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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Innie or Outie?
 
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GopherAdventure
11/16/2020 04:02PM
 
A1t2o: "Flashback: "What Grandma L said:



Outie protects tent from abrasion.
Innie protects me.
Same, even with outfitter tents.



BOB"




I thought the innie protects the tent from me, not me from moisture.



On the topic though, how do you hold the innie in place? I feel like the 2 layers would slide easily and I would wake up in the middle of the night on the downhill side of the tent if the ground wasn't perfectly flat."



Your gear holds the innie in place. I’ve never had it slide around on me (even on a slope) and I’ve been using an innie for 10 years. You’d be surprised at how little it moves. Make sure you have some plastic going up the sides of the tent as well (I usually cut it about 4 inches longer on all four sides). Its opposite of an outie in that regard. Works great. Both innies and outies work well, I’ve used both with success. It’s funny though, some people have really strong feelings about this debate. I told an outfitter once that I use an innie and he just said, “you’re crazy, don’t ever do that”. I think outfitters tend to lean towards outies because they protect the tent floor better and that makes outfitter’s rental tents last longer. The main reason I started using an innie was because tent manufacturers charge like $50 extra for footprints and a whole roll of 4 mm plastic costs me like $20. Now I’m set for life as I can cut new innie’s for all of my tents for the next 20 years.


Tony



 
andym
11/16/2020 05:56PM
 
The innie protects you from moisture that may force through the floor of the tent under the pressure of lying on it. I have had some issues with sliding but have a tent with a rather slippery floor. You can address that with some lines of silicone sealer applied to the bottom of the innie and allowed to dry. That gives you a little grip between the layers.
 
gutmon
01/23/2012 06:10PM
 
Got to keep this topic alive...
Outie here.
 
Savage Voyageur
01/23/2012 06:15PM
 
Outie here
 
maxxbhp
01/23/2012 07:22PM
 
quote dprochef: "quote gutmon: "Got to keep this topic alive...
Outie here."




???????????????



please explain, I have too many distasteful thoughts running through my head as far as what this topic really is about. :)"
If you're not jokin', there's always been a good natured major debate about whether the best tent floor protection is something under the floor or something ON the floor. Innie/Outie. If you ARE joking, I apologize, I hate it when I get that. BTW I started outie, switched to both
 
kanoes
01/23/2012 07:31PM
 
quote Greenman: "What if you use a hammock? Would that make mine a "hanger"?"
it would be a floatie.
 
schweady
01/23/2012 09:06PM
 
Either outie or -- gasp! -- neither. (aka commando)

 
hwdhusky
01/23/2012 11:48PM
 
Hanger/floatie
 
Basspro69
01/24/2012 07:05AM
 
quote Corsair: "quote Basspro69: "So what do you guys think about guitars and guns in the bwca I think they should be outie :-)"



Guitars is my thread you thief! :P


Anyway out.



"
LOL :-)
 
PortageKeeper
01/24/2012 07:12AM
 
Outie... unless I bring bottle rockets... then both.
 
northallen
01/24/2012 07:38AM
 
Both.
Got a Nemo Losi for Fathers day last year, and added the Nemo Footprint (outie) and Pawprint (innie) myself. The whole system snaps together in a pretty slick fashion. I slide my sleeping pad under the fleecey Pawprint - sooooo comfy.



 
nojobro
01/24/2012 08:07AM
 
Innie!!!


Though I bought a Taj 3 last summer, and then later bought the footprint because it was a deal...and I don't have an innie for it yet...
 
strom2127
01/24/2012 02:48AM
 
floatie here!! However, I just purchased a tent last fall for my future trips with my young son who I know won't be keen on sleeping alone. I haven't purchased a footprint yet, but will be a future acquisition. oh how I'll miss my hammock for awhile!!
 
GopherAdventure
11/16/2020 09:55PM
 
andym: "The innie protects you from moisture that may force through the floor of the tent under the pressure of lying on it. I have had some issues with sliding but have a tent with a rather slippery floor. You can address that with some lines of silicone sealer applied to the bottom of the innie and allowed to dry. That gives you a little grip between the layers."


