Question about using a tarp instead of a tent footprint

Evan Nguyen · 2026-04-03T17:55:04.434578+00:00

I used to buy the matching footprint for every tent, but after my Big Agnes Copper Spur got a small tear anyway, I stopped. Now I just use a cheap 6x8 foot poly tarp from the hardware store, and it works better for half the price. Anyone else make this switch and find the same thing?

jennifer3585mo ago

That's interesting, but I still use the real footprint. The tarp can be noisy and slide around more, plus it doesn't pack down as small. For a light tent like that, I'd rather have the exact fit.

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kelly.keith5mo ago

Totally get that. The real footprint is nice but honestly, that poly tarp is a tank. Mine's been through everything and it's still fine.

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riley8604mo ago

Dried mine on a fence post, @jennifer358, and it bleached a stripe in the cheap dye.

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