Just hit 50 nights in my budget tent and it's still holding up fine

I counted up my camp logs last night and realized I've slept 50 nights in this $60 tent I grabbed from a big box store. That thing has been through rain, wind, and my dog scratching the floor. I honestly expected the zippers to fail by now or the poles to snap. Has anyone else gotten way more use out of cheap gear than they thought they would?

2 comments

2 Comments

jessew831mo agoMost Upvoted

My buddy tried to talk me into spending $200 on a name brand tent a few years back. I was pretty close to pulling the trigger but I just couldn't swing it at the time. So I grabbed a $50 Coleman from the local hardware store figuring I'd replace it after a season or two. That was four years ago and it's still my go-to for weekend trips. Dog scratched the floor, zippers are a little sticky in humid weather, but the thing just won't quit. Makes me wonder what I'm actually paying for with the expensive stuff.

white.grant1mo ago

Man, @jessew83 that's EXACTLY my story too. I figured my first cheap tent was just a training tent to break in before I ruined something expensive. But after 50 nights my zippers are sticky, the poles are bent in one spot from a windstorm, and it STILL keeps me dry. Honestly starting to think I'm just paying for an inflatable ego and a fancy logo with the high end stuff.