Tent Footprint

I am looking to cut a few ounces on my shelter.
I have a Copper Spur UL2, the footprint weighs over 7 ounces
The advertised weight of 5 oz. is BS anyhow I will not setup my tent without a footprint, so leaving it out of my gear is not an option. I also will not use a polycro sheet, it needs to be durable.
I was wondering if Tyvec of the same size would be lighter, If I can save three ounces I will be happy.

Also if Tyvec is an option, where can I get a Tyvec sheet?

Thanks

I have never used a footprint and have never had problems! IMHO, footprints are greatly overrated and are mainly a money-making scam for the tent companies and outdoor stores.

If you're not convinced that a footprint is unnecessary, a polycro sheet will last a season or more. It's plenty durable enough. After all, polycro storm windows are designed to last through a stormy winter.

Ditto everything OM said, however per your request places like Home Depot sell Tyvek Home wrap. I'm not sure if you can buy it in small enough quantities to be reasonable for you. Tarptent sells precut ground sheets (made from home wrap). You could see if one matches the dimensions you are looking for:

https://www.tarptent.com/store/tyvek-groundsheet

They also list the weights... they look to be in the 5-7 oz range so you probably won't drop half the weight.

You can also look into Tyvek kite material. A higher end, softer material. I think it might not be as waterproof as home wrap though, so I am not sure how it would perform as a footprint.

A forumite turned me on to "kite" Tyvek, similar to housewrap but a bit thinner with a soft finish--not crinkly. I don't typically take footprints but use this stuff with floorless shelters and beneath my Fly Creek Platinum, which has floor fabric simply too thin for anything but forest duff and meadows.

Available from Amazon in varying lengths. One bolt is basically a lifetime supply.

Like most others, I don't use a footprint; never have. I will sometimes carry it (mostly in mud or snow), but end up using it for other things: flooring in the vestibule, something to sit on at breaks or in camp, and (fair weather and no bugs permitting) leave the tent body at home and use it with the poles and fly only to create a tarp like shelter.

I've used the Copper Spur, about 3 years ago, and never used a ground cloth. Camped in the forest, and never had a problem with abrasion or sharp sticks or rocks.

tyvek footprint for the ul2 came in at 6oz. buy short lengths on ebay for about 12 bucks, trim to fit.

What size are you looking for? I've got a few tyvek sheets I'll probably never use, could send you one for shipping charges only (so free, but you pay shipping).

I've been down on tent footprints forever - never used one. In the old days tents had bullet proof floors, then someone found out it would be a few ounces lighter to use the same material on the floor as they use on the sides. So then they sold you a better floor and it weighed more.

Well anyway from a constructive point of view- If you winter camp and you get condensation problems, open a thin piece of painters plastic inside your tent before moving in. This tent liner will keep you dryer.

Yes Its true, we've done side by side and night after experiments with this. No matter how good the floor, either moisture comes through it or it virtually comes through by causing condensation under your sleeping bag.

Jim

I'm not worried about moisture I worry about puncturing the floor when kneeling and moving around in the tent.
Also I worry about popping a $220.00 air mattress.

After doing a bit of research I found that regular home wrap tyvec will weigh around the same and the kite tyvec would be about half of that weight but the Kite Tyvec comes with its own problems, So I guess its safe to say I need to shed weight somewhere else.

That's the home wrap correct?

I appreciate it but if its home wrap, the weight savings is almost nil.

But thank you kindly for the offer.

No worries. To be honest, no idea if it's the home wrap, the sheets were purchased from backpacking sites to use as groundsheets.

The point I was making is that in the winter the plastic has to go inside, not under the tent. Jim

My empirical data is kite Tyvek is enough to prevent rips in the FC Platinum mentioned above, which is what I'm after, i.e., have not mended any holes since using it.

Impervious? Not a chance but neither is housewrap. But a useful barrier.

For almost no money and weight you can try a painter's dropcloth.