Bought a $15 tarp from Walmart last weekend and it saved my whole camping trip in the rain at Lake Hope

So I was camping at Lake Hope state park last Saturday. Forecast said 10% chance of rain and of course it poured all night. My buddy had a fancy tent that leaked and I just had this cheap blue tarp I grabbed at the last minute. Threw it over my tent and stayed bone dry while he had to sleep in his car. Has anyone else found random cheap gear that ended up being a lifesaver?

3 comments

3 Comments

emery_black1mo ago

That blue tarp trick works better than half the gear at REI.

-1

nancycooper1mo ago

And way cheaper too.

matthew1661mo ago

Is it really that deep though? Like, a blue tarp works for keeping rain off your stuff, but half the gear at REI is about comfort and convenience. I'd rather have a proper dry bag than wrestling with a flapping tarp in the wind.