Roll up Footprint with Tent or Separately?

[RC_]

Complete beginner when it comes to backpacking but have been acquiring the necessary equipment and planning to gain some experience to expand my hunting opportunities in the future.

I plan on starting out using a footprint and one question I've had that I haven't been able to find an answer to is whether there is any reason to not just roll up the footprint along with the tent or if better to keep separate? Would seem easiest and most streamlined to just roll together with footprint on the outside and store in one bag, no?

 

[BBob]

with footprint on the outside

^^^ That. I roll the tent, poles and stakes all together first then roll that package up in the footprint. Why? Because if anything will be dirty, damp, wet or muddy it will be the footprint and my dumb logic likes it separated even that little bit.

 

[CaliWoodsman]

I like keeping the footprint separate from the tent so it can be repurposed for other things - tarp shelter to get out of the rain / wind, put meat on when quartering animals, etc.

 

[TaperPin]

I stuff it in the same bag as the tent, but the tent goes in first then the ground cloth gets folded on itself then stuffed in.

 

[htlt_surfboards]

I stuff it in the same bag as the tent, but the tent goes in first then the ground cloth gets folded on itself then stuffed in.

This is how I do it also. I like having them separate not just in case the footprint is dirty/wet but then when setting up I can lay the footprint out first to make sure my tent is going to fit in tighter areas.

 

[Thisisme2828]

Without knowing what tent you are using there is no issue with rolling the footprint up with the tent and putting it in the same bag. Actually, that should work no matter what tent you’re using.

I have found that for any good quality freestanding tent (I use a MSR hubbahubba 2) I actually don’t need the footprint. The floor that the tent has already is plenty waterproof, and not bringing the footprint is one less piece of gear to keep accountability of and 6ish less ounces. However, it took me many years to get that comfortable with my gear to leave it at home.

 

[199p]

I wrap my tent up in mine works as another lay or protection for it