Frogg Toggs 2.8oz Emergency Poncho

[Dale Wambaugh]

I came across this one the other day and ordered one to check it out. It *is* thin and won't take weeks of abuse, but I thought it might work out for those who want to use a windshirt and the lightest possible rain gear. It measures 44"x78" and weighs 2.8oz on my scales. You can find them online for a few dollars, but the shipping runs as much or more, so coupling it with another order or multiples would be a better buy. I went for the green one (comes in white too).

It is too small for over-the pack wear— too bad they don't make it in a backpacker's cut. It could be used as a makeshift ground sheet, but it is too small for a shelter. It could be used in the same way as a space blanket, to waterproof an emergency shelter, or just a night huddled under a tree. In backpacking mode, I would wrap it around and wear the pack on top. I should have ordered two– it would be easy to cut one up and glue it to the other for a longer back half to cover a pack.

http://www.froggtoggs.com/?outerwear/driducks/DDPE1

[Konrad .]

Oh Snap, poor-man's cloud cape. I'm diggin this big time.

[Jonathan Riley]

Pretty sweet… could be nice for a weekend speed hike. In the image you posted it looks like I can see a person wearing red shorts and a white t thru the poncho, but there is no face! Creepy!

[Dale Wambaugh]

I just ordered three more from http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com I'm going to try cutting a section from one and adding to the tail for a more traditional backpacker's style poncho.

Update: do not order from http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com! After a week of waiting I found they were on backorder with no notification from the supplier. This sort of thing really ticks me and I have been on the vendor end of a web store too!

[Curt Peterson]

Is it basically the same material as the regular Frogg Toggs stuff? Just thinner?

[Dale Wambaugh]

Exactly– it is a thinner version of the rain suit material— non-woven polypropylene.
. It is pressed smooth on the outside with a waffle finish on the inside. A 1" hem is sewn all around the perimeter. The seams around the hood are welded.
It is light material and won't take a lot of abuse. It doesn't want to shred under tension, but I wouldn't want to go bushwacking with it.

If you want a light day hiking backup or want to rely more on a windshirt and still have some sort of fail-safe, this might do the trick. It is jumping off the fence and running all the way to Minimal City for rain gear.

I took Konrad's lead and looked at the Cloud Cape. Yup, it is that, indeed. You could outline a smock design and sew it or maybe glue it with Seam Grip and cut off the excess. I'll have to try that with a spare. Sounds like a 15 minute project.

Update: I ran that option using clothespins. I think just gluing the existing side hems with seam grip and leaving arm holes would do the trick if you wanted to wear it under your pack.

[obx hiker]

In a related note: Anyone here have a good source for light-weight plastic snaps and the necessary hardware?

Dale thanks for bringing this poncho to mour attention; it's an interesting looking product which might work really well with a pair of dri-duck type pants converted to chaps to get a really breathable rain wear set at @ 5 oz. And very affordable too!

One added benefit or multi-use I've gotten from my home-made or home converted dri-duck chaps is adding 3 light grommets to the leg bottom; 2 on @ each side seam for attaching fishing cord to make it more like a gaiter and the other on the front to attach to the shoelace for the same reason. I use @ 80lb fishing line (whatever looks really sturdy) and metal crimps for the instep lines along with the smallest plastic mitten hooks and 1/32nd stretch cord and a hook for the toe and that whole rig weighs @ 1 gram for each side. So now my chaps are also really long but still pretty darn light gaiters.

[Tom Holbrook]

Cola,

Everything you want can be found at this site.

http://www.kamsnaps.com/Pliers-for-Plastic-Snaps-c5/

Z.

[Paul Tree]

I made a bivy out of it. There's a ton of threads here relating to that.

Joining it to a visqueen plastic sheet with electrical tape has worked fine in my field use. E-tape is pretty waterproof. In fact, almost every kind of tape was un-removable, watch out.
The one thing I worry about is overheating (black tape) and loosening the glue, but OK so far and I don't leave it sit out. It does add a tad bit o weight, but you can trim off some material to make up for it. Also, the glue has affected my goretex pants where I put it over a small hole, so it is not archival and may trash stuff eventually.

I use the bivy for summer packing in case the weather report is wrong, makes a beefy ground sheet in any case. Still get some condensation, but I left it pretty square so there are cold corners. I figured I could always trim them off later. In the snow, I use a pad underneath and one inside, still experimenting.

So far I have left the hood on for a vent or emergency poncho use, but took off the cord-locks.

[Brian UL]

How bulky is it? can you fit it in a small minimalist day pack or will take a lot of room? Like, can you fit it in your pocket?

[Dale Wambaugh]

It's small– very thin stuff. It rolls up to the size of a soda can with no effort. Of course it is smaller in factory packaging. It is a great candidate for a small hydration pack. I will post more photos when I get the new ones.

[Brian UL]

Thanks, sounds good.

[Curt Peterson]

Thanks, Dale. I ordered a couple to check out. Seems like a perfect great-weather-forecast shell replacement. I take DriDucks in the PNW summer as my never-use shell and thought that was as light as I'd get. This is half! Surely breathes a lot better as well.

[obx hiker]

THANK YOU Tom! I just couldn't seem to find that anywhere and your link is EXACTLY what I'm looking for.

Thanks!

[Author]

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