Best of the Cheap Ponchos? Polycryo Poncho Yet?

[Delmar O’Donnell]

Given the dry warm winter we're having in the southwest, I've decided to "downgrade" my rain gear to an inexpensive poncho. I was planning to take a Coghlan's Emergency Plastic Poncho at 1.6 ounces (and $4), but got to wondering if the BPL collective brain had a better alternative.

I believe I can afford to go borderline on this choice because I've figured out a way to rig my tent fly (Hubba) as a substantial poncho if a cheap plastic poncho fails.

But…there may be a better alternative for a cheap poncho of which I'm unaware? Anybody made one from polycryo yet? That would seem the logical step up in ultra-light-ultra-cheap rain protection.

.

[Justin Baker]

David Gardner from Gold Gear made told me about a polycro poncho/tarp he made. I don't think he sells them though. It's a lot of work to make and will wear out easily.

[Steven Diogenes]

I'm wondering the same. I use a disposable poncho but I'd like to find an XL one in the same material for better coverage. They all seem to be one-size-fits-all.

[michael levi]

I buy the 88 cent ones at wall Mart. I think it weighs 1.7oz. I don't replace them often bc they don't shred as easy as people think.

I also use a 2.5oz montbell wind jacket. Overall very happy with this setup. Rain jackets always felt overkill.

Edit: I also store it in a Ziploc baggie so it's easy to manage.

[michael levi]

If I were to upgrade it would be the Zpacks poncho. I had one and sold it but miss it. It's very strong 1.0 cuben and good hood adj.

Weight 5.1oz and $155. So you have to ask yourself if it's worth it.

[Delmar O’Donnell]

Cuben poncho! Worth it for the bragging rights alone. OTOH, here in the southland we just don't get much use of our rain gear.

I noticed nobody recommended a step-up from the cheap plastic bag ponchos by way of a silnylon poncho?

And is it accurate to say there's no significant quality difference among the plastic-sheet type ponchos?

[Dale Wambaugh]

If you are going to use the poncho with a backpack, the back needs to be longer to cover the pack and the back of your legs. Most backpacker models have a set of snaps or Velcro tabs to allow using the poncho with out without the pack. GoLite has done the job and is the best balance of performance/weight/price IMHO. Equinox makes a backpacker style poncho too.

DriDucks makes a poncho of the same type of material as their jackets and a very light "emergency" model too. Both lack the extra back length for use with a pack.

The Cuben models I have seen aren't much lighter than the GoLite and are much more expensive and you have to deal with the idiosyncrasies of the material. If I were going to spend that kind of money, I would get a Gatewood Cape instead and get a good shelter in the bargain.

The plastic "emergency" ponchos are not cut for use with a backpack. I've considered carrying one for use with a poncho shelter, just in the event that there is a big rainstorm at the same time I want to pitch my shelter.

A belt made from light line with a toggle can help tame a poncho in the wind or brushy trails. It can go up below your pack and ride on top of your waist belt buckle in front. You can adjust the fabric all around to suit the conditions.

I carry a GoLite for my summer day hike backup raingear and emergency shelter. I would need to spend a great deal more to get a minimalist rain jacket at the same 7oz weight, which would not provide as much coverage or ventilation, nor act as a pack cover or shelter.

[Rex Sanders]

Trash bags are lighter and cheaper than most cheap ponchos. For a step up in longevity use trash compactor bags. Both are multi-use if you don't get any rain.

For a step up in your longevity, cut holes for your head and arms.

If you have a water-resistant hat, you don't need the hood. If you have a water-resistant windshirt, you'll be mostly good. If you've got an HMG pack, or you've already waterproofed the contents, you don't need the pack coverage. Or use another trash bag on your pack.

You can get trash bags in a variety of colors. And free if you, um, borrow one of the bright orange ones that say "Don't Trash California".

Gives new meaning to the phrase, "hiker trash".

— Rex

[David Thomas]

+1 on Rex's suggestion.

Those $4 ponchos, (I've bought them for $0.40 in China) are vinyl. Vinyl gets very brittle below 40F. Hail will punch right through them. We called them suicide ponchos because when you need them most, they commit suicide.

I like ( in order ):

1) Trash compactor bags – toughest, and closer fitting for more heat retention.

2) yellow or orange contractor / DOT bags for their visibility.

3) basic black 35- to 55- gallon trash bag if I didn't plan ahead.

Any of those choices are HDPE which means they are good from -100F to over 200F.

I leave them uncut because then I can use them as a lower-body shelter, water carrier, bear bag in a tree or even as, gasp!, a trash bag.

If needed as a poncho, I cut or gnaw out a head hole. If I opt to expose my arms, I gnaw out arm holes as well.

[Daryl and Daryl]

Rex,

"For a step up in your longevity, cut holes for your head and arms."

Well it's early and I already have my laugh-for-the-day.

Thanks

[Delmar O’Donnell]

Good info. Too bad nobody makes a decent plastic lightweight poncho.

In light of the above discussion, it's looking like I'm going to MYOG a poncho out of polycryo or trash bags or possibly even nylon oven bags. To "sew" seams on these plastics/nylons, I assume I use a quality packing tape? Is there a better choice? If I get the seam nice and flat, can I rely on the tape for a waterproof seal and durability?

…because I do want a hood, and something a little sleeve-like, at least for the upper arms.

[Dale Wambaugh]

Polycryo would be interesting. A hood is a complication. You may be able to use the hood from a cheap plastic one as a pattern. Getting the edges cut smoothly so you don't invite a tear is the thing. I'm afraid it won't last long after all your work is done.

Your original question wasn't bad— some are better than others. Perhaps AMK needs to look into this niche.

Is your primary concern weight or cost?

[Gary Dunckel]

Actually, Delmar, Coleman does make one. They're fairly flimsy, but probably no worse than polycro. They're intended for emergencies, they weigh 2.5 oz., they're cheap, and they're considered disposable (or not?).

[Mitchell Ebbott]

I have one of the Coleman ones and bring it on day trips as my emergency rain gear/shelter. I've brought it on a few short backpackers too, in Southern California during the dry seasons there's no point packing anything heavier.

[Paul Hatfield]

> Those $4 ponchos, (I've bought them for $0.40 in China) are vinyl.

Maybe the heavy, cheap ponchos are vinyl, but the light, cheap ones? I believe the Coghlan's is polyethylene.

[Delmar O’Donnell]

> Is your primary concern weight or cost?

Weight, and secondly, space, until you get into cuben territory, at which point it becomes cost.

Good point about the weak leading edges of the hood; I was thinking about turning them back into a "hem", taping them, and running a cord through the hem.

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