Let's talk ponchos...

I bought the "Ultralite Extension Poncho/Tarp" from Campmor ($69.99) which appears to be identical to the GoLite Poncho Tarp, which is ten bucks cheaper.

Strangely, I've used it as a shelter a few times, but not as a poncho. I like it a lot. It's very light and compact.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
ThriftyJoe said:
Reminds me of the wearable sleeping bag that makes you look like a giant teddy bear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oqnGTZg1JQ

I can tell you I never babied my plain old nylon Campmor poncho and it never ripped or developed any holes. I used it as a ground cloth to sit on on rough ground many times. You could get one of those Kelty ponchos and a bothy bag (http://www.campsaver.com/terra-nova-bothy-bag-2) as your emergency field shelter for a total of $51.94, and 22 ounces. I think you need two hikers to make a bothy bag work though.

For a solo hiker, maybe a bivy and a fleece liner? Tried that once by the way, very cold at 40 F but I survived.
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Yeah I could probably piece together a similar setup cheaper, it's just that one kind of gets it right out of the box with the size, zippers in the right places and so on. Those bothy bags are neat, thanks for sharing. One would come in handy during breaks out on the trail.

On your cold night out did you use an insulated ground sheet? Getting up off the ground and lowering the conductive heat loss has always helped me keep warm.
 
Check out the Snugpak patrol poncho. It's designed to fit overtop your gear and it's in your price range.
 
mossyhorn said:
Check out the Snugpak patrol poncho. It's designed to fit overtop your gear and it's in your price range.
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I like the look, and price, but Ninja-Elbow's review on Zombie Squad indicated it wouldn't be a great shelter. It's fitted, and has sleeves, so I can imagine the setup of that would be...interesting.
 
aaronu said:
+1 on the GoLite poncho tarp.

Also check out the Alpha Tent. It's based on a USGI poncho with some tent poles to make it a small shelter.
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I like that idea. Very creative. I regularly carry trekking poles, so no need to carry a system that relies on poles, despite the cool factor. Here's the deal:
The poncho/tarp will most likely not be my primary rain protection. I have a brand new Marmot Precip for that. I'm considering it (vs a larger tarp, say 8x10) for 2 reasons: as an emergency rain shelter for short-duration high mountain cloudbursts, and also as an improvised pack cover/rain cover for my youngest, who still rides in a kid backpack. Multi-use is the mantra of the ultralight crowd, right? Anyway, I've been struggling with the idea of this http://www.golite.com/Poncho-Tarp-P885.aspx vs this http://www.bushcraftoutfitters.com/Silnylon-Olive-Brown-Tarp-10x7-tarp-10x7-olive-brown.htm. I like the weight (and cost) savings and versatility of the poncho-tarp, but I have a gut feeling I'd be better off with a bigger tarp, just to be on the safe side. It'll just be hard to part with the cash, to achieve the weight savings that I want. But, such is life in the high-dollar UL backpacking equipment market, eh?

So, that being said, anyone have opinions on larger tarps? I'm leaning sil-nylon because of weight and packability. I already drag enough crap down the trail with me when the whole family heads out for the day.
 
I had a Integral Designs poncho/tarp that was great and then Golite came out w/ their new one and managed to shave even a couple of more ounces off and so I bought one of those :)

it's a great way to go light- shelter and rain gear for 7 oz- that's pretty tough to beat
 
raindog101 said:
at 39x50, doesn't look like it will provide much shelter...
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Just got mine
They are nice and well made
Excellent for the price
But they are small and will be good for around town
Or a rain shower

It will not be going backpacking with me.
 
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