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Tried a cheap tarp instead of a footprint for my tent last weekend

I was setting up camp at Lake Tahoe and forgot my tent footprint at home. Grabbed a $5 blue tarp from the hardware store and cut it to size. It worked fine but by morning there was condensation trapped between the tarp and tent floor. My sleeping bag felt damp and I spent the whole next day drying stuff out. Has anyone else had this issue with tarps versus proper footprints?
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3 Comments
piper779
piper7791mo ago
A buddy of mine who's been backpacking for years told me that cheap tarps don't breathe at all and trap moisture like a greenhouse. He swears by cutting a few small slits near the corners to let air circulate underneath. But honestly for the price, I'd rather just buy a proper footprint than deal with a damp bag again.
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henryp40
henryp401mo ago
Yeah I tried that once with a clear plastic painter tarp and woke up floating in a puddle.
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the_linda
the_linda1mo ago
Read somewhere you gotta poke tiny holes for breathability.
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