If you are a camping enthusiast, you will see many people carrying a tarp when camping.
Most of the time, a tarp is hung above the tent to block direct sunlight or heavy rain.
This is easy to understand.
Others will put a tarp under their tent. What is their purpose?
You can see a lot of discussion about this behavior on the Internet.
Some campers don’t do this because most decent tents have their own footprints. The moisture deflects and protects the bottom.
Some campers feel it is necessary, so, Should you put a tarp under a tent?
The following content of this article will discuss in detail the benefits of putting a tarp under your tent and other considerations.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Should You Put a Tarp Under a Tent?
This is an answer with no absolute right answer, It is not appropriate to answer with a simple yes or no.
It depends on many things, some campers do not want to carry too heavy luggage. They believe that portability is the first element of wild camping, so carrying a tarp is redundant. The footprint of the tent is enough to meet the needs.
Some campers don’t think so. They think the best thing to protect the tent floor from the elements of the ground is to let the tarp take the beating.
A tarp creates an extra layer of protection between your tent and the ground.
Imagine that you spent $500 on a quality tent and the tarp only cost $30.
If your tarp wears out, it just costs you $30, if the floor of the tent wears out it costs $500.
Remember! A tent is an investment and if any damage occurs, you can sacrifice the tarp.
Even tents that claim they don’t require a drop cloth will last longer if you slap on a protective tarp underneath it.
8 Reasons Why You Should Put a Tarp Under a Tent
#1 Protect the bottom of the tent
When looking for a campsite outdoors, you can’t always find the perfect spot.
Unless you only install your tent on lawns, you will inevitably face rough terrain, including sharp rocks, branches, and thorns.
A quality tent that doesn’t come cheap can last for years, but it requires careful maintenance during use.
A tarp is cheap insurance for a tent. It provides an extra layer of protection between the tent and the ground.
A tarp can replace the tent against tears caused by sharp rocks on the outside.
#2 Provide extra moisture protection
Although the tent’s own floor is waterproof, there is still moisture present. Rain will cause the tent floor to become damp, regardless of the tent’s claimed waterproofing abilities.
Even in dry weather, ground moisture can occasionally penetrate the tent floor.
If you use a tarp under your tent, you have a second barrier to prevent moisture from entering the tent floor.
In addition to water seeping in from the ground, the tarp also prevents dew condensing on the bottom of the tent, because the tarp blocks hot air from rising in the soil around the tent.
So in many ways, a tarp can provide extra protection to your outdoor camping sleep system.
#3 Add Insulation to Your Tent
From a pure thickness perspective, a tarp cannot add much warmth to a tent. However, a folded tarp can create a barrier between the bottom of the tent and the cold ground. The air cavities can act as an extra layer of insulation.
When you’re camping in the wild at night, it reduces heat loss to the ground and creates a more comfortable sleeping environment.
#4 Make Your Tent Easy to Cleanup
You should know that cleaning a tent is not an easy job, especially the bottom of the tent is easily stained with mud and dirt. As the number of cleanings increases, the damage to the waterproof layer of the tent will also increase.
If you put a tarp under the tent, the problem is greatly reduced.
You just need to Pick it up from the ground, give it a shake, and fold it up.
The tent only needs a light wipe and you can take it home and be ready for your next camping trip.
Not only does it save you a lot of time, but it also allows you to have less to clean up when you get home!
#5 Improving Comfort
Whether you are sitting and resting or sleeping at night, it is difficult to find a flat area.
The wild is full of uneven stones and insect nests. If you can put a thick tarps on it, it will undoubtedly make your resting place much more comfortable.
#6 Increases the life of your tent
If you buy an expensive tent and intend to extend its service life from several years to more than ten years, a tarp is indispensable as a supplement.
Keeping the bottom of the tent dry, preventing the growth of mold, and avoiding scratches from sharp objects can all be done with a tarp. The service life of the tent will be longer than expected.
#7 Keep the bugs away
There is nothing more terrifying than finding yourself sleeping with bugs and creepy crawlies in the tent.
Even though the tent is well sealed, the food in the tent will always attract some spiders and ants. Bugs’ keen sense of smell will prompt them to try their best to crawl into your tent.
Use a tarp to block the odor of food stored in your tent in case. The situation will be even better if you have mosquito repellent when you are protected from mosquitoes.
#8 Minimize Noise
Using a tarp under a tent can reduce noise in the campsite, especially noise caused by natural elements like rustling leaves, twigs, raindrops, and footsteps.
The tarp acts as a barrier between your tent floor and the ground.
When you are inside the tent, whether you are moving around in sleeping bag, walking, or setting up gear, the tarp adds another layer can helps absorb the force from impacts.
Mistakes to Avoid While Using A Tarp
Generally speaking, the most common mistake people make is that the tarp sticking out from under the tent.
The area of the tarp will usually be larger than the footprint of the tent
if you don’t fold the tarp, the extra part will protrude from the ground of the tent. When the weight of the tent and people press on it, a depression in the ground will be formed.
When it rains, your tarp will turn into a Water-catcher.
By the same token, when you choose a location to pitch your tent, avoid camping spots in depressions.
Once it rains, the tarp will fail to waterproof and turn your campsite into a pool.
The Alternative Options for Tarp
Using a tarp under your tent is a common and effective method, there are alternative options you can consider.
Ground Cloth
Many tent companies sell ground cloths that are custom-made to fit their tents. These clothes are made of strong materials like nylon or polyester and are lightweight. They protect the tent floor well and prevent damage.
Foam
Placing a foam under your tent can serve as a makeshift ground insulator. While it won’t protect the tent floor from moisture, it can provide insulation and a comfortable surface to sleep on.
Mesh Ground Cover
Some campers like using mesh ground covers that are made to keep dirt and debris out of the tent while still allowing water to drain through. These covers are light and can be used with a small tarp or rainfly if it’s going to rain.
Reflective Mylar Blanket
A shiny, reflective blanket can be used as a ground cover to reflect heat away from the tent and provide some protection against moisture. However, it may not last as long or work as well as other choices in preventing damage.
Groundsheet Made from Fabric Scraps
You can create a DIY groundsheet by sewing or taping together fabric scraps to match the tent’s footprint. This option may not be as durable as purpose-made ground cloths.
Final Thoughts
It is ultimately a personal decision whether or not to put a tarp under a tent. While using a tarp can offer benefits such as moisture protection, durability, and condensation prevention.
It is important to consider the specific camping conditions and the tent’s design.
Some tents already have built-in footprints or waterproofing features that may negate the need for a tarp.
Ultimately, campers should weigh the advantages and disadvantages and make an informed choice.
