Telos Lightfoot Footprint: A Step-by-Step Tent Floor Protection Guide
By Sea to Summit | Outdoor Gear To Equip & Inspire | Published: 2026-11-03
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to set up the Telos Lightfoot Footprint to protect your tent floor, enable fly-only pitching, and get the most from this ultralight tent accessory.
Quick answer
Use the Telos Lightfoot Footprint under your Telos TR2 tent to shield the floor from abrasion and moisture, and to enable a fly-only setup when you want to go ultralight. Attach it at the hypalon points, tension it evenly, and always clear the ground first.
Why a footprint is more than a groundsheet
A footprint like the Telos Lightfoot adds a sacrificial layer of 68-denier polyester under your tent's tub floor. That means sharp rocks, pine needles, and rough campsites abrade the footprint instead of the tent floor itself. The waterproof fabric also adds a barrier against ground moisture, which matters on wet or boggy terrain.
Unlike a simple groundsheet, this footprint is shaped to your tent and attaches with circular-bartacked hypalon points. That connection keeps it from shifting and lets you use it as part of a fly-only pitch—a real advantage for ultralight adventures when you leave the inner tent at home.
When to skip the footprint
The Telos Lightfoot Footprint is not mandatory. On soft, clean ground such as forest duff or sand, you can often leave it behind to save weight and bulk. Also, if you always camp on manicured platforms or use a tent with an integrated floor, the extra layer may be unnecessary. The trade-off is straightforward: the footprint adds protection and fly-only versatility but also a few ounces and a bit more packing volume.
How to set up the Telos Lightfoot Footprint step by step
- Clear and inspect the ground: Remove sharp rocks, sticks, and debris from your pitch area. Unfold the footprint and check that the hypalon attachment points are facing up. Skipping this step is the most common cause of punctures—take an extra minute to feel the ground with your hand.
- Attach the footprint to the tent: Clip or loop the hypalon points on the footprint to the corresponding attachment points on your Telos TR2 tent. Make sure all points are connected and the footprint is centered under the tub floor. A misaligned footprint leaves corners exposed; double-check that the footprint edges do not stick out beyond the tent floor.
- Tension evenly: Stake out the tent as you normally would, then adjust the footprint so it lies flat without wrinkles or tight spots. The footprint should be slightly smaller than the tent floor to avoid catching rain. Over-tensioning can stress the hypalon points; aim for a smooth, relaxed fit.
- Pitch the tent or fly-only: For a full setup, pitch the inner tent on top of the footprint as usual. For a fly-only setup, leave the inner tent packed and use the footprint as the ground layer under the fly, securing the fly to the footprint's attachment points. Fly-only pitching works best in dry, bug-free conditions; check that the footprint is fully covered by the fly to keep rain out.
- Pack down and care: Shake off dirt and moisture before folding. Store the footprint dry and loosely folded to avoid permanent creases. Inspect the hypalon points periodically for wear. Packing a wet footprint invites mildew; air-dry it at home before long-term storage.
Product facts
- Telos Lightfoot Footprint: Made of tough, lightweight 68 denier polyester with circular-bartacked hypalon attachment points. The fabric resists abrasion while the reinforced attachment points keep the footprint securely connected to your tent.
Telos Lightfoot Footprint - Telos Lightfoot Footprint: Adds a waterproof fabric layer under the tub floor and allows for an easy Fly Only tent set-up. You get extra protection from wet ground and the option to pitch just the fly for a lighter, faster shelter.