I like that idea! Thanks for sharing Andy.


Tony
 
GraniteCliffs
11/16/2020 10:35PM
 
As a kid I remember canvas tents with no floor.
Now I utilize both, using plastic on the inside extending up every wall 4-5 inches. Fail safe.
 
Soledad
01/24/2012 09:59AM
 
You silly people and your tent floors!
 
removedmember1
01/24/2012 10:59AM
 
quote Greenman: "What if you use a hammock? Would that make mine a "hanger"?" I just realized, hammockers have a choice between innie and outie too. Pad inside or underquilt outside. In that case I'm an outie.
 
LarryS48
11/16/2020 11:23PM
 
Bothie


I use to be an el cheap outie. I'd bring a cheap blue trap a little larger than my tent and fold the excess under the tent. This worked fine for many years. However, in the spring of 2019, I started getting water between the trap and the floor. It went right through the floor of my more than 20 year old tent. Since it was cold being just after ice-out in Quetico, this was really bad. I took another blue tarp that I'd brought to actually be used as a tarp and converted to an innie for the rest of the trip. Worked great.


This year I got a new tent and the footprint for it. Being impressed with how well the trap innie had worked, I also cut an innie for the new tent out of a mattress bag. With COVID this year, I've only done overnighters and only go when it won't rain. So, it hasn't really been tested, but I am very confident I'll stay dry and my new tent floor will be protected inside and out. The plastic from the mattress bag is pretty thick. Maybe heavier than nessary but I won't be ripping for many a year.
 
Divainthewild
01/24/2012 11:59AM
 
I gotta use both because for some dumb reason, I put the footprint on backwards at least 1/2 the time and when I do that, it rains. If I put the footprint on backwards and it rains, then I get wet. So...rather than marking the footprint and tent so it doesn't happen again, I'll just use the innie for extra protection from my dumb footprint decisions.
 
pswith5
01/24/2012 04:30PM
 
Both here too. Like has been pointed out, the extar weight is worth it.
 
Freddy
01/24/2012 04:49PM
 
Extra weight! Don't need them.
 
Grandma L
11/17/2020 12:52PM
 
GraniteCliffs: "As a kid I remember canvas tents with no floor.
Now I utilize both, using plastic on the inside extending up every wall 4-5 inches. Fail safe. "

Granite,
Canvas tents - yup, that was my younger years too! Then came the Barnard tents that had a floor and weighed a ton. When Timberline tents came out - we thought they were the best new invention ever. What a difference just a "few" years makes!
 
Bwoods
01/24/2012 03:08PM
 
I have done both since reading these debates on here. Haven't experienced enough bad weather (lot's of good luck last year)yet to make a final judgement. So both for now.


NO gun, NO guitar, but do what you want as long as you don't mess with my trip.
 
Lymphocytosis
01/24/2012 03:16PM
 
On the ground, both.


In the hammock, I'm fortunate enough to have an underquilt.
 
bapabear
01/24/2012 04:49PM
 
Started outie. Now am bothie.
 
hwdhusky
01/24/2012 05:24PM
 
Hammock but neither a pad or under quilt. So I guess I am a neither.
 
fishguts
01/23/2012 10:21PM
 
Neither. (aka commando)Naked.....rely on oufitters tent being newish and never had a problem.....I go to Quetico where guns are not allowed......guitars//??//Please! put a few more portages between you and the entry point.



 
Grandma L
01/24/2012 09:46AM
 
Who cares - as long as I stay dry.
 
buz
01/24/2012 08:26AM
 
Commando, good one :-)


Innie all the way, never been wet, so keepin' on keepin' on with the innies.
 
mocha
01/28/2012 04:32PM
 
outie, including under the vestibules.
 
Minnesotian
01/24/2012 07:54AM
 
Innie.
 
serenityseeker
01/23/2012 10:46PM
 
quote OBX2Kayak: "quote gutmon: "Got to keep this topic alive...
Outie here."




Adam just archived all this stuff. Now, you start it again????
You are a trouble maker! :-)"



I agree. Trouble Maker!
 
