Your tent is only as solid as the accessories you pair with it. A well-chosen footprint, a handful of dependable stakes, and properly set guylines will protect your shelter and improve how it performs in wind and weather. This guide looks at those three essentials, then covers the repair, organization, and cleaning extras that make tent camping easier. If you are still researching shelters, the overview of tents and shelters explains how floors, flies and poles fit together.
Footprints: Protect the Floor
Tent floors take a beating. Abrasive dirt, small rocks, and the occasional root can wear through the floor after only a few trips. A footprint is a protective ground cloth that sits between the tent floor and the soil. It is the cheapest insurance you can buy for a tent, and it also makes the floor easier to clean before you pack up.
Sizing a Footprint
Many tents are sold with a footprint that matches the floor outline, but you are often better off with one that is slightly smaller than the floor. If the footprint is cut to the exact floor size, rain can collect between the footprint and the tent floor and soak through. A footprint that sits a little inside the tent edge lets water run off and keeps the seam between the floor and fly clear.
Material and Fit
Footprints are typically made of coated polyester or nylon. Some are designed to clip into the same pole sleeves as the tent, while others are simple independent ground cloths. If your tent maker offers a matching footprint, it will line up with the corners and clip points. If not, a universal cloth can work as long as you trim it to the right shape. Pitch the tent once, mark where the corners fall, and cut the footprint slightly inside that line.
For more help choosing a tent that will suit your campsite, the car camping tent buying guide walks through size, layout and floor considerations.
Stakes: Ground Truth
The stakes that come with many tents are basic, and they work fine in soft soil. But a trip to the mountains, the beach, or a hard-packed campsite will test them. Upgraded stakes give you more holding power and are easier to pull out at the end of the trip.
Aluminum Stakes
Aluminum stakes are popular because they are lightweight and strong. Y-shaped or V-shaped aluminum stakes grip well in normal soil and are easy to drive in with a mallet or a boot. If you carry your tent any distance from the car, aluminum is a good balance of weight and holding power.
Steel Stakes
Steel stakes are heavier but very durable, and they drive cleanly into hard, rocky ground. You will see steel stakes in the hands of car campers and in campgrounds where the soil is compact. Their main drawback is weight, and they can bend if you hit a rock at the wrong angle.
Plastic and Sand Stakes
Plastic stakes work in soft, loose soil and are easy to push in, but they can break in hard ground. For sand or snow, look for wide, flat stakes with holes or ridges that help them hold in loose material. Some are angled to resist pullout under strong wind.
| Stake type | Best ground | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Normal soil, most car campgrounds | Lightweight, strong, angled or notched shape |
| Steel | Hard, rocky, compacted ground | Sturdy, heavier, thick tip |
| Plastic | Soft soil, loose campsites | Cheap, easy to push in, can snap |
| Sand or snow | Beach, dune, snow | Wide surface, grip ridges, long enough to anchor |
Before you buy, check the stakes that came with your tent and think about the ground you often camp on. If you need extras, pick up tent stakes with the right tip shape and length for your usual campsites.
Guylines and Tensioners
Guylines hold the tent body and rainfly to the ground away from the main stake line. They help preserve the shape of the tent and keep the fly pulling outward on breezy nights. Many tents have factory guylines, but they are often short, thin, and hard to see.
Reflective Cord
Reflective guyline cord is a simple upgrade. It catches your headlamp beam at night, so no one trips over a line running across the campsite. It also tends to have less stretch than basic cord, which helps the tent stay taut through changing conditions. If your tent’s factory cords are short or hard to see, swapping in guyline cord makes dusk setup easier.
Tensioners and Knots
Tensioners are small plastic or metal glides that lock the cord at the length you choose. They let you adjust the guyline without retying knots. If your tent does not have tensioners, you can add them to existing guylines or learn a simple sliding friction knot. The key is to angle the line away from the tent so it pulls against the wind rather than flapping against the fly.
Repair Kit Basics
Tents can tear, poles can snap, and seams can leak. A small repair kit takes little space but can keep your shelter dry for the rest of a trip. Keep it in the car or inside your tent bag so you actually have it when you need it.
Pole Splint
A pole splint is a short sleeve or clamp that fits over a broken pole section. To use it, slide the splint over the break, then wrap the section tightly with repair tape. Carry a small tube of glue or a roll of tape that works with the splint until you can replace the pole.
Fabric Patches
Patches repair punctures and rips in the tent body or floor. Most patch kits come with adhesive-backed fabric that you cut to size. Clean the damaged area, dry it, and press the patch firmly over the hole. For a floor tear, patch both sides if you can reach the outside.
Seam Sealer
Seam sealer is a liquid or paste that you brush over factory stitching to keep water from seeping through needle holes. It is most useful on floor edges, corners, and around the rainfly. Work in a ventilated area, apply it according to the product instructions, and let it dry completely before packing the tent.
Gear Lofts and Organizers
A gear loft is a storage shelf that hangs from the tent ceiling, usually from a loop or clip at the peak. It gives you a place for glasses, a headlamp, and small items that you do not want on the floor. If your tent lacks a loft, look for a mesh organizer with hooks that clip over a pole or loop.
Some tents have built-in pockets along the walls, but a free-standing loft or organizer adds more storage. Keep heavier items low and store anything sharp away from the mesh. Do not hang a loft so low that it blocks the vent opening or rubs against the rainfly.
Tent Brooms, Drying and Storage
Your tent will last longer if you keep the floor free of grit and store it dry. A small, soft-bristled tent broom is useful for brushing out sand, pine needles, and crumbs before you break camp. A stiff brush can damage the floor or abrade the fabric coating, so choose one made for tents or a clean house broom with soft bristles.
At the end of a trip, set the tent up in the backyard or drape the fly and body over a line until they are completely dry. Even a small amount of moisture can lead to mildew when the tent is rolled into its stuff sack. Wipe down the poles and knock dirt off the stakes before you store everything together.
Common Buying Mistakes
Buying accessories without thinking about your tent and campsite is the easiest way to waste money. These are the mistakes to avoid.
- Assuming the footprint should match the floor exactly. A slightly smaller footprint is often the better choice.
- Choosing stakes only by their finish or color. The ground at your regular campgrounds matters more.
- Leaving guylines too long. Long lines are fine in open space, but they become trip hazards in a busy campsite.
- Skipping the repair kit because it seems unnecessary. A simple kit takes little space and can save a trip.
- Storing a tent without drying it. Mildew will ruin the fabric faster than normal wear.
- Buying a gear loft that is too large for your tent. Check the pole spacing and ceiling layout first.
FAQ
Do I really need a footprint?
A footprint adds a thin layer of protection under the floor, and it is especially useful on gravel and sandy campsites. As long as it is slightly smaller than the tent floor, it will not trap water. If you camp only on well-maintained grass, a footprint is less essential, but it still keeps the floor clean.
How many stakes should I carry?
That depends on your tent and the conditions. Count the main stake loops, corners, and any guying points that use stakes, then add a few extras. If the ground is hard or soft, you may need different stake lengths for different parts of the camp.
Can I use any cord for guylines?
You can use a strong synthetic cord, but reflective line is the easiest to work with at night. Check that the diameter fits your existing tensioners or that you can add new tensioners. Avoid stretchy cord, which will let the fly move in the wind.
Footprints, stakes, and guylines do the fundamental job of keeping your tent anchored and protected. Add a compact repair kit, a way to organize small gear, and a soft broom for cleanup, and you have an accessory kit that serves you on nearly every trip. For a broader rundown of useful pieces, browse the tent accessories guide and choose based on your tent, your campgrounds, and the weather you expect.
