Would a Ripstop nylon poncho be 100 per cent waterproof?

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darrenleroy

Nomad
Jul 15, 2007
351
0
51
London
I've seen a lightweight poncho that claims to be 100 per cent waterproof US military issue on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s?ie=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=sports&field-keywords=Military 1st

Lots of camo styles and has poppers and is a good size for an emergency tarp. It's also a good price. So far so good...

BUT!

If I was in a trudging along in a downpour would it be waterproof? Is I thought ripstop nylon was water resistant only.

And do you reckon it's US military kit or a copy? I'm guessing the latter.
 

Laurentius

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Aug 13, 2009
2,422
614
Knowhere
I am tempted to say "Is anything" certainly not modern hi tech kit.

Years ago I found the WW2 rubberized groundsheet poncho pretty effective in a downpour but heavy.

I have a Swiss Army alpenflage Poncho, and that is as waterproof as they come, but it is neither high tech, light or breathable.
 

darrenleroy

Nomad
Jul 15, 2007
351
0
51
London
I am tempted to say "Is anything" certainly not modern hi tech kit.

Years ago I found the WW2 rubberized groundsheet poncho pretty effective in a downpour but heavy.

I have a Swiss Army alpenflage Poncho, and that is as waterproof as they come, but it is neither high tech, light or breathable.

I suppose the best option is to buy this cheap poncho (£15) and try it out! It looks fine and is lightweight which is a bonus point for me. I don't think I'm going to be out in a 24-hour torrential downpour anyway so I imagine a poncho over a jacket/fleece/anorak and heavy duty cordura rucksack should be enough to stop me and my kit getting wet on the way to or from camp.
 

launditch1

Maker Plus and Trader
Nov 17, 2008
1,741
0
Eceni county.
They look like copys to me.The fact the same version is available in green, woodland, black and flektarn...
You can get a proper issue one for that price and they are waterproof...i have one.:headbang:
 

darrenleroy

Nomad
Jul 15, 2007
351
0
51
London
They look like copys to me.The fact the same version is available in green, woodland, black and flektarn...
You can get a proper issue one for that price and they are waterproof...i have one.:headbang:

I think the link Shewie added a few posts above this one took me to a UK supplier but alas, they've sold out. I've had a look on the web but it's always hard to know if they're original or not. I'd prefer a proper issue one but may have to settle for a copy. Let's hope the Chinese garment workers weren't doing quadruple shifts that day.
 

bailout

Member
Jul 17, 2008
38
0
devon
Ripstop just means that there is a grid of fibres in the material that are thicker and stronger than the rest. Hence it is supposed to be more resistant to tearing than if the thicker fibres weren't there. Whether it is waterproof or not depends on the coating.
 

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