One of the most difficult things, when you are out there camping is keeping your tent clean. I don’t mean keeping it only clean from dirt or dust. You have to make sure the tent floor is waterproof in instances of sudden rain.
The best way to counter that issue is to use the best ground cloth for tents. Having ground cloth is super important when you are camping. Because if there is rain or the surfaces are wet wherever you decide to camp, you can’t sleep without the ground cloth. Sure, it’s okay to stand or sit, but it’s impossible to sleep with a wet surface.
Although, you don’t have to worry too much. Because I have this list of high-quality ground cloths that you can get for your tent, just dive into it and find the most suitable pick for your needs.
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Our Top Pick: Features Comparison Table
Running out of time?
Well, here are some of the top choices from the list I have prepared. You can take a look at them if you are in a hurry.
| Model | Purpose | Features | Dimension | Weight |
| Amazon Basics Waterproof Camping Tarp | Best overall | Value for money Waterproof Multi-purpose | 15.91 x 13.46 x 2.28 | 2.4lbs |
| TETON Sports Mesa Tarp Footprint | Best for larger tents | Spacious Easy to store Durable | 17 x 5 x 5 | 4lbs |
| REDCAMP Waterproof Camping Tarp | Best lightweight tarp | Ultralight Durable Easy to clean | 11.14 x 7.13 x 2.95 | 1lbs |
| DANCHEL Waterproof Yurt Tent Footprint | Best for round tent | Lightweight Great waterproofing No modifications needed | 20.25 x 14 x 0.5 | 2.2lbs |
| Equinox Egret Tarps | Best for size variants | Offers a lot of sizes Reasonable pricing Good durability | 10.6 x 10 x 1.4 | 0.7lbs |
| CAMPMOON Waterproof Camping Tarps | Best for tent material | Multipurpose Value for money Portable | 10.28 x 8.15 x 3.46 | 1lbs |
| Outry Waterproof Multi-Purpose Tarp | Best for serving multi-purpose | Serves a lot of purposes Easy to use Lightweight | 8.78 x 5.71 x 2.36 | 0.8lbs |
Now, if you are still wondering whether you should get one of these or not, then I would say, get dive into the review and check them out in-depth.
Buying Guide For The Best Ground Cloth For Tent
Before you go ahead and start exploring the options, I think knowing about the best tent groundsheet can help out a lot. You need to worry about several things when you are buying a ground tarp.
Here, I will go through some factors you should consider whenever you buy a ground cloth for your camping tent. So, let’s get on with the factors that you need to consider.
- Size
The size is the most obvious factor to consider when buying a camping tent. You have to think about the size of the cloth covering the whole floor of your tent. So, the size will mostly depend on the size of your tent.
You can also go a bit larger than the tent. But if you go shorter than the size of the tent you have, then you just end up with a useless camping tent ground cover. So, make sure you are getting the proper size for your tent.
- Durability
When it’s about the tent floor, you have to get something that’s durable. Something that’s resistant to abrasion or tears and cuts is crucial. Because in the wild, wherever you decide to camp, there will be some rough areas. So, without a durable ground cloth, you are simply spending money on nothing at all.
- Waterproofing
While durability helps the ground cloth last longer, waterproofing capability gives it the core feature you need. Imagine this, you have a ground cloth for your backpacking tent, but it’s not waterproof.
So, the floor will still get wet when you are dealing with wet areas, or maybe it’s raining wherever you are camping. And, I don’t think you would want to sleep on a wet floor at all. Having a waterproof ground cloth is very much essential to get value out of it.
- Weight
Now, weight is also very important. Yes, it doesn’t affect the performance or functionality of the ground cloth. But it has a lot of impact on the ease of carrying factor. You don’t want to carry a heavy ground cloth along with you in your backpack for the whole trip.
Especially when you are hiking or trekking, carrying a heavy ground cloth can be very difficult. So, most of the time, you will need a ground cloth that’s not too heavy. It makes carrying the ground cloth along with you much easier.
Best ground cloth for a tent doesn’t come easy, let me tell you that. You will have to go a bit in-depth for each option and see whether they fulfill these factors or not. Otherwise, you just get a mediocre choice that doesn’t serve all the purpose you may have from the ground cloth.
Top 7 Best Ground Cloth For Tent
Let’s get on straight with the choices so you can find out which one suits your needs the best.
