I’ve always been a fan of the military ponchos. Like you said there are more than 1 use for them, which makes them ideal for hiking. You can also set up a quick rain fly for setting your tent up in the rain, so everything doesn’t get wet in the process. 🙏🏼
Poncho is very good for when you hammock camping if your tarp is too short you can put it on top of the tarp to extend it or it can act as doors for your tarp, also it can turn into a hammock chair, gear sling and ground sheet:)
Couldn't agree more. I upgraded my old poncho today to a sea to summit poncho tarp (not the nano sil) and it fits over my 65l pack down to my knees. The weight is 400g, but that's ok considering a pack cover is100g and a good raincoat can weigh 350g+. Also it eliminates the need for extra dry bags and pack liners, although I'll take a light garbage bag just in case. Multi use functionality is good as well I.e. tarp, groundsheet etc.
Great info. I also bought a poncho for similar reasons. Haven't used it much yet but I thought I still may want to take a rain jacket + the poncho if I am expecting lots of rain. Will be nice to have the jacket around camp for example while the poncho is under the tent.
I don't think that you'll want to do that, actually. I find that with fewer seams the poncho keeps me pretty dry and the heat buildup from the jacket+poncho combo would be killer.
Again, I think you're spot on with this advice. Good video, thanks. Here in the UK for me it's mild wet weather that presents arguably the biggest challenge when long distance backpacking. The Penine way, Wainwright's C2C, Lake District walking (the clue is in the name), Dalesway, Hadrians Wall C2C and ANYWHERE in Scotland - you gonna get WET, WET, WET weather. The problem is not only keeping you and your kit dry from rainfall, but also reducing sweat build up. The water resistant materials provide very limited insulation, so if your layers under the rain protection become damp you can very quickly become cold when the wind gets up, you ascend to higher altitude, or when you stop walking for whatever reason (including breaking camp or even injury). I have found claims by manufacturers that waterproof membranes are "breathable" have to be taken with a degree of interpretation. In mild, wet conditions, the effort of walking will make you sweat faster than a jacket will permit it's comfortable escape whilst at the same time keeping out rain. Opening the zipper will vent you but at the cost of exposing you to rain ingress. The "venting" of the poncho that you have demonstrated in the video is effective, it can be easily repeated frequently and it maintains a barrier against water ingress. Furthermore although many folk no longer use a dedicated pack external cover (and personally I have even ditched the brain pack of my Granite Gear Crown 2) the poncho does provide additional rain protection for the pack. Combined with additional functionality around camp as a ground sheet, low cost of the item and for those of us using vented trail runners with wet feet (making separate rain trousers possibly obsolete with a poncho), I have to agree with you that the poncho is an excellent multi-function solution for longer light backpacking hikes in mild but wet weather. As you say, it won't replace the rain jacket on shorter trips, colder weather or climbing activities. Now, if you have any good tips and advice for how I might persuade my wife to come backpacking can you please make a video on that?
Hey Neil, thanks again for watching and commenting. Absolutely right. The jackets do 'breath' good enough for your walk to the train station or to the shops. But when going cross country with a pack, it simply doesn't. I knew I was sold on the poncho when I had to do a big up hill section in the rain and using that venting method I stayed cool and dry. I do find that the poncho keeping the pack dry just makes life easier, less chafing and less worry about gear getting wet. And right once again. I also wear trail runners so in the rain I just unzip the lower part of my pants to make shorts and put the poncho on, absolutely no need for rain pants (unless your hiking in real freezing conditions). Hahaha I actually do. When I met my wife she was a 5 star hotel girl who's never gone camping and now she's a multi day ultralight hiker who loves to go. There was certainly process which might actually make for a video!
@@JakeMarcin Something you didn't mention, but I've found that wearing your backpack strap outside your rain jacket creates a spot for water to get in under your jacket. Not sure why that happens. Having the pack under the poncho removes the problem.
Really good points made here. The build-up of condensation and sweat, thus making you a waterproofed wet teabag, is one of the unsolved problems of hiking. I do not propose a solution. However, I do have a (half) remedy. Wearing the Snugpak Enhanced Patrol Poncho, when it is not raining(ish) put it over your head. That way it will still cover your arms and back but will allow you full frontal ventilation. If the rain comes you pull it back over - with hood - for as long as the downpour lasts. admittedly, a bit "black and white", but it seems to work.
