(Sea to Summit) Poncho Tarp = Rainproof ???

Any experience?

I used a poncho tarp for a while. I felt like it only kept my torso dry. It also snagged on tree branches. Overall I feel like a rainsuit is more functional but ponchos are okay if you wont' be out in long rain. I think marketing photos tend to exagerate the area covered by a poncho.

not so worried about the legs . I have long gaiters going up to my knees (made from old rainpants). I just cant imagine that Velcro or even buttons keep the rain out for long although Poncho Tarps are often mentioned as THE Ultralight multi-use options.

Well Gators will help. I didn't use those so I don't know about them. I got wet all up my arms. I'm not sure you can keep your arms in all day.
Poncho Tarps are multi use but this means they aren't perfect rain gear (you can't see your feet as well so bad for rock scrambling), and they aren't perfect as a shelter (small, occassional leaks through rolled up hood, difficulty of pitching shelter in rain). They do work, I just wouldn't take one to a place with a lot of rain or where I needed to bushwack.

not seeing your feet actually can be an issue. Didnt think of that. I though about using the poncho tarp as my only rain cover but as a add on to my big 10×10 tarp, making it a 15×10 tarp. But when I come to the conclusion that it woun't work as my only rain cover I would bring a poncho ( no multi use, no open sides, all seams taped etc.) or a driducks suit.

LukeSchmidt, where does your trekking find you?
i spend my time in the WET cascades in WA, where even if you have the most breathable rain gear you will still find water creeping in under your wrist velcro and (inevitably) your legs will get wet…if not from rain from condensation.
I'm converting to poncho-tarping this year, first time. i've used tarps extensively, but larger (12×10) and not in inclement weather. I've tried pitching my tarp from underneath, mimicking pitching w/a poncho on, and that is bogus. not practical. as for seeing one's feet, cinching the poncho at your waist with cord (creating almost a tunic of sorts) sems to work well at presenting feet for minor scrambles…so easy to tear through a poncho on granite..
my legs get wet cos i dont wear pants just shorts no gaiters. gaiters are overkill to me. i am thinking that using a bivy will be the only way to make ponchotarping a viable form of UL shelter in my environment. someone here brought it to my attention that not having the bivy or extra raingear (driducks are my plan) severely limits your pitching options.

I planed on a uncoated nylon upper (with DWR) bivy that has a waterproof bottom below my tarp (measured it, its 12×10), like the equinox sprawler.
Matt, did you have any problems with water getting in at the sides of your poncho tarp? Which one do you use? With no gaiters or wp pants water will run down your feet into your shoes?
As I would have the poncho tarp not as my only tarp the pitching in rain problem would not an issue. But it might double as raingear plus shelter add on IF it is suitable as my only rain gear….

I think I gave up on the poncho tarp idea as my only raincover, ordered some driducks. Thanks for your opinions.