Bought a cheap tarp from Walmart and it ripped on the second night of a 4-day trip in the Smokies

I figured a $12 tarp would hold up for just one weekend, but the grommets pulled right through the fabric during a light rain near Cades Cove. Upgraded to a Kelty 10x12 after that trip, and the difference in stitching and material is night and day. Has anyone else had luck with budget tarps failing after a short time, or did I just pick a bad brand?

2 comments

2 Comments

robinl902d agoTop Commenter

Cades Cove is beautiful but that rain can be brutal, did you try patching it or just toss the tarp?

grant_torres2d ago

Figure you're better off just tossing it once it's torn that bad... trying to patch it usually ends up leaking right next to the repair anyway. A new tarp's cheap enough compared to dealing with a wet sleeping bag all night.