Topic
Big Agnes Fly Creek3
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › Big Agnes Fly Creek3
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Jan 16, 2012 at 4:28 pm #1284221
I am in the market for one of these tents, so if you have one F/S send me a PM. I just have a few questions about it.. or tents in general I guess.
So you have your TENT, RAIN FLY, and your FOOT PRINT. I know what each one is, but I dont understand why you would need a TENT and a FOOT PRINT.. which makes me think that maybe I dont know what a foot print is for.
If a TENT has a floor bottom, why do I need a foot print underneath it? Found a FlyCreek for sale on EBay but it didnt have a footprint. Big Deal?
Thanks
EnderJan 16, 2012 at 4:36 pm #1825480Whether or not you want a footprint depends on where you camp, but in general you don't need one.
If you want one- maybe because the ground is really wet/muddy, you can go with the the polycyro ground cloth from Gossamer Gear for $5 or $6 instead of the $40+ BA one. It will weigh a lot less too.Jan 16, 2012 at 4:59 pm #1825491…
Jan 16, 2012 at 5:04 pm #1825495The purpose of the footprint is to contain most of the wear to that piece which can be easily replaced. Of course, a DIY footprint works about the same, and it doesn't cost as much. I've seen people using a DIY plastic footprint to reduce the wear to their real Big Agnes footprint, and that seems counterproductive and heavy.
If you pitch your tent only on easy surfaces like sand, then you don't need much of any. If you pitch where there are many sharp granite rocks, then you might think about it.
–B.G.–
Jan 16, 2012 at 7:18 pm #1825552AnonymousGuestBig +1 on the gg polycro. They are so light that you may need to secure them with little rocks; be gentle, they tear. But I love that they're clear and so incredibly light and do everything that a footprint does. Cut them to size; they weigh, what and ounce?
Jan 16, 2012 at 7:37 pm #1825560Whats the difference between double and single walled tents? Rain Fly is 1 wall and the tent is your second wall?
Jan 16, 2012 at 7:47 pm #1825562Yup that's right.
A single wall tent is essentially a fly with the floor attached directly to the fly, so there's no netting (or fabric) as a second layer inside the fly.
With the FC UL3 (or any tent with a 30D nylon floor), you're fine without a footprint if you do a quick scan of your site to check for pokey sticks & rocks, and if you're not camping on an abrasive surface like gravel.
The thing I don't like about footprints – especially ones not designed for the tent, is that you often have some of the footprint sneak out from under the tent a bit. This is easy to have happen, as tents can shift/slide around even if you're careful to tuck the footprint in. If it rains and you've got a little footprint poking out, the rain lands ON the footprint and forms a puddle between the footprint and then floor. This is easy to do if you use a tarp etc and it can still happen with an OEM footprint if you get a bad storm with sideways rain etc.
I personally prefer just a more waterproof floor and choosing tent sites that don't contain harmful objects. So no footprints for me, except for car camping when I want to avoid wear on my UL tent caused by gravel, wooden or paved tent sites.
Jan 16, 2012 at 7:53 pm #1825565Cool thanks guys, your all awesome ;)
Jan 16, 2012 at 8:35 pm #1825578Depends on the tent, I love my Hilleberg footprints…they cover not only the tent bottom, but all of the vestibule space as well!
Footprints do more than just protect the bottom, full coverage prints also greatly reduce moisture rising up from the ground.
I know they are not needed, but once you have this "luxury", it sure is tough leaving it at home. Great for entering the space, pulling off shoes, storing gear without setting in the dirt/mud, setting up the dog's bed, etc.
Here's a shot of one:
livefortheoutdoors.com/Netstar/StarCommunity/Modules/ImageGallery/Thumbnails/59/168459/43186_131545.jpg -
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Our Community Posts are Moderated
Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.
Get the Newsletter
Gear Research & Discovery Tools
- Browse our curated Gear Shop
- See the latest Gear Deals and Sales
- Our Recommendations
- Search for Gear on Sale with the Gear Finder
- Used Gear Swap
- Member Gear Reviews and BPL Gear Review Articles
- Browse by Gear Type or Brand.