Shelters. Specifically the poncho/tarp kind.

DerekH

DerekH

Handsome According to my Mother
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Hey all, previously I had asked what you all took with you when you went into the bush. I got a lot of great ideas, and 'ole Moose even convinced me to get a hammock. All that I am lacking at this point is a shelter type thing, and some sort of sleeping bag type thing.

For the shelter type thing I have done a lot of looking, and one of the more versatile options seems to be the poncho/tarp. I would really like to hear what ponchos you guys have used and what seems to work best. I really want to get one that has grommets all ready and doesn't require a bunch of modification on my part, 'cause when it comes to sewing, I ain't no Flexxx.

So, that said, what ponchos do you guys swear by?

(Also any suggestions for sleeping bag/bivvy bags that compress to really, really small are welcome as well.)

Thanks!

Derek
 
I am getting a snugpack system. I already have a 0 degree bag tha compresses to 12"x10", but the bivvy sack, and the moisture barrier that goes in the bivvy. Snugpack has some good, good stuff, and not costing much. Their one man tent, Stratosphere I believe, is awesome.

Moose
 
moosez45 said:
I am getting a snugpack system. I already have a 0 degree bag tha compresses to 12"x10", but the bivvy sack, and the moisture barrier that goes in the bivvy. Snugpack has some good, good stuff, and not costing much. Their one man tent, Stratosphere I believe, is awesome.

Moose
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Not really sure what you mean there. Think that either it is too early for me to understand or there is an omission or something.

Also, do you have any thoughts on the poncho as a tarp thing? To be honest I kinda latched onto this idea after seeing your setup with your hammock, and since you convinced me to get a hammock, might as well go balls out for the rest of the setup. After seeing that the poncho can be very multi-use, it looks as good as any of the other ideas I had been toying with. So do you think a GI poncho is the way to go, or is there a better or more usable version out there?

That question is open to everyone. My one goal is to fit everything I need into 1 bag. It isn't that big of a bag (Maxped Monsoon), and I want to keep it confined to that one bag. Light. Not ultralight, but light.
 
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I like the old style GI poncho, It's what I have.
A dedicated rain fly would be lighter only it would cost more.
 
trailbum said:
I like the old style GI poncho, It's what I have.
A dedicated rain fly would be lighter only it would cost more.
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Sorry, I was editing while you posted. I am fine with the poncho, as far as versatility it looks much more useful than just a rainfly or tarp. Light isn't a huge deal for me. I am 6" and 220lbs, and while I am by no means the strongest person, a few more ounces, or even pounds isn't going to kill me.

Where is a good place to get a decent GI poncho?
 
DerekH said:
Sorry, I was editing while you posted. I am fine with the poncho, as far as versatility it looks much more useful than just a rainfly or tarp. Light isn't a huge deal for me. I am 6" and 220lbs, and while I am by no means the strongest person, a few more ounces, or even pounds isn't going to kill me.

Where is a good place to get a decent GI poncho?
Click to expand...

I like the poncho, mostly because it pulls double duty, you can wear it and use it as shelter, and a myriad of other choices and it costs $20 at a surplus store and are easy to get. That's a plus.

You can order some very nice tarps, asym tarps, ultra light tarps, etc, but you can't wear them to keep you and your stuff dry, IMO. Plus, if you tear up a $120 silnylon tarp while camping, you're gonna be heartbroke, or at least I would. Just a good mil spec poncho, $20 and you can get another one on your way home, from a surplus joint, and never worry until it gets torn again, LOL.

They are very, very universal in what they can do, ground shelter, leanto, moisture barriers, I just like to sling mine over my hammock with some mos netting, and I am very comfortable for 3 seasons of camping, and both my hammock, mos netting and poncho, all compress down to the size of a small canteloupe.

Moose
 
quote by moose (You can order some very nice tarps, asym tarps, ultra light tarps, etc, but you can't wear them to keep you and your stuff dry, IMO. Plus, if you tear up a $120 silnylon tarp while camping, you're gonna be heartbroke, or at least I would. Just a good mil spec poncho, $20 and you can get another one on your way home, from a surplus joint, and never worry until it gets torn again, LOL.)
.
Good point
 
I have used a combination of the US Issue GI Poncho and liner and US Issue Casualty (All weather 4 ply space blanket) in climate extremes from Alaska to the SW desert. The Casualty blanket costs 10-15 dollars and last a long time. Poncho w/ liners costs vary widely but like Moose said, not real expensive. I have had the same set for the last 10 years. You can add lightweight goretex bivy and you would be in pretty good 3 season shape. I don't have a bivy myself. I use two Italian issue wool blankets that work well.
 
