Solo Tent Fly as Poncho / Rain Gear?

JackRBetter used to have instructions to convert an 8×8 tarp into a wrap of sorts with buttons. You could seam seal them and maintain your fly's waterproofness. You can probably find instructions on the web – sorry I can't look right now.

Also, Vick Hines (search this site) posted ideas years ago for a rectangular tarp that, I believe, could be adapted for a fly.

I've pondered this question myself. I carry a poncho tarp for rain protection and it does resemble my tent fly.

The hole in the poncho might affect the weather worthiness and structural rigidity of a tent fly. Perhaps too much?

Someday I should lay out my tarp and tent fly side by side. I suspect my current tarp/poncho is a bit too small.

Definitely a DIY project. Not sure I want to sacrifice the tent fly to experimentation.

I wouldn't want to compromise my fitted fly by making new holes. BUT:

I just dug out my Hubba fly and tried it on. There already *IS* a head-hole, it's the zippered door, which zips down from the front apex of the tent. I can stick my head through this slit and zip back up, making a tight fit around my neck.

Just standing, the fly hits my knees in front and the ground in back. If I extend arms out to the side and then wrap them forward (think an Indian chieftan donning his buffalo robe) the whole fly fits pretty well, about 18" of uncovered leg all around the bottom. Plus some dangling shock cord. But I would have to keep my arms folded in front for this to work.

What I need to discover is a way of making a temporary "hem" of about one foot along the backside of the fly. In which case, I think it might make a decent poncho, if coupled with a good rain hat.

As with a poncho-tarp, you're going to have a tough time setting up your shelter in the rain. I wouldn't do it if I was expecting any sort of wet weather, but in dry climates this could serve as emergency rain gear.

setting up an inner first tent in the rain is a pain enough already, I bet you don't want to do it without a WP jacket on either?

Hennessy Hammocks make a rain fly with a zipper to be used as a cape. It does work.

I've wondered about adding a hood to a rain fly and of course the SMD Gatewood Cape is a perfect example.

As far a rain gear to wear while pitching a poncho shelter, you could use your Polycryo ground cloth, or carry a cheap emergency poncho if you expect big rain.

Next time it rains where you are, go outside wearing that tent and then set it up as a tent so that you can see how it works out for you.

I don't want to make the discussion Hubba-specific, but…the Hubba can pitch fly first.

I can imagine getting wet when removing the fly and pitching it, although that could be moderated by using a water resistant wind jacket during the pitch, and getting under the fly ASAP. I need to practice pitching from beneath the frame.

To me, this seems to be in the same range of inconvenience as wearing a JacksRBetter quilt in poncho mode for warmth around camp. Not without its drawbacks, but perhaps worth it to save weight–especially here in our almost rainless southland. I'd not try it in the PNW!

If it works, it'd save me 10 oz by not carrying my Dri Ducks.

What I need to discover is a way of making a temporary "hem" of about one foot along the backside of the fly.

My poncho tarp has plastic snaps to allow folding up the back to make it shorter. If one could get something like that and apply them with a little seam sealer, seems like that might work.

I see what you mean about the door providing the hole. Unfortunately, my tent has side entry, so it wouldn't be long enough in back. This system seems to require the right size/shape tent.

But I will try on my tent fly someday.

The thing is, I've only had to use my poncho something like 3 times in 15 years (in the Sierra).

This might actually work.

The bottom back of the fly-poncho can be gathered up in five places and clipped with a carabiner. A short bit of string runs to a tie-out in the middle upper back.

Inside:

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And here's the adjusted fly on a hanger.

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It's a little blousey around the bottom, but not unbearable.