Tent footprints are very useful things for your tent, they can be a lifesaver. It is obvious that you already know the use of tent footprints if you are looking to buy one so will not talk about what they are and what you can use them for. if you want to know more on that you can read this article that I have written on what tent footprints are.
I have tried to review 10 tent footprints which I have found to be high quality and not expensive. Out of the 10 ground sheets I own 2 of them and the review is base on my experience and they are the first footprint which is “REDCAMP Waterproof Tent Footprint” and the third one which is “AmazonBasics Camping Tarp/footprint”.
So the first and third I have reviewed from what I have seen while the rest 8 are from my experience, customer review/rating and some other things.
Table of Contents
A quick overview of sleeping bags for side sleepers.
- Best overall: REDCAMP Waterproof Multifunctional Tent Footprint
- Best for quality: GEERTOP 1-4 Person Tent Footprint
- Best for waterproofing: AmazonBasics Camping Tarp/footprint
- Best for durability: Xpose Safety Heavy Duty 16 Mil Brown Poly Tarp
- Best for price: OUTAD Waterproof Camping Tarp
- Best for weight: ALPS Mountaineering Tent Floor Saver
- Best for thermal insulation: Drymate TCMC88100 Camping Tent Carpet Mat
- Best for cover: TRIWONDERTarp Floor Saver Tent Footprint
- Best for small tents: Slumberjack Trail Tent Footprint
- Best for accessories: WishUUP Waterproof Camping Tarp Tent Footprint
1. REDCAMP Waterproof Multifunctional Tent Footprint
With many color and size choices available the REDCAMP tent footprint is a great choice for campers who want a high-quality footprint. It can be used not only as a tent, but you can also use it to cover the sun and also light rain and some other simple things.
This groundsheet has 3 colors to choose from; army-green, black, and grey. Unlike the grey, the black and green don’t have size choice they are limited to 10×10ft,10×12ft.
I would say it is lightweight, as I have said there are many sizes to choose from and the weight of the footprint differs from one size to another.
- 120*144inches- which comes only in black color and it weighs 2lbs.
- 120*120inches- which comes in black or green color and it weighs 1.8lbs.
- 118*116inches- which comes only in grey color and it weighs 1.6lbs.
- 106*82inches- which comes only in grey color and it weighs 1.1lbs.
- 95*82inches- which comes only in grey color and it weighs 1lbs.
- 82*82inches- which comes only in grey color and it weighs 0.8lbs.
- 71*83inches- which comes only in grey color and it weighs 0.86lbs.
- 55*83inches- which comes only in grey color and it weighs 0.66lbs.
- 36*83inches- which comes only in grey color and it weighs 0.5lbs.
This footprint is also cheaper than other high-quality tent ground-sheets I have been using this sleeping since October of 2018 without no defect and they have 365days warranty so if you get any problems they will change it with a new one.
It is made with a rip-stop material and it is waterproof so no worries if your camping ground is moist of wet, so if you are interested you can check it on Amazon.
2. GEERTOP 1-4 Person Tent Footprint
Beautiful design and high-quality groundsheet from Geertop, from what I have noticed this footprint has a beautiful design so you can even use it for picnics as it says.
This footprint have 5 sizes from medium to 4XL which have both price and size difference- Medium: 2’11” * 6’11” it weighs 5.6 ounces, Large: 4’3″ * 6’11” it weighs 6.7 ounces, X-Large: 4’9″ * 6’11” it weighs 7.4 ounces, XXL: 5′11″ x 6′11″ 9.9 ounces, XXXXL: 8′6″ x 6′11″ it weighs 13.8 ounces.
The shipping size is 8.9inches by 5.5iches and it comes with a drawstring pouch that provides added convenience for carrying and travels, so if you are biking or hiking this would be the perfect footprint.
It is made with 20D Nylon Cloth which makes it super waterproof I would not use this as a tarp but you can use it, it might be good for protecting you from the sun and light wind.
I can’t say it is heavy-duty but I can assure you that it is a high-quality tent footprint. the price is higher than most footprints, I mean it is cheap it is just that it has a price higher than that of other footprints.
It is also available on Amazon you can check it.
3. AmazonBasics Camping Tarp/footprint
This is a lightweight sleeping bag that is sold on Amazon for a cheap price. I have bought this footprint about 6 months ago and I have been using it since without any difficulty. it is waterproof, rip-stop fabric with polyethylene lamination on both sides so you don’t have to worry if you are pitching your tent on a dumpy place.
