BMW SpinPoncho “T” LITE – Ultralight Backpacking Tarp

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This poncho is on "closeout" for this years model (2006), or it was when I decided to order it.

The history or chain of events that led me to order it is the education I have received here at BPL as to what to do, or buy, or carry when out 'there.'

The details are at:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/spinponcho_t_ultralight_backpacking_tarp.html

I have gone from a heavy tent to a TarpTent, to a bivy sack (as said in my review of the NANO bivy it might better be called a love affair with UL/ L / and SUL concepts). Now, I also need a tarp for light weather conditions, or late spring, summer and early fall. We never really know the weather we will get here because the mountain determines that on its own, Lassen.

I could not be happier with any poncho than the Bozeman Mountain Works T lite.

At 4.6 oz. it meets my requirements for light weight in a rain gear piece … BUT it also is a tarp and I will use it as a ground cloth when I dont need a tarp under my BMW NANO bivy. (I figure I can use super glue or a small patch for any pine needle or rock holes.)

The design is solid, with a bungy draw string to bring up the back around a pack or to tighten it up. The buttons are great for closures to prevent wind fluffing (although I can be pretty certain they will be replaced by newer and lighter connections in the future models.)

It is ready to use as a tarp shelter, which is why I give it a 5. The GG polycryo [sp?] groundcloth was my choice of a groundcloth and rain poncho at about 5 oz. before receiving this BMW T lite. Now, all bets are off since for the same weight I get rain gear, ground cloth, and tarp shelter. (Which I am just learning how to use and set up, but I figure I can master that in good weather.)

If there would be any complaint about this poncho it would be that it makes some noise because it is "crunchy" soundin like a lot of lightweight fabrics. But, hey, if the weight and functionality is as good as in this poncho/ IMO groundcloth when combined with the NANO bivy / and tarp shelter … what is a little soft fabric music.

I couldn't be happier with a poncho than I am with this one because of the weight, except that next years model will probably be lighter and require more money to get lighter. Oh well, it is a curse and a boon … and the boon side is winning.

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