Poncho Liner

S

Sidewinder

Joined
Jun 2, 2001
Messages
887
OK...So after reading about these I figure that I need one. So I get the warm and lite one with Thinusulate from Brigade Quartermasters. It came today and as I was looking at it I am trying to figure out why I need this. It seems pretty big and bulky. I have sleeping bags that smaller, probably warmer than this thing. I don't know...can anyone tell me why I should keep it?

S.
 
I use mine when I want to go light and fast. I have the old one, non Thinsulate. I slept cold for a week in the Sierras with that thing. The Thinsulate model is supposed to be twice as warm, and would have worked out better I think. But for lightweight summer camping, I think it makes a nice blanket.
 
Sidewinder said:
OK...So after reading about these I figure that I need one. So I get the warm and lite one with Thinusulate from Brigade Quartermasters. It came today and as I was looking at it I am trying to figure out why I need this. It seems pretty big and bulky. I have sleeping bags that smaller, probably warmer than this thing. I don't know...can anyone tell me why I should it?

S.
Click to expand...

I agree about the size and weight. A light weight rain suit weighes less than most ponchos, and light weight fleece or lofty jackets, or a light weight sleeping bag less than the liners.

Other than the ponco doubling as a tarp, I find proper clothing to be a better choice. I never stay fully dry with a poncho, especially in thick brush, or in the wind. Much easier to move with a rainsuit on. Ditto for fleece or fibre-fill/down jackets, and it is just as easy to sleep with them on.

I don't mean to make you feel bad about your purchase though, I guess you really gotta try it out and see what works for you - everyones situation and preferences are different.

Will
 
Strange. I have the same liner and I think it's great.

I use it as a quilt when hammock camping, and the simple shape makes it really versatile. I can use it in a single layer or a double layer, and there's always some left to stuff between my elbow and a cold spot.

I like the fact that it's NOT a bag, so I'm not carrying around insulation that's no use to me. (Anything I'm lying on gets crushed and is almost useless. I rely on foam pads underneath me for insulation.)

It's not exactly cheap, but it's not as expensive as my sleeping bag, so I feel okay about cramming it into the bottom of my backpack.

Bear
 
It's O ... O ... Ob ... Ob ... solete. At my age that is difficult to say.
 
Bear,

I use a lightweight nylon hammock. I tie the poncho liner up under the hammock so it dosen't get crushed inside it. It works great.

Poncho liners make great bag liners if you want to extend the range of a tropical weight bag. I also use one inside a bivy sack in tropical weather.

Camping at higher altitudes in a two person tent I throw the liner over our sleeping bags and it really keeps us warm. Believe it or not it does get down to near or just below freezing in Brazil if you are high up enough. When its thatcold there is always high wind here as well. The ponco liner is a good way to add insulation. Mac
 
When Jeep camping, I keep one in reserve in case the temperature drops too low (I try to match the bag to the conditions, but sometimes that sneaky weatherman fools me (climbing out of the tent on July 4 to find several inches of snow is kinda neat though)).
Used on top of the bag, or inside it (or when its hot in place of it) it allows me to regulate my sleeping comfort quite nicely.
When back packing I usually just go with a bag thats too warm, minimises weight.
Enjoy!
 
I am in the Army and the Poncho Liner is issued to us all, it is great to take the chill of of those cool nights and it may seem big to you but after you wash it and pack it away a few times and some of the loft goes down then it is real good to put in your Rucksack! Also makes a good bag liner as others have said on this thread.

Rickj
 
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