Floor Saver

I assume you mean a ground sheet? I usually sleep under a floorless tarp shelter… but I do have a TarpTent Squall 2 that I use on some trips… and I've never used a ground sheet with it. Just check for any sharp rocks or whatever.

You might want to try a polycro sheet cut to slightly smaller than the footprint of your tent floor. You can get them from Gossamer Gear. They're quite strong and weigh almost nothing.

I own an akto and am forever uming and aring on whether or not to take mine. It is the official Hilleberg Akto Footprint and weighs in at a substantial 280g. Seen as one of the main reasons for purchasing an akto would be for its light weight this is indeed a lot. However when its winter i usually think its worth it: the temp in the tent feels a little higher, its extra insulation from the ground, less condensation, the vestibule becomes more of a living in area, and its great having a water proof picnic type blanket for just lying down of wet grass etc. In short for summer use and short over night winter trips i wouldnt take it, for longer winter use then i do tend to take it. If your going globe troting then for sure. It totaly depends of the trip your taking, at least for me.

cons:

pack space
Pack weight

pos:

long term durability of tent
comfort inside tent
other uses

I have a light weight bivy that I used on a trip to the Oregon Cascades. I decided not to use my 2 mil ground sheet since that was part of the selling point of the spinnaker bottom. I cleared the relatively flat area of rocks and sticks. However, as I was putting the bivy into its stuff sack the next morning I noticed that a pine needle had poked through the spinnaker fabric, leaving a ~1 mm size hole that didn't immediatley seal up once I pulled out the needle. That in itself wasn't a big issue, but I had to wonder how many holes would be created over a longer hike.

I guess I think the ground sheet is still a nice idea to extend the life of a fairly expensive item (frustrating thought since it's like leaving the slip covers on the sofa). It also helps keep the bivy clean when I am forced to camp in a muddy spot, and I don't have to smear the mud all over the rest of the bivy when I stuff it into its sack.

Tom

I have a light weight bivy that I used on a trip to the Oregon Cascades. I decided not to use my 2 mil ground sheet since that was part of the selling point of the spinnaker bottom. I cleared the relatively flat area of rocks and sticks. However, as I was putting the bivy into its stuff sack the next morning I noticed that a pine needle had poked through the spinnaker fabric, leaving a ~1 mm size hole that didn't immediatley seal up once I pulled out the needle. That in itself wasn't a big issue, but I had to wonder how many holes would be created over a longer hike.

I guess I think the ground sheet is still a nice idea to extend the life of a fairly expensive item (frustrating thought since it's like leaving the slip covers on the sofa). It also helps keep the bivy clean when I am forced to camp in a muddy spot, and I don't have to smear the mud all over the rest of the bivy when I stuff it into its sack.

Tom

I guess this doesn't really apply since you are in a tent, but for any tarp/bivy users… I've decided to bring along an 1/8" Thinlight from GG that lays on top of my Polycro sheet and my bivy. Maybe that's overkill, but I just can't bring myself to trust that Polycro sheet completely. Anyways, it adds extra R value and padding underneath me, protects my bivy, and trimmed can weigh as little as 1 oz. What's to lose?

But as noted, if anything, putting some Polycro sheet under the tent should help, or at least give some comfort when using that expensive gear. $6, 1.5 oz.

I've used a 70Denier Sierra Designs tent for about 75-125 nights without any noticeable wear in the Adirondacks and Ranier areas. ie: No footprint is needed in forested areas. However, in rocky / gravelly / sandy areas (like the Grand Canyon, Philmont and many "required" camping areas along the AT in Northern Virginia / Maryland), the wear was immediate and significant. ie: Footprint definitely a good investment.

Also, I found the footprint helped keep pine cone points, pine needles, and small (flexible) twigs from penetrating the floor if I missed them while setting up in the dark. However, the footpring didn't keep thorny plants, pointy &/or sharp edged bits of shale, or broken ends of "stiff" (ie: 3/16" or thicker) branches from penetrating or cutting the floor. (It does stop the crushed gravel many of the "required" camping areas have added from killing the floor).

I do not use a floor saver very often, either with a bivy or a tent. Bur when I do it is a sheet of Tyvek, may be a little heavier than a GG polycro ground sheet but I prefer it, especially once it has been through the washing machine to quieten it down a bit.

On my first trip with a Big Sky Evolution 2P loaner tent we set up, on sandy ground, in the teeth of a Sierra summer thunder shower. I cleaned the site with care as we were using a brand new Evolution, Silnylon, footprint. When we packed up the next morning I noticed several abraded areas where light showed through the footprint. When I (finally) got my own Evolution I went right out and got some Tyvek and cut a footprint. The tent floor is made of the same Silnylon as the footprint and I want to protect my investment in the best (and lightest) 2 man, double wall tent I've ever owned.

If you value a good piece of expensive equipment it pays to take care of it.