I generally just throw my sleep system down inflate the pad, put my pack into a contractor trash bag ,crawl in and zip up. so most times my sleep system is my shelter.

As far as the sleep system goes, For about the last 4 years I've been using a Wiggy's 0 dergree (zero degree) bag , Integral designs South Col bivy sack and REI Lite core pad (2/3 length). The zero degree bag has a 35 degree "overbag" that zips into it to keep you from turning into a popsickle down into the negatives.
I usually use one bag or the other depending on what time of year it is. It's nice to have both bags zipped together when it's real windy, real cold or both, but it's so damn bulky I hate to do it.

I keep it all in a compression sack (9 strap), usually strapped on the back of my pack.

I can put up pics if you'd like later tonight.
 
Frogg Toggs and carhartt, as for tarps harbor freight has some pretty decent one for a good price.

I was up until 3am last night sewing, I miss my lathe.....
 
I used a poncho most of the time, a larger purpose built tarp some of the time.
In the video below you can see what I did to the poncho.

In short, affix a mylar blanket (space blanket) to the inside of the poncho. When you put it up if you rig it correctly in relation to your fire you'll get very large amounts of reflective heat back into your bedroll.

In the case in the video, later that night I enclosed the ends with the blankets. About halfway through is where I get to talking about the poncho/space blanket and a little on sleeping systems. I've since gone over to a USGI Modular sleep system.

1 bivy sack: gortex, breathable but waterproof, very durable.
1 patrol bag, good to 40F
1 Cold weather bag good to 0

You put the cold weather bag into the patrol bag and both into the bivy sack for the most extreme cold. Other wise you mix and match the types to suit your needs and climate. In the video I talk briefly about layering for bag as I was never satisfied with A bag, rather I wanted options.

The video has other stuff in it, as it was primarily the first trial on a PULK I built but it covered the shelter type so you might find it of some use.

[youtube]yu0T2gRC7iA[/youtube]
 
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My opinion on this matter is going to be different than most peoples. You should go with whatever you think you would like better.

I have spent a large amount of time over almost the entire course of my life outdoors and what I do works for me. There are some variables in what I carry depending upon the climate and the season. I can live for days, weeks, or months with my setup and have.

I don't like sleep systems and I don't carry for panchos unless I am in a rain forest during the rainy season. What I do like are quality wool blankets that usually sized 66"x80" longer is better for me. I also carry a quality canvas tarp. If I can't buy one I have made a few made over the years. I like them to be four or five inches larger than the blanket in both dimensions.

You can roll them up a variety of ways depending on what kind of gear you want to roll up in them. In the center I always have an axe. Usually some type of Hudson Bay axe. For the couple of years it has been a Gransfors Bruks Hunting Axe and it has been serving me well.

I also carry a quality rucksack. I don't like nylon or cordura packs because they are noisy and for me have not been as durable. I like them to be heavy canvas or oil cloth. I personally don't like the one bag system. If you make camp and want to travel about you will have that large bag with you if you want to take some stuff with you.

So I usually have a bedroll (tarp and blanket) rolled up with an axe, line, maybe some food items that are breakable, tent stakes or tools if I think I need them. A rucksack that has most of my other gear, mostly clothing and other soft items, possibly ammunition. I also like to have a small bag. Something like a map case. They are versatile and keep frequently used items handy without having to get into the rucksack during the day or while you are moving. Courierware makes some of the best bags I have seen and have some for a good many years that have survived some serious abuse for long periods of time.

If I have a rifle I make sure it is light, powerful, and handy. If the weather is expected to be inclement the rifle will be in a light dragbag.

I can live for long periods of time relatively comfortably out of this set up. Like I said it is not for everyone but for me it balances well and I have less to carry than most people which allows me to cover more ground with less effort.

About the only concession I make for additional comfort is to pack an old Wagoner Iron Skillet if I am going to be somewhere for an extended period of time.
 
@ smokinonion, nice work and video....BK9 looks sweet stuck in the tree next to the fire.:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Integral designs makes sil tarps and poncho tarps that are lightweight, low cost(under 100$) and work really well.

I have a sea to summit poncho tarp I picked up at REI a couple years ago that has works very well for me
 
TUF, I enjoyed your decidedly old-school take. :thumbup:
 
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