Do you need a groundsheet?

[MummySharkDooDoo]

We have just purchased a Berghaus air tent and have noticed that you can also buy a separate 'footprint' which acts as a groundsheet.
We are still pretty much camping novices - are these things necessary or just a marketing ploy to get us to spend an extra £50?!

Id always get a separate ground sheet, but would buy non branded.

As much as i think it unnecessary, I thought the footprint was supposed to be an added layer that protects the ground sheet though? And not an actual ground sheet in itself?

Sorry yes I think you're correct @DawgLover! I think we will get one but will check for unbranded ones first...

Yes, I would recommend one. I got a cheap tarp in the hardware shop and its great. It can get a little wet and muddy sometimes, so it saves the tent from that. Will worth getting one.

If you get a generic one or use a tarp make sure that none of it sticks out beyond the tent groundsheet.

If it does rain will fall on it and seep between the footprint and the tent groundsheet.

I have one for one of my tents but rarely use it. As PPs day it is good if the ground is wet and muddy, or rough.

But it is another thing to pack and fold up, and campers managed for generations without them.

20 years of all kind of camping - on sites, hardstanding, wild camping, woodland floors, perfect lawn grass I have never used a ground sheet. Our current tent is 8 years old and used about 12/14 times per year and shows no sign of wear. I think they're unnecessary.

Husband says that the Berghaus has ground sheet built in. The only benefit of the footprint is that you are wrapping all the tent clean and dry because the free range groundsheet will get the grot. He says no reason to bother.

I've always used one, for the 40 years I've been camping. Usually means a clean dry space to fold up your tent, and makes pack up much quicker. If it is muddy underneath I just roll it up and deal with it at home.
Also handy for positioning your tent before you pitch. Look for cheaper ones on ebay. Second hand will be fine, and it doesn't have to be the same brand as long as it's roughly the same size.

Definitely make sure none of it sticks out from under the tent

I've always used one, for the 40 years I've been camping

Same here. Perhaps for slightly longer. Before these dedicated extra ground sheets were available, I used to cut a sheet of polythene to match the footprint of the tent.

This is my take on it..mmThey are a newish thing as most tents now have built in groundsheets. Years ago when the groundsheet was separate if it got damaged then you could just replace that part. Now, if you damage a built in groundsheet the whole tent is ruined. Hence the use of a footprint.

Thank you everyone. We did buy one for our trip away this weekend but made the mistake of leaving it sticking out on one side of the tent so as PPs have mentioned, pools of rain water gathered underneath. We will make sure we position it better next time!
I am glad we bought one though, the tent packed away nice and clean and the ground sheet was folded up a little wet and muddy - much easier to get out and clean in the week than the tent!

Love our footprint. Not only does it stop tent getting muddy, but we use it to help is decide where to put the tent on the pitch. It's much easier to move the footprint around the pitch than it is the tent.

Love our footprint. Not only does it stop tent getting muddy, but we use it to help is decide where to put the tent on the pitch. It's much easier to move the footprint around the pitch than it is the tent.

Exactly this. I appreciate that you don't necessarily need one but it's much easier to clean mud off the 'footprint' than the built-in tent groundsheet.

I camp quite a bit and had never come across this idea but it sounds good, I might get one now!

I thought you were talking about having something inside the tent and was going to say I always use a cheap fold-up plastic back picnic blanket in the porch area 😂

hi
i was just looking at camping info. i have never been before. i just purchased a second hand tent a gelert tahoma 9. i have searched for online setting up tent videos but i did not find any. anyway i was looking at your comment that someone else has also mentioned. that is to never let the ground sheet or tarp stick out otherwise the water will come in. my question is where do you tuck in the ground sheet tarp etc
i will be just trying to erect the tent in the park once it stop raining before i try proper camping with the kids

Yes: it’s a footprint.

Very handy, as you discovered, when the ground is wet and muddy.

For your next trip just cut the tarp you bought to size, then you won’t have to faff around making sure none is sticking out.

thank you i will need to cut it to shape or can i just fold the extra tarp under the tent

You can just fold it under.

Just make sure that not even a mm is sticking out beyond the tent groundsheet, as it will then funnel rain into a pool between the footprint and the tent groundsheet.

I love our footprint. Having camped in the rain, it’s a revelation not to worry about having to clean the bottom of the tent!