Qualities of a good rain PONCHO

Hey there coote, great to see ya here:)

I have a few different ponchos, US mil spec with a liner, kinda heavy.
I have a few real pocket, almost garbage bag, ones that I kept for warm rain, from getting up close at Niagara Falls, these rip easy.

I really like those Swiss Alpenflage ones, they are more like a cape since they have snaps all up the front. Fits over a small pack, good fitting hood, thick enough for a ground cloth. I guess I'd like it about half that weight to make it perfect for myself. I use those plastic-anywhere grommets that attach with teeth and either screw down or slide tension.

Have a good one, mate
:D
Mark
 
a few months ago i was sitting around with nothing to do for a few hours, with a tape measure handy.

i ended up imagining what would my perfect poncho:

-10' x 6', hood in the middle
i am pretty tall, a little over 6', and a 10' long poncho would hang just at my ankles. this would keep my legs dry all the way down. this would make it more akward to move in, but would offer great protection. the large size would also allow for a great shelter when you put up.
-heavy duty coated nylon, (rubberized?).
i was looking at some of those pop-up tents that vendors use at fairs, made from some good heavy duty material that would probably stand up to abuse with no problems. this would be great for sitting on, using as a shelter, and would be heavy enough to drape really well.
-nylon loops at the corners and along the edges.
these could be hooked together down the sides when wearing with small, light carabiners. this would keep the sides together and help to seal out rain. nylon loops aren't as prone to tearing out as grommets, can't rust or tarnish, and are decently light.

the plan for this poncho would be to use it for my dedicated rain wear and for when weight was less of a concern. i could use it for a fairly roomy shelter on its own, or use it to augment natural shelters. it would be sturdy and hold up to snags from brush when walking through the woods, quiet because the material would not flap in the wind much.

i also want to make a duplicate of that one, but in silnylon. this one would be for fast and light packs, and would be for when rain wasn't really expected. i could use it for my shelter in nice weather, to keep the dew off of me and provide for that little insecurity in me that always wants to have "my own space".

someday i might get around to making these...but in the meantime i have been pretty happy with my army style poncho in digicam. it is light, i think some sort of silnylon or coated nylon. it has grommets only in the corners, and is a tad on the small side, but it makes for a decent shelter as long as the conditions aren't too bad.
 
Fraser said:
As an aside, there is a British clothing manufacturer who makes waterproof-water resistant outer garments of very dense cotton material. I gather it breathes very well but yet retains water resistance. High priced stuff. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the company.
Click to expand...

I think you might be referring to Ventile, in which case the most obvious contender to me is the Westwinds stuff by the sleeping bag legend Snugpak. Ventile has been around for years now but is still hanging in there by dint of the Nuts In May bushcrafters. In fact there are quite a few outfits here trying to punt that to them now.

I'm going to be cautious here 'cos I don't want to activate some dedicated Ventile enthusiast in the way the wool threads tend to bring about clinging, but I'd think hard about that. Whilst it has some merits in that it is quiet when dry, not a melt hazard, and potentially gets a big happy clappy thumbs up from the hippies 'cos nobody needed to eat a dolphin while making it, it is notoriously heavy. It's heavy to start with given that you really need a double thickness to take on beyond drizzle. It's meant to keep water out by the first intake of water absorbing and swelling the cotton fibers prevent further ingress. So it's going to get even heavier. Then theres the stiffness and the well document 'turns to cardboard' as it dries. I peg it along with waxed jackets and other slow drying stuff. Good for a days shooting in the welli boots but...nah, goes with Denison smock and the toggle rope.

http://www.west-winds.co.uk/tempest.htm

anyway...
 
I second greenwoods' observation about the Swiss military ponchos. I've worn them when hunting or when hiking with a slug gun in Alaska. You can definitely tell that they were designed with carrying a rifle in mind. I bought two when they were getting blown out for $5-10 apiece. Because of their durability and low cost, they are good for brushy terrain and they make good loaners. However, they weigh half again to double the weight of the regular Campmor nylon model and take up a lot more pack space. Way heavier than a silnylon poncho.

DancesWithKnives
 
MacHete said:
Along that same line of thinking- how about small pockets at the corners? They could be left empty for packing and when not needed, but filled with stones or bits of gear when needed for weight or as tying points when the poncho was used as shelter?
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Brilliant!!
 
Heck yeah. Inside corner pockets with some nice lead fishing weights.

A very good idea:thumbup:

Mark
 
£300 for a Ventile jacket:eek:??? Good grief!

I'd rather go club a couple of baby seals and make a jacket out of their skins.
 
I've had the USGI (woodland) poncho for many years.
So long that the seam sealer (?) around the neck and hood has dried and is flaking off.
The poncho has two eyelets around waist height, on the inside. A long cord ties around your waist keeping the front of the poncho down while you walk and in the breeze.
(Somehow, thru the years that cord has shrunk... not sure how...)

I'd caution about putting heavy things in the corner pockets of the poncho.
A good hard gust will get the corners moving and you could get hit in the head or face.
After all the poncho is one big sail.

I find walking up and down steep grades with the USGIP takes some care so you don't step on it. I'm about 5'11"-6' and it has to be a steep grade, but still a concern.
I doubt that I'd want one longer.

My biggest gripe with my old poncho was water running in the neck.
I'd be wet from the knees down and down the front of my shirt.
I haven't replaced it since my wife came home with a terrible yellow lightweight pvc (or somesuch) long 'coat' that is about the same length as the poncho.
Better protection for me, lighter too. But the pack is on its own and it is hard to access stuff on my belt or in my pockets.

Glad to hear good stuff on the Swiss ponchos, I've been looking at them but didn't have a good report.
 
I think you'd like the length of the Swiss surplus ponchos. They seem just a tad shorter. I'm 6 ft. and I have occasionally caught the front of a GI or Campmor backpacking size poncho with the toe of my boot while climbing. Hasn't happened with the Swiss.

When you look at Swiss ponchos, inspect them carefully. I got one that was good but also one with several small holes around the head/shoulders area (seller gave me a credit for it).

Anyway, unless a person thinks they'll need a bright yellow poncho for an emergency signal, the ideal poncho for me would be camo so that I could use it for hunting or nature photography. Maybe reversible yellow/camo?

DancesWithKnives
 
The Integral Designs Sil Poncho has served me quite well in the past. I always keep one bunched up in my bag.
 
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