gracej99•12d agoMost Upvoted

Was skeptical about those $30 tarp shelters but now I use one every trip

I used to think ground tarps were just for under your tent, not for sleeping under them directly. About 2 years ago my buddy brought a cheap blue tarp setup to a campsite in the Smokies and I laughed at him. Then a storm rolled in at 3am and his shelter held solid while my tent leaked like crazy. He paid $28 for the tarp and some paracord, my tent was $200. Now I bring a silnylon tarp on most trips when the weather looks iffy. Has anyone else gone back to basics with gear and ended up liking it more?

3 comments

3 Comments

fionat5512d ago

Man I read about a guy on the PCT who used nothing but a $15 blue tarp for the whole trail. Swore by it.

gray_hall412d ago

Oh man that reminds me of this time I was out in the desert and some guy showed up with just a tarp and a poncho liner. We all thought he was nuts but then a windstorm came through and blew down half the tents in camp. His tarp was still standing with a couple rocks on the corners. Made me rethink my whole setup honestly. Have you ever tried just sleeping under a tarp in bad weather?

lucashenderson12d ago

My buddy Mike bought a $20 hardware store tarp for a week in the Smokies and we all roasted him. Then a flash flood hit and his dry patch of ground was the only spot not under water.