Basspro69
01/23/2012 09:09PM
 
So what do you guys think about guitars and guns in the bwca I think they should be outie :-)
 
jrlatt
01/24/2012 08:24PM
 
I have traditionally always been an outie. Then I read Cliff's book. He recommends being an inny. Last year I did both, but I am still thinking of doing the hammock.


jrlatt
 
KevinL
01/23/2012 06:36PM
 
Both.....
 
mjmkjun
01/23/2012 06:33PM
 
was outie till set up tent atop shallow depression, in the dark. it rained.
now it's all about INNIE method.

 
mooseplums
01/23/2012 06:52PM
 
most of the time innie....but i do both on occasion.
 
Spartan1
01/23/2012 07:18PM
 
quote overthehill: " Both; factory footprint outie and washed tyvek innie. After the thread a few years ago....I went both ways. I basecamp usually."


Both also, factory footprint outie and plastic innie.
 
OBX2Kayak
01/23/2012 07:23PM
 
quote gutmon: "Got to keep this topic alive...
Outie here."



Adam just archived all this stuff. Now, you start it again????
You are a trouble maker! :-)
 
Greenman
01/23/2012 07:28PM
 
What if you use a hammock? Would that make mine a "hanger"?
 
Dbldppr1250
01/23/2012 07:37PM
 
both - not that much extra work, weight, or time, so why not
 
gutmon
01/23/2012 07:53PM
 
quote OBX2Kayak: "quote gutmon: "Got to keep this topic alive...
Outie here."




Adam just archived all this stuff. Now, you start it again????
You are a trouble maker! :-)"



I resemble that remark.
 
dprochef
01/23/2012 06:38PM
 
quote gutmon: "Got to keep this topic alive...
Outie here."



???????????????


please explain, I have too many distasteful thoughts running through my head as far as what this topic really is about. :)
 
Grandma L
01/23/2012 07:54PM
 
I believe in insurance - both.
 
dprochef
01/23/2012 08:51PM
 
quote maxxbhp: "quote dprochef: "quote gutmon: "Got to keep this topic alive...
Outie here."





???????????????




please explain, I have too many distasteful thoughts running through my head as far as what this topic really is about. :)"
If you're not jokin', there's always been a good natured major debate about whether the best tent floor protection is something under the floor or something ON the floor. Innie/Outie. If you ARE joking, I apologize, I hate it when I get that. BTW I started outie, switched to both"



Thanks for clarifying. This is why I love this site. Always debating and learning new things.


As for me and mine.. we are outies. But I also work real hard in clearing my tent site of anything that might hurt "my precious" tent.
 
mc2mens
01/23/2012 09:02PM
 
outie
 
overthehill
01/23/2012 06:33PM
 
Both; factory footprint outie and washed tyvek innie. After the thread a few years ago....I went both ways. I basecamp usually.
 
Sierra1
01/23/2012 08:24PM
 
Outie not innie.....
 
fitgers1
01/23/2012 08:50PM
 
I like to be on top. Out! Always an outtie. Do it right and you'll never be sorry.
 
CabSauv
01/23/2012 10:36PM
 
I used to be an outie guy but then I bought an outfitter quality tent and now we go commando.
 
Corsair
01/24/2012 02:43AM
 
quote Basspro69: "So what do you guys think about guitars and guns in the bwca I think they should be outie :-)"


Guitars is my thread you thief! :P

Anyway out.



 
OBX2Kayak
01/24/2012 06:09PM
 
I'm both innie and outie in my hammock ... generally use an underquilt only, but add a ccf pad for sub-zero weather.
 
Merganser
01/24/2012 06:57PM
 
When I tent it innie to stay dry. Factory ground cloth to be nice to my tent.


I have a ground cloth i put below my hammock to set gear on etc. when I use my hammock.
 
Greenman
01/24/2012 06:58PM
 
quote hwdhusky: "Hammock but neither a pad or under quilt. So I guess I am a neither."


Actually, I think that makes you "well hung".
 
blutofish1
01/24/2012 07:20PM
 
Both for me. Don't like moisture from the outside.:)
 
crumpman
01/24/2012 07:27PM
 
I had an innie that became an outie so I got it fixed. Hernia operations hurt!