Got in touch w/ but sadly, they are not set up for overseas shipments. Very nice polite reply. I am glad I at least asked. Thank you for letting me know such a spiffy item even existed. Decathlon Australia
Thats a shame. There is gear in the US that doesn't ship and I go through certain third party vendors which you can ship to and they will forward, potentially you might be able to find somewhere the same here in Aus. Although thats a lot of work for a $30 poncho haha
The biggest plus for me as with you is instant rucksack protection but also unlike rucksack rain covers a poncho covers the front straps also which all soak up water like mad and take forever to dry out. Plus of course most can be used as a small bivvy
There's other important aspects to the Poncho you didn't mention, the safety ones. I could see your's had side snaps, so if it will snap together long side to long side, you have a bivvy bag. I couldn't tell from the video if your poncho has grommets or loops for staking/tying cord on/fixing a pole to so you can make shelter. In an emergency when out hiking, eg I twisted ankle which slows you down so you become benighted, or when foul weather closes in to ride out a storm. Foil blanket, bivvy bag, fold up sleep mat add weight, but a lot more comfort if you have to overnight or spend several hours waiting for a storm to pass or a mountain rescue team to find you. If you're hiking open ground in hot sunny weather, heat exhaustion is something that can develop into heat stroke, fatal without rapid paramedic and hospital treatment because it requires intravenous fluid replacement. Therefore folk need to know and recognise symptoms of heat exhaustion in themselves and others. Get into shade and take in electrolyte laced water, sipped not gulped. Sports drinks will work, but I use Diolaryte sachets I keep in my first aid pack. The military style poncho (I use genuine military ponchos because they're tougher designed to take punishment) is a proven and essential piece of kit.
Thanks for watching. Yeah, give it a go. I was a little skeptical about not taking a proper rain jacket and just using a poncho but since hiking in the rain with it a few months back, I haven't gone back to carrying a dedicated rain jacket. This is just so much lighter, cheaper and more versatile for me.
Could not agree more. Especially when you are carrying a pack. BTW, in the US I am a Frogg Togg fan. Poncho, rain Jacket, and pants? Oh about $30 for all three. About 36AU$? Your Poncho looks GREAT. Only thing I might get one day is a rain kilt to go w/ the poncho. Would you know right off the bat if that poncho is available to be ordered in the US? Really interested. That Zipper if very sporty
Hey Yermo, thanks for watching and commenting. This poncho (and I should have showed it) does go just below the knees (I'm 180cm call) so really it does the job of a basic rain kilt as well. Decathlon, the store I purchased it from (link in description) is an international store, although I think mostly in Europe. I don't know if they will ship globally though, worth asking.
Next trip I switch to a poncho. 3 years later how do you feel about the poncho for backapcking? I also bough a mont laurel design bug bivy 2 (used for cheap!) after seeing your other video on that! Cheers!
For my normal hiking and camping conditions it’s my absolute go to (Sydney) When I went to Tassie last winter and spent time hiking around the more alpine Cradle Mt, it was a jacket as preference. So my experience has remained quite consistent with it being a very climate/location based choice.
i just switched from a poncho to a rain jacket. the disadvantages of the poncho: not good in wind even with a belt around your waist, not good on rock scrambles, not good on steep inclines, you step on it creating a trip hazard, wet forearms, not good when you gotta pee, not good if you do any type of bushwacking. while it does have some multi-purpose advantages, ime, the negatives out weigh them. YMMV
For the location/climate I hike and camp in I don’t bring rain pants. I generally wear short and light weight trail shoes so my legs/feet do get a little wet but they dry quite quickly. I would get sweaty, muggy and uncomfortable in rain pants. But if I was based somewhere much could’ve then I would definitely consider rain pants
Great video. thanks for sharing your thoughts. I've also got the Marmot Minimalist jacket and love it but when it is hot, humid and raining you just get soaked in sweat. Your video answers a question I posed in my Victory Track Hike th-cam.com/video/H9_5rRBhgi8/w-d-xo.html Thanks.
Thanks Hiker in Aus. Saw your video and totally agree when hiking in humid conditions, it almost defeats the purpose of having the jacket. Especially in those hot months like when you went out in Feb for that video. Haven't gone back since using this poncho
By the sounds of it, you bought the (Supreme) Gore-tex poncho? and you are comparing it to a $30 brand (link is broken btw) and you're saying that it's better? It sounds like you bought a fake Gore-tex...
Such a surprise! These are really beneficial features I never considered. Thanks for this video.
Thanks for watching. Yeah, I certainly haven't gone back since using the poncho, great multi use bit of gear
I’ve always been a fan of the military ponchos. Like you said there are more than 1 use for them, which makes them ideal for hiking. You can also set up a quick rain fly for setting your tent up in the rain, so everything doesn’t get wet in the process.
🙏🏼
Poncho is very good for when you hammock camping if your tarp is too short you can put it on top of the tarp to extend it or it can act as doors for your tarp, also it can turn into a hammock chair, gear sling and ground sheet:)
Couldn't agree more. I upgraded my old poncho today to a sea to summit poncho tarp (not the nano sil) and it fits over my 65l pack down to my knees. The weight is 400g, but that's ok considering a pack cover is100g and a good raincoat can weigh 350g+. Also it eliminates the need for extra dry bags and pack liners, although I'll take a light garbage bag just in case. Multi use functionality is good as well I.e. tarp, groundsheet etc.
