needs a rain tarp on a $40 budget

[Hammock k1ng]

my buddy's got a camping trip coming up in a couple of weeks, and he's looking to grab a rain tarp just in case.

He's on a pretty tight budget, about $40. I never buy any rain traps, so I have no clue.
Any suggestions on something that will get the job done for a couple of nights without breaking the bank or falling apart?

He doesn't need anything fancy, just a reliable shelter. Any tips would be a huge help!

 

[cougarmeat]

Some will say this is outright heresy, but if this tarp is very short-term, and "just in case", you could get by with one of those blue (sometimes in other colors) tarps available at a local hardware store (or hardware dept is a multi-purpose store). Amazon has a 6' x 8', 1.5 lbs, tarp for $12. There are larger options, like in the 10 ft+ range for about $20.

How large an area do you want to protect?

Do you have a local "used gear" storefront you can check out?

When you say "reliable shelter," are you asking about covering a tent, a hammock, or just using the tarp to shelter sleeping bags on the ground? Yes, this is a "hammockcampingforum", but hammock campers co-exist with ground dwellers all the time. And I'm sure many of us who are using hammocks now have had years of experience with tent shelters.

PS: You are forgiven for asking about "rain traps". That "traps" vs "tarps" happens to me ALL the time. And a spellchecker won't catch it. Kindness is golden in "community" forums.

 

[LowTech]

I can tell you about rain traps if you want. We use them in the desert a lot.

 

[_Bhe Jean]

For easier setup and to avoid tearing in wind, choose tarps with reinforced corners and plenty of tie-down points. And bring some extra paracord or bungees in your bag since those cheap tarps rarely include enough.

 

[StitchesBear]

If the budget's tight, grab a 10x12 poly tarp from Harbor Freight or Walmart and add some paracord and stakes. Total cost under $25, and it'll keep the rain off just fine. Won't win style points, but it works.