Don’t let the “one-size-fits-all” idea entice you. Just like different ponchos are tougher than others, you need to think about more than your body when choosing a rain poncho. VERDICT: Designed for everyone and anyone, you can wear this to soccer games, to walk your dogs in, or for serious expedition hiking. The TENTSFORMER Bushcraft Poncho from OneTigris is a really good value for money option that doesn’t feel flimsy and will keep you dry all day long. Take all the pros of Sea To Summit’s classic Tarp Poncho, then subtract all the cons, and you’ve got the Ultra-Sil Nano. The Gatewood Cape by Six Moons Design is a very unique product. It’s a rain poncho that doubles as a tarp tent. (You read that right!) It weighs just 10 ounces, has a hood for your head, and a large 360-degree coverage when worn as a poncho.

poncho (between these 2). | Camino de Santiago Forum Which poncho (between these 2). | Camino de Santiago Forum

Sorry I'm coming late to the party. I did love my Vaude poncho. It kept me dry in many a storm! I have two as they first one was so long I looked like half a pantomime horse in it. For the VdlP I bought a smaller size and it was much better. Cheap ponchos are a dime a dozen, and it can be tough to sort the good from the bad in that regard. Anyoo’s latest update to their Lightweight Poncho is very good indeed, and makes it a more attractive option than ever if you’re working on a tight budget. Nylon is very similar to polyester in its properties in that thin strands are woven together to create a durable and lightweight fabric ideal for outdoor clothing. While the strands of nylon are waterproof (they don’t hold moisture) a fabric made from woven fibers will need some kind of treatment to make it fully waterproof. PU stands for polyurethane which is a type of plastic that will bond with synthetic fibers to create a waterproof layer. Ripstop Nylon is basically a special type of weave which makes the fabric extra resistant to tears and if there is a puncture it won’t easily turn into a gaping hole. PVC You can apply as little or as much tension as you wish, but do not over-tighten, as this will stress the poncho fabric unnecessarily. Now you can button up as much or as little of the sides of the poncho as you wish, adjusting for desired airflow. Let’s not be silly, when you are looking for a waterproof poncho you want something to protect you from the rain and would expect it to keep you dry. When looking at descriptions, you should read carefully as water resistance and waterproof are not quite the same thing. Look for things like sealed seams and a hydrostatic head rating that will tell you how much water pressure they can withstand. You can always maintain your poncho with waterproof treatments, but for the most part, you can rely on them to deflect the rain pretty well. Breathability

Specs

A very wet, 6-day, 95-mile hike through Shawnee National Forest, as well as a few shorter weekend hikes. Of course if you’re new to rain ponchos and aren’t sure where to start your search, you’re also in the right place. Down at the bottom you’ll also find our buyers guide on outdoors rain ponchos to break down all the most popular features, terms, and materials you’ll find in a proper rain poncho.

Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Poncho Reviews - Trailspace

If your Decathlon poncho works in every respect other than the peeling seamguards, why not give it some repair/maintenance time? That's what winters are for... non? That’s because the Saphirose includes a list of thoughtful bike-specific features in its design. For instance, you’ll find elastic loops at the end of each sleeve, which are designed to slide over your fingers to keep the poncho in place as you move. Looking underneath this rain poncho, you’ll also notice a pair of pinch clamps attached to elasticated lines, which are designed to clamp onto your handlebar controls to keep the front of the poncho anchored to the bike as you pedal.

Arthur McMahon — Lead Editor

Once you get where you’re going, you simply unclip the poncho and fasten down the side snaps to snug it down to your body, and you’ve got a classic full coverage poncho to protect you while you walk.

frogg toggs

The Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Nano Tarp Poncho is our number one best rain poncho for hiking and camping. It is by far the biggest waterproof poncho we have tested and is also only 4 grams short of being the lightest as well! Sea To Summit really does make some of the best and lightest outdoor gear out there, and this is another winner. The Red Ledge Vinyl Poncho is that one your parents probably have in a disaster kit somewhere. It’s not fancy, it’s made of PVC (a material that’s not known for anything positive in clothing), and it has no bells and whistles. But it has a hood and covers your body, thereby protecting you from rain. It’s very cheap, very basic, and we don’t actually recommend disposing of it but keeping it around for emergencies. If it does rip you won’t be hard-pressed to grab another one. See Red Ledge Vinyl Poncho There are several factors worth considering before purchasing a rain poncho. Most ponchos are sold as one-size-fits-all, but that doesn’t mean they are all created equal. We don’t particularly love the word “disposable”, especially when it comes to a plastic product, but one can’t deny the one-use nature of ponchos for many people. This is the section where we break down all the different factors we used to base our opinions as well as what to look for when choosing a waterproof hiking poncho. Waterproofing

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There’s a lot to love here. For starters, this isn’t a water-resistant poncho, it’s a completely waterproof layer. No amount of rain makes it past the 100% polypropylene shell. It may look far from fashionable, but it damn sure gets the job done.