Warning: REI tent footprint delaminated after 2 rainy trips

I bought the footprint for my Half Dome SL 2 back in March because I figured it would protect the tent floor. After only two trips in the Olympics near Port Angeles the coating started peeling off in big sticky sheets. The tent itself was fine but now I'm wondering if I should just use a cheap tarp next time instead of spending $60 on a brand name footprint. Anyone else had their REI accessories fall apart way faster than expected? What do you use under your tent that actually lasts?

2 comments

2 Comments

butler.mark1mo ago

Damn that sucks man, I feel your pain. I had the EXACT same thing happen with my REI Trailmade tent footprint after just a few trips in the Cascades, the coating turned into sticky goo that got all over my tent floor. I switched to a cheap polycro groundsheet from Gossamer Gear and it's been bulletproof for like two years now, plus it weighs nothing. Sometimes the brand name stuff just isn't worth it when a tarp or polycro does the same job for way less.

vals381mo ago

I ran a dry rotted polycro sheet in the Sierras for about six weeks and it shredded out on me after the second week. The stuff is light sure but it doesn't hold up to repeated use on rocky ground, especially if you cowboy camp a lot. A proper footprint with thick coated fabric might cost more but it'll last years instead of months. I'd rather pay once and forget about it than swap out cheap groundsheets every season.