How do I cut this to fit my tent?

Lay your tent flat on the polycryo sheet and trace the outline, then cut the sheet about one inch smaller than the tent floor on all sides. Keeping the footprint slightly smaller prevents rainwater from pooling between the tent and the ground cloth during storms.

How long does polycryo last compared to regular footprints?

Polycryo typically lasts one season of regular use or longer if you camp on soft surfaces and handle it carefully. Coated nylon footprints can last several seasons. The trade-off is that polycryo weighs far less, so ultralight backpackers replace it more often to maintain the weight advantage.

Can I repair punctures in the polycryo if it tears?

Small punctures can be patched with clear repair tape designed for tent fabrics or even heavy-duty packing tape. Because the material is transparent, you can easily spot damage and patch it before it spreads. Larger tears are harder to repair effectively.

Is this material the same as emergency blankets?

Polycryo film is similar to the material used in emergency space blankets—both are lightweight plastic films. This version is formulated to be biodegradable and is cut in larger sheets specifically for use as tent footprints, whereas emergency blankets are metallized for heat reflection.

Will this footprint work on gravel or rocky ground?

Polycryo can handle packed dirt and occasional small rocks, but it punctures more easily than coated fabrics when used on sharp gravel or rough lava rock. If you frequently camp on very abrasive surfaces, a heavier fabric footprint will be more durable.

Polycryo Tent Footprint

compostable

The 3-second version

Polycryo film weighs far less than coated nylon or polyester footprints
Biodegradable formulation reduces environmental impact at end of life
Transparent material lets you spot punctures and wear before they spread
Shorter lifespan than coated fabric footprints
Punctures easily on sharp rocks or rough terrain
Requires custom cutting to fit your tent

Why it's on GiftsFeed

Ultralight Polycryo Ground Sheet for Backpacking Tents

Most tent footprints use coated fabrics that add four to eight ounces—a meaningful penalty when every ounce counts on a long hike. Polycryo film delivers the same puncture and moisture barrier at a tenth the weight, which matters when you are carrying shelter, sleep system, food, and water on your back for days. The trade is durability: this material will not survive as many trips as silnylon, but for backpackers who prioritize a light pack and choose campsites carefully, the weight savings justify replacing it more often. It is the footprint for people who measure their gear in grams, not in years.

Good gift when

Ultralight backpackers who measure gear in grams
Long-distance hikers managing pack weight over many miles
Campers willing to trade longevity for minimal weight penalty
People who select campsites carefully and avoid abrasive ground

Skip it if This material will not outlast coated nylon footprints. If you camp on gravel, lava rock, or other highly abrasive surfaces frequently, or if you prefer gear that lasts season after season without replacement, a heavier fabric footprint will serve you better.

Specs

Material: Polycryo film (biodegradable)
Brand: Gossamer Gear
Customization: Cut to size by user

If you're giving it

No sizing to guess

Arrives as flat sheet that requires cutting to size before use.

The details

A ground cloth sits between your tent floor and the earth, stopping punctures from twigs, keeping moisture at bay, and preventing abrasion that shortens a shelter's lifespan. Traditional footprints use coated nylon or polyester that adds meaningful weight to your pack. This one uses polycryo film—the same material as emergency space blankets—so it delivers floor protection at a fraction of the mass.

The material is transparent and crinkles when you unfold it, which makes it easy to spot tears or damage before they matter. Because polycryo is so thin, it folds into a package the size of a deck of cards, leaving more room in your pack for the gear that keeps you fed and dry. Gossamer Gear sources a biodegradable formulation, so if the sheet reaches end of life on trail, disposal carries less environmental cost than petroleum-based films.

You cut it to size yourself, tailoring coverage to your tent's exact footprint. Trim it an inch smaller than the tent floor perimeter to prevent water pooling underneath during rain. The film tolerates rocky campsites and packed dirt but will puncture if dragged across sharp edges or set up over broken glass.

This ground cloth works best for backpackers who count grams and accept trade-offs. It will not last as many seasons as silnylon or DCF, but it weighs a tenth as much and costs far less. When weight is the priority and you know how to choose your campsite, polycryo offers floor protection without the usual penalty.

Gossamer Gear

Polycryo Tent Footprint

Biodegradable floor protection that weighs almost nothing and packs smaller than traditional footprints

$13at gossamergear.com

Quantity

Buy from Gossamer Gear

Ships and sold by Gossamer Gear. About this merchant

The 3-second version

Polycryo film weighs far less than coated nylon or polyester footprints
Biodegradable formulation reduces environmental impact at end of life
Transparent material lets you spot punctures and wear before they spread
Shorter lifespan than coated fabric footprints
Punctures easily on sharp rocks or rough terrain
Requires custom cutting to fit your tent

Questions

How do I cut this to fit my tent?: Lay your tent flat on the polycryo sheet and trace the outline, then cut the sheet about one inch smaller than the tent floor on all sides. Keeping the footprint slightly smaller prevents rainwater from pooling between the tent and the ground cloth during storms.
How long does polycryo last compared to regular footprints?: Polycryo typically lasts one season of regular use or longer if you camp on soft surfaces and handle it carefully. Coated nylon footprints can last several seasons. The trade-off is that polycryo weighs far less, so ultralight backpackers replace it more often to maintain the weight advantage.
Can I repair punctures in the polycryo if it tears?: Small punctures can be patched with clear repair tape designed for tent fabrics or even heavy-duty packing tape. Because the material is transparent, you can easily spot damage and patch it before it spreads. Larger tears are harder to repair effectively.
Is this material the same as emergency blankets?: Polycryo film is similar to the material used in emergency space blankets—both are lightweight plastic films. This version is formulated to be biodegradable and is cut in larger sheets specifically for use as tent footprints, whereas emergency blankets are metallized for heat reflection.
Will this footprint work on gravel or rocky ground?: Polycryo can handle packed dirt and occasional small rocks, but it punctures more easily than coated fabrics when used on sharp gravel or rough lava rock. If you frequently camp on very abrasive surfaces, a heavier fabric footprint will be more durable.