Do You Really Need a Footprint Under Your Tent?

Quick answer

You do not need a footprint to stay dry—NEMO tent floors are already impenetrable to water. You need one when you camp on gravel, sharp rocks, or other abrasive surfaces that can wear through the floor over time. If your trips are mostly on soft forest duff or established tent pads, you can safely leave it at home.

The waterproofing myth

The most common reason people buy a footprint is to keep water from seeping up through the tent floor. That reasoning is backwards for NEMO tents. NEMO floors are already impenetrable to water, so a footprint adds no meaningful waterproofing. The real job of a footprint is to sit between your tent floor and the ground, taking the abrasion from rough surfaces so the floor does not have to.

When a footprint earns its weight

Camping on gravel, sharp rocks, or compacted dirt with embedded debris is where a footprint pays off. These surfaces act like sandpaper on a tent floor, and over many nights they can wear through the coating or fabric. A footprint made of durable material like 75D PU polyester stands up to that abuse and adds longevity to your tent. If you frequently camp in desert, alpine, or rocky terrain, the extra few ounces are a reasonable trade for extending the life of your shelter.

When you can skip it

On soft forest duff, grassy meadows, or established tent pads, the ground is already forgiving. A footprint adds weight and bulk for little benefit in those conditions. Ultralight backpackers who count every ounce often leave the footprint at home when they know the terrain is gentle. If you are unsure, check the ground where you plan to pitch—if you would not hesitate to kneel on it in shorts, your tent floor can probably handle it too.

How to choose and use one

Match the footprint to your tent model. A footprint that is too large will stick out beyond the tent edges and collect rainwater, which can pool under the floor. A footprint that is too small leaves exposed floor edges vulnerable. The Kunai footprint is designed for specific NEMO tents and packs small in an included breathable mesh pouch, so it is easy to bring only when you expect rough ground. Set it down first, then pitch your tent on top, making sure no footprint material extends past the tent walls.

Footprint verdicts

• You need a footprint for waterproofing: NEMO floors are already impenetrable to water, so a footprint does not add waterproofing. Its purpose is to protect the floor from abrasion. Verdict: Myth. Skip the footprint if dryness is your only concern.
• A footprint extends tent floor life on rough ground: On gravel, sharp rocks, or compacted dirt, a durable footprint like the Kunai takes the wear instead of your tent floor. Verdict: True. Worth the weight for rocky or abrasive terrain.
• You always need a footprint, no matter where you camp: On soft duff, grass, or established pads, the ground is gentle enough that a footprint adds weight with little benefit. Verdict: False. Leave it home when the ground is forgiving.

Footprint facts that matter

• Kunai™ Footprint: The Kunai footprint is not for waterproofness; NEMO floors already are impenetrable to water. Rather, it protects your tent floor when camping on rough surfaces, adding longevity to your tent. This confirms the footprint's real role: abrasion protection, not waterproofing. If you already stay dry, you are not missing anything by leaving it home on soft ground.
• Kunai™ Footprint: Made of 75D PU polyester, it stands up to gravelly and sharp surfaces that can take a toll on your tent. The durable fabric is what absorbs the wear instead of your tent floor. That is the tradeoff: a few extra ounces for a longer-lasting floor.
• Kunai™ Footprint: It packs small in an included breathable mesh pouch. Storage is simple and the pouch keeps the footprint contained, so you can decide trip by trip whether to bring it.