01. Amazon Basics Waterproof Camping Tarp: Best Overall Tarp Tent
Whether it’s the price, the quality, or the durability, this is one of the best ground cloths you can get overall. It’s just a perfect pick considering all the factors but not overwhelming at all.
Waterproof
The first thing to love about this one is that it’s waterproof. So, you can rest assured whenever you are sleeping in your tent with this as your floor, even in wet or rainy areas.
Serves Multiple Purposes
The primary use of this ground cloth is simple; you just use it under your tent to get proper flooring. But other than that, you can also use the cloth to cover your items from dust and dirt when you are out there camping.
Pros
- The ground cloth is very much durable and rugged
- It’s perfect for waterproofing the floor surface of the tent
- The cloth serves multiple purposes
- Holds up well against rain and sun
- It’s value for money
Cons
- A bit heavy to carry around
- Not many varieties for sizes or colors
02. Danchel Waterproof Yurt Tent Footprint: Best Tent Groundsheet For Round Tent
Do you happen to have around the tent for camping? If that’s the case, then this is the perfect ground cloth for you. Why go through the process of cutting a floor to match the shape when you have it prepared already?
Lightweight To Carry
No need to worry about carrying your camping tent footprint wherever you go. This is a very lightweight cloth that you can easily carry on your backpack without any trouble.
Protection From Water
Another essential feature that makes it a great option is its waterproofing capability. Once you lay this one under your tent, you don’t have to worry about any water entering the tent from any end.
Pros
- The cloth is very lightweight
- You get great waterproofing from this
- It’s easy to cleanup
- No need to modify for around tents
- High quality for better durability
Cons
- Can be a bit expensive
- Not suitable for every tent
03. Teton Sports Mesa Tarp Footprint: Best Ground Tarp For Camping In Groups
When you are in a large group, you need to cover a lot of space while keeping it rough. This is the perfect tarp footprint for that purpose. It’s quite large so that it can cover up a group tent with ease.
Protection On The Floor
With this tarp footprint, you just end up with one of the best protections on the floor of your tent. Whether it’s about wear and tear or any kind of abrasion or scratches, it stays protected from everything.
Easy To Store
You won’t have too much trouble storing this ground cloth at all. It’s very easy to fold and store in your baggage. Even with the large dimension, it doesn’t get bulky, making it easy to store.
Pros
- The ground cloth is waterproof
- It’s very easy to store
- You can use this for group tents
- Provides great durability
- Comes with a storage bag
Cons
- It can be a bit heavy to carry around
- It can be difficult to handle at times
04. Equinox Egret Tarps: Best Camping Ground Cloth For Variety In Sizes
If you are searching for ground cloths in different sizes, this is the one you should check out. They have plenty of size choices; I am sure one of them will undoubtedly meet your needs.
Lightweight And Portable
Aside from the size factor, there is the factor of portability that makes these a great choice. These ground cloths are super lightweight, so you can easily carry them wherever you go.
Great For Durability
The material quality of this ground cloth is just impressive. You can expect good durability coming from this with the brass grommets all around the cloth. And the material is ripstop nylon.
Pros
- This ground cloth is very lightweight
- There are plenty of size varieties
- It provides good durability
- The prices are reasonable
- You get good waterproofing from them
Cons
- The width can be a bit mismatching
- The wetness can creep a little by little
05. Campmoon Waterproof Camping Tarps: The Best Material For Tent Ground Cloth
Are you looking for a quality camping tarp with top-notch material? Then, this can be it for you. It’s a polyester material that provides almost all the qualities you desire from a ground cloth for tents.
Multipurpose Of Camping Tarp
Well, you don’t always have to use the tarp as your tent flooring. Sometimes you can use the tarp footprint as a shade to protect yourself from the sun at times. Or you can even cover things up using the footprint.
Value For Money
The best part of this camping tarp is its pricing. I won’t say it’s the most affordable option, but considering the quality you get from this, it’s surely a value for money option to get.
Pros
- This is a multipurpose ground cloth
- It’s very lightweight and portable
- The value for money aspect is impressive
- You get good durability from the ground cloth
- Plenty of size choices
Cons
- Dimensions can seem a bit wrong
- Doesn’t come with stakes
06. Redcamp Waterproof Camping Tarp: Best Ultralight Ground Cloth
Don’t like carrying a heavy burden? Well, then this is the perfect ground cloth for your needs. This camping tarp is very lightweight, and you won’t have any trouble carrying this to your baggage.
