Most of the major tent companies seem to be selling footprints for their tents these days. Does this indicate they are stripping the weight down too much by using thinner, less strong and inferior groundsheet materials or am I missing something here?

I reckon that the demand by us for ever lighter and cheaper tents has pressurised companies into using lighter / cheaper materials.

Yep I used to use a footprint, but it went all manky so I binned it and haven't got round to making a new one.

Si(C)

Yep, I reckon it's consumer demand too. I just use a survival bag - good when wild camping.

Never had a problem with a Macpac groundsheet, but generally groundsheets take a battering. Kneeling on them produces areas of high pressure which can cause leaks, then of course there's rocks, sharp plants, people with bony hips etc. I suspect that you're at least part right. Usually to get the same degree of toughness, water proofing etc at a lower weight means a much more expensive higher spec material so, to keep weight and price reasonable you end up using a lower spec material.

Survival bag used here

Me also.

am now considering it....a lot...also how do you reproof a suspected leaky tent groundsheet??

Thats gonna be tricky, I'd suggest contacting the manufacturer and see if they can point you in the right direction initially.

Si(C)

Well I aint totally sure its leaky but it seemed damp on the bottom on the wasdale weekend

Erm, ground sheets DO get damp on the bottom, its when they're damp on the top that its get to be a problem!

If it was under your kipmat that was damp, I'd suggest condensation to be the culprit.

Especially if (like me) you pitched your tent in a puddle!

Si(C)

ahh that might have been it...just have to see at the next meet or before....at home

If you can stand the extra weight buy a footprint. Cheaper to repalce a footprint that a groundsheet

Used a folded over tarp in Wasdale.

Was thankful that I did after the "moat" incident.

I use 'em when "car camping", had them made to measure for about £12 each

Just use groundsheet (or "Tarp" to Alex, Jeannie & co) or survival bag if I remember.

Si(C)

They don't call Bob "Tarp-man" for nothing!

:0)