Tarp Under Tent - Common Practice?

[NOPEC]

Another couple of items that work really well for us although not specifically under the tent but close, are closed cell pads which we put in the vestibules. Because we are kayak travellers and not backpacking anymore, a bit of extra weight and bulk aren't too big of an issue.

We are finding that the older we get and continue to tent camp, the more certain body parts enjoy (demand?) some pampering not the least of which are the knees. The up and downs get a bit harder every season but boy, is it nice having a soft kneeling platform at the doors which sometimes almost feels like a landing pad! We use thin yoga mats which we fold up to ensure they are completely inside of the vestibule. Because of the hard seats in the kayaks, we also use dedicated seat/back pads which are also closed cell, a bit thicker and smaller. I appreciate these cushions are a speciality item but they also work really well on the vestibule floor if you have them.

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[68camaro]

Actually tents are heavy, bulky and unnecessary. Just go with a tarp, properly set up with ground cloth and it has many advantages over a tent - I did this for years.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Another couple of items that work really well for us although not specifically under the tent but close, are closed cell pads which we put in the vestibules. Because we are kayak travellers and not backpacking anymore, a bit of extra weight and bulk aren't too big of an issue.

We are finding that the older we get and continue to tent camp, the more certain body parts enjoy (demand?) some pampering not the least of which are the knees. The up and downs get a bit harder every season but boy, is it nice having a soft kneeling platform at the doors which sometimes almost feels like a landing pad! We use thin yoga mats which we fold up to ensure they are completely inside of the vestibule. Because of the hard seats in the kayaks, we also use dedicated seat/back pads which are also closed cell, a bit thicker and smaller. I appreciate these are a speciality item but they also work really well on the vestibule floor if you have them.

View attachment 837619View attachment 837620.

We kayak some as well. Not as much as you, but this looks like a great idea

 

[JaSAn]

Actually tents are heavy, bulky and unnecessary . . .

Except where there are biting insects or blowing debris (sand, dirt, snow, driving rain, etc.).
Or when you have to carry poles to erect.

Used both.
Advantages and disadvantages to each.

 

[IdaSHO]

Or when you are above tree line, with nothing to suspend tarps from.

Plenty of reasons why a tarp is essentially nonsense.
Unless you are on a hobo-budget.

Personally we backpack year round (even in the snow) with a 3-season Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2-person tent.
Complete packed weight is just 3lbs. Thats ground cloth, tent body, poles, and rain fly that includes two large vestibules.

 

[NOPEC]

We kayak some as well. Not as much as you, but this looks like a great idea

Using pads something similar to this system, your knees, back and butt will be eternally grateful

 

[welikecamping2]

You what... a tarp over the top
You're kidding me?

I do this in Az when rain is possible. Allows me to enter/ exit tent without getting everything wet. Can create a nice little dry zone. Also because I rarely use a fly.

 

[Fishenough]

The original space blanket was devoped (in Massachusetts, or some company in Mass had a contract to manufacture) for NASA. The earliest one I saw was in early 1970's in my father's station wagon. Medium blue on one side, reflective silver on the other. Thick (for the thinness of the blanket) grid of internal fibers. Thick by today's standards. Might have been mil spec. They fold up pretty small for a blanket but not as small as the marathon runner types.

One side made of the same gold stuff you see on the outside of the lunar lander.

I don't remember those one-use ones appearing until the 1990's?

My Space Blankets are brought along completely independent of my standard tarps. They are for emergency only, unless they are being inspected, demonstrated, or tested

Cool.

Ha. Carry space blankets backpacking, motorcycle camping/traveling, kayaking, and even car camping. You can buy ones shaped like a large sleeping bag, I pulled that over my 0c sleeping bag one night on the Dempster that was far below freezing, and but for my nose was very toasty overnight.

For winter camping bring Tyvek for a groundsheet (it breaths more than a tarp, and a large space blanket over the sleeping pad. In my bulky winter down bag I warm to 10 below freezing

 

[Motorradmark]

Been camping for 40 plus years, scouts, etc. always taught and used “footprint” under the tent.

 

[TwinStick]

I thought everyone knew about this stuff. It's like literally figuring out your priorities live, while living life and learning.

Food, water, shelter & clothing is the bare minimum. Being wet, cold, hungry and thirsty will help you figure out what you value most. It is nature's way of helping people figure it out.

Always good to be prepared.

 

[ovʀʟxnᴅ]

I always put a tarp under the tent to keep the tent bottom clean. Tarps are easy to roll up dirt to dirt and to rinse off at home. Tents are better preserved being protected this way.

 

[jkam]

I carried a piece of Tyvek I got at a construction site for years as my ground cloth.
Worked great and since it was free, I didn't worry about it much.