High Sierra Topix

I use plastic sheeting - not the really thick stuff nor the thin stuff but suitably resistant to punctures - 2 mil? I set up whichever tent I'm using at the time and draw the outline on the plastic sheet with a Sharpie and then cut it out. I used Tyvek for awhile but when it finally became soft, it also became a dirt and twig magnet - not to mention the non-subdued white shade it came in...
I feel better putting plastic under the tent floor to give extra puncture and wear resistance since I don't always completely police the area for sharp items.

Alan

I like to save my gear as much as I can, which is why I use a gc, however, with my Squall, it is the floor as I have the floorless model. The only thing I don't like about it, is you have to place stones all around the edges to keep it in place, even after the shelter is set up. When you buy the polycryo, it comes packed two. Be warned, it may not be for everyone, but if trying to shave those few oz. here and there, it is the ticket.

Tyvek isn't that light, I compared my TarpTent supplied, cut to fit piece to my green ground cloth with grommets and it was only a couple oz. lighter. If I cut the green gc cloth down and cut the rivets off, if might be lighter then the Tyvek.

The Other Tom wrote:

fishmonger wrote:am I the only one who just uses the tent, without additional footprint? I figure I paid for a waterproof tent floor and lightweight tent, why should I haul some additional plastic around?

My worry has always been that a rock/twig, etc will puncture a hole in my waterproof tent floor. I assume that's not happened to you ?

well, the old Sierra Designs Meteor Light never had a problem, and the first one I used for 10 seasons, about 150 nights in the Sierra, and at least half of them without the poncho under it.

Now I have a $$$ Big Agnes Copper Spur and am having second thoughts about the floor, as it is much thinner material. Dunno if I'll add a few ounces to the pack to have peace of mind, or just go for it. Patch kits weigh almost as much as the ground cover, I guess. I'm definitely not buying the official ground cover from Big Agnes, as it completely negates the weight savings over the old tent.

I use my rain poncho as a ground sheet. One piece of equipment serves two purposes

I'm another one of those who doesn't use one. I've had a Sierra Designs Orion since 1998 and I estimate it's had 200 nights all over the Sierra, Pt. Reyes, the redwoods, etc. without a leak. The only problem I ever had was while I was down at the beach at Coast Camp at Pt. Reyes watching the sunset and a raccoon chewed through the mosquito netting. (I still don't know why since the only things in the tent were my sleeping bag, pad, a notebook, and a wool sweater.) Sierra Designs fixed the mosquito netting under warranty.

I want to thank everyone for their input. In the past I almost always used a sheet of plastic. I double checked the weight of the Footprint and the "average" weight is about 13ozs. It really does end up making an ultra-light tent not so ultra-light. So I'm going back to 3mil thick plastic. Again, I appreciate all of the discussion and suggestions. js hill

You can purchase a light weight Tyvek (about 1.3 oz per sq. yd.) from most suppliers of kite making materials. I have a 24" by 72" ground sheet made of this that goes under where I lay in my tent. It weighs 1.7 oz and is not stiff and crinkly.