Ponchos

[Airman]

Do they make a poncho that really keeps you dry and is not too hot. I'm looking for one to use that would breathe and also go over my backpack to reinforce keeping it dry. Any suggestions.

[HiKen2011]

Not to hot? Breathable? Hardly, but some are better than others. The packa is one. I use the gatewood cape which is also my shelter.

[Wise Old Owl]

gatewood or if on budget - Campmor...http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___20256?cm_vc=PDPZ1

see http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/1/5/5/2/tent_004a.jpg

[leaftye]

The Dri Ducks poncho has breathable fabric, so it should keep you cooler less sweaty, at least it does for me.

[Bags4266]

I use the campmor poncho and like it for its weight and its ability to cover your pack as well. I find poncho's to be more breathable than pants and jacket combos cause they are easy to vent. they just aren't to good in the wind and tight trails

[Oleskool]

Do they make a poncho that really keeps you dry and is not too hot. I'm looking for one to use that would breathe and also go over my backpack to reinforce keeping it dry. Any suggestions.


Yes The Packa. My wife and I use them, they are great. Very expensive, but wonderful and it comes with a "2,000 mile money back warranty"


http://www.thepacka.com/

[shelterbuilder]

The Dri Ducks poncho has breathable fabric, so it should keep you cooler less sweaty, at least it does for me.

Dri-Ducks is now being sold by Wal-Mart - there's a poncho, and a regular rain jacket. Didn't notice the price.

[Odd Man Out]

Yes The Packa. My wife and I use them, they are great. Very expensive, but wonderful and it comes with a "2,000 mile money back warranty"

The Packa looks interesting. I have a question about it. In a lot of gear lists, the rain jacket doubles as a primary outer layer for warmth and windbreak. It would seem that the Packa would not double as a jacket. Is that correct?

[Tinker]

Nothing is breathable enough while hiking in hot weather. I often find myself taking off my poncho and walking in the rain because I get too sweaty. The DriDucks fabric has a comfortable brushed interior which wicks some sweat away and feels drier, but I'm not sure the fabric really breathes all that well. In any case, ventilation trumps breathability in warm weather, and ventilation doesn't get much better than with an open sided poncho - which presents a problem in wind driven rain. Sure, you can tuck the back edges of your poncho into the front of your pack belt to prevent some rain from blowing in through the sides, but that will only make it hotter.
For me - a rain jacket below 40 degrees, a poncho from 40 to 60 degrees or so, and over 60 (certainly over 70) degrees, I just enjoy the coolness of the rain.

[Oleskool]

Yes, the packa works great as a shell layer and the HUGE "pit zips" offer plenty of ventilation. (from my ribs to elbows zip open or closed)

[scree]

Yes, the packa works great as a shell layer and the HUGE "pit zips" offer plenty of ventilation. (from my ribs to elbows zip open or closed)

I was interested in the Packa, but after looking it up I'm curious why they make it so short... looks like it only covers to the waist and doesn't seem too practical. I use a Snugpak patrol poncho which covers pack and extends all the way to knee level.. no wet butt / soggy pockets. Any idea if they make a full coverage version or do you have to carry additional rain pants?

[1azarus]

I've never used a packa, so i can't compare... but i use a driducks poncho in warm weather and find it pretty comfortable. it is a breathable fabric, and it is big enough to go over my not very big summer pack, too, so there is more air movement. secondary gain for the driducks poncho if you are a hammocker -- it makes a great undercover when modified by jacks r better. certainly makes my hammock more comfy on cool summer nights. its so cheap, i'd suggest you try one.

[The Cleaner]

Dri-Ducks is now being sold by Wal-Mart - there's a poncho, and a regular rain jacket. Didn't notice the price. Less than 10 bucks...

[Cedar Tree]

I was interested in the Packa, but after looking it up I'm curious why they make it so short... looks like it only covers to the waist and doesn't seem too practical. I use a Snugpak patrol poncho which covers pack and extends all the way to knee level.. no wet butt / soggy pockets. Any idea if they make a full coverage version or do you have to carry additional rain pants?

I think you must be looking at the picture of the black Packa on the front page of my website. That was my prototype and yes--it is pretty short. The regular Packa is long. I'm 6ft and a medium Packa hits me just above knee level. There is also a "tail" in the back that hangs down even lower, for sitting on wet logs and such. What does your Snugpak weigh? well over a pound if I'm not mistaken. However, I do wear rain pants with the Packa.
Cedar Tree

[Espero]

+1 for the Gatewood Cape.

[pyroman53]

Campmor Poncho...
I wear a poncho (7 oz)...it gets tied at front at waist with shock cord that connects to each of the backside poncho corners to secure back flap (just reach around and grab the cords and tie them in front).
Light rain allows me to bunch the front of the poncho up at my sternum strap so front is mostly uncovered. Usually I don't snap the sides of the poncho.
I wear a sil rainhat (1 oz) so I can disregard the poncho hood in all but heaviest storms, allowing heat to escape around neck and head.
If really cold and windy, I have the option of wearing my wind shell (5 oz) under poncho to keep me warm.
If snowing, I carry sil chaps (2 oz) to keep legs warm...and sil mits (1 oz) cause I'm from Arizona and not used to the cold!! I haven't tried this yet but last year on our trip it snowed in the smokeys and got me thinking "what if" so these are new items.
Total weight of all this: 16 ounces and lots of options. Poncho doubles as ground cloth. Wind shirt is used most days regardless.
I still sweat like a sauna when above 50 degrees, but less than any other set up I've tried. Heck, I sweat uphill when its 50 and not raining...no big thing.
My buddy has been carrying an umbrella for decades...swears by it. His trailname is Rainmaker so I have lots of practice using this setup. Works for me. We're section hikers so we must keep hiking.

[scree]

I think you must be looking at the picture of the black Packa on the front page of my website. That was my prototype and yes--it is pretty short. The regular Packa is long. I'm 6ft and a medium Packa hits me just above knee level. There is also a "tail" in the back that hangs down even lower, for sitting on wet logs and such. What does your Snugpak weigh? well over a pound if I'm not mistaken. However, I do wear rain pants with the Packa.
Cedar Tree

14 ounces carry weight for the snugpak.

[scree]

Thanks for the clarification on the Packa, by the way. I might pick one and give it a try based on the reviews I've seen here.

[Cedar Tree]

No problem. That snugpak looks pretty good too. I checked it out.
Ct