Help from poncho users

In the summer, I just let my legs get wet. In cool or cold weather, I switch the poncho for a rain jacket, rain pants, and pack cover. (This switch also lets the jacket and pants do double duty as shell garments over midweight long johns and a down sweater, eliminating the need for something sturdier – such as Micropuff pullover and pants – in addition to the poncho; the net savings is nearly a pound.)

Hey Eric,

I use wind pants and Mountain Laurel Designs eVent rain mitts.

– Jon

Unless near freezing I just let my pant legs get wet from rain, dewy vegetation and stream crossings. I don't mind in the least but I understand that some may feel differently.

I have been interested for some time in the Poncho Villa from Antigravity Gear: http://www.antigravitygear.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=255

It has finger loops that allow the "sleeves" to move with your arms. Would help to keep your arms dryer plus I believe it would reduce some sloppiness when reaching. There are other nice features and 6 oz weight. I thought about sewing finger loops on my current poncho but the "sleeves" are not long enough.

There have been times when backpacking in warm weather with no danger of sudden temperature change, that I have been willing to simply let my pants legs get wet, but mostly I've pulled on the wide-legged simple chaps I made 'way back when from coated pack cloth. Yup, a little heavy by UL standards, but the reason my pants legs need protection is because there is lots of water on the plants that I brush against, along side the trail. And those can be abrasive, so I still use the old heavier coated nylon. Even if it is not currently raining, I like to keep my pants legs dry 'til the sun has dried up the brush. My chaps are an extremely simple design with ties which I fasten to belt loops. They are cut slantwise at the top. One very important benefit of chaps is that because they are ventilated, they help avoid excessive sweating in the crotch area. This helps avoid jockrot (tinea cruris), a nasty affliction when in the woods.

Just like the comments above, I use nada in warm weather except for Montbell UL windpants and a Montane or Golite windshirt under the top. Sometimes I'll swap in a pair of chaps or Golite Reed pants, especially if I'm expecting a lot of mud or dew with low plants. When the conditions are more foul, the poncho stays home.

But my typical 3 season set is wind pants, jacket, and a ponchotarp for times that I'm really going for it and I want the lightest pack.

I have a cool pair of old OR rain mitts that I often carry but I think the Mountain Laurel Designs eVENT mitts are probably the best deal going.

dj

>. I was just wondering what most poncho users do with the parts of the body that aren't covered by the poncho.

I use a Gatewood Cape, and if it's cold enough I add the Gossamer Gear SpinnChaps (1.8 oz) to cover my legs–otherwise I just leave them bare and my shorts get wet. Hand covering varies; I had more luck keeping my liner gloves dry under two produce bags (0.2 oz/pair) than with OR Mt. Shuksan GORE-TEX shell mitts (4.0 oz), which wet through after a few hours. The produce bags appear undamaged after 50+ miles (used with trekking poles). When it wasn't sleeting, I wore just the produce bags on my hands. I have a pair of Mountain Laurel Designs eVENT Rain Mitts (S/M: 0.9 oz; L/XL: 1.1 oz) ) to try next time.

Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape with Montane Featherlite Smock and Montane windpants. I do however, want those nifty little e-vent mits from MLD!!!