent footprint offerings are overpriced and made from the same materials you can find in camping stores or online.

Making your own tent footprint is a great way to save money while protecting your camping investment. It’s an easy thing to do that can be completed in a couple of hours.

All it takes is research and you can be on your way to making your own tent footprint. Be sure to read our article on how to pitch a tent for more insight.

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5 thoughts on “DIY Tent Footprint – Step-by-Step Tutorial”

  1. Wow this step-by-step guide is awesome. It is nice to know that I can do it as a DIY project. I’ve always loved building things from scratch so this is perfect. I can’t believe it will only cost me as little as $20 because store-brought can really be expensive. Kudos to you!

    Reply
    • You can create a decent footprint by taking a regular tarp and setting up your tent on top of it. This will not cost you anything but effective DIY skills.

      Reply
  2. Well this is a really nice project especially for those who love do it yourself activities. We are planning to go camping and we will need a tent footprint. I already checked out some brands online, but I did not order one yet. I will give this a try first and see what happens. Wish me luck!

    Reply
    • Good luck! As an enthusiast outdoorsperson, you should always try new challenges. So, instead of buying a brand new footprint for your tent, you can simply learn how to make one from scratch.

      Reply
  3. One thing that I have leant over the years as a camper, hiker, and mountaineer is that DIY skills are extremely important. So, make sure you learn how to make a tent footprint, you never know when you will need to make one.

    Reply

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