A footprint is the area of ground that a tent covers. It’s the exterior shape of your tent and it can be used to determine how much space a tent actually takes up when pitched. The smaller the footprint, the more snugly a tent will fit into that space. A large footprint can signify that a tent is suited for camping in parks or other large camping locations where you might be able to set up your tent relatively far from other campers. A large footprint also means that there’s more headroom inside, so if you plan to use your tent as an extra room in your campervan or trailer, then you might find this useful.
Tents come in all shapes and sizes and have specific footprints depending on their design and intended purpose. Check out our article on choosing the right type of camper van for more information.
Basic Tent Footprint
The footprint for a four-person tent is 65 inches by 65 inches. This means that the area of ground covered by the tent is about 10 feet by 10 feet. If you’re looking to buy a tent, you might find this useful when comparing different tents of the same size.
To learn more about general tent footprints, check out our article on how to choose the right type of camper van.
Dome Tent Footprint
The most common type of footprint is the dome tent. These types of tents have a circular shape and are very popular as they provide an airy interior, can be pitched up high, and are very easy to transport. A large dome footprint means that you’ll be able to fit more people in your tent, so it might be worth looking into if you plan on hosting a lot of guests or your trip will involve lots of people. If you need a tent with headroom inside, then this is also good news.
Hexagonal Tent Footprint
The hexagonal footprint of a tent is a popular choice for caravans, camper vans and trailers. It’s not just a less-than-ideal option in public camping locations where space is limited. It’s also not the smallest footprint available, but it is still smaller than many other larger footprints on offer. For example, you could use this footprint if you have a large living area that doesn’t need as much headroom as other footprints might provide.
Rectangular Tent Footprint
The first type of footprint is the rectangular footprint. This has two measurements on it, which are length and width. The length is measured from one end of the tent to the other and the width is measured from one side of the tent to the other. A rectangular footprint can be used for any kind of camping, be it car camping in a camper van or backpacking outdoors.
Square Tent Footprint
A square footprint is a good option for those who want a lot of headroom inside their tent. They’re also best suited to families who want as much living space as possible.
The larger the footprint, the more space there will be between the ground and the top of your tent. This means that if you have extra items, like backpacks or bags, you should keep them at a safe distance from the side of your tent or attached to it in some way so they don’t get caught in any openings when wind fills your tent up.
What’s the difference between a tent and a shelter?
A shelter is a building or a structure used to provide temporary or permanent protection against the elements. This can include tents, caravans, and even some houses. A tent is just one type of shelter, and it’s generally smaller in size. It serves as an area for you and your family to sleep.
A tent is something that you pitch on the ground in order to create temporary cover from the elements. They might be used for camping or hiking purposes, but they’re also often found in shelters where there are severe weather conditions such as cold or wet weather.
Pitched Roof Tent Footprint
A pitched roof tent footprint is the area of ground that a pitched roof tent covers. If you’re looking for a lightweight option, this is the footprint to consider.
If you don’t need a lot of headroom or if you want to be able to pitch your tent relatively close to other campers, then choose a smaller tent with a smaller footprint and narrow walls.
Tented Room Footprint
A tented room footprint is the area of ground that a tented room covers. It is the exterior shape of your tent and can be used to determine how much space a tented room takes up when pitched. The smaller the footprint, the more snugly a tented room will fit into that space. A large footprint can signify that a tented room is suited for camping in parks or other large settings where you might be able to set up your tented room relatively far from other campers. A large footprint also means there’s more headroom inside, so if you plan to use your tent as an extra room in your campervan or trailer, then you might find this useful.
Tents come in all shapes and sizes and have specific footprints depending on their design and intended purpose. Check out our article on choosing the right type of camper van for more information.
Conclusion
Tent footprints are a good way to figure out what size of tent your camping trip is going to need. They are also a good way to figure out the type of roof your tent will require.
The shape and size of the footprint is determined by the number of columns and rows.
FAQ’s
What determines a tent’s footprint?
The footprint of a tent is one of the most important factors when choosing a new tent. A large footprint can signify that the tent is suited for camping in large, public spaces, where you’re likely to spend more time walking in between your campsites. A small footprint can be more space efficient for backpacking in smaller areas. Even though it seems like a lot of information to take in, understanding the size and shape of a tent’s footprint can help you choose the best fit for your needs.
Why is a large footprint a good thing?
A large footprint means you can fit more people in your tent, which is a good thing. A large footprint also allows you to fit more stuff inside your tent, which is a good thing as well.
A large footprint can also signify that the tent is designed for difficult terrain, like sand or ice. On grassy areas or flat ground, a big tent is probably easier to set up than a small tent because all the poles fit more inside. A big tent doesn’t take up much room in the back of your car either.
A large footprint can also be a disadvantage if you’re camping in an area with tight space restrictions. For instance, camp sites with smaller individual fire rings might only allow for tents that have small footprints or tents that are square and taller than wide.
How do you determine the size of a tent’s footprint?
The best way to know the footprint of a tent is to measure it yourself. You can find the length and width of a tent on the product page. You can then use the formula below to calculate the square footage:
Length x Width x (sqare footage/144).
The square footage is calculated by dividing the length and width by 144, which is the measurement of a square foot. You can use this formula to calculate the footprint size of any tent you want. The smaller the footprint, the more snugly your tent will fit into that space. Ultimately, you want a tent that fits as tightly or snugly as possible in your desired space, but you also want to make sure that it’s not so small that it’s uncomfortable or difficult to set up.
