Tent Q&A

If you've ever wondered about a camping situation, or wished you had the answer to a nagging query, this is the place to come. Here you'll find short and sweet answers to those odd little doubts, all easy to reference whenever you need them. There's no need to trawl forums any longer, we've got the answers to your camping questions here.

Tent footprints 

What is a tent footprint?

A tent footprint refers to a simple ground cloth made from tarpaulin that is cut to the size of your tent and laid underneath it to protect the fabric from any stones or sharp objects that may damage it and cause problems. Most tents are sold with an already sewn in ground sheet, but an extra layer is only a bonus.

You might be thinking it's not really needed, but trust us- a tent footprint deserves a space in your stock of camping gear.

Don't fancy packing up the sodden bottom of a tent and waiting for it to dry at home? A tent footprint will let you pitch on dry ground, guaranteed.

Got a complex tent layout and design? The footprint (as the name suggests) will show you a clear outline with easy to spot pegging places.

Finally do you like staying warm and dry in a tent without holes? That's right, your tent footprint will act as another layer blocking heat from escaping into the ground and keeping water at bay. The base of your tent will be further protected from damage, and pricey repairs less likely.

It’s absolutely worth investing in this simple bit of kit to prolong the life of your new tent!
of the beam along its length to push out the air. 

Can I make my own tent footprint?

With a little know-how, it's 100% possible to make your own for just a few pounds and avoid the cost of a new piece of equipment. 

Start with a strong tarpaulin or a piece of damp proof sheeting from a builder's merchants.  Cut it carefully to match the base of your tent but a couple of inches smaller, which will allow water to run off into the ground. 

If your tent has a square base, you may be lucky in finding a tarpaulin that fits perfectly ready-made. If not, or if that all sounds too technical, you'll be better off buying a pre-cut footprint.

Do all campsites allow footprints?

Most campsites allow footprints, but check the small print! Some are concerned about the effects of long term footprint usage on the quality of their grass and will even specify that tents that have them sewn in are not allowed to be pitched.

Insurance and security

Should I insure my tent?

You may not have worried when you started small, but once the camping gear racks up, so does the value. A top of the range tent is an investment that should last years, and not one you want to see hit the dust early!

You’ll need to decide what kind of scenario is more likely and what level of cover you want. Do you need the market value of your old tent or a brand new replacement? How many tents do you need covered? And where will you sleep if something does happen? Just like a courtesy car, some policies will hire you a tent when yours goes out of action. 

Check your home insurance policy to see if your camping gear can be included there as away from home cover, and whether you need to store it in the house when not in use to maximize the cover.  Weigh up all exclusions to see if this is enough to bring peace of mind and what would happen to your home premiums if your tent went up in smoke. 

Don’t fret if that avenue is closed, specific camping gear insurance does exist. You can grab a policy through the Camping and Caravanning Club tent camping insurance and also Shield camping insurance.

How can I keep my tent secure and can I lock it?

Campsites are generally very safe, but it is worth taking a few common sense steps with your valuables.  Bring only what you really need, and leave most of the electronics at home so that you can experience nature properly.

Lock valuables in your car boot out of sight when you aren’t using them and keep your phone and wallet in the bedroom compartment with you at night, to keep them out of temptation’s way.

If you’re really worried, choose a campsite with high levels of security, such as an on-site warden, CCTV and a 24 hour barrier system so that you’ll have complete peace of mind. Try these 5 star campsites for top of the range facilities. 

Standing out

My tent looks like 100 others, how do I find it in a crowded field?

There are a whole range of creative tent flags to help you stand out, and something colourful and high up will be easy to spot from the other side of the festival. Try Life's a Breeze for everything from windsocks to telescopic flag poles. 

Are there any cool and quirky designs available?

Fieldcandy offer a range of quirky but also well-made tents, which can even be personalised to make great gifts. Live out your dream of having a VW Camper Van with a tent printed to match a retro VW Camper Van, or something even more creative!

Other miscellaneous tips

Should I put carpet in my tent?

Hardy campers may scoff at the idea of new-fangled comforts, but the market is growing for carpets, since they insulate, block cold sneaking into the tent and soften up hard surfaces under foot. They’re also nicer to sit on if it rains and everyone piles inside the tent, plus you can protect your groundsheet from all manner of mud and scuffs. 

On the other hand, you’re likely to only need it if you camp outside of the warm summer months, and a simple rug could be a cheaper solution. Another idea would be a plastic backed picnic blanket for just a few pounds. 

How do I make my own porch from a tarp?

It’s a piece of cake. You need two porch poles and two pairs of both long and short guyropes.

Drape your tarp over the entrance of the tent, add guy ropes around the sides of tent and a pair of king poles to the front. Finish it off with guy ropes at the front to hold it up. Tie a non-slip loop in the end of each guyrope and you can attach the right length guy as and when needed.

Can I make it dark inside for sleeping?

Camping with young kids? Little ones could wake with the dawn if light streams through their tent area, so to grab a few extra precious hours of sleep, try these options. 

There are tents on the market with blackout bedrooms, or you might like to add blackout curtains to your own model. 

Better still, knock up a little light-proof pod that sits inside your tent using blackout fabric. Or if you need a less heavy fabric option, drape heavy duty weed control fabric over the bedroom pods between the two layers of the tent. Secure with clothes pegs and don't worry about an exact fit.

If you’d prefer a pre-bought option, grab a pop up tent like the Fresh & Black from Decathlon inside your own tent for instant darkness. 


Now you're all set to book your next tent campsite!