Poncho Vs. Rain Jacket

[Paul Wozniak]

Interesting design.

I would wonder how to pitch the setup in a driving rain. It looks like a choice between using the poncho/tarp to protect either your body or the bug screen walls, but not both. What do you think?

[kevin davidson]

That's akin to the very dilemma a poncho tarp user faces. C'est la vie.

[EndoftheTrail]

Hi Verber:

I clicked over to your site — excellent summary of various wp/b laminates and coatings!

You listed MontBell's Peak Shell jacket in the category of "PU coated jackets". Please note that the jacket uses MB's Breeze Dry Tec laminate — which according to MontBell does not have any PU coating at all. In fact, similar to eVENT, dispensing with the PU coating is one of MB's major selling points.

[Brian Lewis]

I've got one of the normal (not extended) Campmor (aka Equinox Terrapin) ponchos, and on the whole I agree it's a good piece of kit and a good value — it fits me well, and the design seems to work well in the rain.

Two exceptions to that:

(1) Color. You can't specify color when you order, it's just listed as "various". Mine came in bold blue, which if you use your poncho as any part of your shelter this really doesn't fit well with the concept of stealth camping.

(2) The side snaps. Suckers are so strong on mine that I thought I would tear out fingernails trying to open them to convert poncho into tarp. I got wise and now use something like a butterknife blade, but this is a PITA.

Two posters talked about using a poncho as hammock cover tarp. Measuring my Hennessy backpacker a-sym tarp, the long (~diagonal) length is 122". Few ponchos cover that on the long diagonal. What exactly are you using for poncho on what particular hammocks, please, and how well does it cover in heavy rain? I expect the side coverage would be better, it's the length I'm concerned about; perhaps some sort of end flaps added or something …

Back on the original topic, note that Mountain Laurel Designs has a couple of nice poncho options now, to add to other choices like the Gatewood cape from Six Moon Designs, Integral Designs ponchos, Poncho Villa from antigravitygear.com, Warmlite, and of course on this site they sell Bozeman Mountain Works ponchos.

You might also consider the Packa, http://www.thepacka.com/ or making either the Poncho or the "Parcho", at http://www.questoutfitters.com/patterns-jackets.htm

Brian Lewis

[todd]

Brian,

Sounds like you (mostly)like the Campmor poncho. I'm 6'1" and am looking into a poncho. How tall are you? Is the coverage adequate? How do you cover your arms?

Thanks for your help,
Todd

[Steve .]

Just in case you have not read this article on the Equinox Poncho.

"Problems with the Campmor/Equinox Poncho/Shelter in "shelter" mode: Without ridgeline tie-outs at each end of the shelter it's difficult to get a decent pitch. As you can see in the photo, the shelter bunches up between the downward curved ridgeline cord spilling a lot of tension. The end result -a baggy, floppy and unstable pitch."

[Franco Darioli]

Paul
" would wonder how to pitch the setup in a driving rain. It looks like a choice between using the poncho/tarp to protect either your body or the bug screen walls, but not both. What do you think?"
Fair comments. That is why I prefer separate rain gear and shelter and jacket and pants over a poncho, however some like the weight and versatility of the poncho ( and poncho/tarp) obviously having to put up with the occasional wet set up.
I posted (at the risk of hijacking the thread) those pictures to see if anyone thought that there was an advantage in the Luxe system. The way I see it is that you can keep yourself dry apart for the last 30 sec or so ( you only need to attach the poncho to the already positioned stakes) and the inner will have at least the rear dry but of course whatever will get through the front part in those two or three minutes it takes to put it up will wet that area . To keep it light and practical, you could always use one of the very light weight (under 3 oz) wind stopper/rain resistant jackets like the Montbell UL during the set up.
Anyway this was a poncho vs. Jacket thread, so apologies for the intrusion but I did not want to start a new thread at this stage.
Franco

[Brian Lewis]

Hi Todd. I'm 5'10" and find the normal length Campmor poncho to be a great length for me. Coverage of arms: I guess I just accept that a poncho isn't going to cover my arms all the way. If I'm standing still I get coverage, and if I'm moving I'm typically warm enough. There are cord loops that you could hook your thumbs into, but I find that a little too constraining. Maybe if it was pretty cold rain …

One poncho that I had overlooked is the Golite poncho — same dimensions as the larger (extension) Campmor/Equinox poncho, about the same weight, not too expensive at $45, and it comes in two colors. One is "sage" (~green), which I find acceptable. I just ordered one today — I'm looking for something that can fill a variety of roles in different situations, from cooking shelter to tent vestibule extension, hammock tarp, or tarptent. Note that the Golite poncho is also reviewed here on BPL,
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/golite_ultra_lite_poncho_tarp_review.html

Brian Lewis

[todd]

Hi Brian,

"I'm looking for something that can fill a variety of roles in different situations, from cooking shelter to tent vestibule extension"

These things are what I was looking for, specifically. Please let us know how YOU like the Golite after using both…My birthday is coming up so I can ask my daughters for the best one!!!!!

Thanks, Todd

[Jaiden .]

I have a golite poncho and a HH, but haven't used either yet. I have read up on tarps for the HH and I think the golite is too short. Even the stock tarp for the HH is longer. Maybe if there is NO chance of rain…
YMMV, let me know if anyone disagrees

[Richard Matthews]

I have used the Campmor Extension and GoLite poncho as the fly on my HH Expedition for three years. Been through moderate to severe storms with no problem.

[Jason Brinkman]

Old post, but getting back to the original question about poncho or rain jacket/pants for WA, OR, and ID?…

I would take rain jacket/pants for the Cascades and west. I would take poncho for parts further east, including all of Idaho. I'd consider jacket/pants for early spring or late fall trips when the temps are lower – making them more tolerable.

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