I am an innie when it comes to tents.
 
luft
01/25/2012 10:51PM
 
Generally an outie (base camp tent) but went commando this past October as I didn't have footprints for the Taj 3's and ran out of time to make them out of the landscaper's cloth that I bought.
 
Grandma L
05/23/2019 10:49AM
 
Outie protects tent
Innie protects me
 
Pinetree
05/23/2019 01:45PM
 
AS my tent gets older and the floor may leak a little I might use both a innie and outie. I hate to add too much weight,but love staying dry.
 
airmorse
05/18/2019 03:25PM
 
Outie!!! Why the heck would you let water in your tent just to cover it up with some plastic.
 
bwcasolo
05/18/2019 05:21PM
 
in and out that came with the big a tent.
 
halvorsonchristopher1
03/28/2013 12:33AM
 
quote Basspro69: "So what do you guys think about guitars and guns in the bwca I think they should be outie :-)"


I can't think of anything worse than being forced to listen to guitar playing in the BWCA. I'd have to head over to that campsite and invoke some sort of martial law.
After retrieving the guitar, I would proceed to use it as a paddle for the remainder of my trip.
 
sst6313
03/28/2013 04:33AM
 
quote halvorsonchristopher1: "quote Basspro69: "So what do you guys think about guitars and guns in the bwca I think they should be outie :-)"



I can't think of anything worse than being forced to listen to guitar playing in the BWCA. I'd have to head over to that campsite and invoke some sort of martial law.
After retrieving the guitar, I would proceed to use it as a paddle for the remainder of my trip."



LOL! I agree, however I would use it as firewood, but keep the strings to use as for tatoo needles, just incase I had to McGiver a tat gun in the woods!
 
Mort
03/28/2013 08:22AM
 
When I'm using a tent: "bothie"
 
PortageKeeper
03/28/2013 09:35AM
 
quote GeoFisher: "Actually, I pitch a 3 man tent INSIDE a 4 man tent.....and then cover it all with a BIG ASS tarp........



What does that make me ??



Later,



Geo"

I can't help but believe that you now have the 'belt and suspender" or 'innie and outie' people actually thinking of doing this.
 
HansSolo
03/28/2013 10:11AM
 

quote Basspro69: "So what do you guys think about guitars and guns in the bwca I think they should be outie :-)"


+1
 
Canoearoo
03/28/2013 08:10AM
 
Innie to protect my tent from kids and the dog
 
PINETREE
03/28/2013 09:10AM
 
Sometimes I go without either. Otherwise outie.
 
halvorsonchristopher1
03/28/2013 06:52PM
 
Yeah, exactly like that. John Belushi would be proud!


Aa far as the guitar string tattoo gun?! I'd like to see that go down.
 
JimmyJustice
05/20/2019 08:42AM
 
Innie. Once I saw the beauty of being an innie, I changed. No surgery needed, just the mental strength to make the move. Now the thought of being an outie is just gross. So much so, that I am thinking of deleting all my pix of when I was an outie.
 
kanoes
03/30/2013 09:21PM
 
quote TeamTuna06: "Both"
bothie.
 
TeamTuna06
03/30/2013 09:18PM
 
Both
 
jrlatt
03/31/2013 09:00AM
 
It is just a question of where you put your pad for your tent. Outside, Inside or both. I have always been just an outie, then switched to both. The last trip I used a Hammock with a css tarp. I will be using the Hammock again.


Jrlatt
 
254Bow
03/31/2013 06:21AM
 
Pine boughs......fresh cut.....innie. Oops, wait, I see incoming rounds! Never mind.
 
GraniteCliffs
11/17/2020 04:07PM
 
Timberline tents! I think I ran through four of them over the years. I loved those tents. I gave one of my old ones to a friend of mine and he still uses it regularly.
Funny how gear evolves. What used to be the absolute best is sometimes relegated to the last choice options in my gear. I can't wait to see what gear folks will be using in ten years.
Case in point: I have used Duluth Packs for all these many decades. I am just now thinking of Christmas gifts for my kids and son in law. I am going to buy them Granite Gear packs rather than Duluth Packs. I figure I can then borrow theirs when I need to.
 
nctry
11/18/2020 04:27AM
 
So do hammockers call it overie? Since their tarp is covering them?
I’m an outie guy... but I could set up my tent in the lake and stay dry. The footprint keeps the bottom clean and from pokey things protects.
 
