I never meant to be my own gear maker

I would use some polycro: http://gossamergear.com/polycryo-ground-cloth-large.html

You can also find polycro at Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, Walmart, etc. It's window insulation film (shrink film).

It's what I use on my Tarptent Double Rainbow.

That said, the silnylon would depend on the Hydrostatic Head rating… but it is most likley a little above 1000 mm H2O, which would mean that sitting/kneeling/laying on it while on wet ground would force water through the fibers.

I believe tyvek has higher HH, but it's not fully waterproof like a sheet of plastic like polycro.

That said, any of those options would work fine as long as you are able to make a good site selection.

The 70d silnylon will work just fine.

Ryan

I don't see why you need a footprint period. The floor is already waterproof.

A footprint might protect the floor so it would last a long time.

If you have 70 D silnylon, that would provide protection. You could just cut it out, no need to sew anything. Make it a little smaller than the tent. If it's bigger, rain will collect on it, run under the tent, and puddle. Then, it tends to find it's way into the tent. At least that's what I've experienced and heard others say the same.

polycro wouldn't provide much protection but lighter – maybe better having nothing

tyvek probably more protection and heavier.

It's an ultralight tent. It needs a footprint.

"It's an ultralight tent. It needs a footprint."

Many here say hogwash to that. Site selection and a little bit of preening make it so.

But a cheap piece of plastic or tyvek will certainly be enough.

.

I don't mean to be piling on bashing you : )

I think it has a silnylon floor?

My bivy is silnylon and has lasted a long time.

If it got a hole, you could glue on a small piece of silnylon with diluted silicone

…

"Why they would pull it when the tent is still out there is a mystery. "

Why wouldn't they just provide a tougher floor if Big Agnes is concerned with their lightweight floors taking on damage? Money grab from the manufacturer.

As Ken said, site selection is key.

…

Teresa,
The BA made footprint allows the "Fast Fly" set up so that you can have just the fly (without the inner) standing up by itself.
Probably not all that difficult to replicate just using some grommets and bits of rope but I see that you are only concerned about floor protection.
For that if it makes you feel safer, do cut that 70D nylon to a slightly smaller size of your tent floor footprint (as already suggested).
If you go the Tyvek way, after you have it cut to size, roll it up newspaper like and twist the ends .
That will soften it making it quieter and more malleable.

Although not as light as a piece of plastic there is a lighter weight Tyvek than the house wrap weight. It can be found at Quest outdoor fabrics for a reasonable price. It is very soft yet still very puncture resistant and as well as being lighter it needs no break in to quiet it down. I don't mind a 2 1/2 oz penalty splitting gear with the wife for keeping the tent cleaner and at least around these parts its easier to resell gear without a bunch of patches on it. I also set it up for a fast fly option which makes it so the fly can be set up in the rain and the inner put up under the fly if necessary. YMMV

jimmyb