Bathtub groundsheets - are they really necessary?

[Alteknacker]

I'm about to buy a lightweight solo backpacking tent, and the favourite candidate is the Zephyros 2 on a performance/value for money/likely usage level basis. However, I see that it does not have a full bathtub groundsheet.

I once camped on a fairly gentle short-grassy slope on the shores of Loch Slapin on Skye in a tent with a bathtub groundsheet. Just as well: we had 12 hours of continuous heavy rain, with the result that the whole of the hillside became waterlogged and the groundsheet ended up semi-floating (though we remained dry inside). Hence my anxieties on this front.

However, I'm now a confirmed fairweather camper, so this may not be such an issue, since I will be planning to avoid sustained rain

I would really welcome any experience-based feedback on this.

[BobMcBob]

since I will be planning to avoid sustained rain

Ha hahahaha good one! Best of luck with that.

Having spent a day in Snowdonia recently watching tents disappear, I'd say you need a full bathtub

[Alteknacker]

Ha hahahaha good one! Best of luck with that.

Having spent a day in Snowdonia recently watching tents disappear, I'd say you need a full bathtub

Laughing from the shelter of your van, I guess..???

[Ben Nachie]

You say you are a confirmed fair weather camper and modern weather forecasting is pretty good, so I'd say don't worry too much about it, your choice will do just fine.

You might also consider setting up an eBay search for Laser Comps. I picked one up in good condition for just slightly more than the cost of a new Zephyros

[BobMcBob]

Ha hahahaha good one! Best of luck with that.

Having spent a day in Snowdonia recently watching tents disappear, I'd say you need a full bathtub

Laughing from the shelter of your van, I guess..???

I meant to say "need an *actual* bathtub", which hopefully makes the joke work...

Yes I was in the van but I wasn't laughing, I once spent an entire weekend at Glastonbury in a cheap tent without a bathtub groundsheet. It was one of the years where it rained, and rained, and rained. Actual mud was oozing through the floor by the end of day 2, it was horrible. So my experience is that if it rains a lot and you don't have a bathtub groundsheet, you're going to get very wet, your sleeping bag is going to get very wet, and you're going to get quite miserable*. I suppose it boils down to how confident you are of avoiding long spells of rain and how important the small weight saving is.

* if you're like me and don't like being wet.

[spiderwebb]

You can go for the Zephyros for that truly backpacking, no room to move experience, but I went for the Force Ten Nitro Lite 200 plus Incredible room, extra large porch space which you don't have to climb over getting in and out, and weighs a smidgen over 1.7kg, the Zephyros 2 being 1.8kg.

I'm not sure if its still available but I picked mine up off eBay, as it wasn't that cheap new, but I got a bargain. But as always it depends on budget.

Its simple to erect, with 3 hoops of poles, and pitches with the inner and outer together, whereas the Banshee I had was inner first, but maybe not an issue now you're a fair weather camper

[Guinessman]

I would definitely go for a footprint. At 325g for the Zephyros 2 its not that much too carry and will protect your groundsheet from sharp objects and give it longer life.

I have the Laser comp 1 and always use the footprint. I find that the groundsheets on backpacking tents aren't up to much as they are light to get the weight down and if pitching on wet ground without a footprint it doesn't take much to get damp areas through the groundsheet when a bit of pressure is applied

[Robinho08]

Additional groundsheets/footprints are a personal choice. But definitely not required. Never had damp come through and always check my pitch for stones etc.

If you must have a footprint, look at Tyvek. Cheap, tough and light.

[Alteknacker]

You say you are a confirmed fair weather camper and modern weather forecasting is pretty good, so I'd say don't worry too much about it, your choice will do just fine.

You might also consider setting up an eBay search for Laser Comps. I picked one up in good condition for just slightly more than the cost of a new Zephyros

Thanks for the tip. I did some searching for Laser Comps, but they all seem quite expensive at the moment....

You can go for the Zephyros for that truly backpacking, no room to move experience, but I went for the Force Ten Nitro Lite 200 plus Incredible room, extra large porch space which you don't have to climb over getting in and out, and weighs a smidgen over 1.7kg, the Zephyros 2 being 1.8kg.

I'm not sure if its still available but I picked mine up off eBay, as it wasn't that cheap new, but I got a bargain. But as always it depends on budget.

Its simple to erect, with 3 hoops of poles, and pitches with the inner and outer together, whereas the Banshee I had was inner first, but maybe not an issue now you're a fair weather camper

Thanks Spiderwebb (good to see you're still active, if not publishing any WRs ). I have looked at the Nitro Lite and it does look good - I like a bit of space; but to a Yorkshireman, it feels a tad expensive. I'll probably keep an eye open on Ebay for a while.

BTW I have a Banshee 3, and always erect it with the inner attached, no problem . I guess they must have changed the design...

I would definitely go for a footprint. At 325g for the Zephyros 2 its not that much too carry and will protect your groundsheet from sharp objects and give it longer life.

I have the Laser comp 1 and always use the footprint. I find that the groundsheets on backpacking tents aren't up to much as they are light to get the weight down and if pitching on wet ground without a footprint it doesn't take much to get damp areas through the groundsheet when a bit of pressure is applied

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I even managed to get a hole in my Banshee groundsheet. However, I've not suffered so far from water penetration, even camping on a bog. But I'll certainly consider that.

Additional groundsheets/footprints are a personal choice. But definitely not required. Never had damp come through and always check my pitch for stones etc.

If you must have a footprint, look at Tyvek. Cheap, tough and light.

Thanks for the advice. I also always carefully check my pitch, but I did get a hole in my GS due to a large flat stone level with the ground (heaven knows what I was doing in my sleep to cause a hole!). But it repaired easily enough with the Vango repair kit and joint sealant.

[mrssanta]

rather than buying a footprint which can be quite expensive why not use a cheapo roll mat under the groundsheet.
You can get one for as little as a fiver and it can be used under any tent and makes it a bit warmer underneath as well

[basscadet]

Yes I've always thought a footprint unnecessary - I have never used one and seem to get the 500 nights out of tents which I believe is about their life.. I do spray my groundsheet with fabsil universal protector every couple of years to keep it in tip top. I have 2 holes (cigarette burns ) in the groundsheet of our best used tent which I mended with shoogoo - it seems to work brilliantly for that kind of thing.

Bathtub groundsheets - depends on your skill on picking a spot - the flat bits are rarely the best! I make poor choices and find the bathtub essential

[Alteknacker]

rather than buying a footprint which can be quite expensive why not use a cheapo roll mat under the groundsheet.
You can get one for as little as a fiver and it can be used under any tent and makes it a bit warmer underneath as well

That's an interesting idea - I'll give it a try on a light expedition with the grandkids

Yes I've always thought a footprint unnecessary - I have never used one and seem to get the 500 nights out of tents which I believe is about their life.. I do spray my groundsheet with fabsil universal protector every couple of years to keep it in tip top. I have 2 holes (cigarette burns ) in the groundsheet of our best used tent which I mended with shoogoo - it seems to work brilliantly for that kind of thing.

Bathtub groundsheets - depends on your skill on picking a spot - the flat bits are rarely the best! I make poor choices and find the bathtub essential

That's what my instinct tells me also - but then other folk seem OK without... choices, choices...