Budget Rain Jacket

      A good weatherproof layer is essential in the outdoors, no matter the forecast, as it can break the wind, or the weather can change quickly. Summer rain showers come quickly, especially in mountainous areas. There are a lot of high dollar rain shells, but, as you've undoubtedly noticed from my other posts, I prefer quality, budget options. I have found 3 rain shells, all of which are affordable, and I'm sure you'll find one that meets your needs. This is by no means a detailed breakdown of each rain shell. I just wanted to bring a few budget options to your attention.





Marmot Precip

• $86
• Breathable
• Packable
• Waterproof
• Taped Seams
• Packs into it's own pocket
• Pit zips for ventilation

Columbia Watertight II

• $51
• 100% Nylon
• Waterproof
• Breathable
• Side pockets
• Packable

Frogg Togg's Action Pro Jacket

• $35
• Comes in camo
• Completely waterproof
• Less breathable than the other jackets
• Bulkier to pack, and heavier
• Cheapest of the three

     All of these rain jackets are affordable, but have their limitations. Any one of them should suit most needs, but if not, there are still other options for a rain jacket on a budget. You don't have to spend a small fortune on gear. If you look around, I'm sure you could find a rain jacket on your budget, no matter if you're fishing, hunting, or camping.

Equinox Egret 8x10 Tarp - Initial Impressions

Equinox Egret 8x10 Tarp

     Today, I took the plunge and bought an actual backpacking tarp. Up until now, I've gotten by with an 8x10 cheap, poly tarp from the hardware store. It worked fine, and still works great, duct tape patches and all. I did, however, get tires of lugging this huge, heavy tarp around. It tips the scales at around 3 pounds, and takes up a little more volume than two standard Nalgene bottles. I needed something smaller.

     I looked at all my options, and based on weight, packability, and most importantly cost, I decided on the 8x10 Egret tarp by Equinox. This tarp weighs only 1 pound, 11 ounces and packs down to a tube shape smaller than a Nalgene bottle. This will be a joy to carry. It has grommets on each corner, and along each side, spaced every three feet apart. It is made of silnylon, and coated with a waterproof coating.

     Overall, I am impressed with the tarp, and can't wait to get out and use it. From the reviews that I have read, this tarp is very durable, so we'll see. The tarp seems very sturdy and durable, and based on my initial inspection, I would definitely recommend this to someone. It retails for around $44, which makes it a very affordable backpacker tarp.

     I will report back with pics of the tarp, setup as a shelter for my next overnighter, along with a report on how the tarp functioned.

   Thanks for reading guys! And if you enjoyed my writing, check out my new books:

 Budget Bushcraft & Camping And Others