I am tempted to purchase Ron Moak’s new Gatewood Cape for overnighters where I expect fair weather. However, I am a bit concerned about the breathability of silnylon as a poncho. I have never tried a non-breathable poncho. My experience with hiking in the rain is that Drop Stoppers Jackets are just barely breathable enough to be comfortable hiking in (and I know that’s about as breathable as watherproof fabrics get!). So my concern is getting sweat-soaked in a downpour with silnylon. I realize, though, that ponchos are more vented, but I wonder if that is enough. I do hike with an umbrella. I envision overnighters with an umbrella, wind shirt, gatewood cape, polycro ground cloth, and bug netting.
On the positive sides, the Gatewood Cape is the first poncho that I feel is storm-worthy as a poncho. Combined with my waterproof gauntlet gloves, it appears I might have full arm protection. I like that it doubles as a pack cover. And the pyramid design looks more wind-stable than traditional poncho-shelters. I’m so tempted by 11oz for both poncho and shelter!
I will be using it in the PNW. Having followed the forums on the liquid sunshine, I intend to use this for fair weather.
(For those of you following my other threads, I decided on the Hex 3 instead of making my own Epic bivy/hammock combo for foul weather hiking in the PNW. Thanks to all of you who suggested this shelter! I really do enjoy sleeping on my stomach (so no hammock), and I am amazed at the stability of the Hex in winds (tried it side-by side with my Shires Rainshadow, and there’s no comparison! (though I still love the Rainshadow). And I’ve found a way to clip my Gossamer Gear polycro groundsheet to the sides, so I have a 1.5oz bucket-floor for the Hex 3).
But for fair-weather overnighters the Hex is overkill. Thus my tempation with the Gatewood Cape…
