Spent $200 on a ultralight tarp and it shredded on the second night in the Smokies

Bought a fancy 8x10 DCF tarp from a cottage company thinking I was being smart about weight savings... first real rainstorm near Clingmans Dome and a gust ripped a seam right open. Had to hike out wet and cold, ended up buying a $40 blue poly tarp at a gas station that lasted the whole rest of the trip. Anyone else had a big ticket gear item fail like that when you needed it most?

2 comments

2 Comments

oliver_anderson16d ago

Happens with gear and everything else these days, fancy stuff breaks while cheap stuff works.

elizabeth_bailey2616d ago

Used to be the total opposite for me. Would always buy the expensive hiking boots thinking they'd last forever but my $80 pair fell apart in one season while my buddy's cheap Walmart boots have been going for three years now. Finally learned that "tough" doesn't always mean expensive. Still hurts my wallet every time though lol.