tarp vs foot print

**Woodsie8** · 08-12-2015, 07:09

I have several foot prints that I bought on clearance at REI, for tents that had been discontinued or changed. I bought them, with the idea, to use them as tarps to cover sitting area or such.

Is there a difference? Will they both protect the same? Is weight usually lighter or heavier? Thoughts?

**DrPhun** · 08-12-2015, 16:46

Heavier but should work fine, except the size is a little small.

**mrjaw14** · 08-14-2015, 16:18

I was going to say the size probably wouldn't be adequate, but if you're happy that's all that matters! I'd actually like you to test this and report back...I'm always looking to know alternate uses for things like this!

**heywoodja** · 08-14-2015, 18:39

I have a footprint that i bought at Rei for $.0.93 it works great as a tarp, its durable and PU coated. Lately i have been using it as a ground cloth under my hammock and it works great .

**webhanger** · 08-14-2015, 20:10

I bought a couple Big Agnes footprints on sale for my kids tarps. I forget the exact models. As I recall they are approximately 8x10 ft, slightly heavier material than a regular tarp and PU coated. I figured my kids will be rough on them and will beat them out of service in a year or two. So the heavier build and smaller price were right for the task. I paid about a third of what a similarly sized quality tarp would cost, with about a pound of weight to pack.

They hang them like a diamond fly and sleep so the tarp covers them best. They spent a week straight getting moderately to heavily rained on and they worked flawlessly. They have about 20 nights in them now, other than some dirt and chocolate mess they look brand new. I taught them to put the coating side down when sleeping under them to protect it from the sun.

**wolf8895** · 08-14-2015, 21:27

My son used a 12X10 footprint as a tarp this past weekend on our trip to Wilson Creek. It worked great, just a little heavier than a tarp as it's pretty heavy duty PU coated nylon. There was absolutely no danger of him getting wet under it that's for sure!

**mrjaw14** · 08-15-2015, 08:43

I've wondered if the PU coating on the footprints is high quality and won't come off, or if it's lesser quality since the main point is puncture resistance on the ground

I too am using a cheap REI footprint from a small tent as my ground cloth. got it on one of their clearance sales. I may just have to look for a large one as a tarp...can't have too many of those

**webhanger** · 08-15-2015, 10:32

Originally Posted by mrjaw14

I've wondered if the PU coating on the footprints is high quality and won't come off, or if it's lesser quality since the main point is puncture resistance on the ground

My PU coated high quality expensive tents all began to peel with age granted it took quite a few years(25+). Silnylon is completely saturated and I have yet to have the fabric fail from water proofing issues.