I am working on a design for a type of MYOG poncho tarp that I have not been able to find anywhere in the market. I would love to get some feedback on the concept.
I call it a “Hex Quad” because it will be hex shaped (coming to points at fingertips), quad length (mid thigh), and be quad function.
1) vented full-coverage rain & pack cover,
2) sit-out-storm shelter (tarp or over knees)
3) cook/camp shelter
4) potential head cover over bivy
Goals:
Take benefits of poncho, fix key problems with most ponchos (arm coverage, flappy/snaggy), avoid problems of trying to use poncho as primary shelter, have multi function of camp/cook/sit-out-the-storm tarp, fix hood leak problems in tarp mode, more ventilation control around neck and front of chest, better cord connection and tarp setup (without hard bulky hardware), better brim & hood tiebacks.
Comparisons:
Better ventilation, simpler build, and more functions than Parcho, Packa, or Mountain Poncho. Definitely better than supposedly waterproof and breathable jacket under pack straps and then trying to keep pack dry separately.
Key assumptions:
1. Poncho is best backpacking rain top because of ventilation, covering pack, pack straps not on top of rain gear, lighter and simpler, not as dependent on short-lived fabric performance.
2. Biggest problems with ponchos are not long enough to cover arms but too long and flappy/snaggy around legs.
3. Ponchos don’t make great sleeping shelters.
• Primary shelter and rain gear is a bad place for dual function – too often need both functions at same time and transition is problematic and time consuming.
• Tarp-sized ponchos are too big to work well as a poncho.
• Poncho-sized tarps are too small and just have too many sacrifices as primary shelter. Existing designs also tend to have leak problems around hood despite not providing enough ventilation around the neck.
4. If have dedicated UL sleeping shelter, it is nice to have more open area to cook and sit around camp/fire. Good to have that area away from sleeping area for multiple reasons. Dual function here works much better than trying to have one piece of gear serve as both primary shelter and primary rain wear.
5. A short poncho/tarp is part of system – small pack, rain chaps or kilt or pants, water-resistant wind jacket (for limited protection when poncho being used as tarp), UL dedicated sleep shelter, shoe covers
Major Intended Features
• Hex shape to provide full arm coverage and better camp tarp configurations
• Comes to just below mid thigh (for better ventilation and less drag/catch/flap than longer tarps) with rear length to cover small pack and allow enough length to sit on poncho to keep butt dry. Also just right size to sit under with knees up and have full coverage.
• Adjustable wrap around at hips (back-to-front and front-to-sides) for tighter fit than traditional poncho while still maintaining ventilation
• Head opening is a curved T-shaped slit with hood becoming a taut storm flap and the leg of the T closed with waterproof zipper that becomes a 1/3 zip in poncho mode and a support under hood in tarp mode.
• Cat cut edges for taut pitch and better poncho drape. Large cats on sides (especially front). Small cats on ends.
Anyway, those are the big ideas behind the concept I am working on. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!
