Debate: My buddy swore a tarp under the tent was a bad idea

So my friend Dave said don't put a tarp under the tent, it traps water. I did it anyway at Willow Creek last weekend. Woke up to a puddle inside my tent floor. He was right. But I've seen people online swear by it. What's the real deal with ground tarps under tents?

2 comments

2 Comments

aaronlee22d ago

Was your tarp sticking out past the tent edges at all? That's usually the trick - you want it tucked under so water runs off onto the ground, not between the tarp and the tent floor.

dakotal1622d ago

Tarp under the tent every time for me. I've woken up with a wet floor twice now from runoff getting trapped between the tarp and tent when it stuck out even a few inches. Folding it so it's completely underneath keeps the ground moisture out without creating that pooling issue.