Appreciation post: that rainy trip to Shenandoah made me ditch my expensive tent

I was camping at the Big Meadows campground in Shenandoah last April when a sudden storm flooded the floor of my high end tent, soaking all my gear. After that night, I switched to a simple tarp and bivy setup that cost me $60 total and has been bone dry ever since. Has anyone else found that cheaper, simpler gear actually works better than the expensive stuff in real weather?

2 comments

2 Comments

brookebailey26d ago

Ugh, the same thing happened to me with a "waterproof" tent I dropped way too much money on. Got caught in a surprise downpour in the Blue Ridge and woke up in a puddle with my sleeping bag soaked. Swapped it out for a basic tarp shelter and a cheap bivy sack and it's been a game changer. Light, packs small, and I sleep way better knowing I'm not trusting some overpriced zipper or seam tape. Simple really is better for most of the weather I actually see out there.

oscarmurray26d ago

Woke up in a puddle with my sleeping bag soaked, been there, bought the t-shirt that was also soaked. My last "ultralight" tent basically became a swimming pool for me and my gear. Now I just bring a tarp and pray the bugs don't find me before I fall asleep.