BearBurrito
11/18/2020 09:27AM
 
nctry: "So do hammockers call it overie? Since their tarp is covering them?
I’m an outie guy... but I could set up my tent in the lake and stay dry. The footprint keeps the bottom clean and from pokey things protects."



I hammock, and I have a tarp over me, and an underquilt protector under me, so would I be both as well? Maybe overie and outie? Now I'm confused.
 
Pinetree
11/18/2020 09:38AM
 
BearBurrito: "nctry: "So do hammockers call it overie? Since their tarp is covering them?
I’m an outie guy... but I could set up my tent in the lake and stay dry. The footprint keeps the bottom clean and from pokey things protects."




I hammock, and I have a tarp over me, and an underquilt protector under me, so would I be both as well? Maybe overie and outie? Now I'm confused."



I think you guys are more in a separate category-cacoon wrap more or less
 
jrlatt
01/28/2012 10:14PM
 
A bubble boy


Jrlatt
 
GeoFisher
01/28/2012 07:34PM
 
Outie......I've never had a situation....EVER where I needed the tarp inside.


I always research EXACTLY where the tent is going. I've had some questionable areas before and fortunately didn't have rain.


Proper tent location.....Proper fly pitching. PROPER understanding of the drainage will eliminate the need for innie.


Of course, now I've jinxed myself....so I will be taking a piece of washed tyvek just in case this year.......DAMN.


Later,


Geo
 
GeoFisher
01/28/2012 07:39PM
 
Actually, I pitch a 3 man tent INSIDE a 4 man tent.....and then cover it all with a BIG ASS tarp........


What does that make me ??


Later,


Geo
 
luft
01/28/2012 08:08PM
 
Thanks for the laugh on that one Geo!
 
JoeWilderness
01/28/2012 11:53PM
 
quote GeoFisher: "Actually, I pitch a 3 man tent INSIDE a 4 man tent.....and then cover it all with a BIG ASS tarp........



What does that make me ??



Later,



Geo"




Full of it?


:+]]
 
Pinetree
05/18/2019 01:45PM
 
Its raining outside and just couldn't resist reviving a Landmark Historical topic. Actually I was surprised how many innies and I learned a little bit about staying dry.


Heck when I got really going in the late 60's I don't think many had a innie or outie?
 
Pinetree
05/18/2019 01:49PM
 
Lot of old links
 
DayDreamin
03/28/2013 08:27AM
 
quote halvorsonchristopher1: "quote Basspro69: "So what do you guys think about guitars and guns in the bwca I think they should be outie :-)"



I can't think of anything worse than being forced to listen to guitar playing in the BWCA. I'd have to head over to that campsite and invoke some sort of martial law.
After retrieving the guitar, I would proceed to use it as a paddle for the remainder of my trip."




I can think of many, many things worse.
Loud Kids for example


Back to OP...Im hardcore, Neither Innie or outtie



 
jcavenagh
03/28/2013 11:06AM
 
quote sst6313: "quote halvorsonchristopher1: "quote Basspro69: "So what do you guys think about guitars and guns in the bwca I think they should be outie :-)"



I can't think of anything worse than being forced to listen to guitar playing in the BWCA. I'd have to head over to that campsite and invoke some sort of martial law.
After retrieving the guitar, I would proceed to use it as a paddle for the remainder of my trip."



LOL! I agree, however I would use it as firewood, but keep the strings to use as for tatoo needles, just incase I had to McGiver a tat gun in the woods!"


Like this...?
 
Grandma L
05/19/2019 07:24PM
 
Fun to see this old conversation. Nice to see posts by Kanoes and others. Both in and out for me.
 
sns
05/19/2019 09:38PM
 
Greenman: "What if you use a hammock? Would that make mine a "hanger"?"



Vestigal Appendage.
 
moosedoggie
05/20/2019 06:34AM
 
Outie. Always have been, always will be.
 