Depending on the size of your tent you have three sizes to choose from. the first is 8’*10′ the second 10’*12′ and the biggest size 12’*14′ so depending on the size of your tent choose the one that is suitable for you.
The smallest size has a shipping weight of 2pounds and 1.5pounds alone, the medium has a shipping weight of 2.8pounds and 2.2pounds alone, the large size has a shipping weight of 3.6pounds and 3.1pounds alone.
As I have said it is waterproof and it is reinforced with grommets which might be useful especially if you want to use them as a tarp, but I hope you don’t cause they are very lightweight they are designed for a footprint unlike which tarps must be strong and heavy-duty.
Might look black at the picture but they are a dark green color from what I have seen, and they have AmazonBasics one-year limited warranty so if you have any defect on the product you can get a new one.
The price might differ a dollar or two by the size of the footprint you choose here you can check the current price on Amazon and buy it if you like it.
4. Xpose Safety Heavy Duty 16 Mil Brown Poly Tarp
This is another high-quality footprint from Xpose Safety, it is heavy duty and expensive but the bad side is if you are backpacking or biking it is impossible to carry this, this footprint is only nice if you are car camping.
You can use this as a footprint and also as a tarp, it is 16 millimeters thick(thick as windowpane) so you can imagine how thick it is so it can block out many things for you. Like, for instance, you can cover your tent in snowy seasons
And if you use it as a tent footprint it would be the most comfortable because of its thickness. It is obviously waterproof and you can use it for years without any problem. there are many sizes you can choose from but there is only one color to choose from.
- 10′ x 12′- the package dimension is 15.2 x 13 x 4.2 inches and it weighs 7.1 pounds
- 12′ x 20′- the package dimension is 15.9 x 11.5 x 6.7 inches and it weighs 13.6 pounds
- 12′ x 30′- the package dimension is 20.5 x 16.2 x 6.5 inches it weighs 22.1 pounds
- 12′ x 40′- the package dimension is 20.5 x 16 x 8.5 inches it weighs 29.1 pounds
- 15′ x 15′- the package dimension is 16 x 11.6 x 7.5 inches it weighs 12.7 pounds
- 15′ x 40′- the package dimension is 20 x 16.5 x 10 inches it weighs 35.4 pounds
- 16′ x 20′- the package dimension 16 x 12 x 11 inches it weighs 17.95 pounds
- 18′ x 24′- the package dimension 20.6 x 16.6 x 6.8 inches it weighs 25 pounds
- 25′ x 45′- the package dimension 20 x 17.9 x 16.5 inches it weighs 66 pounds
- 30′ x 30′- the package dimension 20.5 x 17 x 14.5 inches it weighs 51 pounds
- 30′ x 40′- the package dimension 27 x 20 x 12.5 inches it weighs 70 pounds
- 40′ x 60′- the package dimension 20 x 16 x 15 inches it weighs 138 pounds
- 6′ x 20′- the package dimension 14.8 x 11 x 4 inches it weighs 6.85 pounds
- 6′ x 8′- the package dimension is 15.6 x 10.8 x 2.5 inches it weighs 2.9 pounds
From what I have read from customer reviews if you get big size there will be seam going down from the middle which is poorly made. But other things are well made.
The price is a little too expensive, and 90% campers don’t need these they just need some simple footprint that can protect their tent floor, but if you want to check this, check it on Amazon.
5. OUTAD Waterproof Camping Tarp
This is another simple cheap but high-quality footprint from OUTAD. With a price ranging from $5.99 to $18.99. So this is perfect if you are low on budget.
The price differs from size to size, the smallest size which is(59′ x 83′) and weighs 7.2 ounces has a price of $5.99, the second size is(71′ x 87′) and weighs 13.6 ounces, and the large size is (94′ x 87′) and it weighs 1.1 pounds.
It also has 4 colors to choose from dark green, blue, green, orange. Color doesn’t make any difference, so choose the one you like. You can also use it as a tarp but it is very light so it won’t be as effective as a typical tarp.
The package is very small so it is perfect for backpacking and hiking. Folded dimensions, Small(6.3 x 4 x 0.8 inches), Middle(8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches), Large (6.3 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches.
It has 70% 5-star ratings and many reviews which are positive which if you are interested you can find it on Amazon.
6. ALPS Mountaineering Tent Floor Saver
The ALPS Mountaineering Tent footprint, made from nylon they are very soft and durable. They have a smaller size than your tent, which will prevent water accumulation under your tent floor.
