G.I. Poncho durability

A

alex

Joined
Oct 12, 1998
Messages
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Can someone who has owned the GI issue ripstop nylon rain poncho tell me how durable and watertight it is. I was looking at some used ones in the local surplus store and the coating seemed to be delaminating in many places. If I was to buy a new one how many years(or months) of service could I reasonably expect to get assumming moderate usage without abuse. New ones seem to run around $35. Also, is there any way to tell if it is really GI issue or a copy? Thanks for any replies.

P.S. I also looked at the Swiss Army rain ponchos and they were much cheaper in cost but seemed to be made of heavier more durable material. Anyone try on of these?
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Alex Penton

[This message has been edited by alex (edited 01-31-2000).]

[This message has been edited by alex (edited 01-31-2000).]
 
I haveone that I got from USCAV and I love it. Its not only the best poncho I have evern had its the only kind I will ever get again. Very tough and well built. Very comfy, I can even wear my rucksack under it. Geoff.
 
I have 3 different types. The Woodland Cammo poncho I have also has that laminate that wants to peel off after time int he sun and rain. Real waterproof to begin with but slowly degrades, and it's like a wet rag on you in the rain - takes care of most of the wet stuff but you get wet from the seepage.

I have a black heavy duty poncho made from nylon that's been in many rainstorms and has yet to leak. It's my preferred shelter top coupled with a mosquito net. A little on the heavy side though.

The last one I own is an OD lightweight nylon. An exceptional piece until I accidentally shoved a Kabar through it in a rainstorm...missed the sheath. It now has duct tape inside and out that's lasted a few trips.

All of these are available through Brigade Quartermasters. What's 'issue' now, I haven't a clue. - Jeff

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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com

 
I've got an old GI poncho around somewhere, they are rough, tough, and nearly indestructable if not abused. The easiest way to tell whether one is actual issue or not is by the weight. The GI olive drab ponch weighs a ton.

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SFC

"Is it easier to fight them or to kill them?"
 
Try it you'll like it!
I've had my rip-stop GI poncho since the mid 80's and it is still going strong! I think an important thing is to use it! Keeping it dry in a drawer will start it to cracking.
Now if I could only figure out a way to keep the rain from running in the hood at my throat!


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In the long run, luck is given only to the effecient.
-Helmut Von Moltke
 
The woodland camo poncho is very good for a shelter. It kept me dry on many wet nights in the Army. However, I never stayed dry while using it as raingear if it was more than a drizzle. I use mine as a backup to my regular raingear. Also the ripstop does not stop the rips as well as it should.
I have only heard good things about the durability of the older OD ponchos as a shelter or raingear.
 
Once a buddy and I hooked 2 ponchos togeather and strung them about 3 feet off of the ground (high side) at a angle into the wind during a typhoon (low side was about 6 inches off the ground). We used para cord and bungie cord to keep the thing strung tight (para cord streches when wet), other guys refused to think we would stay dry and they used the issue tents and shelter 1/2.

We stayed warm and dry the 6 day excercise while everybody else was a wet bunch of miserable jerks. We sure got a lot of millage out of that one
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If you want to wear it hoping to stay dry, forget it!!!! Gortex rules here!!!!!!

Don't know how tough ponchos are but they survived a Okinawan typhoon without and dammage.
 
They blow for rain gear, great for makeshift shelter.....

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"Women bring life into the world
and much death, for they sway the
destinies of men." -Anneas
 
They are still issuing the poncho. Noone in my unit really uses it since we all have goretex rainsuits and goretex bivy covers for our sleeping bags now. I still remember the days when there was no Goretex, which for my unit was just last year!

I've used the poncho extensively and it makes a well enough shelter but when it really rains, it's pretty much worthless except for making you sweat. Also, it will mildew if you don't lay it out to dry after a rainstorm. Some of the Marines in my unit know this from experience. No wonder they call us jarheads.
 
The poncho will do you just fine if you know how to use it right.

I'll put it like this - the poncho I was issued while at Ft. Bragg was used in a poncho raft that held me and my patrol buddy afloat, without any problems. It also acted like a poncho parachute for field resupply, again, without any problems (1 poncho will safely deliver a case of MRE's for those who were wondering).

It's good for shelter. It works as a field expedient chalkboard. Patrolling in it sucks ass, but if all you are going to do is sit on your ruck next to a tree in the rain, you'll be fine - it will keep you dry long enough to set up shelter.

Take care of your equipment, and it will take care of you.

Spark

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
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