Canoearoo
05/20/2019 10:09AM
 
Always an Innie.. however now that we use our lean 3 as our family tent, I'm not sure what you call it. I put plastic down that covers the entire ground/grass, then on top of that the sod cloth. My reasoning is, the plastic seals the edges better, is cheap so easily replaceable, and keeps the moisture out of our lean 3 from the grass. The reason for the sod cloth is it feels better when you lay on it than plastic, I stake it down so it doesn't move and it adds one more layer of protection from water.
 
Pinetree
05/20/2019 11:14AM
 
Reason for most Outie people including me is to keep your tent floor from getting abrasion and holes from sticks,rocks etc.
 
AndySG
03/31/2013 12:11PM
 
Always bring both. Always use the outie to keep the tent floor protected and clean. Tent placement will dictate if the innie is deployed.
 
riverrunner
03/30/2013 03:52PM
 
I never used an extra ground cloth. My Eureka tent floor works well as it is .


I find extra ground cloth collects to much moisture and the floor gets wetter because of it.


Never ran into a guitar player and people carring firearms don't bother me at all.
 
Pinetree
11/15/2020 02:52PM
 
nothing wrong about old fasion talks
 
JWilder
11/15/2020 01:23PM
 
Ok, ok. I did it, I resurrected the old debate on innie vs. outie. Let the zingers fly.


In my first ever thread here ("New Member Here"). This topic came up twice. So, I couldn't leave it alone. I'm simply fulfilling my promise of giving back!


I deploy both.
I currently use a Marmot Catalyst 2-person tent. It is 2 trips old. For my "outie", I use the factory footprint it came with, protecting the tent bottom. For my "innie" I use a thicker plastic that I cut to fit the "tub" of my tent. More for peace of mind if nothing else.


Fortunately or unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to have this tested. As both trips I have done this on have been almost perfect weather. Stay tuned.


I look at this as a worst case scenario method. Similar thought process as to whether I should leave the axe/hatchet at home, and how I am going to harvest dry firewood in extremely wet/cold conditions if I do...


I would rather have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.


Whoa! Did I just bring that OTHER historic debate up here?! Sorry about that folks, wrong thread! Let's leave that for another day.


J
 
Flashback
11/15/2020 03:11PM
 
What Grandma L said:


Outie protects tent from abrasion.
Innie protects me.
Same, even with outfitter tents.



BOB
 
4keys
11/15/2020 06:11PM
 
Outie only. We've always stayed dry except 1 night this summer. The summer tent is mostly mesh, and the storm produced horizontal rain and strong winds, so the rain went under the fly, over the tub edge, and onto our feet (well, the dog). An innie would not have helped.
 
Grandma L
11/15/2020 06:18PM
 
Flashback: "What Grandma L said:
Outie protects tent from abrasion.
Innie protects me.
Same, even with outfitter tents.
BOB"

Thanks for the quote BOB, it still works!
 
Pinetree
11/15/2020 06:21PM
 
4keys: "Outie only. We've always stayed dry except 1 night this summer. The summer tent is mostly mesh, and the storm produced horizontal rain and strong winds, so the rain went under the fly, over the tub edge, and onto our feet (well, the dog). An innie would not have helped. "
I'm an outie, but you have to watch rain doesn't start running on top of the outie, then you have a pool sitting under you and most tents will leak when sitting in water for a extended time. The Tub edge is critical on how you position it.
 
jhb8426
11/15/2020 11:16PM
 
Flashback: "What Grandma L said:
Outie protects tent from abrasion.
Innie protects me."



Totally agree, just make sure the outie does not extend to the edges of the tent. I always make sure it's at least 3 inches shy of the edge. Pretty much gaurantees you won't live in a puddle.
 
A1t2o
11/16/2020 03:05PM
 
Flashback: "What Grandma L said:


Outie protects tent from abrasion.
Innie protects me.
Same, even with outfitter tents.


BOB"



I thought the innie protects the tent from me, not me from moisture.


On the topic though, how do you hold the innie in place? I feel like the 2 layers would slide easily and I would wake up in the middle of the night on the downhill side of the tent if the ground wasn't perfectly flat.