They are sold by the number of people of your tent like for example”2P, 3P” so it makes it hard to know the perfect size because different companies sell different measurements of tents but most of the time it will fit nice, but if you are not sure you can measure your tent and buy the footprint which has the same size as your tent.
You might be wondering about the size of the footprints. 2-Person measures 86×56″, 3-Person measures 86×74″, 4-Person measures 98×86, 5-Person measures 116×92″, 6-Person measures 116×116″.
And it is super lightweight, I mean you can find footprints which weigh less but most of the time the more lightweight they are they will have low quality but this footprint despite being lightweight it also is high quality.
This footprint is super strong it doesn’t rip easily which makes it nice if your campground has a lot of sticks or rocks it will keep your tent floor from tearing. This footprint doesn’t have grommets and this price is a bit expensive ALPS Mountaineering Tent Floor Saver, check it on Amazon.
7. Drymate TCMC88100 Camping Tent Carpet Mat
This is basically not a tent footprint this is a mat you put inside your tent. Drymate TCMC88100 is a super heavy-duty water-resistant and thermally-insulated mat, that can be super helpful when camping in cold place and also it evens out the floor if your campground has rough ground.
Unlike other tent footprints, you don’t put it under your tent you put inside, and you put your sleeping bag and some other things on it. This mat protects the tent floor in some way but not like tent footprints do.
If you are camping in a cold place this mat can make a big difference, if the place you are camping is rainy or cold or if you pitch your tent on a dumpy or wet place the ground will suck the heat out of your tent but if you have a thermally insulated mat like Drymate camping mat you can get rid of that.
This is not made for backpackers but if you are car camping you can take this with you if compare it to other footprints you can say it is heavy it is 6.8pounds and the shipping weight is around 7.2pounds.
It only has one size choice which is7’4″ x 8’4″ you can find bigger but if you want smaller you can fold it in half or you can just cut it. I don’t know with what material it is made but from the looks of it, I can guess it is cotton. if you are interested, Drymate TCMC88100 check it on amazon.
8. TRIWONDERTarp Floor Saver Tent Footprint
TRIWONDERTarp Floor Saver Tent Footprint which is sold for a cheap price and also is a high-quality footprint. with many colors and size choices, this ground-sheet has 18months warranty.
There are five color choices black, blue, green, grey, and orange it only has one size choice and that is 84.6 x 84.6 inches but there is one additional choice, and that is shape! you can get a hexagonal shape and this is if you want to use the footprint as a tarp.
As I have said the product dimension is 84.6 x 84.6 x 0.4 inches and it weighs 15.2 ounces for some extra dollars you can get its accessories. what are are the accessories? 1 x Tent Tarp, 2 x 26ft Ropes, 4 x 10ft Ropes, 8 x Tent Stakes, 1 x Carrying Sack check it on amazon if you want to know more about this ground-sheet check it out.
9. Slumberjack Trail Tent Footprint
High quality and super lightweight groundsheet Slumberjack made with 75D Polyester and coated with 1200mm polyurethane which makes it waterproof. This footprint is perfect if your campground is rough and dirty it will make it even and it will protect you from dirt.
You only have two sizes to choose from 2-Person(9Ă—7.2x1inches: 8ounces and 4-Person(11x8x1inches12ounces). So if you have a bigger tent this is not for you. not much I could say about this footprint you can check it on Amazon.
10. WishUUP Waterproof Camping Tarp Tent Footprint
last but not obviously not least is the WishUUP Waterproof Camping Tarp Tent Footprint. With just a single size and color choice.
It is made with 100% polyester high density ripstop 420D oxford cloth it is also waterproof and has grommets. The size is 5.9Ă—7.2ft it weighs 1.3pounds and the only color choice is blue.
This footprint comes with a waterproof carrying bag and as I have said it is also waterproof which makes it perfect if you are going to a rainy place, 6 sturdy nylon ropes and 6 rust-proof aluminum stakes for just $19 check it on amazon.
What Should You Avoid When Buying Footprints
Most cheap footprints are low-quality so you have to watch what you are getting you don’t want anything that will tear after a single-use so sometimes you have to buy something which is a bit expensive or you have to know how to pick one with cheap price.
The second thing is you have to avoid anything that is not waterproof, waterproofing that is one of the things you need the most. And you have to know there is a big difference between waterproof and water-resistant. what you need is waterproof, not water-resistant.
