Shoutout to the cheap plastic tarp I finally replaced

For five years, I used the same $15 blue tarp from a big box store on every camping trip. It always got a little damp, but I figured that was normal. Last fall in the White Mountains, a real storm rolled in and my whole sleep system felt clammy by morning. I swapped it for a proper silnylon ground sheet this season, and the difference is night and day. My bag stayed completely dry during a downpour last weekend. Is there a piece of gear you stuck with for way too long before upgrading?

2 comments

2 Comments

park.adam2d ago

Honestly, did you ever try using a garbage bag as a cheap rain poncho?

the_wyatt2d ago

Oh man, @park.adam that takes me back. Got caught in a downpour after school once and my friend's mom just cut a head hole in a black trash bag for me. Felt like a sweaty, crinkly nightmare walking home. The hood part never works right, just flaps around your face. Did the job though, kept my books dry even if I looked insane.