Thank you so much for the video, awesome job and explanation on this awesome poncho, cheers
Glad it was helpful!
Great info. I also bought a poncho for similar reasons.
Haven't used it much yet but I thought I still may want to take a rain jacket + the poncho if I am expecting lots of rain. Will be nice to have the jacket around camp for example while the poncho is under the tent.
I don't think that you'll want to do that, actually. I find that with fewer seams the poncho keeps me pretty dry and the heat buildup from the jacket+poncho combo would be killer.
Again, I think you're spot on with this advice. Good video, thanks. Here in the UK for me it's mild wet weather that presents arguably the biggest challenge when long distance backpacking. The Penine way, Wainwright's C2C, Lake District walking (the clue is in the name), Dalesway, Hadrians Wall C2C and ANYWHERE in Scotland - you gonna get WET, WET, WET weather. The problem is not only keeping you and your kit dry from rainfall, but also reducing sweat build up. The water resistant materials provide very limited insulation, so if your layers under the rain protection become damp you can very quickly become cold when the wind gets up, you ascend to higher altitude, or when you stop walking for whatever reason (including breaking camp or even injury). I have found claims by manufacturers that waterproof membranes are "breathable" have to be taken with a degree of interpretation. In mild, wet conditions, the effort of walking will make you sweat faster than a jacket will permit it's comfortable escape whilst at the same time keeping out rain. Opening the zipper will vent you but at the cost of exposing you to rain ingress. The "venting" of the poncho that you have demonstrated in the video is effective, it can be easily repeated frequently and it maintains a barrier against water ingress.
Furthermore although many folk no longer use a dedicated pack external cover (and personally I have even ditched the brain pack of my Granite Gear Crown 2) the poncho does provide additional rain protection for the pack.
Combined with additional functionality around camp as a ground sheet, low cost of the item and for those of us using vented trail runners with wet feet (making separate rain trousers possibly obsolete with a poncho), I have to agree with you that the poncho is an excellent multi-function solution for longer light backpacking hikes in mild but wet weather. As you say, it won't replace the rain jacket on shorter trips, colder weather or climbing activities.
Now, if you have any good tips and advice for how I might persuade my wife to come backpacking can you please make a video on that?
Hey Neil, thanks again for watching and commenting.
Absolutely right. The jackets do 'breath' good enough for your walk to the train station or to the shops. But when going cross country with a pack, it simply doesn't.
I knew I was sold on the poncho when I had to do a big up hill section in the rain and using that venting method I stayed cool and dry.
I do find that the poncho keeping the pack dry just makes life easier, less chafing and less worry about gear getting wet.
And right once again. I also wear trail runners so in the rain I just unzip the lower part of my pants to make shorts and put the poncho on, absolutely no need for rain pants (unless your hiking in real freezing conditions).
Hahaha I actually do. When I met my wife she was a 5 star hotel girl who's never gone camping and now she's a multi day ultralight hiker who loves to go.
There was certainly process which might actually make for a video!
@@JakeMarcin Something you didn't mention, but I've found that wearing your backpack strap outside your rain jacket creates a spot for water to get in under your jacket. Not sure why that happens. Having the pack under the poncho removes the problem.
Really good points made here. The build-up of condensation and sweat, thus making you a waterproofed wet teabag, is one of the unsolved problems of hiking.
I do not propose a solution.
However, I do have a (half) remedy. Wearing the Snugpak Enhanced Patrol Poncho, when it is not raining(ish) put it over your head. That way it will still cover your arms and back but will allow you full frontal ventilation. If the rain comes you pull it back over - with hood - for as long as the downpour lasts.
admittedly, a bit "black and white", but it seems to work.
Looks like a good poncho, little on the steeper side but definitely has some extra features
Thanks for sharing the idea :)
Good watch! If nothing else for the Aussie accent, but the advice was great as well.
You just saved me about $120. :) Many thanks...
Got in touch w/ but sadly, they are not set up for overseas shipments. Very nice polite reply. I am glad I at least asked. Thank you for letting me know such a spiffy item even existed.
Decathlon Australia
Thats a shame.
There is gear in the US that doesn't ship and I go through certain third party vendors which you can ship to and they will forward, potentially you might be able to find somewhere the same here in Aus. Although thats a lot of work for a $30 poncho haha
You can order through Decathalon US (decathalon.com/)
There are ponchos with nice tailored arms out there too!
Totally agree with u,
The biggest plus for me as with you is instant rucksack protection but also unlike rucksack rain covers a poncho covers the front straps also which all soak up water like mad and take forever to dry out.
Plus of course most can be used as a small bivvy
Absolutely, couldn’t agree more, it solves so many problems
Thank you the review. A good idea.
All the best.