Different Size Options
A great thing about this camping tarp is that it allows you to choose from different size options. You can easily select one of the options that suit your requirements for the sizes.
Durable And Waterproof
Whether it’s the durability or the waterproofing, this ground cloth satisfies you from all ends. You will never have any issues with the durability of this ground cloth. It doesn’t tear or wear easily, so it lasts for a long time.
Pros
- The tarp is super lightweight
- It’s very easy to clean
- The durability is quite impressive
- It’s waterproof with PU1000mm
- There are so many sizes
Cons
- Debris and straw can be very troublesome
- Choosing the right size can be tricky
07. Outry Waterproof Multi-Purpose Tarp: Best Tent Ground Cloth For A Canvas Cabin Tent With Multipurpose
Looking to get a tent that serves a lot of purposes? Then, I think this is the one that satisfies all your needs for the most part. You get a lot of purposes fulfilled with this one.
Durable And Sturdy
If it’s about a multipurpose tarp, it’s important to have the durability factor in it. If it has to deliver several different purposes, it needs to have that rugged construction or build for better durability.
Lightweight And Easy To Use
A great thing about this ground cloth is the fact that it’s very easy to use and handle because of its lightweight. At the same time, you don’t have to worry about going through much trouble while carrying this ground cloth on your backpack.
Pros
- This is very durable
- You can easily use the tarp
- The tarp is lightweight
- It serves a lot of purposes
- It’s a value for money option
Cons
- The grommets could have been better in quality
FAQ About Ground Cloth For Tent
Here are some commonly asked questions that you get to see regarding the best ground cloth for the tent –
What Is A Ground Cloth For A Tent?
As you may already know, not every tent will have a floor underneath. So, when you go out there camping in your tent, you will need a flooring system. A ground cloth is essentially a flooring that protects your tent from the surface.
Should You Put A Tarp Under A Tent?
Well, in truth, it’s not mandatory or essential to put a tarp under your tent. You can go about using your tent without one. But to keep your tent safe from moisture and wear and tear, a tarp can help out a lot.
Which Type Of Ground Cloth Is The Best?
Two choices come out on top when it comes to the best ground cloths for tents. They are polycryo ground cloth and Tyvek ground cloth. Both these are industrial plastic types that make the best material for a ground cloth.
How Much Does A Small One Cost, And What Does It Include?
Typically, small ground cloth for a tent can cost from somewhere around $20 to $50 depending on the quality and the brand. A good quality ground cloth will have waterproofing and resistance against different conditions like abrasion, wear and tear, etc.
How Much Does A Large One Cost, And What Does It Include?
Large ground cloth for a tent can go from somewhere around $40 to $150 based on the size, quality, and brand you are choosing. They are mostly waterproof, come with a storage bag, and tend to have stakes included.
Is It Better To Buy One Big Ground Cloth Or Two Smaller Ones, And How Do I Know Which Size Is Right For Me?
Usually, it’s better to buy great ground cloth instead of two. With a bigger one, you will have options to modify it later on. The best way to decide on which size is right for your case is to look at your tent. Measure the bottom part of your tent, and then choose a ground cloth 2 inches smaller than that.
How Do I Make Ground Cloth
To get the best DIY ground cloth for a tent, you will need to look for landscape fabric material. There are kits from Polycryo and Tyvek that allow you to make your ground cloth. You can simply get them online. Then, measure them out and cut the pieces. Attach some grommets accordingly and sew the seams. That’s pretty much the basic process of making a ground cloth for your tent.
Conclusion
If I had to sum things up, I would say the best ground cloth for a tent can be pretty challenging to pick. You will need to spend some time going through the different options and see which one suits your needs the best.
Still, if you are struggling to choose one, then I would say the Amazon Basics Waterproof Camping Tarp is a great pick overall. It’s reliable and reasonably priced. So, you don’t struggle too much-getting value out of this ground cloth at the end of the day.
Other than that, you can still go with any one of the options I listed above. None of them will disappoint you. It’s just the fact of personal preferences that will differ the choices.
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