Reviewer:

Buck

Rating:

4

Date:

5/19/2012

Review:

To me, if youre spending $300 on a tent its a good decision to spend $40+ on a a good footprint both to protect the tent and keep it clean. This is the first time Ive spent this much on a tent or a footprint and both seem worth the money. Setting up the tent is notably faster with a custom footprint since it clips into the poles and theres no fiddling with having it in just the right spot - its always exactly where it should be, and theres no end of the tent that ends up dirty or wet. The tent is ready to be packed quickly. The footprint comes with a mesh bag that it fits back into easily and allows it to breathe to help prevent mold. Everything fits easily in the Parthenon tent bag and its a heavy tent so youll never notice the extra weight. Additionally, if you ever wanted to pack light you could bring just the footprint, poles and the fly and youd have a usable shelter though not completely weather or bug proof of course. I wouldnt trust the footprint to prevent a puncture if you set it up on something really sharp - theres no substitute for throughly examining your tent site and removing the sharp stuff. It is nice to lay out the footprint before setting up the tent, then roll it back half way, remove sticks and stones, then roll back the other half and finish the job. ACK shipped quickly and had the best price I found, Im happy with the purchase. Im cheap I guess but Im only giving 4 stars because I think the price is still high for what youre getting - its not like theyre using some advanced fiber to make it. Still worth the money to me for the increased speed of set up and take down and the perfect- every-time placement.