Ponchos

[lars]

I just bought a SilPoncho which is an ultra light poncho made from silicon-impregnated polyester. Super light (10 oz) and waterproof...water beads off of this stuff like you wouldn't believe.

http://www.integraldesigns.com/photos/bspo.jpg

I figured it'd be a great item to have for travelling and hiking. That got me to thinking about ways of setting it up as a sunshade for use on the beach when we're camping or travelling.

What uses have you found for your poncho?

...lars

[Binford]

I've got a U.S. Army poncho in woodland camo. It's made of rubberized ripstop nylon and keeps me perfectly dry. I have a quilted liner for it too that I picked up at a garage sale, but haven't used that. Never thought to use it as a tent or sunshade. I guess for that I would use a tent or a sunshade. I'm just sayin'....

http://www.outdoor-plaza.de/images/product_images/info_images/694_0.jpg

One on eBay now: http://cgi.ebay.com/US-ARMY-ISSUE-HUNTING-WOODLAND-CAMOFLAUGE-CAMO-PONCHO-_W0QQitemZ330278093092QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ2008101 1?IMSfp=TL081011236017r18820

Pretty good price too. I paid something like $30 or $40 from a friend in the military who bought it new on base.

[ChrisL]

I just bought a SilPoncho which is an ultra light poncho made from silicon-impregnated polyester. Super light (10 oz) and waterproof...water beads off of this stuff like you wouldn't believe.

http://www.integraldesigns.com/photos/bspo.jpg

I figured it'd be a great item to have for travelling and hiking. That got me to thinking about ways of setting it up as a sunshade for use on the beach when we're camping or travelling.

What uses have you found for your poncho?

...lars

Looks perfect if you ever want to stage a fake Martian landing Lars :-).

Chris.

[Moose good]

We used to make hooches like that out of ponchos in the forces...it's a great low-profile shelter that's quick to set up, even in the dark. Then they came up with a dedicated 'shelter half' and separate raingear: more junk to pack...

The lower to the ground, the warmer it'll be and you can plug up one end with boughs as a windbreak.

Where they really shine IMO is strung as a rain fly over a hammock.

If you run a ridgeline instead of using poles like in the pic, it won't be such a pain in the @ss to get in and out of.

The liners for them are great too. I use a USGI one during the summer instead of a sleeping bag.

[Lone Ranger]

What uses have you found for your poncho?

...lars

To look at and admire while I'm sitting in my dry, warm truck waiting for the rain to stop! Sorry Lars, couldn't resist saying it!

I haven't had a poncho in years. I use my hunting gear when out hiking, and its "mostly" waterproof. Honestly enough, I don't do enough long distance hiking anymore to justify owning one, and my Remington hunting jacket has made short work of even the coldest and wettest days so far. If I'm forced to sleep in the bush for the night (assuming survival situation and I'm lost) I'd be wrapping myself tightly with the poncho/cover and getting under the driest tree I can find. It may not be the warmest or the most comfortable way to sleep, but in any situation that I'd need it I won't be staying still long anyways, just long enough to rest and wait for daylight. LR