Backpacker Magazine SkillsCast: Build A Tent Footprint

Backpacker magazine shows you how to build a plastic footprint for your tent--a skill taken from the Jan/Feb 2007 issue. Associate editor Jason Stevenson explains the nine steps to create a footprint, including how to cut webbing and punch grommets. Learn more Skills at www.backpacker.com.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Backpacker
• magazine
• backpacking
• hiking
• wilderness
• survival
• tent
• footprint
• grommet
• plastic
• shelter
• DIY
• build

[dickenine]

oh, and yeah, only turn it up side down for tracing, when you're using clear plastic for your footprint...otherwise it's a little challenging : - )

[BackpackerMagazine]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

[Group51]

Sorry what Plastic is that - painers plastic?

[BackpackerMagazine]

Yes, the video refers to "painters plastic," a thin plastic ground sheet normally used to protect floors during painting. You can find it at most hardware stores in various thickness levels.

[militaryman69]

Awesome, just bough a Drifter 2 and will be making my own footprint soon!

[ludicrousracing]

will the tarp fray if you just cut it w/o finishing the ends?

[mimatt007]

@alexthesubscriber26 It's a backpacking tent that's used by single person. Large tents are heavy and harder to fit in a backpack.

[alexthesubscriber26]

LOL WHY IS THE TENT SO SMALL

[tplife69]

@anjonjp I've found cutting it smaller than the tent lets the tent get dirtier than if the tarp is larger than the tent. 1. Never had the tarp blown away in 4 decades of camping, 2. Rainwater under the tent is no big deal since my tents don't leak and have "bathtub" floors. Just an advantage of careful shopping I guess!

[rhorwat1976]

Painters plastic sucks for the effort you are gonna put into this. Buy a tarp and cut it up.

[SUPERKENDALL93]

thanks for nothing faggot

[pussycatgirls99]

bitch

[whaaaaateverful]

Let's film this in the least sound-treated room we can find.

[blugularis]

four ml. plastic is better