[philmont] Innies vs Outies Not conviniced yet?

John, if outside is not as good as inside, as you so
carefully and colorfully described, then why is it that
many tent manufacturers make “footprints” (really
a ground cloth) that are specifically made to attach
to the outside of (under) the tent? Why wouldn’t
they make a nice inside “footprint” that could attach
up the sides, bathtub style, with just a little
Velcro? Just wondering. Not doubting your logic. Never
doubt John, even if his Texas flag is an upside down NC
flag. Maybe that’s got something to do with his
upside down tent groudcloth?? ☺

Julian Love
Charlotte, NC
3 weeks to go, counting the days

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  Ah ha! This one is easy to understand. But first a preamble.
   
  I live in SE Texas, home of the eye of Rita and previously Audrey. Not including those rainmakers, we get 53" of rain a year. The only place wetter in the lower 48 is Seattle.
   
  Therefore we have learned the hard way how to stay dry. It is not uncommon to get to a campsite and ALL tent sites soaked. Don't take my advise and shared hard earned lessons, do it the way you feel comfortable with, but for my buck, I want to get a little more bang.
   
  I'm not at all concerned about "protecting" the floor or my tent, nor am I concerned about "protecting" the finish of my hunting rifle or shotgun. All my gear shows tender and loving wear from use. When it's used up, I either repair or replace it.
   
  The reason the tent mfg sell "footprints" is so you get a warm fuzzy feeling that they care about protecting your investment in their tent. Makes you think they care and it sells "more stuff"
   
  Actually, if they gave a damned they would make the floor from material that could "take it". In reality, the reason they don't do that is that they wouldn't have the lightest tent would they? In backpacking tents lightness sells.
   
  Some actually do. For example, the Timberline models from Eureka are available in "outfitter" models which have heavy floors that can take the abuse and stay waterproof.
   
  However, in todays world, lightness is everything and if a backpacking tent isn't light, it won't sell.
   
  And yeah, Philmont would prefer you put a ground cloth UNDER their tents to "protect" them rather than keep you dry. That's simple to understand. The more protection they get, the longer they last and the cheaper your trek costs. Keeping cost down is everything with youth programs.
   
  Think how much it would cost if the Scout footed the entire cost of his share of Philmont expenses? No PhilTower revenue or ranching or oil lease revenue to offset the cost. It would be prohibitively expensive. Therefore, to keep costs down, they protect and therefore make equipment last longer.
   
  And finally what tent manufacturer is going to recommend you put a layer of plastic down inside to keep you dry because the tent floor they sold you will not? That would insinuate that their floor isn't waterproof. When they can advise you to protect the underside of your expensive tent from briars, brambles and sharp rocks?
   
  If you were the sales or aadvertizing guru for them what would you recommend?
   
  Hey, use your tent for what it was designed for, to keep the crawly things out and put a little plastic inside to keep you extra dry and get on with the program.
   
  An added benefit with the inner liner is in the morning, you pull the whole thing out like a giant kitchen drawer and stand up while you pack up your kit and kaboodle with it all layed out in front of you.
   
  Hey, that's cool!
   
  If you still don't like the idea, for heaven sake, don't try it. You will never know the difference and that is called ignorance. Ignorance is bliss and we'll all live happily ever after. Sorry Pholks, I just couldn't help myself!
   
  Seriously, keep an open mind to new and different ideas that sometimes come from unconventional wisdom. You might just be amazed.
   
  John LeBlanc

 
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Received on Wed Jun 6 13:32:45 2007