My cheap tent turned into a water balloon in the Smokies
Got caught in a sudden storm near Clingmans Dome last fall, and my bargain bin tent started leaking right at the seam over my head. I spent the night holding a cooking pot under the drip. That soggy mess taught me more about gear than any review ever did. What's the most you've ever paid for a tent that actually kept you dry?
Honestly, that sounds like part of the adventure to me. A little leak just means you get a story out of it, not that you need a crazy expensive tent. My old cheap one has seen plenty of storms and I'm still here.
Oh man, that reminds me of my buddy's trip last fall. His bargain bin tent sprung a leak right over his sleeping bag during a downpour. He spent the whole night catching drips in a cooking pot, said it sounded like a weird drum solo. He still talks about it more than the actual hike.