How To Keep Your Tent Off The Ground
If you click and purchase with one of our links, we earn a commission. Thanks.
If you are a regular camper, you might know how important it is to keep your tent off the ground. If you are experienced, you might even know exactly how to keep your tent off the ground. However, if you are not sufficiently experienced, you might be wondering how to do it effectively. In this article, we will discuss some of the essential tips for keeping your tent off the ground.
Tips To Keep Your Tent Dry And Off The Ground:
1 - Find the High Ground.
One of the most important things to do when you are camping is to find the ideal position to place your tent. Ideally, you want to look for an area with the high ground with trees overhead which will keep you from getting directly hit with rain, and you will be able to avoid the inevitable runoff from heavy rain.
2 - Ground Tarp.
One of the best things that you can use to provide some insulation between your tent and the ground is by using a ground tarp. Placing a tarp underneath your tent will help to ensure that any excess moisture that results from poor weather conditions doesn’t completely ruin your experience and creep into your tent.
3 - Footprint.
This is perhaps the best option for those that are looking for complete protection from the elements. A lot of the newer tents that are on the market offer a specially designed footprint which is a cover that is made for specific models. Therefore, you will be able to get a properly fitted extra layer of protection that will go on the underside of the tent. Then, you could always add an extra tarp underneath the footprint which will help to provide even more insulation and weatherproofing. If you’re backpacking and want to save weight, check out our comparison of Polycro vs Tyvek as DIY footprints.
4 - Use Builder’s Plastic.
If you are looking to make your own cover to lay on the ground, you will want to be sure to use a material that is both thick and able to keep excess moisture out. This material is perfect for lining your tent’s floor with because it can keep moisture from seeping in.
Why You Want To Keep Your Tent Off The Ground:
1 - Conduction.
The main reason you want to keep your tent off the ground is due to the heat loss that you would ultimately experience due to conduction. If you are going to be camping out in colder climates or even a place that drops temperatures overnight, you will benefit from keeping your tent off the ground or at least boosting the insulation between your tent and the ground. This is why it is so important to get yourself a temperature specific sleeping pad or sleeping bag that is meant for the conditions that you will be camping in.
2 - Waterproofing.
Another reason you want to be sure that you are keeping your tent entirely off the ground is due to the moisture that could seep into your tent. If you laid your tent directly on the ground with no protection from moisture, the moisture would find its way in your tent making you uncomfortable and even putting you in a dangerous position depending on how cold it is. By using something like a tarp to place underneath, you will be able to effectively minimize the moisture problem that could occur during rainstorms.
Overall, there are plenty of different things that you should be doing when you are looking to keep your tent as comfortable as possible. Follow the tips above, and you should be able to keep your tent comfortable and off of the ground.
