Poncho question

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to determine what I need for rain protection and have read some about the poncho quilt liners being used as an UQ as well. I have seen the two that you guys offer and can't quite determine what I should try. I'm looking for something that I can use as rain gear and as an UQ or cover if ever needed.

Dri Ducks poncho with JRB modification and poncho/shelter. I see that alot of folks are using a poncho for an UQ and would like something that I could use for a couple different purposes. Just trying to figure out which one you guys would suggest? It looks like the poncho/shelter is larger so it would offer more coverage???? Any advice???

I was just getting ready to ask the same question. I know a few have used the Golite Poncho/Tarp. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

I think what you are referring to is a rain poncho being used as a protector for an underquilt. Used in this manner it protects the UQ from moisture, stops some wind, and maybe adds a small amount of insulation as well.
A lot of folks use a poncho 'liner' as an underquilt. The liner is a quilted, synthetic 'blanket' designed for military use to add warmth when sleeping under the poncho.

What Passinthru said.

However, you can also use your poncho, if modded correctly, to hold a crumpled-up space blanket against the bottom of the hammock for truly warm conditions. I've used this semi-Garlington insulator successfully as low as the mid-50s. I'd recommend somewhere around 55* F to 60* F as the temp rating for most folks.

Just a thought...

well I am just now looking at getting into backpacking and I'm trying to make everything have at least two purposes. Like I'm going to ditch my air core pillow once I get a poncho and plan to use it primarily as a pillow when stuffed in it's pocket. It's primary use will be for rain protection(which I hope to seldom have to use) but would like it to where I can gather the ends for a gear hammock or as an added layer of insulation incase temps drop lower than expected.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leeinmemphis

well I am just now looking at getting into backpacking and I'm trying to make everything have at least two purposes. Like I'm going to ditch my air core pillow once I get a poncho and plan to use it primarily as a pillow when stuffed in it's pocket. It's primary use will be for rain protection(which I hope to seldom have to use) but would like it to where I can gather the ends for a gear hammock or as an added layer of insulation incase temps drop lower than expected.

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If your making gear there are plans somewhere around here for a gear hammock/chair/pack cover... I can get you the link to the video if you want it... It wouldn't cover you, but it would cover your pack which is half the battle...

I suggest you consider using a urethane coated nylon poncho instead of silnylon if you also intend to use it as a gear hammock. The material is significantly stronger thus less likely to leak if loaded that way.

The other use for a poncho is as a door across the weather end in a storm. A couple of tie points would not weigh much but would facilitate that.

Multi-use gear is the best gear and a poncho is one of the most verisitile multitaskers you can carry.

Just my $0.02

I was hoping one of the jacks may drop in and advise if either of their ponchos would be up for what I hope to do with it. I've looked on amazon and there is a bunch of different brand stuff but I really don't want to just order something and it not be the right material/size etc. Also the prices are all over the place between $7 to $150 dollars. I would have never guessed choosing a parka would have been so complicated.

I use my poncho as an overcover & I have a undercover from 2QZQ. However, I use to tie my poncho under my hammock. I always carried 2 large Heavy Duty Trash bags. One was for my inner liner on my backpack, and the other I used for my sleeping bag & UQ.

I would fill them with leaves and put them on top of the Poncho. I had a JRB Mt Washington which was good to @ 25°. So when it would drop down to single digits, it was a good back up. Both the poncho and bags were doing double duty.

I use a driducks poncho with a DIY version of the JRB weather shield mod. It was cheap and has been very useful as a UQ protector and numerous other things. Dri ducks does breath better than silny in my experience and is comparibly water resistant. They may not be as durable, but I haven't ripped my poncho yet, can't say the same for the pants. Though its an easy repair with gorilla tape when its dry good doing that with silny.