Just like different ponchos are tougher than others, you need to think about more than your body when choosing a rain poncho. Note that a single individual makes, ships, and repairs the Packa, so don’t expect a large organization when you get in touch. Not just for sports enthusiast, our rain ponchos and capes will come in handy for all sorts of excursions, all-year round (especially if you spent most of your time in the UK!

The Sea to Summit Tarp Poncho covers your body from the rain like a poncho should and also converts into a basic tarp shelter if you really need it to. This alone makes it over and above other ponchos, because the main issue with the poncho is how awkward it is to cover yourself AND your pack.

Keeping you and your gear dry from head to mid-thigh is reason enough to consider purchasing a poncho, and the fact that many can double as a shelter only sweetens the deal. This is due to the fast and light idea of a rain poncho, and because if it was made of thicker fabric it would be a much heavier item in your pack, given how much more fabric a poncho has than a jacket. For short day hikes, I still prefer a rain jacket, but once I strap on a backpack it’s poncho or no go. We’ve already discussed pack coverage size and shelter versatility — these are your two most important considerations, so make sure you know what you need.

This means it’ll be more durable, which is good for most travelers and day hikers, but not as good for ultralight backpackers. I am ahopping for a poncho because I am often using a walker and since it requires 2 hands and that of course is all I have, I can’t use an umbrella.Where rain jackets contour to your body as you would expect from any jacket, ponchos take a drape-it-over-everything approach to rain protection.