Found out my $30 tarp is outperforming my $200 tent on wet nights

I was reading through a gear test on OutdoorGearLab last week and saw that a basic blue tarp shed water better than most high-end tents when set up right. Turns out the breathability and seam sealing on my fancy tent actually trap moisture inside, making everything damp by morning. Has anyone else ditched their tent for a tarp setup after seeing similar numbers?

3 comments

3 Comments

lewis.finley1mo ago

Bought a 10 dollar blue tarp from Home Depot last spring and it keeps me bone dry.

avery_flores171mo ago

Same here, honestly. That cheap tarp is straight magic. Never let me down once.

nancyj111mo ago

You say it keeps you "bone dry" but I bet that tarp gets soaked through once real rain hits. I went with that same cheap blue tarp one time and woke up with a puddle in my tent after a heavy storm (the plastic just gives up after a few hours of pounding rain). Plus those things tear so easy, a stray branch or gust of wind and you're patching holes with duct tape all night. Honestly, spending a bit more on a proper waterproof tarp with reinforced grommets might cost more upfront but saves you from waking up wet and miserable. I'd rather pay $30 once than replace a $10 tarp every season (and still get damp in the meantime).