My brother told me to skip the expensive tent and just use a tarp.

He said it was all I needed for a weekend in the Smokies last fall. I listened, and it poured for two straight nights. I spent both of them cold, wet, and fighting off a puddle in my sleeping bag. That $30 tarp cost me way more in misery. Now I own a proper three-season tent and sleep dry. Anyone else have a piece of 'simple' gear advice that totally backfired on them?

3 comments

3 Comments

butler.abby24d ago

Oh man, the "just wear cotton" tip. Got that from an old timer. Said it breathes better. Hiked in a cotton tee once when it got cool and damp. Thing held moisture like a sponge. Was shivering by noon. Never again. Synthetic or wool only now. That cheap advice cost me a day of being miserably cold.

white.sandra10d ago

My uncle swore by cotton work shirts for everything. Tried it on a fall camping trip and spent the whole night in a wet, cold sleeping bag. You really do learn that lesson the hard way, don't you?

caleba6423d ago

Honestly @butler.abby, did that old timer get his advice from a swamp cooler?