REVIEWS
5 Reviews
Kase C.
If I know it's going to pour rain, I bring this instead of a pack cover. I always had problems with the rain going between my pack and my back and wetting out my jacket. Combined with my perspiration, I wet everything out quick. I like how breathable it is and can be combined with rainpants for long hours on the trail in the wet. Downsides, I'm not tall and without a pack the back hangs around my ankles. Plus, it only good on the trail. It gets tangled bushwhacking and needs to be taken off during technical maneuvers.
Tridoc
Perfect for misery. PROS: A BIG Plus if you hate pack covers, (finding another area to dry them out/keeping up with them) and you despise "wet sponge" shoulder straps. I use with a Hyperlite pack with their stuff pods, so everything is totally watertight. CONS: It's still a poncho. Arms get wet, esp. if using trekking poles. Dripline for rain runoff can pour down the back of your boots if you don't dial in the rear cord adjustment. Hood decent, umbrella better. Packs small. REASON TO BUY: Your friend forgets their rain shell when a sudden downpour appears. You're a hero. *Have not used as a tarp, but it seems like it will do what it claims based on material performance when it was used as a poncho in a downpour.
David Z.
I bought a used one online and I love it! The only draw back I see, other than typical poncho issues, is that there isn't enough room in the top of the head to comforatbly wear a ballcap underneath. If you could extend the material a little further and maybe add a pocket where the brim of a hat could fit, that would make this thing perfect! The ability to have the brim of your hat covered prevents water from wicking onto your head and eventually your neck, etc. Also, the brim provies extra coverage for your face preventing water from dripping in when you have the poncho loose around your neck for ventilation. I would love to see this change in future models and would buy a new one in a heartbeat if so!
Abbey
It's actually pretty hard to find a poncho for backpacking that is light, durable, packable and that will effectively cover a full-size backpack. This poncho was our choice for a month on the John Muir Trail, and it performed well. I personally think a poncho is preferable to a rain shell plus a pack cover. With the pack cover, padded straps get soaked and a rain jacket + pack cover is likely to be heavier than a light poncho like this one. This poncho is very lightweight (5 oz) and rolls/stuffs into a very small stuff sack. It is completely waterproof, has some snaps to allow you to adjust it around the arms, has a drawstring for the hood and the hood is shaped to keep rain off your face. It is long enough to cover a backpacker and backpack. Interior of the poncho was completely dry after being left outside all night. It dries fast. Will not keep your legs dry, and your arms will also be exposed with relatively short sleeves. This design worked fine. However, I want it to be a little longer in the back. Our backpacks were mostly covered, but the bottom of the backpacks was right at the bottom of the poncho and got a little damp in an extended shower. If your pack were taller than ours, you might find that the poncho doesn't cover it completely. Ultralight ponchos all seem to be pricey, this is certainly not a cheap product, about $100. But other equal weight options were $150 / $170. Significantly lower options were either twice as heavy or not made for long-term use.
Bret N.
Have used this for weather protection in day hikes (2-4 / month), weekend (1/month) & week long backpacking trips (1 - 4 /year ) in the SW Arizona desert areas. Excellent for monsoons with day packs (30L) & backpack (91L). Works well for rainwater collection. Useful for shade in the desert with one or two trekking poles. Currently have used the lime colored for 5 years without any repairs for failures.
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