Thanks for watching :)
There's other important aspects to the Poncho you didn't mention, the safety ones.
I could see your's had side snaps, so if it will snap together long side to long side, you have a bivvy bag.
I couldn't tell from the video if your poncho has grommets or loops for staking/tying cord on/fixing a pole to so you can make shelter.
In an emergency when out hiking, eg I twisted ankle which slows you down so you become benighted, or when foul weather closes in to ride out a storm. Foil blanket, bivvy bag, fold up sleep mat add weight, but a lot more comfort if you have to overnight or spend several hours waiting for a storm to pass or a mountain rescue team to find you.
If you're hiking open ground in hot sunny weather, heat exhaustion is something that can develop into heat stroke, fatal without rapid paramedic and hospital treatment because it requires intravenous fluid replacement.
Therefore folk need to know and recognise symptoms of heat exhaustion in themselves and others. Get into shade and take in electrolyte laced water, sipped not gulped. Sports drinks will work, but I use Diolaryte sachets I keep in my first aid pack.
The military style poncho (I use genuine military ponchos because they're tougher designed to take punishment) is a proven and essential piece of kit.
Thx!
Great tip. I think ill grab one and throw it in just for options. Cant hurt as it wouldnt add much weight.
Thanks for watching.
Yeah, give it a go. I was a little skeptical about not taking a proper rain jacket and just using a poncho but since hiking in the rain with it a few months back, I haven't gone back to carrying a dedicated rain jacket. This is just so much lighter, cheaper and more versatile for me.
Could not agree more. Especially when you are carrying a pack. BTW, in the US I am a Frogg Togg fan. Poncho, rain Jacket, and pants? Oh about $30 for all three. About 36AU$?
Your Poncho looks GREAT.
Only thing I might get one day is a rain kilt to go w/ the poncho.
Would you know right off the bat if that poncho is available to be ordered in the US? Really interested. That Zipper if very sporty
Hey Yermo, thanks for watching and commenting.
This poncho (and I should have showed it) does go just below the knees (I'm 180cm call) so really it does the job of a basic rain kilt as well.
Decathlon, the store I purchased it from (link in description) is an international store, although I think mostly in Europe.
I don't know if they will ship globally though, worth asking.
I want to use poncho for delivery business but I need to reach my pockets underneath in a jiffy. Should I cut it..
Pockets are very easy to reach underneath
Shouldn’t need to cut anything
Next trip I switch to a poncho. 3 years later how do you feel about the poncho for backapcking? I also bough a mont laurel design bug bivy 2 (used for cheap!) after seeing your other video on that! Cheers!
For my normal hiking and camping conditions it’s my absolute go to (Sydney)
When I went to Tassie last winter and spent time hiking around the more alpine Cradle Mt, it was a jacket as preference.
So my experience has remained quite consistent with it being a very climate/location based choice.
I'll be a belt and suspenders guy. Still will bring the Gore-tex jacket with the poncho.
Yellow poncho
can you use it as a footprint?
Absolutely
Used it several times as that
i just switched from a poncho to a rain jacket. the disadvantages of the poncho: not good in wind even with a belt around your waist, not good on rock scrambles, not good on steep inclines, you step on it creating a trip hazard, wet forearms, not good when you gotta pee, not good if you do any type of bushwacking. while it does have some multi-purpose advantages, ime, the negatives out weigh them. YMMV
I have a XXL rain jacket, it fits over my pack, super easy to vent, and comes almost to my knees. Best of both worlds.
@@indy2867 lol that is a fantastic idea.
@@indy2867 lmao we got a winner
Better for legs and breaths..
What do you raccomend for the pants?
For the location/climate I hike and camp in I don’t bring rain pants.
I generally wear short and light weight trail shoes so my legs/feet do get a little wet but they dry quite quickly.
I would get sweaty, muggy and uncomfortable in rain pants.
But if I was based somewhere much could’ve then I would definitely consider rain pants
@@JakeMarcin thank you..very informative
$39 bucks now...up 30% in 2 years...what the heck!
Great video. thanks for sharing your thoughts. I've also got the Marmot Minimalist jacket and love it but when it is hot, humid and raining you just get soaked in sweat. Your video answers a question I posed in my Victory Track Hike th-cam.com/video/H9_5rRBhgi8/w-d-xo.html Thanks.
Thanks Hiker in Aus. Saw your video and totally agree when hiking in humid conditions, it almost defeats the purpose of having the jacket. Especially in those hot months like when you went out in Feb for that video.
Haven't gone back since using this poncho
@@JakeMarcin Yep, think I really need to look into getting a poncho.
For $30 you can't go wrong
By the sounds of it, you bought the (Supreme) Gore-tex poncho? and you are comparing it to a $30 brand (link is broken btw) and you're saying that it's better? It sounds like you bought a fake Gore-tex...
That is not at all what he said.